#2 Tim Salmon, RF (1992-2004, 2006)

Tim is easily the greatest Angel to play his entire career with the team. “Mr. Angel” was drafted by the Angels in 1989, and made his big league debut in 1992. In 1993, Tim became the Angels’ only Rookie of the Year, batting .283 with 31 HR, 95 RBI, and 93 runs. In 1995, he won a Silver Slugger Award after batting .330 (8^th) with 34 HR (T10th), 105 RBI, and a .594 SLG% (3^rd) to finish 7^th in the MVP voting. His 129 RBI in ’97 rank 2^nd in team history. In July, 1997, Tim won the AL Player of the Month Award. On 04/12/98, the Kingfish set a team record with 5 runs in one game. In 2002, he won the Hutch Award as the player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire, and TSN Comeback player of the Year. Although not known for his glove, Salmon led the AL in putouts (RF) five straight years (’93-’97), and assists (RF) once.

Although Salmon helped his team win the AL West in 2004, injuries kept him from playing in the playoffs. His legacy, however, was forged during the 2002 postseason. In the ALDS vs. the Yankees, Salmon had a double, 2 homers, and 7 RBI (T9th, single LDS) to help the Angels win their first ever postseason series. His greatest accomplishment, however, was helping the team win the 2002 World Series against the Giants. He was the hero of Game 2, smacking two home runs including the game winner in the bottom of the eighth in a “must win” game. For the Series, he batted .346, with 2 HR, 5 RBI, and 7 runs scored. The most touching moment of his career was probably when he took the AL trophy, following their Game 5 ALCS victory, and jogged around the field holding it aloft for the fans to enjoy.

After 14 seasons, the Angels’ Player of the 90’s retired as the team’s career leader with:

- 42.2 Offensive WAR

- 299 home runs

- 970 walks

- 1,264 games in RF.

Salmon also ranks among the Angels’ all-time Top Ten with:

- a 37.6 WAR (3^rd)

- a .385 OB% (2^nd)

- a .498 SLG% (2^nd)

- a .884 OPS (2^nd)

- 1,672 games (2^nd)

- 5,934 AB (2^nd)

- 986 runs (2^nd)

- 1,674 hits (2^nd)

- 2,958 total bases (2^nd)

- 1,012 singles (4^th)

- 339 doubles (2^nd)

- 24 triples (T10^th)

- 1,016 RBI (2^nd)

- 662 extra base hits (2^nd)

- 2,711 times on base (2^nd)

- a .646 Offensive Win % (2^nd)

- 67 HBP (3^rd)

- 68 sacrifice flies (2^nd)

- 45 IBB (T6th)

- 19.8 AB/HR (6^th)

- 16 postseason games (T10^th)

- 10 postseason runs (T8^th)

- 17 postseason hits (T10th)

- 4 postseason home runs (T3^rd)

- 12 postseason RBI (T6^th)

- 8 postseason walks (T4^th)

- 31 postseason TB (8^th)

- a .288 postseason BA (9^th)

- a .382 postseason OB% (5^th)

- a .525 postseason SLG% (5^th)

- a .908 postseason OPS (3^rd)

The Kingfish holds Angels’ single season records with a 7.4 Offensive WAR (’95) and a 1.024 OPS (’95). Over his career, Salmon has racked up Top Ten seasonal totals in:

- WAR (once – ’95)

- BA (once – ’95)

- OB% (twice – ’95, ‘98)

- SLG% (once – ‘95)

- OPS (twice – ’95, ‘00)

- HR (twice – ’95, ‘00)

- RBI (once – ‘97)

- Walks (3x – ’97, ’00, ‘01)

- Extra base hits (once – ‘00)

- Times on base (3x – ’95, ’97, ‘00)

- Offensive Win % (twice – ’95, ‘98)

- SF (once – ‘97)

- AB/HR (once – ‘95)