Page 298 - 2025 Los Angeles Angels Media Guide

1982
CLUB POSTSEASON

1982 CALIFORNIA ANGELS
Considered by many as the best team in club history, the 1982 Angels were a solid group of established vet-
erans and stars. In fact, the club boasted four former American League Most Valuable Players in the lineup (Don
Baylor, Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson and Fred Lynn).
The ‘82 version of the Angels featured a punishing offense that saw nine players register at least 100 hits.
Victory was especially satisfying for manager Gene Mauch, who last tasted success with the Philadelphia Phillies
in 1964. Despite winning 93 games, the race for postseason play with Kansas City came down to the second to
final game of the season when the Angels defeated Texas at home, 6-4.
It was the 1982 Angels, led by Baylor, who asked to have uniform No. 26 retired in order to honor Owner Gene
Autry as the 26th player on the club. The gesture came on the final day of the season.
Each of California’s nine starting position players registered at least 138 games played while five of them played
150-or-more games (Brian Downing - 158, Baylor - 157, Doug DeCinces & Reggie Jackson - 153 and Tim Foli - 150).
Outfielder Reggie Jackson, who ended his five tumultuous years with the Yankees by signing a four-year
contract with the Angels, tied for the American League lead in home runs and set an Angels’ record with 39. His
101 RBI also led the club.
Mauch’s Angels used power and also created the phrase “little ball” as his offense led the A.L. with 114 sac-
rifice bunts. While Foli (26) and Bob Boone (23) combined for 49 sacrifices, 13 other Angels totaled at least one
sacrifice, including Carew and Juan Beniquez, each with 16.
Two crowds of over 64,000 per game watched the Angels jump out to a 2-0 series lead against the Milwaukee
Brewers. Baylor’s five RBI in Game One led to an 8-3 triumph as left-hander Tommy John tossed a complete-game
seven-hitter.
The following night, right-hander Bruce Kison limited Milwaukee to five hits during a 4-2 win in a game played
in two hours and six minutes. The Angels had a commanding 2-0 series lead heading to Milwaukee.
With the series seemingly under control, the ALCS shifted in County Stadium where the Brewers won Game
Three, 5-3, behind a solid outing from Don Sutton. A pair of three-run innings and three California errors resulted
in a 9-5 setback in Game Four, setting the stage for a dramatic and decisive Game Five. Cecil Cooper’s two-run
single in the seventh off Luis Sanchez was the difference in a 4-3 Brewers’ series clinching win.
Despite not moving on to the World Series, outfielder Fred Lynn was honored as the A.L. Champion Series
Most Valuable Player with his .611 average (11/18).

CLUB
POSTSEASON

L-R: Fred Lynn, Don Baylor, Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew

YEARLY POSTSEASON SUMMARIES
334 2025 ANGELS MEDIA GUIDE