Top 100 Angels: Darin ERSTAD #10

by Rev Halofan on Mar 24, 2009 2:45 PM PDT in 100 Top Angels Comment 12 comments

#10 DARIN ERSTAD - OF/1B (1996 - 2006)

Franchise Win Shares Rank: 8 (146 Regular Season Win Shares)

Post-2005 Season Top 100 Angels Ranking: 10 - Read our DARIN ERSTAD tribute there.

Darin Erstad played near-flawless defense and had a few outstanding offensive seasons before he was slowed by nagging injuries.

In the 2002 postseason he found that offensive spark again, with an OPS of .947 in the ALDS, .864 in the ALCS and .813 in the World Series. His solo homer in Game 6 of the World Series followed the legendary Spiezio HR but was no less dramatic and almost as instrumental in delivering that victory.

Erstad's legacy with the Angels rides along with that lone World Championship. If another ten years goes by without one, expect to find him hovering in the franchise Top 15. Put another ring on our fingers and he might precipitously cling to the far reaches of the Top 20. But for a mostly glorious decade, he was the team leader, the closest thing that the Angels have had to a "captain" since the 2nd half of Jim Fregosi's tenure.

CAREER STATS

0 recs | Comment 12 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Ersty Berserker

would be the first pick at your kickball game in elementary school and you know it.

since 1961

by Chompo on Mar 24, 2009 2:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Are you serious?

Erstad’s diminishing offense and increasing rate of injuries is exactly why he is no longer an Angel. He is in no way worthy of a top ten spot. He made the final out of the world series, anybody that was in cf could have made the play on that pop-up.

I disagree with your choice for #10.

That's my take on it...

by sluggo31 on Mar 24, 2009 6:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ridiculous..

Erstad was a bad hitter, take away 2000. His adjusted OPS was below 100 in 8 of his eleven years. As an offensive player he had negative batting runs for his career as an Angel, and as a hitter cost the team about 7 wins, save 2000. His career, on average, was about 10% below that of an average hitter.

Now, he may have been the greatest defender in history, and the best hustler, and the best teammate, and the best cook, had the best haircut, yadda, yadda, yadda; but he was a bad hitter, and there is no stat you can find that can say otherwise.

Even in 2002, he was far below average, 16% or so. If the evil Jim Edmonds was the CF’er that year, the club wins 5-6 more games. Over his career as an Angel, Edmonds has about + 7 extra batting wins, Ersty had -7

My brother is the greatest guy in the world, hustles, great leader and motivator, give his right arm for you…but he did’nt make this list ‘cause he can’t hit.

It’s what you do, on the field that counts, not the intangibles. If it were, John Werhas, Alan Gallagher and Rex Hudler would have made the list. And on the field, given every possible consideration for intangibles, Erstad was just another guy, no better,and no worse than hundreds of others.

Bob Oliver and Lee Stanton, in their times were far better hitters than Ersty. Pettis, Devo, and Ersty, on a per season basis were essentially the same as hitters, and they could field a bit too.

Look, a league average hitter who ran down balls in CF like he did has value, probably lots more than the stats show, and I would be very happy putting him 25th or so.

But 10th??? 1 HOF season does not a career make…ask Davy Johnson, or Bobby Thigpen, or Brady Anderson, or Felix Mantilla, or Walt Dropo, or Zoilo Versalles, or Jim Hickman….or, or, or

by statlr on Mar 24, 2009 7:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Statlr,

This is a top ten list on a blog on the Internet.

since 1961

by Chompo on Mar 24, 2009 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are 9 more slots. Still time for Rex Hudler.

by Stirrups on Mar 24, 2009 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Erstad was a very good offensive player in 1997 and 1998

On the way to stardom, in fact. Injuries cut him short.

by mattwelch on Mar 25, 2009 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think my favorite part about the Erstad haters is that they don't even know

what the stats outside his 2000 season actually SAY about how good a defender he was, especially in 2002.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Mar 24, 2009 8:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he isn't worth a 10 ten spot. Maybe. Beyond that, I don't understand...

…the lack of respect for Ersty. He seemed to me to be one of the rare ballplayers that would run through a brick wall if it would help his team.
If I was to choose a team leader, Erstad would be one of my top 5 all time Angel selections.

by sothball on Mar 24, 2009 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Much love for my fellow North Dakotan.

Argue about his stats all you want – this guy is undoubtedly one of the greatest Angels of all time and well-deserving of his spot on this list.

by NoDakHalo on Mar 24, 2009 10:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Erstad was a gamer...

the hit on Johnny Estrada in June 2005 sums up the man: TOUGH.

by Downing Rules on Mar 25, 2009 8:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Stat geeks get chicks!

Dudes like Ersty play Dungeons and Dragons

…wait. I mean the other way around.

by The Clyde on Mar 26, 2009 4:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I know a lot around here do not care for Tim McCarver, but...

regarding Erstad during Game 1 of the 2002 World Series broadcast, McCarver said this:
“The Angels energy collectively comes from this man right here, Darin Erstad.”

For what it’s worth, Erstad’s intensity and approach was something that the other players took notice of and applied to their own game.

Another clip I caught from either Joe Buck or McCarver … “Erstad is batting .390 in these 2002 playoffs.” The guy was key to the Angels getting into the series.

Point is that he was a key piece to the 2002 Halos getting a ring. Certainly he belongs in the top 10.

Blogging is FUN!

by Downing Rules on Apr 3, 2009 8:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs