All-Angels Team: Final Unveil

All-Angels Team First Baseman: Rod Carew (1979-1985)

Born in Panama, but raised in New York City, Rod Carew signed with the California Angels in the winter of 1978. After making 12 All-Star teams, winning 7 batting titles, and winning an MVP with the Minnesota Twins, the Angels signed Carew as a free agent. In 1980, his second year in Anaheim, Carew shined batting .331, driving in 58 runs, and swiping 23 bags. Carew led the Halos to the postseason in 1979, his first season with the club, and once more in 1982. Carew was elected to the baseball Hall-of-Fame listing the Angels as his primary team in 1991, after tallying 3,000 hits and making 6 of his 18 All-Star teams with the club.

Simply put, Rod Carew is one of the greatest hitters in the history of the game. Carew joined the 3,000 hit club as a member of the Angels in 1985, and finished his career with a .328 batting average. During his 7 seasons in Anaheim Carew hit .314, with 18 home runs, 282 runs batted in, and 82 stolen bases. Carew was never the prototypical power hitting first baseman, but he was such a gifted hitter his lack of power really did not matter. Carew was a top of the bat, who never posted an on base percentage lower than .367 during his time with the Angels. Carew tallied 17.3 wins above replacement during his time in the Big A.

The Angels retired Carew’s number 29 in 1986. Carew would go on to be a coach in the Major Leagues after retiring, and served as a coach with the Halos from 1992 through 1999.

Rod Carew received 57% of the votes, which was good enough to earn a spot on the prestigious squad.

Next: All-Angels Team Second Baseman