1971 California Angels

1971 California Angels / Franchise: Los Angeles Angels / BR Team Page

Record: 76-86, Finished 4th in AL Western Division (1971 AL)

Managed by Lefty Phillips

Coaches: Rocky Bridges, Fred Koenig, Pete Reiser and Norm Sherry

Ballpark: Anaheim Stadium

History, Comments, Contributions

The 1971 California Angels were widely considered to be title contenders before the start of the season. Coming off an 86-win season in 1970, which matched the most wins in franchise history, they had the defending American League batting champion in LF Alex Johnson, and had added a couple of top-notch outfielders via trades in CF Ken Berry and RF Tony Conigliaro, the latter obtained in a big trade with the Boston Red Sox. They also had a strong pitching staff, led by Andy Messersmith and Clyde Wright. However, the reality turned out to be very different: neither Johnson nor Conigliaro hit much, and both were embroiled in personal problems, neither of them playing any games after July. By then, the season was already lost, and even though the team played better in the second half, they finished well below expectations, and it cost manager Lefty Phillips his job at the end of the year.

Awards and Honors

• All-Star: Andy Messersmith

Further Reading

• Paul Hensler: "Alex Johnson and Tony Conigliaro: The California Angels' Star-Crossed Teammates", Baseball Research Journal, SABR, Vol. 52, Nr. 2 (Fall 2023), pp. 31-37.