2002 AL West Division Title

Lore & Background

The postseason run was nothing short of miraculous. After sweeping the Seattle Mariners in the Division Series, they faced a daunting Chicago White Sox team in the ALCS, which included a historic Game 7 comeback after trailing by four runs in the ninth inning. The victory propelled them to the World Series against the San Francisco Giants. In a tense seven-game series, the Angels relied on their pitching depth and timely hitting, with Troy Glaus emerging as the hero in the clinching Game 6. This triumph ended a 43-year championship drought for the franchise, cementing 2002 as the golden year of Angel history.

Reader's Guide

The foundation for this era began in 2001 when Mike Scioscia took over as manager, bringing stability to a turbulent clubhouse. The pivotal moment arrived in January 2002 with the signing of Vladimir Guerrero from Montreal, who immediately became the face of the franchise and won the AL MVP award. During the regular season, the Angels battled the Oakland A's for the AL West title, ultimately edging them out by a narrow margin to secure their first division crown. The team's pitching staff, featuring Jarrod Washburn and Tim Hudson, provided the necessary depth to navigate the grueling schedule. The postseason defined the legacy of 2002. After sweeping Seattle, the Angels survived a dramatic seven-game ALCS against Chicago before facing San Francisco in the World Series. A series-tying Game 6 victory at home set up a decisive Game 7 win in San Francisco, completing one of the most memorable runs in baseball history.

Did You Know?

• Vladimir Guerrero became the first player to hit for the cycle and be named AL MVP in the same season since 1965.
• The Angels' victory in Game 7 of the World Series was their first championship game win in franchise history, ending a 43-year drought.
• Troy Glaus hit two home runs in Game 6 of the World Series to force a decisive Game 7, earning him the ALCS MVP award earlier that month.