The 1982 Angels were built for the postseason. Sound familiar? Opening Day saw four Angel debuts, and three of them went on to become Top 100 Angels. On April 6, Opening Day pitcher Ken Forsch threw to his new batterymate, Bob Boone , a free agent pickup who had made a name for himself in Philadelphia. The biggest free agent signing in Angel history hit a single in his first at-bat in the top of the 2nd, but he probably felt comfortable seeing as Reggie Jackson had once been an Athletic and the game was in the Oakland Coliseum. He might have been feeling a little too comfortable – he was thrown out stealing. Free Agent Doug DeCinces , signed after some great years with the Orioles, popped out to end the inning. DeCinces had faced the Pirates in the 1979 World Series and their shortstop Tim Foli was now his teammate, acquired in the offseason for Brian Harper. Foli grounded out in the top of the 3rd while Boone followed him with a single in his first Angel AB. 391. Bob Boone 392. Reggie Jackson 393. Doug DeCinces 394. Tim Foli 395. Jose Moreno 396. Stan Bahnsen In a 16-inning game on April 8, Jose Moreno , a Rule 5 draftee from the Padres, made his Angels debut pinch running for Bob Boone in the top of the 11th inning. He was caught stealing and appeared in only two more games as an Angel. Journeyman Stan “Bahnsen Burner” Bahnsen had signed with the Angels as a free agent. He made his first appearance with a Halo on April 9, pitch ...
Anytime
