#6 - BOBBY GRICH - 2B (1977 - 1986)
Bobby dropped from #4 to #6 on our 2005 Top 100 Angels feature but the words from that compilation all still apply...
The fact of Grich's greatness is best illustrated to me by what happened in his aftermath - Wilfong, McLemore, Johnny Ray for 3 years, Luis Sojo for 2, Lovullo, Reynolds, Easley, Velarde, Alicea, Baughman, and then, in 2000, 14 seasons later, Adam Kennedy.
Some Angel fans had plenty to say about the bat and glove of Bobby...
The Chronicler:
Here's Bobby Grich for you: in 4100 career at-bats with the Angels, he posted an OPS+ of 124. Troy Glaus' career OPS+ with the Angels was 119, and Tim Salmon's is 129. So Grich was, as a hitter, somewhere between Troy Glaus and Tim Salmon, only without the strikeouts. And he played defense like Adam Kennedy Plus. Bobby Grich was a Gold Glove second baseman who hit like a DH, and was a huge part of the Angels' first three Division Championship teams.
Read more of The Chronicler at his Chronicles of the Lads blog.
Rich Lederer:
Grich was the first inductee in the Angels HOF, and one of the greatest defensive 2B of all time. He combined fielding and hitting prowess as an Angel for 10 seasons.
Read more of Rich Lederer at his Peter Gammons-endorsed Baseball Analysts site.
Brent Carter:
Grich can claim some of the most dramatic hits in Halos history, especially the 9th Inning Home Run off Ron Guidry of the Yankees just prior to the All-Star break in `79, which finished off a weekend sweep of the two-time defending champions, in what was, for my money the greatest regular season series in Angels history. Any arguments? He also hit that big three-run homer against Boston in `86 in the infamous "Donnie Moore" game. There are just too many great memories of Grich to list them all. Players like Grich make being a fan a rewarding experience.
You can hear Brent call in to Angels Talk throughout the season, and he really let's them have it when he does.
If you are of the generation who became an Angels fan when Bobby was an Angel, Grich is synonymous with Second Base, and he is our #6 Angel of all time.
0 recs | 12 comments
"Career Stats
If you are of the generation who became an Angels fan when Bobby was an Angel, Grich is synonymous with Second Base, and he is our #4 Angel of all time."
No he isn’t.
PhiSlamma - March 30, 2009
whoops
cut and pasted too quick. Actually Grich was JERSEY #4 so that is cool
Rev Halofan - March 30, 2009
Second base
Grich was great and he was the best of the free-agent signings by the Cowboy that fateful winter, but 2B for me still begins with Bobby Knoop. His bat couldn’t honestly sit alongside Grich’s, but Knoop was his defensive equal, and he played for that sadsack team of the 60s with Fregosi, still turning a beautiful double play, even if the team was down by 5 in the 8th.
If Kendrick can keep his body from breaking down and continue to improve his defensive ability (thank you, Alfredo Griffin!), he’ll soon join what is (for me) the exclusive club of memorable Angel 2B: Knoop, Grich and Kennedy.
George Kaplan - March 30, 2009
Where is Grichfan?
red floyd - March 30, 2009
Grich belongs in Cooperstown...
…and higher than #6 on this list.
cj1646 - March 30, 2009
Rec'd and agreed.
NoDakHalo - March 30, 2009
And since he was the first inductee
into the Angels HOF, why isn’t #4 on the wall in Right field?
red floyd - March 30, 2009
Fregosi, Vlad, Downing, Ryan, Salmon
I might rank him ahead of Vladdy just due to service time, but it’s a tough call.
Zu Long - March 30, 2009
Don't Forget
Steve Finley…
Rev Halofan - March 30, 2009
Well, I figured a player of that stature went without saying... >_>
Zu Long - March 30, 2009
wasnt he the one...
who spelled out Angels “A-N-G-L-S” at the 2008 postseason rally?
ryanb517 - March 30, 2009
Adam Riggs bought his vowel
Rev Halofan - March 30, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Halos Heaven to post a comment.