Happy Birthday, Brian Downing

One the Greatest Angels ever turns 58 today.

8 months ago Rev Halofan Comment 15 comments 0 recs |

Comments

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!

by sothball on Oct 9, 2008 8:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

"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.

by Stirrups on Oct 9, 2008 8:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

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!

by tanana40 on Oct 9, 2008 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by sothball on Oct 9, 2008 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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!

by tanana40 on Oct 9, 2008 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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”.

by sothball on Oct 9, 2008 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Happy B-Day, Brian!

He was one of my favorite Angels when I was a kid!

by thetooth on Oct 9, 2008 9:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

58!!

Geebus, I’m getting old!

Jim Scully

Jim Scully Home
Haloville - Land of the Halos

by jimmuscomp on Oct 9, 2008 10:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking

the same thing. 58?! Really? Damn time is flying.

by AngelKeith on Oct 9, 2008 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Happy birthday Brian

My favorite Angel of all time, I named my cat after him.

by RallyMonkey5 on Oct 9, 2008 11:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I named my cat

Scratch Fury, Destroyer of Worlds

Driven into right-center field, Erstad says he has it...the Angels, world champions!

by teopeht on Oct 9, 2008 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

nice story (taking bp with Downing), too bad about the animosity, he should be brought back and honored

Angels in 09!

by tanana40 on Oct 9, 2008 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by WiHaloFan on Oct 9, 2008 7:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs