3 most legendary LA Angels 3rd basemen of all-time

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LA Angels fans have had the fortune of cheering for exemplary denizens of the hot corner for decades. 

Occupants of the number 5 position have been some of the best players in LA Angels history. 

Third base is a power position and LA Angels players throughout the franchise’s storied time have been no exception. They have been leaders of the ballclub. 

No duration of success has been without a strong and talented resident third sacker. 

The current occupant, Anthony Rendon, is detrimental to any championship aspirations that the legendary Mike Trout and current American League MVP Shohei Ohtani, along with the entire LA Angels organization, have for this coming season. 

Let’s fire up the old time machine and venture back in history to remember the standard bearers of LA Angels history. 

The No. 3 most legendary LA Angels third baseman of all-time: Chone Figgins

Chone Figgins wasn’t the prototypical third baseman, but his ability to steal bases and strongly field his position made him a strong contributor as a spark plug atop the lineup. 

Figgins helped the club win consecutive American League West Division titles in 2004 and 2005, and again from 2007 through 2009. 

Figgy was one of the best base stealers of his era, leading the Majors with 62 swipes in 2005 and averaging 44 stolen bases a season from 2004-2009. 

He received MVP Award votes in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009, finishing a career-best 10th in the balloting in 2009, which was his best season with the club.

His 280 stolen bases is the LA Angels record. He played 527 games at third base; ranking fourth-best in team history. 

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California Angels / Focus On Sport/GettyImages

The No. 2 most legendary LA Angels third baseman of all-time: Doug DeCinces

The LA Angels acquired Doug DeCinces from the Baltimore Orioles in early 1982 for Disco Danny Ford and Doug had the best season of his career, hitting .301/.369/.548 with 30 homers and 97 RBIs in 153 games.

DeCinces, a local product from Woodland Hills, helped lead the Angels to the postseason in both 1982 and '86, hitting a combined .294 with a homer and three RBIs in 12 playoff games.

DeCinces' Angel career Slug% of .463 is 11th all-time. His .798 OPS is 12th in franchise rankings for players with 2000 or more Plate Appearances under the Halo. His 130 Homeruns are 11th-most by an LA Angels player. 

His 129 homers as a third baseman are the second-most in club history. 

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Angels vs. Indians / David Maxwell/GettyImages

The No. 1 most legendary LA Angels third baseman of all-time: Troy Glaus 

Troy Glaus edges DeCinces for the top spot even though DeCinces was more durable and hit for a higher average. Glaus was the MVP of the 2002 World Series and had more power than DeCinces. 

Glaus hit 182 homers with the Angels, the sixth-most in club history and he owns the franchise record for homers in a season with an American League-leading 47 in 2000.

His slugging% of .497 ranks sixth all-time. Glaus' high OPS of .854 ranks 6th. 

Glaus hitting a double, driving in the tying run, and giving the LA Angels the lead in Game 6 of the 2002 World Series is legendary. 

He's another local product coming from Tarzana and attended UCLA. He was a monster power hitter playing a position that demands power. 

Next. Projecting our Opening Day starting rotation during lockout. dark

Hopefully Rendon will make a future list like this one. All eyes will be on whether he can bounce back in 2022 or not, and enter lists like these along with the other Halo greats.

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