#33 David Eckstein, SS (2001-2004)

In August, 2000, David was snatched from the Red Sox, off the waiver wire, by the Angels. The next spring he was the Angels’ starting shortstop. He batted .285, scored 82 runs, and led the league with 16 sacrifice hits (T6th), and 21 HBP (2^nd) to finish 4^th in the ROY balloting. The sparkplug for the 2002 title team did whatever it took to win. He fouled off pitch after pitch to wear pitchers down, took the extra base, advanced runners, and got on base any way he could. He stroked 142 singles (T9th), laid down a league-leading (LL) 14 successful bunts, set an Angel single season record with a LL 27 times HBP (1^st), and even hit 3 grand slams – thus earning the nickname “The X-Factor” while helping the Angels overcome the worst start in franchise history. In the postseason that year, Eckstein scored 9 runs, knocked in 6 more, batted .294, and tied a ML record with 20 singles (T1st, single PS). In 2004, he led the AL with 11.6 AB/SO and a .988 fielding % (SS), helping the Angels win their first AL West title in 18 years. In the postseason that year, he hit .333 in the losing effort.

After the 2004 season, David signed as a Free Agent with the Cardinals. In only 4 seasons with the Halos, Eckstein ranks among the Angels’ career Top Ten with:

- 76 HPB (2^nd)

- 54 sacrifice hits (7^th)

- 11.2 AB/SO (5th)

- 19 postseason games (T8^th)

- 87 postseason PA (6^th)

- 11 postseason runs (7^th)

- 24 postseason hits (T5^th)

- 2 postseason SB (T6^th)

- 24 postseason TB (10^th)

- a .300 postseason BA (7^th)

- a .333 postseason OB% (9^th)