1961 Los Angeles Angels
From BR Bullpen
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Record: 70-91, Finished 8th in American League (1961 AL)
Managed by Bill Rigney
[edit] History, Comments, Contributions
In the 1961 Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles got its second major league team in four years, but this time it was an expansion team. No matter. The team's players were exciting to watch, as five players hit twenty or more home runs each (granted, Wrigley Field had a park factor of 111) and the pitching was solid. The club went on to win 70 games, the record for an expansion franchise in its inaugural season. The Angels had a remarkable home-road split: they posted a 46-36 record at home but were a dismall 24-55 on the road.
Steve Bilko, former star of the Pacific Coast League's Los Angeles Angels, made his return to the city a happy one with twenty home runs. Leon Wagner, obtained in an April trade with Toronto of the International League, hit twenty-eight. The team home run total of 189 placed second in the league. 38-year-old former Cincinnati Reds star Ted Kluszewski batted in his 1000th run.
[edit] 1961 Opening Day Lineup
- Eddie Yost, 3b
- Ken Aspromonte, 2b
- Albie Pearson, rf
- Ted Kluszewski, 1b
- Bob Cerv, lf
- Ken Hunt, cf
- Fritz Brickell, ss
- Del Rice, c
- Eli Grba, p
[edit] Awards and Honors
- All-Stars Ryne Duren, Ken McBride
- Topps Rookie All-Star Lee Thomas
[edit] Further Reading
- Roland Hemond: "A Whole New Franchise: Creating the 1961 Los Angeles Angels in 120 Days", in Jean Hastings Ardell and Andy McCue, ed.: Endless Seasons: Baseball in Southern California, The National Pastime, SABR, Number 41, 2011, pp. 46-48.
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