Franchise Four: Los Angeles Angels

jim fregosi 1972 tradedAccording to a release by MLB on April 8, fans can visit MLB.com/FranchiseFour to select the four most impactful players for each franchise who best represent the history of each organization out of eight choices from its lineage. There is also a space for a write-in selection. Voting is live now until May 8.

The Ballot:

Garret Anderson (1994-2008)
Brian Downing (1978-1990)
Chuck Finley (1986-1999)
Jim Fregosi (1961-1971)
Vladimir Guerrero (2004-2009)
Nolan Ryan (1972-1979)
Tim Salmon (1992-2004, 2006)
Mike Trout (2011-Present)

Shoestring Catches Recommendations:

Garret Anderson: One of the leaders of the 2002 World Series winners for the Angels, Garret Anderson is at the top of the list in hits with 2,368 and RBI with 1,292 in franchise history. Anderson is second in all-time homers for the Angels with 272. He was a three-time all-star, who won two Silver Sluggers.

Jim Fregosi: In his 11 years with the Angels, Jim Fregosi was a six-time all-star shortstop after being the 35th player selected in the 1960 expansion draft. Fregosi also won a Gold Glove in 1967. After the 1971 season, Fregosi may have had even more impact as he was traded to the New York Mets for four players. One of those four was Nolan Ryan.

Nolan Ryan: Inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, Nolan Ryan probably had the most impact in his career with the Angels. Ryan tossed four of his record seven no-hitters as an Angel. He also set the single season strikeout mark of 383 in 1973. He was a five-time all-star for the Angels and was the starting pitcher in the 1979 classic.

Mike Trout: Only in his fifth season in the major leagues, Mike Trout has a long list of accomplishments. In 2012, Trout was named the American League Rookie of the Year, Two years later, he was selected as the AL Most Valuable Player. Trout has already appeared in three all-star games and has three Silver Sluggers. This season, he became the youngest player ever to reach 100 homers and 100 stolen bases in his career.

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