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Los Angeles Angels: Top 5 Starting Pitchers in Team History

By Ben Cardone
August 22, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Former Los Angeles Angels player Dean Chance with Mike Witt before their induction into the Angels hall of fame before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
August 22, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Former Los Angeles Angels player Dean Chance with Mike Witt before their induction into the Angels hall of fame before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. Mike Witt

Mike Witt was drafted by the Angels in the 4th round of the 1978 draft out of Servite High in Anaheim which is about 10 minutes from the Big “A”.  Witt went on to spend ten of his 13 pro seasons in California. The towering right-hander who stood 6’7 made his Angels debut when he was just 20 on April 11, 1981.

His best season was 1986 when he went 18-10 with a 2.84 ERA and 208 strikeouts. Witt received Rookie of the Year votes in 1981, made two All-Star Games, and finished third in Cy Young voting and received MVP votes in 1986. On the final day of the 1984 season, Witt threw the franchise’s only perfect game a 1-0 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Witt is the third all time for the Angels in wins (102), strikeouts (1283), innings pitched (1965), and complete games (70).

Witt’s best season came in 1986 when he went 18-10 with a 2.84 ERA and 208 strikeouts. He won Game One of the ALCS over the Boston Red Sox beating Roger Clemens 8-1, and was on the mound for 8.2 innings in what could have been the clinching game that sent the then California Angels to the World Series as he left with a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth, before the bullpen blew the lead.

Witt’s last hurrah was in 1990 when pitching out of the bullpen he relieved Mark Langston in the 8th inning and finish the final two innings of the Angels only combined no-hitter.  Witt was traded later that season to the New York Yankees where he finished his career.

Last season he along with another top Angel hurler Dean Chance, and Tim Salmon were elected into the Angels Hall of Fame.

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