The 1978 California Angels season was the 18th season of the Angels franchise in the American League, the 13th in Anaheim, and their 13th season playing their home games at Anaheim Stadium. The Angels finished the season tied for second in the American League West with a record of 87 wins and 75 losses.
Late in the season, the Angels suffered the loss of outfielder Lyman Bostock when Bostock was murdered on September 23 in Gary, Indiana.
This was the Angels' first winning season since 1970.
Offseason November 21, 1977: Lyman Bostock was signed as a free agent by the Angels.Lyman Bostock at Baseball-Reference December 5, 1977: Bobby Bonds, Richard Dotson and Thad Bosley were traded by the Angels to the Chicago White Sox for Brian Downing, Chris Knapp, and Dave Frost.Richard Dotson at Baseball-Reference December 8, 1977: Jerry Remy was traded by the Angels to the Boston Red Sox for Don Aase and cash.Don Aase at Baseball-Reference January 15, 1978: Gary Nolan was released by the Angels.Gary Nolan at Baseball-Reference March 20, 1978: Fred Kuhaulua was released by the Angels.Fred Kuhaulua at Baseball-Reference March 25, 1978: Merv Rettenmund was signed as a free agent by the Angels.Merv Rettenmund at Baseball-Reference
Regular season On May 12, Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan struck out Buddy Bell for the 2500th strikeout of his career.
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Notable transactions June 6, 1978: 1978 Major League Baseball draft Dave Engle was drafted by the Angels in the 3rd round.Dave Engle at Baseball-Reference Dan Whitmer was drafted by the Angels in the 14th round.Dan Whitmer at Baseball-Reference
Roster 1978 California Angels Roster Pitchers Catchers
Infielders Outfielders
Other batters Manager
Coaches
Player stats
Batting
Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI C Brian Downing 133 412 105 .255 7 46 1B Ron Jackson 105 387 115 .297 6 57 2B Bobby Grich 144 487 122 .251 6 42 SS Dave Chalk 135 470 119 .253 1 34 3B Carney Lansford 121 453 133 .294 8 52 LF Joe Rudi 133 497 127 .256 17 79 CF Rick Miller 132 475 125 .263 1 37 RF 147 568 168 .296 5 71 DH Don Baylor 158 591 151 .255 34 99
Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI Ken Landreaux 93 260 58 .223 5 23 Ron Fairly 91 235 51 .217 10 40 Rance Mulliniks 50 119 22 .185 1 6 Terry Humphrey 53 114 25 .219 1 9 48 108 21 .194 0 7 Merv Rettenmund 50 108 29 .269 1 14 Tony Solaita 60 94 21 .223 1 14 Danny Goodwin 24 58 16 .276 2 10 Dave Machemer 10 22 6 .273 1 2 Ike Hampton 19 14 3 .214 1 4
Pitching
Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Frank Tanana 33 239.0 18 12 3.65 137 Nolan Ryan 31 234.2 10 13 3.72 260 Chris Knapp 30 188.1 14 8 4.21 126 29 178.2 11 8 4.03 93 Dave Frost 11 80.1 5 4 2.58 30 John Caneira 2 7.2 0 0 7.04 0
Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Paul Hartzell 54 157.0 6 10 3.44 55 Ken Brett 31 100.0 3 5 4.95 43 Tom Griffin 24 56.0 3 4 4.02 35 Al Fitzmorris 9 31.2 1 0 1.71 8
Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G W L SV ERA SO Dave LaRoche 59 10 9 25 2.82 70 Dyar Miller 41 6 2 1 2.66 34 Mike Barlow 1 0 0 0 4.50 1
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: El Paso
Notes
References
External links 1978 California Angels team at Baseball-Reference 1978 California Angels at Baseball Almanac