October 8, 2026
October 8, 2026
1982 California Angels: So Close
Three years earlier, in 1979, the California Angels got their first-ever postseason experience, a run in which they came up just short of reaching the Fall Classic. Before the start of their 1982 campaign, the Angels made some moves to improve their team, and these moves proved significant enough to carry the 1982 California Angels to the brink of the Fall Classic again.
On December 6, 1981, the contract of catcher Bob Boone was purchased by the Angels from the Philadelphia Phillies. Five days later, on December 11, the Angels traded catcher Brian Harper to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for shortstop Tim Foli. On January 2, 1982, the Angels made a big splash by signing free agent right fielder Reggie Jackson. Six days after that, on January 28, the Angels successfully traded right fielder Dan Ford to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for third baseman Doug DeCinces and relief pitcher Jeff Schneider.
The 1982 California Angels went 93-69, finishing 3 games ahead of the Kansas City Royals to win the American League West division. The Angels went 7-6 against a soon-to-be amazing Royals squad in head-to-head play. The Angels went 52-29 at their home ballpark of Anaheim Stadium, which was called by fans “The Big A,” while they went 41-40 on the road. With the exception of July, the Angels fared well from month to month, going 15-7 in April, 16-11 in May, 14-12 in June, 17-12 in August, and 15-13 in September.
First baseman Rod Carew batted .319 with 167 hits, 25 doubles, 5 triples, and 10 stolen bases in 138 games. Doug DeCinces batted .301 with 30 home runs and 97 RBIs off 173 hits, 42 doubles, 5 triples, and 7 stolen bases. Center fielder Fred Lynn batted .299 with 21 home runs and 86 RBIs off 141 hits, 38 doubles, and 7 stolen bases. Left fielder Brian Downing batted .281 with 28 home runs and 84 RBIs off 175 hits and 37 doubles. Reggie Jackson batted .275 with 39 home runs and 101 RBIs off 146 hits and 17 doubles. Designated hitter Don Baylor had 24 home runs and 93 RBIs off 160 hits, 24 doubles, and 10 stolen bases. Second baseman Bobby Grich had 19 home runs and 65 RBIs off 132 hits, 28 doubles, and 5 triples. Outfielder Juan Beniquez had 52 hits and 11 doubles in 112 games.
Starting pitcher Geoff Zahn went 18-8 with 81 strikeouts and a 3.73 ERA, recording 12 complete games and 4 shutouts. Ken Forsch went 13-11 with a 3.87 ERA, recording 12 complete games and 4 shutouts. Mike Witt went 8-6 with 85 strikeouts and a 3.51 ERA, recording 5 complete games and 1 shutout. Steve Renko went 11-6 with 81 strikeouts and 4 complete games. Closer Doug Corbett had 8 saves. Relief pitcher Bruce Kison went 10-5 with 86 strikeouts, 3 complete games, and 1 shutout in 16 games started, along with 1 save. Luis Sanchez went 7-4 with 5 saves and a 3.21 ERA. Andy Hassler went 2-1 with 4 saves and a 2.78 ERA. Dave Goltz went 8-5 with 1 complete game in 7 games started, along with 3 saves.
The 1982 California Angels got so close to reaching the World Series, taking a 2 games to none lead in the American League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Unfortunately for Angels fans, they were not able to score that clinching third victory of the series, as the Brewers came all the way back to win the American League pennant, 3 games to 2.
In Game 1, on October 5 at Anaheim Stadium, the Angels won 8-3. Tommy John, best known for his remarkable recovery following an elbow surgery that is named after him, pitched a complete game for the Angels, giving up 7 hits, 1 walk, and 3 runs while recording 5 strikeouts. John went 4-2 with a 3.86 ERA and 1 complete game in the regular season. In the bottom of the 1st inning, Don Baylor had a sacrifice fly to score Brian Downing. In the top of the 2nd, center fielder Gorman Thomas put the Brewers ahead 2-1 with a booming 2-run home run, and in the top of the 3rd, first baseman Cecil Cooper had an RBI groundout. The Angels responded in the bottom of the 3rd with an RBI single by Bobby Grich, a 2-run triple by Baylor, and an RBI groundout by Reggie Jackson. In the bottom of the 4th, Baylor had a 2-run single, and in the bottom of the 5th, Fred Lynn hit a solo home run.
In Game 2, on October 6, the Angels won 4-2. Bruce Kison pitched a complete game, giving up 5 hits and 2 runs while recording 8 strikeouts. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Tim Foli had an RBI single, and Bob Boone followed by laying down a sacrifice bunt to score Doug DeCinces. In the bottom of the 3rd, Jackson hit a solo home run, and in the bottom of the 4th, Boone had a sacrifice fly to score DeCinces. Third baseman Paul Molitor would have an inside-the-park home run in the top of the 5th, but that would be it for Milwaukee.
While they were so close, and yet didn’t clinch a spot in the World Series in 1982, the Angels showcased their collection of talent in the best way possible. Four members of the Angels made the All-Star Game, as Bobby Grich, Reggie Jackson, and Fred Lynn all started for the American League while Rod Carew made it as a reserve. In a rare feat, Fred Lynn would be named ALCS Most Valuable Player despite playing for the losing team of the series. It would only take four years for the Angels to get another shot at reaching the World Series.
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