#19 Dean Chance, RHP (1961-1966)

Dean Chance was traded by the Washington Senators to the Angels for Joe Hicks in December 1960. He made his debut during their inaugural season, appearing in only five games. During his rookie season of 1962, the second-season expansion team won 86 games, and finished third in the AL after being in first place on Independence Day. Dean was overshadowed that year by fellow rookie Bo Belinsky, but ended up leading the club with 14 victories to go with a 2.96 ERA – quickly establishing himself as the team ace, and finishing 3^rd in the ROY voting.

In 1964, Chance was considered the best pitcher in baseball - winning the Angels’ first Cy Young Award at a time when only one award was given between the leagues, and thereby beating out Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax while pitching his home games on the same mound. In what is still considered the best pitched season in Angels’ history, the AL All-Star recorded a team record and LL 8.9 WAR for Pitchers (1^st), a LL 1.65 ERA (2^nd), a LL 20 wins (T5th), a 1.006 WHIP (2^nd), 6.273 H/9 IP (7^th), a LL 278.3 innings (8^th), a LL 15 complete games, a team record 11 shutouts (1^st), a LL 0.226 HR/9 IP (2^nd), and a team record 8.4 WPA – Win Probability Added (1^st) to finish 5^th in the MVP voting.

Although Chance continued to pitch well for the Halos, he was traded to the Twins with Jackie Hernandez for Pete Cimino, Jimmie Hall, and Don Mincher following the 1966 season. After parts of 6 seasons with the Halos, his Top Ten career marks include:

- a 19.5 WAR for pitchers (8^th)

- a 2.83 ERA (2^nd)

- a 1.226 WHIP (8^th)

- 7.671 H/9 IP (6^th)

- 1,236.7 innings (8^th)

- 857 strikeouts (7^th)

- 48 complete games (6^th)

- 21 shutouts (3^rd)

- 0.444 HR/9 IP (1^st)