Since 1936, The Sporting News has handed out Major League Baseball awards. This year’s top hardware belongs to New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge who edged out last year’s winner Shohei Ohtani to win Sporting News Player of the Year.
The 28-year-old Ohtani came off a historic 2021 season and continued to provide elite production as a hitter and elite performance as a pitcher. It could be argued his 2022 season was even better, and in any other year, he’d probably have captured his second MVP Award in as many seasons.
Currently, if Ohtani remains with the team he’s a shoo-in for one of the greatest Angels of all time, but we’re probably not quite there yet. Accordingly, the writers and staff at Safe Betting Sites offer up these four as the best of the best in Angel’s history.
Nolan Ryan
Ryan played with the Angels from 1972-1979 and is considered one of the best pitchers to have worn the club’s colors. In his eight seasons with the Angels, he led them in seven strikeouts with a record .383 in 1973.
His record is considered the highest for a pitcher in a season since 1886. In the history of the Los Angeles Angels, Ryan bagged the top 5 strikeout marks in a single season. He pitched four no-hitters and had six one-hitters. Four times, he had 19 strikeouts in a game. During this period, he achieved 138-121 with a 3.07 ERA and 2,416 strikeouts. This stands as the second-best in the Angels’ history.
His all-star selection ranges from the 1972-73 seasons to 1975,1977, and 1979. He was inducted into the hall of fame in 1999 and is one of the players to have his number retired by three teams.
Mike Trout
Mike Trout has been recognized as the MVP for multiple seasons. He began his pro career with the Angels in 2011, where he currently plays. It is said that he has up to a decade-long contract left with the Angels. With his achievements already racked up in his career, he will likely have more accomplishments than any other team player.
In the 2020 season, Mike Trout recorded a 304 average, a team record of 302 home runs, 944 runs, 798 RBI, and 201 steals. He won MVPs in his first ten seasons in 2014, 2016, and 2019. He also won Rookie of the Year in 2012 and was a part of the All-Star selection from 2012-2019 and 2021. Likewise, he was named All-Star Game MVP in 2014 and 2015 and awarded the Silver Slugger award from 2012-2016 and 2018-2020.
Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Guerrero had a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels from 2004-2009. He signed a free-agent acquisition deal of $70 million with the Angels making it one of the most significant contracts in the Angels’ History.
In 2004, his .337 average topped all right-handed hitters and made the third-highest with the Angels. Over his six seasons at the club, he hit a franchise record of .319, with 616 RBI and 173 home runs. Honored as an MVP in 2004, he made it into the All-Star selections and won Silver Slugger accolades in the 2004-2007 seasons. Guerrero was later inducted into the Hall of fame in 2018.
Reggie Jackson
A slightly ironic entry on our list is Reggie Jackson. This right fielder played for the Angels from 1982 to 1986, but Jackson is also very much remembered for playing for the team’s rivals, Oakland Athletics. In the five seasons he spent with the Angels, he made three All-Star Games appearances and was the 1982 Silver Slugger.
Outside his Angels’ time, Jackson was named MVP in 1973 and won the Babe Ruth Award in 1977. In addition, he got the Silver Slugger in 1980. While with Oakland Athletics, Jackson helped them win five American League West divisional titles on the bounce and three World Series in a row. Later, with the New York Yankees, he won another two World Series in a row.
