1973 California Angels season
Encyclopedia
The California Angels
season involved the Angels finishing fourth in the American League West
with a record of 79 wins and 83 losses.
Nolan Ryan
. On May 15, Ryan threw the first no-hitter
of his career. On July 3, he struck out Sal Bando
of the Oakland Athletics
for the 1000th strikeout
in his career. Twelve days later, Ryan threw a second no-hitter, becoming the fifth pitcher in major league history to throw two no-hitters in one season.
For the year, Ryan set what is, as of 2010, the post-1900 Major League Baseball record for most strikeouts in a season with 383, topping Sandy Koufax
's mark by one. (The all-time record belongs to Matt Kilroy
, who struck out 513 batters in 1886). In the process, he struck out at least 10 batters in 23 different games.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
season involved the Angels finishing fourth in the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
with a record of 79 wins and 83 losses.
Offseason
- November 28, 1972: Andy MessersmithAndy MessersmithJohn Alexander "Andy" Messersmith is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was the 12th overall pick of the 1966 amateur draft by the California Angels...
and Ken McMullen were traded by the Angels to the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for Frank RobinsonFrank RobinsonFrank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
, Billy GrabarkewitzBilly GrabarkewitzBilly Cordell Grabarkewitz , is a retired professional baseball player who played third base, second base, and shortstop in the Major Leagues from 1969-1975. His best season was 1970, when he was the starting third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers and was selected as an All-Star...
, Bill SingerBill SingerWilliam Robert Singer is a former baseball pitcher with a 14-year career from 1964 to 1977. He played primarily for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the California Angels , spending his final two seasons with the Texas Rangers , Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays .-Los Angeles Dodgers:Singer made...
, Mike StrahlerMike StrahlerMichael Wayne Strahler was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched from 1970-1973 for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers.-External links:...
, and Bobby ValentineBobby ValentineRobert John "Bobby V" Valentine is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is currently the manager of the Boston Red Sox. He previously managed the Texas Rangers and New York Mets as well as the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan...
.
Regular season
1973 was an eventful season for Angels pitcherPitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
. On May 15, Ryan threw the first no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
of his career. On July 3, he struck out Sal Bando
Sal Bando
Salvatore Leonard Bando is a former third baseman and executive in professional baseball who played for the Kansas City & Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers . He batted and threw right-handed. During the A's championship years of 1971-75, he captained the team and led the club in runs batted...
of the Oakland Athletics
1973 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's winning their third consecutive American League West title with a record of 94 wins and 68 losses...
for the 1000th strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
in his career. Twelve days later, Ryan threw a second no-hitter, becoming the fifth pitcher in major league history to throw two no-hitters in one season.
For the year, Ryan set what is, as of 2010, the post-1900 Major League Baseball record for most strikeouts in a season with 383, topping Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
's mark by one. (The all-time record belongs to Matt Kilroy
Matt Kilroy
Matthew Aloysius Kilroy was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Rookie season:...
, who struck out 513 batters in 1886). In the process, he struck out at least 10 batters in 23 different games.
Notable transactions
- May 20, 1973: Jim SpencerJim SpencerJames Lloyd Spencer was a Major League Baseball first baseman. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the left-handed Spencer was recognized for his excellent fielding ability, but also served in later years as a designated hitter....
and Lloyd AllenLloyd AllenLloyd Cecil Allen was a pitcher for the California Angels , Texas Rangers , and Chicago White Sox .In seven seasons he had an 8-25 win-loss record in 159 games, with 19 games started, 22 saves, 297⅓ innings pitched, 291 hits allowed, 183 runs allowed, 155 earned runs allowed, 19 home runs allowed,...
was traded by the Angels to the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for Mike EpsteinMike EpsteinMichael Peter Epstein , nicknamed SuperJew, is a former Major League Baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and California Angels from –....
, Rich HandRich HandRichard Allen Hand . He graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle and attended University of Puget Sound. He is a retired professional baseball player who played four seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and California Angels of Major League Baseball...
and Rick StelmaszekRick StelmaszekRichard Francis Stelmaszek is a former Major League Baseball catcher, and the current bullpen coach for the Minnesota Twins....
. - June 5, 1973: Brian KingmanBrian KingmanBrian Paul Kingman was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1979 to 1983 for the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants....
was drafted by the Angels in the 12th round of the 1973 Major League Baseball Draft1973 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1973 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :Four dominating players of the late 70s and 80s were selected in the June regular phase...
, but did not sign. - July 16, 1973: Curt MottonCurt MottonCurtell Howard Motton was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. Mainly a reserve left fielder and pinch hitter, he was with the Baltimore Orioles when they won three consecutive American League pennants and a World Series from to...
was released by the Angels.
Roster
| 1973 California Angels | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 136 | 470 | 112 | .238 | 0 | 28 | |
| LF | 124 | 466 | 121 | .266 | 30 | 97 | |
| DH | 147 | 534 | 142 | .260 | 8 | 57 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 151 | 544 | 144 | .265 | 18 | 89 | |
| 61 | 129 | 21 | .163 | 3 | 9 | |
| 32 | 129 | 45 | .349 | 0 | 16 | |
| 32 | 126 | 38 | .302 | 1 | 13 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 326 | 21 | 16 | 2.87 | 383 | |
| 40 | 315.2 | 20 | 14 | 3.22 | 241 | |
| 37 | 257 | 11 | 19 | 3.68 | 65 | |
| 34 | 185 | 7 | 17 | 4.38 | 134 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 7 | 2 | 10 | 3.71 | 25 | |
| 50 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3.53 | 58 | |
| 15 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4.20 | 8 | |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10.38 | 4 | |