Angel Debuts - 1980

Well, the division champions just flat out didn't and 1980 was quite a forgettable season in Angel history - the DL visits exacerbated the Post-Nolan Ryan blues in Anaheim and the team ended up with a 65 - 95 record.

356. Al Cowens
357. Freddie Patek
358. Bruce Kison
359. Todd Cruz
360. Alfredo Martinez

Acquired in and offseason trade for Rance Mulliniks and Willie Aikens, Al Cowens was the opening day centerfielder on April 11 and led off the bottom of the first inning with a single, stole second and made it home on a Don Baylor single for the first Angel run of the season. In the 2nd inning of that game, free agent shortstop acquisition Freddie Patek singled in his first at-bat as an Angel.

On April 12, free agent starting pitcher Bruce Kison, fresh off a world championship with the Pittsburgh Pirates, threw a 7-inning gem allowing no earned runs, Unfortunately, two errors on the same play by Kison and Bobby Grich yielded two unearned runs and the star-crossed pitcher took the loss. On April 16, Todd Cruz appeared as a late-inning defensive replacement at shortstop; he had arrived in Anaheim as a spare part of the Cowens trade. On April 20, Alfredo Martinez made his major league debut in relief of Chris Knapp. He walked Rickey Henderson with 2 outs, loading the bases. He walked Dwayne Murphy to force in a run. He then picked Murphy off of first to end the inning.

361. Stan Cliburn
362. Dave Skaggs
363. Jason Thompson
364. Dave Lemanczyk
365. Ed Halicki

On May 6, backup catcher Stan Cliburn made his major league debut as a defensive replacement for the Angels in the 9th inning. In need of more help behind the dish, the Angels bought the contract of Dave Skaggs from the Orioles and he made an impressive debut with a Halo on May 14, going 3 for 5 with 5 RBI including an RBI single in his first Plate Appearance as an Angel. With mounting injuries, the Angels traded Al Cowens to the Tigers for Jason Thompson. Talk about rising to the occasion - Thomspon hit a bases-loaded double in his first plate appearance, pinch-hitting for catcher Tom Donohue in the bottom of the 8th. Pitcher Dave Lemanczyk was acquired from Toronto on June 3 and debuted in relief of Dave Frost on June 7. The Angels claimed starting pitcher Ed Halicki on waivers from the Giants on June 20 and he was the starting pitcher for the Halos on June 28, surrendering 4 runs (only 1 earned) in 1 and 2/3 innings and taking the loss of an eventual 11-5 slaughter at the hands of the then AL Milwaukee Brewers.

366. Dan Whitmer
367. Jim Dorsey
368. Gil Kubski

The Angels called up rookie catcher Dan Whitmer to make his major league debut behind the plate on July 20. He successfully bunted over Bert Campaneris in his first plate appearance in the bigs and finished the day going 1 for 2. The final two Angel debuts of the sad 1980 season took place on September - Starting Pitcher Jim Dorsey surrendered 6 earned runs in 3 and 2/3 innings and outfielder Gil Kubski came in to play Right Field for Dan Ford in the 7th inning of a blowout loss at Fenway.