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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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Nolan Ryan the greatest pitcher in Angels history at the 2015 Hall of Fame Induction ceremony waving to the crowd. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Nolan Ryan the greatest pitcher in Angels history at the 2015 Hall of Fame Induction ceremony waving to the crowd. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Nolan Ryan

There’s not much controversy here. Considered by many to be one of the greatest starting pitchers ever,

The Express

pitched eight outstanding seasons for the California Angels during the prime of his career from 1972 to 1979 after being acquired via a trade from the Mets. During his time in California, Ryan

posted a 3.07 ERA, 2416 strikeouts, 6.3 H/9, 0.5 HR/9, and 40 shutouts and 156 complete games in 291 games, all personal bests for him with one organization. He also averaged a 2.94 FIP, 1,294 WHIP, and 115 ERA+ for the Angels.

Ryan made five All-Star Game appearances during his time in Anaheim, and he received MVP votes four times, and finished in the top 10 of Cy Young voting four times (but never won). Ryan won 20 games twice with the Angels.

What Ryan may be known for the most was throwing four no-hitters, including two in the 1973 season. He is the Angels record holder in strikeouts, shutouts, and complete games. Ryan pitched in the playoffs in 1979 going seven innings in game one and only allowing one run while striking out eight.

In his first season as an Angel, Ryan struck out a league-leading 329 batters. His next season he improved his total to 383 strikeouts – still the most in a single season since 1886.

Ryan’s best Angel season came in 1973 when he had a 21-16 record with a 2.87 ERA and 383 strikeouts.

Ryan is now the all-time MLB strikeout leader (5,714) and he finished with 324 wins and an ERA of 3.19.  He also finished with seven career no hitters in his 27-year career which is the longest of any player.

Nolan Ryan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999 as a Texas Ranger and had his #30 jersey was retired by the Angels in 1992.

Honorable mentions for Top 5 Los Angeles Angels Starters:

John Lackey – Won Game 7 of the 2002 World Series. Third in Cy Young voting in 2007.

Jered Weaver – 3.40 ERA with three All-Star appearances with 138 wins and he has thrown one no-hitter in 10 seasons with the Angels.

Mark Langston – Selected to three All-Star games (1991-1993) and won five Gold Gloves while with the Angels.

Clyde Wright – Threw a no-hitter and made the All-Star game in 1970.

Jim Abbott – The one-handed pitcher had a 4.07 ERA and 687 strikeouts in six seasons.

Jarrod Washburn – 3.93 ERA in eight seasons with the Angels. Contributed to the 2002 World Series winning team.

Andy Messersmith – 2.78 ERA with one All-Star appearance in five seasons with the Angels.

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