2002 ALCS
Angels win first AL pennant, defeat Twins 4–1.
The 2002 American League Championship Series (ALCS) was a semifinal matchup in Major League Baseball's 2002 postseason between the Wild Card Anaheim Angels and the Central Division Champion and third-seeded Minnesota Twins. The Angels won the series four games to one and went on to defeat the San Francisco Giants in the 2002 World Series to win their first World Series championship.
Quick Facts
- Series result
- Twins defeated Angels 4 games to 1
- Opponent
- Anaheim Angels
- Venue
- Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis
- First postseason since
- 1991 World Series win
- Franchise ace
- Johan Santana
- Star outfielder
- Torii Hunter
- World series outcome
- Lost to San Francisco Giants, 4 games to 3
Lore & Background
The Twins took a 1–0 series lead with a Game 1 win at the Metrodome, but the Angels won the next four games to capture the pennant. Game 5 featured a dramatic back-and-forth, including three home runs by Angels second baseman Adam Kennedy. The Angels' 13–5 victory in Game 5 clinched their first American League pennant in franchise history.
Reader's Guide
The series was played from October 8 to October 13, 2002. Games 1 and 2 were at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis; Games 3–5 were at Edison International Field of Anaheim in Anaheim, California. The Angels won the series 4–1.
Did You Know?
- Until 2023, Game 1 was the last postseason game the Twins won at home.
- This was the only AL Championship Series between 1998 through 2004 to not feature the Yankees.
- The Twins released David Ortiz during the off-season on December 16, 2002, as a cost-cutting move.
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