What Is 2013 Los Angeles Angels baseball team

Overview

The 2013 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim competed in Major League Baseball's American League West division, marking their 53rd season overall and 48th since joining the AL. Managed by Mike Scioscia, the team entered the season with high expectations following major offseason acquisitions and star power in the lineup.

Despite a strong offensive core led by Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, the Angels failed to reach the postseason for the fifth consecutive year. Injuries, inconsistent starting pitching, and late-season struggles contributed to a losing record and a third-place finish in the division.

• Final record: The Angels finished 78–84, 18 games behind the first-place Oakland Athletics, who won the AL West with a 96–66 record.
• Home stadium: All home games were played at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, which has hosted the team since 1966 and seats approximately 45,050 fans.
• Manager: Mike Scioscia managed his 14th season with the Angels in 2013, maintaining a steady presence despite mounting pressure due to playoff droughts.
• Star performance: Mike Trout, then 22 years old, posted a .273 batting average, 27 home runs, 76 RBIs, and led the league with 109 runs scored.
• Injury setbacks: Albert Pujols appeared in only 99 games due to plantar fasciitis, limiting his impact with a .258 average and 17 home runs.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 2013 campaign was defined by missed opportunities and underperformance from key contributors, especially in the starting rotation and late-inning relief.

• Starting rotation: The Angels' starters posted a collective 4.35 ERA, ranked 12th in the American League, with Jered Weaver leading the staff at 12–9 despite a 4.18 ERA.
• Bullpen struggles: Closer Joe Smith recorded 24 saves, but the bullpen lacked consistency, contributing to 13 blown saves in close games.
• Offensive output: Los Angeles ranked 4th in the AL in runs scored (691), powered by Trout, Pujols, and a resurgent Josh Hamilton, who hit 21 home runs.
• Defensive issues: The team committed 97 errors during the season, tied for the 6th most in the league, affecting overall field efficiency.
• Attendance: The Angels averaged 38,878 fans per home game, ranking 6th in MLB, showing continued fan support despite on-field struggles.
• Postseason drought: The 2013 season extended the Angels’ playoff absence to five years, their longest such streak since the early 2000s.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 Angels compared to key division rivals and league leaders:

The Angels’ run differential of +14 suggested a team close to .500 performance, but their 78–84 record reflected poor clutch execution and a lack of dominance in critical games. Compared to the powerhouse Athletics and eventual World Series champion Red Sox, the Angels lacked depth and resilience, especially in September when playoff races intensified.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season underscored both the promise and pitfalls of building around star talent without sufficient supporting depth or reliable pitching.

• Mike Trout’s rise: At age 22, Trout solidified his status as a generational talent, finishing 3rd in AL MVP voting and showcasing elite all-around skills.
• Albert Pujols’ decline: Pujols’ injury-plagued season raised concerns about the long-term viability of his 10-year, $240 million contract signed in 2011.
• Josh Hamilton’s impact: Acquired in 2012, Hamilton hit 21 homers in 2013 but struggled with consistency and off-field issues.
• Front office pressure: General Manager Jerry Dipoto resigned in July 2013 amid reported tensions with management, signaling internal turmoil.
• Scioscia’s leadership: Despite criticism, Scioscia retained his job, highlighting the organization’s loyalty to its long-time skipper.
• Future implications: The disappointing season led to increased scrutiny on roster construction, ultimately influencing future trades and draft strategies.

The 2013 campaign remains a cautionary tale of how even teams with elite individual talent can fall short without balanced performance and health across the roster.