DrewBrown
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My 10 Favorite Angels
Steve Bisheff of the L.A. Times has a great blog post up today listing his 10 favorite Angels of all time. Got me thinking about mine…. in no particular order.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/angels_blog/2009/08/my-10-alltime-favorite-angels.html
- David Eckstein – Actually, this pick IS in order. Hands down not only my favorite Angel, but my favorite athlete. Love the way he plays the game.
- Scott Spiezio – I don’t care how many felonies he committed after his Angel days were over, that HR in Game 6 of the 2002 World Series ranks not only as my favorite baseball moment, but just above the birth of my children as my favorite life moment.
- Jim Abbott - In hindsight, even though I witnessed it first hand, I can’t believe that there was a major league pitcher, who threw a no-hitter no less, who actually played despite having been born without a right hand. As inspirational an athlete as I’ve witnessed in my lifetime.
- Curtis Pride – While Pride never reached the level of accomplishment that Abbott did… remaining essentially a AAAA player through his long career… the fact that he HAD a long career despite being profoundly deaf is amazing and inspiring.
- Darin Erstad - Isn’t this the kind of guy you’d want leading your team by example? Sure, he was never able to live up to the expectations created by the ridiculous levels set in his early Angel career, but he was a vital part of the World Series team, and I’ll always remember him for catching the last out.
- Francisco Rodriguez – The list is understandably skewed towards key performers on the 2002 team, and none was more memorable or valuable than K-Rod. Still hard to believe that he made his MLB debut in September…. just days before the playoffs. The most devastating slider I’ve ever seen… he made great hitters look stupid chasing it.
- Vladimir Guerrero – Probably responsible for more thrills over the course of his career than any other Angel. As his time with the team likely winds down (certainly his effectiveness has), I hope they’re able to deliver him to the title that he’s long deserved.
- Torii Hunter – I wasn’t completely sold when they signed him, and was impressed but not blown away by his first season in Anaheim… but season 2 has seen more than it’s fair share of “that’s the greatest catch I’ve ever seens.” On top of his all-world baseball skills (offense AND defense), dude is quite possibly the most charismatic man on the planet.
- Mike Scioscia – Has transformed the franchise into a consistent winner. Respected throughout the game, and yet still underrated… needs to pilot the team to another title…. or at least out of the first round and past the Red Sox… to really get the respect he deserves.
- Arte Moreno – Has redefined the franchise as a big-market club, and established a winning atmosphere, even though he’s yet to win the big one. Perhaps the best owner … certainly one of the most fan-friendly and generous owners – in all of professional sports.
