Happy Birthday, Brian Downing
One the Greatest Angels ever turns 58 today.
over 3 years ago
Rev Halofan
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One of the top 5 Angels ever...
..and one of my personal favorites (along with Ryan, Salmon, Eckstein, and GA).
Not the most skilled guy, not the most talented either. He got the most out of his endowed gifts. A heart and soul kind of guy. Happy Bitrhday Hulk!
"He got the most out of his endowed gifts"
I have my doubts. One of those gifts might have been his keen insight into the use of juice.
Francisco Rodriguez: 2006 to Present: 149 saves. 5 Panthers. As fabulous as Pride, Romero, Gregg, Budde and Dino Ebel combined.
not sure where juice technology was in 1978, let's hope that it was the old nautilas machine
—not sure how to spell “nautlius” but my memory is that is what he used to build the muscle for the 1978 season.
His open stance was also a thing of intrigue and the guy did have a huge heart and soul.
Angels in 09!
For a couple of years, Dan Ford batter after Downing...I think it was in '80 and '81.
I just rememeber the greatest contrast in batting stances…Downing completely open and Ford completely closed.
If I also remember correctly, Downing didn’t start witht the open stance until the ’80 season.
Disco Danny Ford's stance was as closed as Downing was opening
I think that Downing started this in 1979 which was Ford’s first year with the team but my memory might be failing me.
Angels in 09!
That may be true...I just don't know for sure.
He did bulk up a lot from ’78 to ’81.
When I think of Downing, I think of determination and dedication. I remember reading at that time how he worked hard on the Nautilus machines (relatively new in those years), installed a batting cage in his back yard (he is the first player I had ever heard do this), worked hard to improve his catching skills and so on.
I also remember how…uh…unartful he was as a catcher. As I recall he switched to catching in the minors for the White Sox because he saw it as greater opportunity to get to the majors. To me, those are signs of a determined, dedicated athlete…a “Whatever it takes” attitude. That is what I meant by “…getting the most out of his endowed gifts”.
Happy B-Day, Brian!
He was one of my favorite Angels when I was a kid!
I named my cat
Scratch Fury, Destroyer of Worlds
Driven into right-center field, Erstad says he has it...the Angels, world champions!
I had the wonderful opportunity
to work out, and take batting practice, with Brian Downing numerous times during the offseasons in the late ’80’s. What an incredibly nice, generous, humble, friendly man. And he was one of my favorite Angels.
The guy got screwed by the Angels and, unfortunately, holds animosity to this day toward the franchise (no, I’m not quoting him). The team needs to work hard to fix that. He’s one of the all-time great Angels and a stand-up guy and he should be front and center whenever the Angels celebrate their history.
Yes, he was an awkward catcher, but he’s still an all-time Angel!
Happy Birthday, BJ!
Now, put Chris Pritchett at first, Bobby Rose at second, Pete Coachmen at third, and let's go win.
by GarretSaysSuckIt on Oct 9, 2008 2:32 PM PDT reply actions
He was one of my favorites too
When I think of him, all I can picture is him laying up, face first against the leftfield wall, with his arms at his side as Henderson’s homer flew over the fence.
Happy birthday.
I was uncool before uncool was cool.
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