Twenty-one year old Tyler "The Kid" Chatwood shut down a stacked White Sox lineup Saturday night, cementing his status as top pitching prospect in the Angels' organization and injecting a little phenom magic into the young 2011 season.  With Kazmir still on the hunt for passable MLB velocity, it looks like Chatwood will remain in the majors for the foreseeable future, so the question is this: what did he do Saturday night that was legitimately good, and what will he have to do to repeat it?

The Kid's preseason scouting report listed a plus fastball running up to 97/98 mph with good life, a hard-breaking curve that also rates as a plus pitch, and a useable, improving change-up.  He showed good control throughout his 2010 breakout season, but command of his arsenal within the strike zone was still an issue and his K rate had dropped significantly in the upper minors.  In short, he lacked polish. Has that report changed following his MLB debut?

He and Conger had a simple game plan last Saturday: keep the ball down and away from Chicago's sluggers.... 

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The 1982 Angels were built for the postseason. Sound familiar? Opening Day saw four Angel debuts, and three of them went on to become Top 100 Angels. On April 6, Opening Day pitcher Ken Forsch threw to his new batterymate, Bob Boone, a free agent pickup who had made a name for himself in Philadelphia. The biggest free agent signing in Angel history hit a single in his first at-bat in the top of the 2nd, but he probably felt comfortable seeing as Reggie Jackson had once been an Athletic and the game was in the Oakland Coliseum. He might have been feeling a little too comfortable – he was thrown out stealing. 3Bman Doug DeCinces, acquired from the Orioles for "Disco" Dan Ford, popped out to end the inning. DeCinces had faced the Pirates in the 1979 World Series and their shortstop Tim Foli was now his teammate, acquired in the offseason for Brian Harper. Foli grounded out in the top of the 3rd while Boone followed him with a single in his first Angel AB.

391. Bob Boone
392. Reggie Jackson
393. Doug DeCinces
394. Tim Foli
395. Jose Moreno
396. Stan Bahnsen

In a 16-inning game on April 8, Jose Moreno, a Rule 5 draftee from the Padres, made his Angels debut pinch running for Bob Boone in the top of the 11th inning. He was caught stealing and appeared in only two more games as an Angel. Journeyman Stan “Bahnsen Burner” Bahnsen had signed with the Angels as a free agent. He made his first appearance with a Halo on April 9, pitching an inning and two-thirds of scoreless relief. In late April, the Angels acquired veteran infielder Mick Kelleher from the Tigers for cash to stop the bleeding from the team having lost Rick Burleson for the season. Kelleher grounded out in his first Angel AB playing shortstop in Baltimore on May 2. On May 12 the Angels traded Tom Brunansky and a minor leaguer to the Minnesota Twins for Rob Wilfong and Doug Corbett. Wilfong made his debut the next day as a pinch runner in the bottom of the 12th inning and made it to 2nd base on a walk-off Juan Beniquez single. Corbett appeared the following day, May 14, and saved a Bruce Kison start with 2 and a third scoreless IP.

397. Mick Kelleher
398. Rob Wilfong
399. Doug Corbett
400. Dave Goltz

Dodger reliever Dave Goltz was released by the blue-crew on April 27 and signed by the Angels on May 24. After shaping up in the minor leagues he became the 400th man to enter a major league baseball game in an Angels uniform, coming out of the bullpen on June 2 and stopped the bleeding in the 8th inning of a loss to the Tigers at the Big A. In August, still desperate for pitching, the Angels rescued Luis Tiant from the Mexican Leagues and started him on August 5. He allowed 4 runs in 3.1 innings, although he did strike out 6. In the same game, Rick Steirer made his major league debut in relief and gave up an earned run in 2 innings pitched, with Tiant earning the loss that day.

401. Luis Tiant
402. Rick Steirer
403. John Curtis
404. Tommy John
405. Gary Pettis
406. Ricky Adams

Veteran Lefty John Curtis was purchased from the Padres on August 31 and made his debut in Detroit the next day in the bottom of the 7th with the Angels down by 1. He added to that lead by surrendering a triple to Alan Trammel to plate Enos Cabell. Curtis would pitch out of the Angels pen in 1983 and 84 before retiring. Veteran surgery-author Tommy John was acquired from the Yankees for player to be named later on August 3 and started for the Angels in Milwaukee on September 3, pitching a Complete Game 5-2 victory. Sure would have been nice to win one game in Milwaukee a month later. Future Angel centerfielder Gary Pettis made his major league debut as a late season innings-rester, coming in to play CF in the bottom of the 9th of a 6-4 Angels victory over Chicago. Infielder Ricky Adams made his major league debut on September 15 in Chicago, this time with the Angels being slaughtered 7-1 in the 5th inning, he came in as a defensive replacement to rest the regulars. It was one of 8 games he would play as an Angel in 1982.

The 1980-81 offseason was a staggering reconstruction of the California Angels. They traded Carney Lansford, Rick Miller and Mark Clear to the Red Sox in December. A month later they sent Boston Frank Tanana, Jim Dorsey and Joe Rudi in exchange for Fred Lynn and Steve Renko. A week before the season started they traded Jason Thompson to the Pirates for Ed Ott and Mickey Mahler and sent Dickie Thon to the Astros for Ken Forsch. Only Lynn and Forsch would make a positive impact on the franchise.

They say the darkest hour is right before the dawn. Despite the mentally retarded trades listed above, General Manager Buzzie Bavasi oversaw the firing of manager Jim Fregosi after 47 games. The prolonged baseball strike and the burgeoning Fernandomania at Dodger Stadium made 1981 a downright gloomy season for the Angels. But three of the next six seasons would see Angel teams win at least 90 games.

369. Rick Burleson
370. Fred Lynn
371. Tom Brunansky
372. Geoff Zahn
373. Butch Hobson

Buzzie Bavasi's offseason handiwork quickly went on display on Thursday, April 9 as the Angels opened the 1981 season in the Kingdome in Seattle. Rick Burleson grounded out in the top of the 1st. Fred Lynn followed with a base hit. He would score the first run of the season when Brian Downing hit a 2-out grand slam three batters later. Tom Brunansky followed Downing, reaching on error and stealing a base in his major league debut. Offseason free agent signing Geoff Zahn made the most of this cushion and threw 7 innings for the Win. 3B Butch Hobson was 0 for 3 in the game. The other notable event in this contest was the major league debut of Mariner Dave Henderson - too bad he didn't get that 1986 homerun out of his system 5 and a half years earlier and transferred his debut 0-4 to when it would have mattered most for us...

374. Jesse Jefferson
375. Luis Sanchez
376. John D'Acquisto
377. Mike Witt
378. Ed Ott

Free Agent acquisitions dominated the 2nd game of the season an April 10 as Jesse Jefferson started and did not see the end of the 2nd inning, handing the ball to Luis Sanchez, making his major league debut and holding the Mariners to 1 unearned run in 4 and a third innings. Free Agent veteran John D'Acquisto was a gas can out of the pen and gave up 5 runs in 2 innings pitched. Rookie Mike Witt made his major league debut starting Game 3 of the season on April 11. He surrendered 3 runs in 4 and a third innings of an eventual Angel victory. Catcher Ed Ott was a late-inning replacement behind the plate in the same game.

379. Ken Forsch
381. Bill Travers
382. Juan Beniquez
383. Steve Renko

Newly-acquired pitcher Ken Forsch had a lousy Angel debut on April 12, going 6 and 2/3 innings to start and giving up 5 earned runs, he was saved by a 4-run 9th inning that featured Rod Carew stealing home for the go-ahead. In the home opener on April 13, free agent Bill Travers got the start and did well, giving up an earned run in 4 and 1/3 innings. Travers was the 4th out of the first 5 starting pitchers in 1981 who were debuting with their Halo for the Anaheim faithful. Juan Beniquez came in late to replace Butch Hobson and popped up late in the game in his only at-bat. On April 14, Steve Renko struck out the only batter he faced to finish the top of the 9th inning in a 5-2 loss. His appearance in Game 6 of the 1981 season made him the 15th Angel to debut so far.

384. Doug Rau
385. Angel Moreno

Former Dodger Doug Rau signed as a free agent with the Angels in late April and made his debut as the starting pitcher on May 16. He appeared in 3 games and retired in September. Play resumed after the players' strike and the first player to debut on the Angels with Gene Mauch as his manager was the name worthy of an oracle: Angel Moreno. In his major league debut on April 15, Moreno walked the only batter he faced.

386. Mickey Mahler
387. Bob Davis
388. Joe Ferguson
389. Daryl Sconiers
390. Steve Lubratich

September Call Ups
The Angels played out the string in September with little enthusiasm, going 11-20 counting 3 games in October. On September 5, Mickey Mahler pitched the final out of the bottom of the 8th in Cleveland, striking out Jorge Orta. On September 9, Catcher Bob Davis was behind the plate to start the game, going 0 for 2, while in the same game, former dodger catcher Joe Ferguson started the game in Right Field, doubling in 2 at-bats. On September 13, the star-crossed Daryl Sconiers made his major league debut as a defensive replacement at 1B for Rod Carew in the top of the 12th inning at home. On September 27, Sconiers hit his first major league HR in the same game that Steve Lubratich made the final Angel debut of a busy 1981, pinch running in the bottom of the 9th but left stranded in a loss.

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.

For the first time in nineteen years...

338. Dan Ford
339. Rod Carew
340. Mark Clear

The first Angel team to win their division began the season on April 4 in Seattle, where the first inning saw back-to-back groundouts by Dan Ford and then Rod Carew, each acquired in a hectic offseason. Rookie Mark Clear made his major league debut in relief of Frank Tanana in the 6th inning of a close game, yielding no runs in 2 and a third innings of a 5-4 Mariner victory.

341. Jim Barr
342. Tom Donohue
343. Willie Davis

A 14-6 blowout on April 6 saw Nolan Ryan surrender 7 earned runs in 1 and a third innings, by the top of the 9th, new Angel reliever Jim Barr replaced Dyar Miller and Catcher Brian Downing was rested in favor of the major league debut of backstop Tom Donohue. Former Dodger favorite Willie Davis was hanging on in the major leagues when, a week before his 39th birthday on April 10, he debuted as an Angel, pinch-hitting for Rance Mulliniks in the 8th inning of a blowout loss to the Twins. He flew out to center to end the inning.

344. Bert Campaneris
345. Dickie Thon
346. Larry Harlow
347. Steve Eddy
348. Ralph Botting
349. Bobby Clark
350. John Montague

I recall bringing in an article about the Bert Campaneris trade as my contribution to a current events project and being roundly chastised for considering "sports" as "news." The teacher may have been on to something, as the Dave Chalk for Campy trade yielded an 0-3 performance in Bert's May 5 debut. On May 22, Dickie Thon made his major league debut as a defensive replacement for Bobby Grich. Outfielder Larry Harlow was acquired in a trade on June 5 and was the starting Centerfielder for the Angels on June 6, going 0 for 4. Steve Eddy made his major league debut as the starting pitcher in a doubleheader in Toronto on June 13. He surrendered 5 runs in the first inning (beginning with a walk to Alfredo Griffin and a single to Danny Ainge) and 8 ER over 6. Ralph Botting made his major league debut on June 28 in Texas in relief - with only one out recorded in the first inning. He recorded 2 outs and could not get an out in the 2nd inning, giving up 7 runs (6 Earned) in 2/3 of an inning. Bobby Clark made his major league debut as a defensive replacement for Rick Miller in Centerfield on August 21. A rare trade with the Mariners brought pitcher John Montague to the Angels for a Player to be Named Later on August 29. On August 30, he pitched in relief of Nolan Ryan, surrendering 2 runs in 2 and 2/3 innings of a game the Express had long since lost.

351. Bob Ferris
352. Dave Schuler
353. Ralph Garr
354. John Harris
355. Brian Harper

September Callups
In a game long lost, reliever Bob Ferris made his major league debut against the White Sox on September 12. On September 14, reliever Dave Schuler made his major league debut in a  blowout loss to the Royals, tossing 1 and 2/3 innings to finish out the game. Ralph Garr was sold to the Angels by the White Sox on September 20 and went 1 for 6 as the starting DH in Kansas City that night. Garr, the 353rd Angel, was the final Angel debut before the team clinched its first division title five nights later on September 25. The 354th Angel, John Harris, made his major league debut the following night, pinch running for Rod Carew in the 4th inning and staying at First Base. On September 29, Brian Harper made his major league debut and promptly became the youngest player in the major leagues at age 19, 8 days younger than Oakland pitcher Mike Morgan. Pinch hitting for Willie Davis, Harper was 0 for 2 and the Angels were off to the postseason a few days later.

On December 5, 1977 the Angels made a blockbuster trade with the Chicago White Sox - they sent Bobby Bonds, Thad Bosley and Richard Dotson to the Pale Hose for Pitchers Dave Frost and Chris Knapp and a young Catcher named Brian Downing. All three would be part of the core of teams that gave Anaheim the taste of a winner.

325. Ron Fairly
326. Rick Miller
327. Lyman Bostock

The Angels opened the 1978 season on April 7 at home. The Friday night crowd of 28,194 watched the Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 1 - 0. Veteran Ron Fairly went 0 for 3, while at 1B, he recorded the first out of the season unassisted on a Miguel Dilone groundout. Free Agent signing Rick Miller was the Angel leadoff hitter, he went 1 for 4 but was caught stealing. Another offseason free agent headline that would wind up in unutterable tragedy was Lyman Bostock, who went 0 for 3 on Opening Day with a walk and was also caught stealing. Rookie Carney Lansford made his major league debut on April 8, pinch-hitting for Rance Mulliniks in the bottom of the 9th with nobody out and a man on in with the Angels down by 2.

328. Carney Lansford
329. Chris Knapp
330. Brian Downing

Chris Knapp was the starting pitcher on April 9, striking out 7 in 7+ innings and receiving the victory in a 3-2 win. His batterymate that day was Brian Downing, who debuted in an Angel uniform as the starting catcher in the 3rd game of the season on a Sunday in Anaheim, walking twice in 3 plate appearances.

331. Don Aase
332. Merv Rettenmund
333. Tom Griffin

Hungry for pitching, the Angels had traded infielder Jerry Remy to the Red Sox for Don Aase in December of '77. Aase started a Tuesday night game against the Twins at the Big A on April 11, losing big with 5 runs allowed in less than 5 innings pitched. Free agent veteran Merv Rettenmund started as the Angels DH on April 16, going 1 for 4 before being removed for a pinch hitter late in the game. Veteran pitcher Tom Griffin cleaned up Nolan Ryan's disappointing career start #300 with an inning of shutout ball in a 6-1 loss to the Mariners in the Kingdome.

334. Dave Machemer
335. Dave Frost
336. Jim Anderson
337. Al Fitzmorris

In his major league debut Dave Machemer homered in his first major league plate appearance to lead off the game in Minnesota on Wednesday night, June 21. The Angels would win 5-3. Bobby Bonds got a measure of revenge against one of the men he was traded for on June 24 when his sac fly RBI was one of 3 runs allowed against debuting Angel Dave Frost. By this time, Chicago had shipped Bonds to Texas, though. Rookie Jim Anderson debuted on July 2 against the Rangers and doubled in a run before scoring on a Rick Miller double in the 5th inning. He was walked intentionally in the 9th with the game tied, with Texas hoping to set up the force play, but a Tony Solaita walk-off single won the game. On July 25, pitcher Al Fitzmorris made his first appearance as an Angel, surrendering a wlk in 2/3 of an inning of mop up relief. He would appear in 9 games as an Angel, his final major league team, the final man to debut for the 1978 California Angels.

Jeopardy Contestant: I will take "Impactful 8-Day periods in Angels Franchise History" for $500, Alex.
Alex Trebek: The answer is, "Gene Autry opened up the saddlebags and signed free agents Don Baylor, Joe Rudi and Bobby Grich."
Jeopardy Contestant: What is November 16-24, 1976?
Alex Trebek: Correct!

The 1977 season opened with a rosterful of changes. The expansion draft saw the Seattle Mariners draft Gary Wheelock, Dave Collins, Carlos Lopez and Leroy Stanton from the Angels on November 5. Gene Autry made his move into free agency with a bang ten days later.

305. Bobby Grich
306. Don Baylor
307. Wayne Simpson
308. Joe Rudi

Opening Day saw the first major league game ever played by the Seattle Mariners franchise on the evening of April 6 at the Kingdome. In the top of the first inning, Bobby Grich struck out with a man on board, but with two outs, DH Don Baylor doubled to right and plated the Jerry Remy, the first run allowed in Mariner history. Baylor also had two walks and scored a run. On April 9, pitcher Wayne Simpson allowed 3 ER in less than 4 innings to ex-Angel Wheelock and the Mariners, at 2-2, were at .500 for the first time in franchise history. Free Agent blockbuster Joe Rudi was well enough to debut on April 11 as the starting Angel Left Fielder in Oakland and hit a sac fly in the 1st inning for his first Angel RBI.

309. Mike Cuellar
310. Gil Flores
311. Willie Aikens

Veteran hurler Mike Cuellar had an era of infinity when he gave up a run without getting an out in a blown save in his Angel debut on April 26, the 2nd to last appearance of his illustrious major league career. Gil Flores was the starting Angel Center Fielder on May 8 and went 3 for 4 in his major league debut. Just a week before Star Wars debuted in theaters and the Sex Pistols released their God Save The Queen single, Willie Aikens appeared in his first major league game on May 17. Wearing a halo, he had a hit and a stolen base.

312. Dyar Miller
313. Ken Brett
314. Gary Nolan
315. Rance Mulliniks

On June 13, pitcher Dyar Miller was traded by Baltimore to the Angels for Dick Drago He debuted on June 14 and got the win simply by relieving starter Paul Hartzell with the score 9-8 in the FOURTH inning. When pitcher Ken Brett arrived after his June 15 trade to the Angels from the White Sox, he started on June 17, pitched 6 and a third and would have gotten the win - but the reliever blew the save! It was Dyar Miller, who got yet another W when the Angels broke the tie the following half-inning to seal the victory. On June 18 in Milwaukee, Gary Nolan (who had been acquired from the Reds on June 15), was the losing pitcher in his Angel debut as a starter. In that same game Rance Mulliniks made his major league debut, pinch hitting into a groundout in the 7th inning.

316. Tom Walker
317. Mike Barlow
318. Thad Bosley
319. Fred Kuhaulua

On June 23, Tom Walker appeared in his one and only game as an Angel, allowing 2 runs in 2 innings. It was his final game as a major leaguer. On June 27, Mike Barlow faced 7 batters and gave up 2 Earned Runs. Starting in Center Field on June 29, Thad Bosley went 2 for 4 with 3 RBI in his Angel debut. Pitcher Fred Kuhaulua made his major league debut on August 2 versus the Yankees. In 2.3 IP he allowed 3 earned runs.

320. Dave Kingman
321. Balor Moore
322. John Caneira
323. Ken Landreaux
324. Carlos May

Slugger Dave Kingman debuted as an Angel on September 7, his 3rd teams in 1977. But it would not be his last, as he played only 10 games with the Angels before being traded to the Yankees. Pitcher Balor Moore debuted as an Angel on September 9 with 1 inning of scoreless relief. On September 10, John Caneira made his major league debut against the White Sox, tossing 7 innings of 1 run ball for the win. This was also the game where White Sox starter Wilbur Wood tied the major league record for hit batters in an inning with 3 (Kingman, Chalk, Baylor). In the first game of a Sunday, September 11 doubleheader, Ken Landreaux struck out 3 times as the starting Center Fielder. Carlos May (purchased from the Yankees on Sep 16) debuted with a pinch hit single in the 8th inning of the September 18 contest at Comiskey in Chicago.

Despite all of the big moves, the Angels finished at 74-88, 28 games behind the Kansas City Royals, but 10 games ahead of the Mariners and Athletics.