1979 California Angels: Good Signs

1979 California Angels: Good Signs

Building Toward a Breakthrough

The California Angels franchise traces its roots to 1961, when the team debuted as the Los Angeles Angels and began play at Wrigley Field, the Los Angeles version of the ballpark. That Wrigley Field was owned by William Wrigley Jr., the same Wrigley who helped build the original Wrigley Field in Chicago. Unfortunately for the Angels, they were unable to reach the postseason for almost the first two decades of the franchise’s existence. However, 1979 would mark the beginning of better outcomes for the California Angels.

A Division-Winning Season

The Angels went 88-74 in the 1979 MLB season, winning the American League West division by three games over the Kansas City Royals. The Angels went 7-6 against the Royals in head-to-head play, finished 49-32 at home, and went 39-42 on the road. Aside from June and August, the Angels were productive in every month of the regular season, going 15-8 in April, 15-12 in May, 17-11 in July, and 16-11 in September.

The 1979 regular season also featured an impressive 10-game winning streak, which began with an 11-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on April 11 and ended on April 21 with a 13-1 win over the Oakland Athletics.

Angels Bats Set the Pace

Catcher Brian Downing batted .326 with 12 home runs and 75 RBIs off 166 hits, 27 doubles, and 3 triples. First baseman Rod Carew batted .318 with 130 hits, 15 doubles, 3 triples, and 18 stolen bases in 110 games. Left fielder Don Baylor batted .296 with 36 home runs and 139 RBIs off 186 hits, 33 doubles, 3 triples, and 22 stolen bases. Second baseman Bobby Grich batted .294 with 30 home runs and 101 RBIs off 157 hits, 30 doubles, and 5 triples. Center fielder Rick Miller batted .293 with 125 hits, 15 doubles, and 5 triples in 120 games.

Right fielder Dan Ford batted .290 with 21 home runs and 101 RBIs off 165 hits, 26 doubles, 5 triples, and 8 stolen bases. Third baseman Carney Lansford batted .287 with 19 home runs and 79 RBIs off 188 hits, 30 doubles, and 5 triples. Designated hitter Willie Aikens batted .280 with 21 home runs and 81 RBIs off 106 hits and 18 doubles in 116 games. Left fielder Joe Rudi added 11 home runs and 61 RBIs off 80 hits, 11 doubles, and 3 triples in 90 games. On May 4, the Angels acquired shortstop Bert Campaneris from the Texas Rangers in a trade that sent third baseman and shortstop Dave Chalk to Texas. In 85 games, Campaneris collected 56 hits, 4 triples, and 12 stolen bases.

Pitching Depth Fuels the Angels

Starting Rotation

The pitching staff was the main strength of the Angels. Starting pitcher Dave Frost went 16-10 with 107 strikeouts, 1 save, and a 3.57 ERA, recording 12 complete games and 2 shutouts. Pitching for the Angels since 1972, Nolan Ryan threw his last season for the club in 1979, going 16-14 with 223 strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA, recording 17 complete games and 5 shutouts. Jim Barr recorded 5 complete games despite going 10-12. Don Aase logged 7 complete games, 1 shutout, and 2 saves despite going 9-10. Frank Tanana went 7-5 with a 3.89 ERA, recording 2 complete games and 1 shutout. Chris Knapp went 5-5 with 3 complete games.

Bullpen Strength

Closer Mark Clear went 11-5 with 14 saves and a 3.63 ERA. Relief pitcher Dave LaRoche recorded 10 saves. John Montague went 2-0 with 6 saves. Ralph Botting went 2-0, Dyar Miller went 1-0 with a 3.31 ERA, and Mike Barlow went 1-1.

Angels Reach the Postseason

ALCS Result

Making the postseason for the first time in franchise history was an accomplishment in itself, but the California Angels were sent home by the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Championship Series, falling three games to one. In Game 3 on October 5 at Anaheim Stadium, however, the Angels showed their loyal fans a glimpse of what was to come in the history of their franchise.

Game 3 Heroics

In the bottom of the 1st inning, Dan Ford delivered an RBI single. In the top of the 4th, the Orioles tied the game on an RBI single by designated hitter Lee May. Don Baylor then put the Angels back in front with a solo home run in the bottom of the 4th. In the top of the 6th, third baseman Doug DeCinces tied the game again with a sacrifice fly, and the Orioles took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 7th on an RBI single by pinch hitter and right fielder Terry Crowley. The bottom of the 9th featured great heroics as Bobby Grich reached on an error to score Rod Carew, and with the game tied, left fielder Larry Harlow delivered the game-winning RBI double, giving the 1979 campaign a stamp of success in some form.

It would take only seven years for the Angels to return to the American League Championship Series, which would provide a slightly better outcome. Good signs were clearly on the horizon for the California Angels franchise.