1961 Los Angeles Angels

From BR Bullpen

   

1961 Angels Roster

   
Manager
  18
   
Coaches
  3
  5
  2
  48
   
Pitchers
  43
  40
  31 and 41
  32
  40
  30
  24
  31
  33
  46
  22
  41
  37
  39
  47
  35
  41
  34
   
Catchers
  8
  9
  7
  6
   
Infielders
  35
  10
  19
  20
  16
  21
  17
  12
  15
  1
  14
  12
  29
  10
   
Outfielders
  22
  30
  26
  27
  28
  11
  4
  29
  27
Angels6162.jpg

BR Team Page

Record: 70-91, Finished 8th in American League (1961 AL)

Managed by Bill Rigney

Coaches: Bob Elliott, Marv Grissom, Red Kress and Jack Paepke

Ballpark: Wrigley Field (LA)

History, Comments, Contributions[edit]

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 dismal 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 20 home runs. Leon Wagner, obtained in an April trade with Toronto of the International League, hit 28. The team home run total of 189 placed second in the American League. 38-year-old former Cincinnati Reds star Ted Kluszewski batted in his 1000th run.

Awards and Honors[edit]

1961 Opening Day Lineup[edit]

  1. Eddie Yost, 3b
  2. Ken Aspromonte, 2b
  3. Albie Pearson, rf
  4. Ted Kluszewski, 1b
  5. Bob Cerv, lf
  6. Ken Hunt, cf
  7. Fritz Brickell, ss
  8. Del Rice, c
  9. Eli Grba, p

Further Reading[edit]

  • 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.