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3 greatest LA Angels First Basemen of all-time

By Craig Tyson Adams |
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Detroit Tigers vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - April 25, 2006
Detroit Tigers vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - April 25, 2006 / Kirby Lee/GettyImages

LA Angels fans have had a lot of first basemen to cheer for.

Starting at the beginning, big Ted Kluszewski hit the first home run in LA Angels history. Since then there has been a non-stop parade of the great to not-that-great. 

The first base position is traditionally a spot for a power hitter. The right corner post of the infield is also a leadership position. Whenever a pitcher is having trouble, the first baseman will strategically wander to the mound, pick up the rosin bag, and try to calm the pitcher down. 

Since it’s not counted as a mound visit, the LA Angels manager uses the first baseman as a sort of captain of the infield. Here are the three that best exemplify those traits in LA Angels history.

Number 3 greatest LA Angels first baseman of all-time: Darin Erstad 

Darin Erstad had his best seasons as an outfielder. He won a Gold Glove award as a center fielder in 2000 and 2002, but also won a Gold Glove as a first baseman in 2004. The feat made Erstad the only player in Major League Baseball history to win the award as an outfielder and infielder. 

His best year came as an outfielder in 2000 when he had 240 hits and had a slash mark of .355/.409/.541 and finished in the top ten of MVP finalists. 

Erstad excelled in the postseason and was memorably clutch when he hit .352 with two home runs and seven runs batted in during 16 games in 2002, helping the LA Angels to their only World Series title. 

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Baltimore Orioles v California Angels / Owen C. Shaw/GettyImages

Number 2 greatest LA Angels first baseman of all-time: Wally Joyner

As an Angels rookie in 1986, Wally Joyner turned Anaheim Stadium into his own personal playground. It was nicknamed Wally World in reference to a popular movie at the time. Joyner was elected starter of the All-Star game and finished second in the Rookie of the Year award balloting. 

He received MVP votes in 1986 and 1987. He hit well against the Boston Red Sox in the 1986 A.L. Championship Series before an injury removed him. The LA Angels would’ve had a great chance to take the series if Joyner had been able to continue playing. 

In all, Joyner played seven seasons for the LA Angels. His 117 home runs and 961 hits are the most for first basemen in club history.

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Sports Contributor Archive 2020 / Ron Vesely/GettyImages

Number 1 greatest LA Angels first baseman of all-time: Rod Carew

The 1979 trade that brought Rod Carew to the LA Angels quickly legitimized the squad as contenders. His best years were with the Minnesota Twins. Coming into his Angels career, he was a twelve time All-Star and seven time batting champion.

Carew was productive for the LA Angels, hitting .314 and being elected to the All-Star game six times. He hit a combined .294 for the LA Angels during the postseasons of 1979 and 1982.

Carew’s six All-Star games were the team record until it was broken by LA Angels great Mike Trout. Carew didn’t hit for power, but made terrific contact including getting his 3,000th hit with the team. He was a great bunter and slick fielder.

Rod Carew was elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.

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Currently, the Angels have a first baseman that will hopefully end up on this list in the future. Having hit .280/.338/.531 (0.869 OPS) in his first couple Big League seasons, he was selected as an All-Star this year. Combining very productive hitting with elite defense, there certainly is a chance that Jared Walsh will be the next great first baseman on the list.

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