Angels Inching Closer to an All Time .500 Record

Baseball, has quite a long history. Baseball-Reference puts it as far back as 1861. Hundreds of teams have existed during that time. Some now defunct, others, thriving to this day. Two teams have played less than 3,000 total games played. One team, the Atlanta Braves (Previously known as the Milwaukee Braves, Boston Braves, Boston Bees, Boston Rustlers, Boston Doves, Boston Beaneaters and Boston Red Stockings), has played more than 20,000 games. Six current teams (The Braves, Cubs, Reds, Dodgers, Giants and Cardinals) have 10,000+ wins. Two teams (The Braves and Phillies) have 10,000+ losses.

In all those years of baseball, 12 current teams have better than .500 records. All of those teams have played more than 10,000 games. No team with less than that amount of games played is above .500, but two teams are within 10 games of reaching that plateau. The Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Los Angeles Angels. Eat that Texas Rangers/Washington Senators.

Currently, the Halos sit 4,142-4,152. Considering the list of good to great players, it’s odd to see that they are not a tick over the mediocre line. Of course, if you were around for the “Arson Squad 70’s” (I wasn’t), or the “Black Hole 90’s” (Curse you 1995), then you aren’t the least bit surprised. Thank goodness for the last decade of excellence. If not for that, we could be closer to the Rangers who are a whopping 405 games below .500 all time. Yes, I did just take a stab at Texas. No, I’m not ashamed. *sticks out tongue*

So, 86-76 will get us to .500. But, since we are running out the Mike Trout‘s, Albert Pujols‘ and Josh Hamilton‘s of the world, an 86 win season is going to be a severe disappointment. Especially with the added bonus of getting to play the Houston Astros 18 times next year. It should be a fun season, but we fans can take a little extra solace in knowing that our team, most likely, will join 12 other current teams in the “Better Than Average” club. Unless of course Mike Scioscia decides that Vernon Wells needs to “get his at bats.” Then, all bets are off.