All-Angels Team – Starting Pitcher

John Lackey (2002-2009)

John Lackey was just a rookie when he pitched the Angels to their first World Series title in franchise history in game 7 of the 2002 World Series. The Angels drafted Lackey in the second round of the 1999 draft out of the University of Texas at Arlington. Lackey made his debut with the big club in 2002. Lackey pitched 8 seasons for the Angels, helping lead them to the playoffs five times. Lackey made one All-Star appearances for the Halos, and finished in the top five in Cy Young voting once. His 25.0 WAR ranks Lackey sixth in franchise history.

Lackey earned 102 victories for the Angels, tying him with, Frank Tanana, for fifth on the all-time list. He posted a 3.81 ERA over his eight seasons with the Halos, and averaged 7.2 strikeouts per 9 innings. Overall, Lackey had mixed results in the postseason, going 3-4, with a 3.12 ERA. Lackey did win game 7 of the ’02 World Series, but he would not win another playoff game for the Angels until 2009.