On May 4, 1981, Ron Davis of the New York Yankees strikes out eight consecutive batters in a 4 – 2 victory over the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium. Davis, a hard-throwing reliever, ties Nolan Ryan’s American League record for most consecutive strikeouts in a game.
1981 – Astros deal pitcher Ken Forsch to the Angels for shortstop Dickie Thon. The versatile righthander compiled a 78-81 record for Houston, with 50 saves, nine shutouts, a 3.18 ERA and one memorable no-hitter.
On March 13, 1981, the California Angels sign Rick Burleson to a six-year contract worth $4.2 million, making him the highest-paid shortstop in the major leagues. Burleson was traded to the Angels from the Boston Red Sox last December. He will be paid an estimated $700,000 a year If he had not agreement…
On January 23, 1981, the Boston Red Sox trade one-time American League MVP Fred Lynn and pitcher Steve Renko to the California Angels for outfielder Joe Rudi and pitchers Frank Tanana and Jim Dorsey. Lynn will struggle in his first year with the Angels, batting only .219 in 76 games.
1980 – The Red Sox trade SS Rick Burleson and 3B Butch Hobson to the Angels for 3B Carney Lansford, CF Rick Miller, and P Mark Clear.
Willie Wilson steals second and third base in the 2nd inning of Kansas City’s 5 – 2 win over the Angels, giving him an American League-record 28 consecutive stolen bases without being caught. Ron LeFlore had set the previous record in 1978.
On June 20, 1980, five-foot, five-inch Freddie Patek known by the nickname of “Flea” of the California Angels slugs three home runs in a game at Fenway Park. The diminutive shortstop, who will finish his career with only 41 home runs, becomes the smallest player to hit three homers in a game. Patek also…
On June 20, Leonard Smith the man who confessed to killing California Angels star Lyman Bostock, is set free. Smith killed Bostock with a shotgun blast on September 23, 1978, Smith stating he intended to shoot his wife. He later went to trial for murder, after the first trial resulted in a hung jury, Smith…
California Angels pitcher Bruce Kison settles for a one-hitter when Ken Landreaux of the Minnesota Twins hits a double with one out in the 9th inning. California wins, 17 – 0. It is the second time in a year that Kison has lost a no-hitter with one out in the 9th. For Landreaux, the hit marks the beginning of a 31-game hitting streak.
On November 14, 1979 — Don Baylor of the California Angels wins the MVP Award in the American League. The league leader in both runs scored (120) and runs batted in (139), Baylor also hit .296 with 36 home runs, helping the Angels win the AL West Division and reach the postseason for the first time in…
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