Top 5 Los Angeles Angels Shortstops of All-Time

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Jim Fregosi was the ultimate leader in his time with the Angels as a manager and coach. Joni Fregosi is joined by her son Robby (left) , daughter Nikki as well as Atlanta Braves president John Scherholz (second from right) and Philadelphia Phillies president David Montgomery (right) during a tribute to Jim Fregosi, Sr., David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Jim Fregosi –

Jim Fregosi was one of the first stars that the Los Angeles Angels ever had as he was a six-time all-star and was the face of the team during its first decade. He was also known to be one of Angels owner Gene Autry’s favorite players, and for good reason. Not only was Fregosi a standout on the field batting .268 with 115 HR’s with 706 RBI’s and an OBP of .338. Fregosi was a team leader both on and off the field.

Fregosi was a six-time AL All-Star in his eleven seasons with the Angels from 1961-1971. He also won a Gold Glove in 1967 as well. His Angels career fielding percentage was .965. Fregosi was traded in the winter of 1971 for the player who would become the new face of the franchise, Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.

What pushed Fregosi to the top of the All-Time great Angels shortstops was his contributions after he retired.

Autry brought Fregosi back two months into the 1978 season to be the manager of an up and coming group. He kept the Angels in the division race right up until the end of the season guiding the Angels to their best record in club history at the time, 87-75, finishing five games back of the Kansas City Royals.

In 1979 with Fregosi at the helm for his first full season everything came together for the Halos. The Angels won their first division title in club history finishing 88-74, and winning the division by three games. The Angels battled the Baltimore Oriolesin a four-games series losing three games to one, but it laid the framework for a very successful eight year period where the team would win three division titles and just miss going to the World Series twice.

Fregosi was much beloved by Angels fans and his #11 was retired by the Angels in 1998 along with the #26 in honor of Gene Autry a fitting tribute for both.

This wraps up the list of Los Angeles Angels shortstops who were the greatest of all-time, hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to comment.