Chone Figgins

Lore & Background

Figgins debuted with the Angels in 2002, winning the World Series that fall while serving exclusively as a pinch runner. He led the American League in stolen bases in 2005 and was an All-Star in 2009, also leading the American League in walks. That winter, he signed a four-year contract with the Mariners. However, Seattle released him after three years. He briefly returned to the majors with the Dodgers in 2014.

In Their Own Story

The sun was low over the South Coast, painting the outfield grass at Angel Stadium in shades of amber and gold. Figgins was in the on-deck circle, legs bouncing, eyes locked on the pitcher across the diamond. The bases were loaded. One out. The crowd was a low, sustained hum—the kind of sound that builds before a breaking point.

He stepped in. First pitch, high and outside. He let it go. Second pitch, a slider that caught the edge of the zone. He fouled it off, hands quick, eyes already tracking the runner on first who was taking a big lead. The third pitch came in over the heart of the plate, and Figgins didn't swing. Walk. The crowd exhaled. He pointed to first base, then to the runner behind him, and the whole stadium seemed to lean forward as one.

He was on. And now it was someone else's job. And that, more than any stat, was what made him *the* Angels. The table was set. The rest was up to the guys behind him. And the crowd knew, in that low golden light, that the game was theirs to win.

Reader's Guide

Figgins played primarily third base during his best seasons with the Angels, but played all positions except catcher, pitcher, and first base. He played regularly in center field early in his MLB career and was primarily a second baseman with Seattle.

Did You Know?

• Figgins was born in Leary, Georgia, and his parents were born on the same day and lived next door to each other.
• He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of the 1997 draft and was traded to the Angels in July 2001.
• Figgins hit for the cycle on September 16, 2006, becoming the fifth Angel to do so.
• He set an Angels team record with 53 hits in June 2007.
• Figgins stole 62 bases in 2005, the second-most in Angels history.