2010 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

2010 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim / Franchise: Los Angeles Angels / BR Team Page[edit]

Record: 80-82, Finished 3rd in AL West Division (2010 AL)

Coaches: Mike Butcher, Dino Ebel, Alfredo Griffin, Mickey Hatcher, Orlando Mercado and Ron Roenicke

Season[edit]

The 2010 Angels had a disappointing season, finishing 80-82, the same as the 2010 Dodgers. The Angels were coming off three first-place finishes in 2007-09.

The Angels, like the Dodgers, played better in the first half than in the second half. The Angels had a very strong June, going 18-9, but then slumped in July with a 9-17 record, followed up by a weak August when they went 11-16.

The team was devastated when its best hitter, Kendry Morales, was injured in a freak accident near the end of May, after hitting a grand slam. Morales had an Adjusted OPS+ of 129 in his abbreviated season, the best on the team although it was not as good as his 2009 performance.

Left without the 27-year-old Morales, the team had to rely on two much-older players for offensive power. Both 34-year-old Torii Hunter and 36-year-old Hideki Matsui had Adjusted OPS+ scores of 124: they both hit around 20 home runs and had batting averages close to .280. The press noticed that Hunter was not stealing bases well - he stole 9 while getting caught 12 times, although Hunter denied he was slowing down. Matsui, for his part, had a relatively poor first half but came on much stronger during the second half of the season.

Bobby Abreu, also 36 years old, posted his lowest batting average ever in a full season, .255. He did, however, lead the team in stolen bases, walks and doubles (tied with Howie Kendrick).

Catcher Mike Napoli took over first base chores from Kendry and led the team with 26 home runs although he hit only .238. Back-up catcher Jeff Mathis started strong but slumped to .195 over the course of the season.

Brandon Wood, the promising defensive third baseman, struggled to hit .146, and the Angels acquired Alberto Callaspo in mid-season to play third. Callaspo, whose ability at third had been criticized in the past, seemed to play a decent defensive game for the Angels.

At one point, because Wood couldn't be sent down to the minors without putting him on waivers, the Angels sent Kevin Frandsen to the minors even though he had the highest batting average on the team at the time.

2010 saw the debuts of a number of promising rookies. Highly-regarded Mark Trumbo appeared in 8 games, while catcher Hank Conger was in 13 games. Peter Bourjos, thought by many to be the centerfielder of the future, appeared in 51 games. Overall, though, the team was not a young one with an average age of approximately 30.

The Angels got into the Guinness Book of World Records with an April stunt, asking their 43,510 fans to wear Hideki Matsui fleece blankets (a promotional giveaway) to shatter the record of 17,758 people wearing blankets at an event (set at a Cleveland Cavaliers staged event).

The pitchers were led by Jered Weaver, whose 13-12 record obscured a fine 3.01 ERA. Dan Haren, acquired in mid-season, posted a 2.87 ERA in his partial season with the Angels although his ERA previously with the 2010 Diamondbacks had not been impressive. Ervin Santana had an excellent record of 17-10 although his ERA of 3.92 was not outstanding.

The relief staff took criticism for its performance during 2010. Closer Brian Fuentes had a 3.52 ERA for the Angels and was traded in late August to the 2010 Twins. Fernando Rodney posted a 4.24 ERA with 14 saves and led the team with 72 appearances. Kevin Jepsen, 25 years old, was second in appearances with 68, posting a 3.94 ERA.

Manager Mike Scioscia, in his eleventh year as manager of the Angels, posted only his third losing season.