After the 2005 season, we compiled a list of the Top 100 Angels of All Time. There was never any doubt that Tim Salmon would be #1. READ OUR WRITEUP FROM THEN.
Since that tribute was published, Tim came back and contributed greatly to the 89-Win 2006 squad. He finished his career in the final game of that season in the on-deck circle in the bottom of the 10th inning with 299 career HRs under his belt. In a way, he will always be there.
With all of the success that the Angels have had this decade it is most important to underscore that in addition to being at or near the top of every statistical category - rate stats AND counting stats, that when Tim Salmon was in his first postseason, he showed up and made it count.
Had Vlad carried us all the way this year, maybe the argument is tougher to make. If Garret Anderson had higher rate stats in addition to all of his counting stats, perhaps the argument swings away from the Kingfish. If Nolan Ryan or Jim Fregosi had played an integral role in getting the team a ring, they would certainly challenge Timmy for his spot on this list.
But they did not. And Tim did. If Luck is when prearedness meets opportunity, then Timmy was just lucky. But when he hit that homerun in Game 2... dude, it was DESTINY.
My personal greatest moment as an Angels fan was seeing him race around the warning track with the American League Championship trophy in his hand showing it to every one of us. And to think that they were just getting started.
Up through 2002 at midnight every New Year's eve I wondered "Is this the year they finally do it?!?!" But because, among many Angels, Tim Salmon showed up when the postseason opportunity presented itself, we can all have our new years wishes, hopes and dreams to ourselves.
Happy New Year Everyone, may the Halo shine in your hearts all year.
1 recs | 55 comments
Kingfish
My favorite Halo. always and forever. I remember I got to meet him when he visited my school. By far the coolest baseball player while growing up. Drafted the year I was born. Thank you Tim Salmon for everything and I hope they retire #15.
PS. 37 years ago one of the most celebrated baseball players died bringing help to those in need. Rest in Peace Roberto Clemente
princeton11loveshalos - December 31, 2009
tim salmon
what it means to be an angel.
west coast love, no d-bag wife having him pack his bags to an east coast team, an angel through and through.
happy new year everyone!!!!!
clover_black - December 31, 2009
Yep, an Angel through and through
A class act and good guy.
And I will always wear my Salmon jersey with pride.
Hoppity Hooper - December 31, 2009
Class act all the way
My favorite moment was his 299 home run. Mostly because I caught it (sort of).
You also can’t beat him running around the field with the world series trophy.
SalmonStream - December 31, 2009 via mobile
I gotta' know...
What do you mean by “sort of” caught it?
10 27 02 - December 31, 2009
Hit me in the gut knocking my drink and food all over me and my daughter. I picked up the ball and gave it to Tim after the game.
SalmonStream - December 31, 2009 via mobile
I salute you
As much as I love Tim Salmon, I don’t know if I would have given that ball back. Having an actual homerun ball (by Salmon nonetheless) would be awesome.
10 27 02 - January 1, 2010
yep.
spill it!
feNOMINAL - December 31, 2009
Nice dramatic sense of timing, Rev, as usual.
And while it was forever obvious who would and should be sitting on top of this chart, this was still a special and warming tribute to a man who so greatly deserves it.
AlanFalcon - December 31, 2009 via mobile
agreed.
now, where’s the interview?
feNOMINAL - December 31, 2009
I think GA had a better Angek Career
though The Express is the man and best angel alltime though too many younger HHers to have witnessed his greatness. To hear that glove pop throughout the stadium when his pitch hit the catchers mit…. nothing like it
Blaze453 - December 31, 2009
By far the greatest Halo of all time!
Just the coolest guy. To bad he didn’t get #300 but I also think they should retire his number AND should be our next hitting coach!
angelskid2210 - December 31, 2009
Class freakin' act....
The Kingfish has multiple times gone overseas to visit troops through the USO. Unfortunately, I missed him by a day at Bagram Air Base because I was out and about. I was very pissed, needless to say. You won’t see many like him ever again in this game……homebred, hardworking, and just loved to play for the fans.
HALO Qualified_HALOS fan - December 31, 2009
Sweet!
Happy New Year, everyone, in 38 minutes.
opiejeanne - December 31, 2009
of course
that had to be the season I joined the Army (November 2001) and missed the entire season, except for the World Series…
feNOMINAL - December 31, 2009
He hit 4 postseason HRs in 2002
so we should have no problem saying he hit 303 as an Angel.
Match Day 5 - January 1, 2010
the kingfish..
goes UP STREAM!!!!!!!!
il always miss rex doing that call after every HR he hit.
although Erstad is my favorite angel of all time, the kingfish IS the best halo of all time!! no doubt about it
Buselben - January 1, 2010
Yes
that was Rex and Timmy at their best no doubt
Raaddad - January 2, 2010
Hey Rev
Just wondering if you had just gotten out of the Delorean when that photo was taken (and were you known as “Doc” then)?
;)
Moondoggy - January 1, 2010
yeah
I think we need a post on here consisting entirely of crazy pictures of Rev.
ryanfea - January 1, 2010
I think ALL pictures of the Rev
have been crazy!
Match Day 5 - January 1, 2010
Funke5ive - January 2, 2010
Hahahahaha
Now we know where the inspiration for the clown came from…
Raaddad - January 2, 2010
What a great way to start the new year
George Kaplan - January 1, 2010
The homerun that Rev referenced
was indeed probably the most important Angels play ever. If the Angels don’t win that game they go down 0-2 and do not win their only World Series.
Here is a video of it from my seats.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwROthCQu-s
MH252525 - January 1, 2010
I had to watch the final out
“Driven to Right Center Field. Erstad says he has it. The Angels. World Champions.”
I love it
princeton11loveshalos - January 1, 2010
Those were some great seats.
opiejeanne - January 1, 2010
Yowza! They sure were!
I was at LAX, running back and forth between the baggage carousel and the windows so I could grab my bags and listen to the game too. I think I probably jumped up and down like a crazy person when he hit it.
I started that game listening on my way to the airport in Las Vegas, being so relieved when the game started with the Angels scoring so many runs while I was listening, then getting scared out of my mind as the Giants came back and I was getting on a plane and missing the game.
Would that I could have been sitting behind home plate with you instead!
AlanFalcon - January 1, 2010
You have to love Tim Salmon
Maybe Trout can follow the Kingfish’s footsteps?
ryanfea - January 1, 2010
Kingfish
one word…Panther!
adirondackangelfan - January 1, 2010
Favorite Baseball Player Ever
He’s a reason that my favorite number is 15, followed by 42. [For Hitchhiker’s Guide, not Jackie]
Hated watching his last game, I wanted desperately for him to get number 300 after what he’d done for the team.
TheKingfish - January 1, 2010
His number will be retired in a few years
Not the best player to ever wear the Halo but certainly the finest and classiest Angel out there. It’s just too bad that he’s a shining example of why you almost never give really long contracts to 30+ players, especially if that player is an Angels outfielder. At least he got to go out with pride.
GoAngels! - January 1, 2010
half-hoping they would at the all-star game (like a lot of teams have been doing lately), honoring their greatest player
but then most of the country will be like “who the f is that”
Halos in DE - January 1, 2010
Who cares what the rest of the country thinks.
opiejeanne - January 2, 2010
The Rest of the Country Sucks
ryanfea - January 2, 2010
No argument here, the Kingfish was the greatest Angel ever.
tanana40 - January 1, 2010
Love the Kingfish and this post
Salmon has always represented what is best about sports and humanity itself.
Happy New Year!
Raaddad - January 1, 2010
i have that shirt that Rev and Mrs. Rev is wearing
and it still fits, lol.
i returned the stupid WS 2002 shirts (the clubhouse ones) because it looked awful.
Halos in DE - January 1, 2010
It's too bad Tim was so humble and camera shy....
we had our very own Cal Ripken and nobody outside of So Cal knew about it.
One of the most underrated players in recent memory.
Nashdiesel - January 1, 2010
Great photo except
except for that goofy looking nerd on the right.
Hahahahaha
Dono Romantico - January 2, 2010
My all time fave Angel, as well. I really miss this man, he was the best. A real gentleman, and a hell of a player. Thank you Rev, best and only choice to be number 1 is Timmy.
When will they retire his number?
TSamn15 - January 2, 2010
The no-doubter......number 1
norcaliangelsfan - January 2, 2010
The Kingfish will always be my no. 1 angel.
I will never forget those sliding catchs in right field or how he sat on a stool while batting. Always a class act and always a big smile for everyone.
salmonforever - January 2, 2010
Hey Rev--your wife is hot
how did you pull that one off?
Raaddad - January 2, 2010
By never marrying her!
Rev Halofan - January 2, 2010
Zing!
norcaliangelsfan - January 3, 2010
Darn! I was sure #1 was going to be Dick Drago! :-)
red floyd - January 3, 2010
not steve finley?
Halos in DE - January 4, 2010
BTW, how is it that Torii Hunter is not in the Top 100?
I mean, Rupert Jones??? C’mon…
Raaddad - January 3, 2010
it is a Top 100 list compiled
after the 2008 season. If it were updated, Torii is on it no doubt.
Rev Halofan - January 3, 2010
I see
said the blind man
Raaddad - January 4, 2010
As he picked up his hammer and saw
red floyd - January 4, 2010
Speaking of needing a haircut, Rev:
I really dig Floyd’s Barbershop on Ventura in Encino. (Yes, I’m a Valley dude)
They have the best rock posters, hot hairstylists, and an awesome 40 minute shave—can’t oversell the zen beauty of a good shave. I use my ipod for the shave, as the rock often turns to pop, etc., Though the stylists like the dance stuff, and that can be cool. Anything like that down south?
Raaddad - January 4, 2010
en mi barrio
recibo un corte de pelo que me gusta por ocho dolares y la mujer que cortar practica su ingles en el custumbre solo que lo habla.
Rev Halofan - January 5, 2010
mui bueno, amigo
Raaddad - January 5, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Halos Heaven to post a comment.