COACHES
Norm Sherry Manager 37-29 .561
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Billy Muffett Pitching
Del Crandall First Base
Dave Garcia Third Base
Bob Clear Coach
Frank Robinson Coach
Andy Etchebarren Coach
Jimmie Reese Strength & Conditioning
Anaheim Stadium (43,000, grass)
Distances: LFL-333, LF-370, LC-382, CF-406, RC-382, RF-370, RFL-333
Walls: LFL-5 feet, LF-10 feet, LC-10 feet, CF-10 feet, RC-10 feet, RF-10 feet, RFL-5 feet
1976 All- Stars: SP Frank Tanana
- Strengths: Great closer and a very good defensive outfield.
_ - Weaknesses: Below average catcher - both offensively and defensively.
_ - Key Transactions: Lost LF Dave Collins to SEA expansion draft. DH Tommy Davis purchased by KC.
_ - Starting Pitching: C+
Cy Young contender Frank Tanana (19-10, 2.43 ERA) looks to lead a staff full of experienced arms. Nolan Ryan (17-18, 3.36 ERA) should rebound from his 18 loss year in 1976 while Wayne Simpson is looking to come back from a injury riddled year. Gary Ross (8-16, 3.00 ERA) and Paul Hartzell (7-4, 2.77 ERA, 2 SVs) rounds out the rotation.
_ - Bullpen: C-
The bullpen lacks experience as only Sid Monge (6-7, 3.37 ERA) and Don Kirkwood (6-12, 4.62 ERA) pitched for more than 40 innings last year. Kirkwood and Mickey Scott (3-0, 3.23 ERA, 3 SVs, 39 IP) will be the set-up men and Mike Barlow (2-2, 4.50 ERA, 22 IP) and 23-year-old John Verhoeven (0-2, 3.38 ERA, 4 SVs, 37.1 IP) rounds out the staff.
_ - Closer: A
Dick Drago (7-8, 4.42 ERA, 6 SVs) doesn't have the best stats, but has great stuff and has the ability to one of the elite closers in the game.
_ - Catcher: F
Andy Etchbarren (.227, 21 RBI) won a heated spring training contest over Terry Humphrey (.245, 1 HR, 19 RBI), but neither is an impressive backstop.
_ - Infield: C+
Bruce Bochte moves to LF this year, allowing Tony Solaita (.261, 9 HR, 42 RBI) to get the nod at 1B. Dave Chalk (.217, 33 RBI) moves over to 3B making way for rookie Rance Mulliniks to play at SS. Speedster Jerry Remy (.263, 28 RBI, 35 SB) returns at 2B and hit leadoff.
_ - Outfield: C+
RF Bobby Bonds (.265, 10 HR, 54 RBI)will be the only returning in the OF from last years team. Rookie Thad Bosley will start the year in CF, but if he falters, look for Rusty Torres (.205, 6 HR, 27 RBI) or another rookie in Gil Flores to take over. Bruce Bochte (.258, 2 HR, 49 RBI) moves to LF from 1B this year in hopes in of shoring of a shaky defense.
_ - Designated Hitter: D+
Much is expected from rookie Ken Landreaux as he begins the year as the DH.
_ - Bench: B
2B Bobby Grich (.266, 13 HR, 54 RBI) and LF Joe Rudi (.270, 13 HR, 94 RBI) will look to break into the starting lineup sometime during the year and will be looking to make every at-bat count. Former starter Ron Jackson (.227, 8 HR, 40 RBI) will be waiting for redemption and Don Baylor (.247, 15 HR, 68 RBI) could start for many other major league teams.
_ - Outlook: 94-69. Winners of the AL West. A perfect example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. This team works extremely well together despite not having many individual stars. The core of this team (especially the pitching staff) is back from last year and will only improve.
