Page 306 - 2020 Angels Media Guide

ANGELS IN THE POSTSEASON (1986)

1986 California Angels
The 1986 campaign was an exciting season featuring some of the most memorable performances in Club history. A
dramatic American League Championship Series also resulted in one of the most memorable postseasons in baseball
history .
Bolstered by several veterans such as Bob Boone, Rick Burleson, Doug DeCinces, Brian Downing, Bobby Grich and
Reggie Jackson, ‘86 saw the emergence of a young first baseman named Wally Joyner who captivated the baseball
world with his solid first-half performance after replacing the legendary Rod Carew.
An eventual runner-up in Rookie of the Year voting behind Jose Canseco, Joyner recorded a .290 average with 22
home runs and 100 RBI. His clutch hitting and spectacular defense made him a favorite among Angels’ fans immedi-
ately. Fans around the country eventually showed much of the same fondness.
After finishing in second place, one game back, in 1985, the Angels vowed in spring training to make up that one
game in ‘86. Combined with a solid offense, California’s starting rotation of Kirk McCaskill (17-10), Mike Witt (18-10),
Don Sutton (15-11) and John Candelaria (10-2 in 16 starts) enabled the ballclub to finish with a 92-70 record.
Defense also contributed as the Angels sported two Gold Glove winners in Bob Boone and Gary Pettis, while Dick
Schofield played an equally solid shortstop.
On April 26, a game between California and Minnesota was delayed for nine minutes in the Metrodome when
strong winds tore a hole in the Metrodome roof, causing suspended lights and speakers to sag toward the field. When
the game resumed in the top of the ninth, California struck for a trio of two-run homers and a 7-6 win. On May 14,
Jackson homered off Boston’s Roger Clemens to move past Mickey Mantle on the all-time list with 537. Wally Joyner
broke up Walt Terrell’s bid for a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth during a 3-0 loss. For the second time in his career,
Jackson hit three home runs in a game, Sept. 18 vs. Kansas City. At the age of 40 years and four months, he joined Stan
Musial and Babe Ruth as the only 40-plus players to accomplish the feat.
The excitement of the regular season spilled into the ALCS as the Angels jumped out to a 3-1 series lead over
Boston. An incredible come-from-behind win in Game 4 by California after trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the ninth
enabled the Angels to find themselves one game away from the World Series.
With the Angels leading 5-2 in the ninth inning of Game 5, the Red Sox staged one of the most improbable comebacks
in postseason history, winning 7-6 in 11 innings. After Don Baylor’s ninth-inning home run pulled Boston to 5-4, Dave
Henderson slammed a two-run homer off reliever Donnie Moore for a 6-5 lead. The Angels were within one strike of
victory.
Despite having the score tied in the bottom of the ninth, the Red Sox were able to squeeze out of a bases-loaded,
one-out situation and send the game into extra-innings. The Angels were unable to regain their magic in Games 6
& 7 in Boston as the Red Sox advanced to the World Series where they would later experience some of the same
heartbreak that befell the Angels.

club postseason

1986 California Angels

305 2020 ANGELS MEDIA GUIDE