Page 304 - 2020 Angels Media Guide

ANGELS IN THE POSTSEASON (1982)

1982 California Angels
Considered by many as the best team in club history, the 1982 Angels were a solid group of
established veterans and stars. In fact, the club boasted four former American League Most Valuable
Players in the lineup (Don Baylor, Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson and Fred Lynn).
The ‘82 version of the Angels featured a punishing offense that saw nine players register at least
100 hits. Victory was especially satisfying for manager Gene Mauch, who last tasted success with the
Philadelphia Phillies in 1964. Despite winning 93 games, the race for postseason play with Kansas City
came down to the second to final game of the season when the Angels defeated Texas at home, 6-4.
It was the 1982 Angels, led by Baylor, who asked to have uniform No. 26 retired in order to honor
Owner Gene Autry as the 26th player on the club. The gesture came on the final day of the season.
Each of California’s nine starting position players registered at least 138 games played while five of
them played 150-or-more games (Brian Downing - 158, Baylor - 157, Doug DeCinces & Reggie Jackson -
153 and Tim Foli - 150).
Outfielder Reggie Jackson, who ended his five tumultuous years with the Yankees by signing a
four-year contract with the Angels, tied for the American League lead in home runs and set an Angels’
record with 39. His 101 RBI also led the club.
Mauch’s Angels used power and also created the phrase “little ball” as his offense led the A.L. with
114 sacrifice bunts. While Foli (26) and Bob Boone (23) combined for 49 sacrifices, 13 other Angels
totaled at least one sacrifice, including Carew and Juan Beniquez, each with 16.
Two crowds of over 64,000 per game watched the Angels jump out to a 2-0 series lead against the
Milwaukee Brewers. Baylor’s five RBI in Game One led to an 8-3 triumph as left-hander Tommy John
tossed a complete-game seven-hitter.
The following night, right-hander Bruce Kison limited Milwaukee to five hits during a 4-2 win in
a game played in two hours and six minutes. The Angels had a commanding 2-0 series lead heading
to Milwaukee.
With the series seemingly under control, the LCS shifted to County Stadium where the Brewers
won Game Three, 5-3, behind a solid outing from Don Sutton. A pair of three-run innings and three
California errors resulted in a 9-5 setback in Game Four, setting the stage for a dramatic and decisive
Game Five. Cecil Cooper’s two-run single in the seventh off Luis Sanchez was the difference in a 4-3
Brewers’ series clinching win.
Despite not moving on to the World Series, outfielder Fred Lynn was honored as the series Most
Valuable Player with his .611 average (11/18).

club postseason

L-R: Fred Lynn, Don Baylor, Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew

303 2020 ANGELS MEDIA GUIDE