Troy Glaus

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Lore & Background

Glaus began his career with the Angels in 1998 and was installed as the team's starting third baseman in 1999. He had a breakout season in 2000, becoming the all-time single season home run leader in Angels history with 47 while leading third basemen in adjusted range factor (2.95) in 2000. Glaus participated in the 2001 MLB All-Star Game and posted his second consecutive 40 home run season with 41 on the year. In 2002, Glaus failed to reach the 40 home run club for the first time since the 1999 season, but he managed to hit thirty home runs in helping the Angels make the playoffs for the first time in 16 years. The Angels beat the San Francisco Giants in seven games in the 2002 World Series to win their first world championship title in team history. Glaus was awarded the World Series MVP award as he hit .385 with three home runs and eight RBIs and hit a go-ahead double in Game 6 to finish a five-run comeback for the Angels. Glaus had another All-Star year in . Glaus missed much of the 2004 season with a shoulder injury. 2004 was the last year of his contract with the Angels. As an established veteran, he was in demand on the free agent market and able to field lucrative offers for long-term contracts. Although Glaus had spent his entire career an Angel, and was a fan favorite, the team decided not to pursue Glaus' return. Amid concerns about Glaus' future health after his injury, the team decided to go with the much lower-priced alternative of turning the third base position over to young prospect Dallas McPherson, who they felt had a good chance to soon become as productive as Glaus had been. Glaus ultimately signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks for $45 million over four years. He worked through his back problems in the 2005 season with the Diamondbacks, hitting 37 home runs with 97 RBIs. He also led the league in adjusted range factor (2.92), but his 24 errors tied him with David Wright for the most errors by a third baseman in the Major Leagues, and he had a Major League-low .946 fielding percentage at third. After the 2005 season, Glaus was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in the off-season along with minor league shortstop Sergio Santos. The trade sent pitcher Miguel Batista and second baseman Orlando Hudson to the Diamondbacks. The Jays badly needed a power bat a year after letting go of Carlos Delgado, however the emergence of Hudson at second base g

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Glaus's career is defined by resilience and dramatic peaks. After leaving Anaheim in a high-profile free-agent move, he signed a four-year, $45 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his lone season there (2005), he worked through back problems to hit 37 home runs and drive in 97 runs, leading the league in adjusted range factor again. However, his defense struggled significantly; he tied for the most errors by a third baseman in the majors with 24 and posted a Major League-low .946 fielding percentage. A trade to the Toronto Blue Jays followed, where he briefly started at shortstop due to roster needs, collecting two hits and a home run against the Chicago White Sox on May 26, 2006. His time in Toronto saw him hit 38 home runs with 104 RBIs in 2006, earning an MVP vote, though his defensive zone rating dropped to .741. A trade to the St. Louis Cardinals in January 2008 brought a defensive resurgence; he committed only seven errors in 146 games and led the league with a .982 fielding percentage at third base. On September 3, 2008, he hit his 300th career home run off Doug Davis.

Reader's Guide

In 13 seasons, Glaus hit .254 with 320 home runs and 950 RBI in 1537 games. In 19 postseason games, he hit .347 with nine home runs and 16 RBI. Glaus was selected to four All-Star Games, three with the Angels and one with the Blue Jays.

Did You Know?

• Glaus won a bronze medal in baseball at the 1996 Summer Olympics as a member of the U.S. national baseball team.
• He was a four-time All-Star and won World Series MVP honors in 2002.
• Glaus hit his 300th career home run on September 3, 2008 off Doug Davis of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• He appeared in a game for the Savannah Bananas on May 30, 2025 at Angel Stadium as a pinch hitter where he got a base hit single into left field.

Career Trajectory and Statistical Profile

Troy Edward Glaus played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball, appearing for the Anaheim Angels (1998–2004), Arizona Diamondbacks (2005), Toronto Blue Jays (2006–2007), St. Louis Cardinals (2008–2009), and Atlanta Braves (2010). Across 1,537 games, he recorded a .254 batting average with 320 home runs and 950 RBIs. In the postseason, he appeared in 19 games, hitting .347 with nine home runs and 16 RBIs. He was selected to four All-Star Games: three with the Angels and one with the Blue Jays. His career began in 1998, but he became the starting third baseman in 1999.

The 2002 World Series Championship

The 2002 season marked the pinnacle of Glaus's career. The Anaheim Angels defeated the San Francisco Giants in seven games to win their first world championship title. Glaus was awarded the World Series MVP award for his performance, which included a .385 batting average, three home runs, and eight RBIs. His most critical contribution occurred in Game 6 when he hit a go-ahead double that finished a five-run comeback for the Angels.

Defensive Evolution and Fielding Challenges

Glaus's defensive metrics fluctuated throughout his career. In 2000 with the Angels, he led third basemen in adjusted range factor (2.95). He repeated this feat in 2005 with the Diamondbacks (2.92), yet that same year he tied for the most errors by a third baseman (24) and posted a .946 fielding percentage, the lowest in the league. In 2006 with Toronto, his zone rating was the lowest of any major league third baseman (.741). Conversely, during his 2008 season with St. Louis, he committed only seven errors in 146 games and led the league with a .982 fielding percentage at third base.

Later Years and Legacy

Injuries and roster changes defined Glaus's later years. After being cited in the Mitchell Report on December 13, 2007, he was traded to St. Louis. He hit his 300th career home run on September 3, 2008, but underwent arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in January 2009, delaying his return until September 2. His final season with the Atlanta Braves in 2010 saw him win Player of the Month honors in May after hitting .330 with six home runs and 28 RBIs. He finished as a backup to Derrek Lee but started at third base for key double plays in the NLDS against the Giants.