What Is 2014 Los Angeles Angels baseball team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim finished the MLB season with a 98-64 record, winning the American League West division, but were swept in the ALDS by the Kansas City Royals. Key players included Mike Trout, who hit 39 home runs and had an OPS of .939, and Albert Pujols, who returned from injury to hit 28 home runs. Manager Mike Scioscia led the team to its first division title since 2009.

Key Facts

Finished regular season with a 98-64 record, best in the American League
Won the AL West division title for the first time since 2009
Swept by the Kansas City Royals in the ALDS (3-0)
Mike Trout hit 39 home runs and posted a .939 OPS
Albert Pujols returned from injury to hit 28 home runs and 109 RBIs

Overview

The 2014 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim represented a resurgence for the franchise, posting their best win-loss record since 2008 and capturing the American League West title. After years of missing the postseason, the team surged behind a powerful offense and strong individual performances from star players.

Managed by Mike Scioscia in his 13th season, the Angels overcame early skepticism to dominate the division, finishing with a 98-64 record, the best in the American League. Despite their regular-season success, they were eliminated quickly in the playoffs, swept in three games by the eventual AL champion Kansas City Royals in the ALDS.

Division Champions: Won the AL West with a 98-64 record, finishing four games ahead of the Oakland Athletics.
Playoff Exit: Lost all three games to the Kansas City Royals in the AL Division Series, ending their postseason run abruptly.
Offensive Powerhouse: Led the American League in runs scored with 773, fueled by a deep and consistent lineup.
Mike Trout's MVP-caliber Season: Hit 39 home runs, drove in 111 runs, and posted a .939 OPS, finishing second in AL MVP voting.
Albert Pujols' Resurgence: After a down year in 2013, Pujols bounced back with 28 home runs and 109 RBIs, providing crucial middle-of-the-order stability.

Performance & Roster

The 2014 Angels built their success on a combination of elite hitting, improved pitching depth, and timely contributions from role players. The team’s offensive identity stood out in the league, with multiple players reaching double-digit home runs and high on-base percentages.

Mike Trout: Averaged .287 batting average with 33 stolen bases and 115 runs scored, showcasing his all-around dominance.
Jhoulys Chacín: Signed mid-season, posted a 3.02 ERA in 12 starts after joining from Colorado.
Josh Hamilton: Hit 21 home runs and drove in 79 runs despite ongoing injury concerns and inconsistent play.
Starting Rotation: Led by Jered Weaver (17-9, 3.53 ERA) and C.J. Wilson (13-9, 4.06 ERA), though the staff lacked overpowering depth.
Bullpen Stability: Huston Street saved 37 games with a 2.25 ERA, anchoring a reliable but unspectacular relief corps.
Defensive Metrics: Ranked near the bottom in defensive efficiency, committing 98 errors, the second-most in the AL.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2014 Angels stacked up against key AL contenders in critical statistical categories:

Team	Wins	Runs Scored	ERA	Home Runs
Los Angeles Angels	98	773	4.16	179
Kansas City Royals	89	651	3.42	95
Oakland Athletics	88	656	3.70	108
Baltimore Orioles	96	705	3.90	150
Seattle Mariners	87	667	4.00	149

The Angels led the league in wins and runs but lagged in team ERA and defensive execution. Their high-powered offense contrasted with the Royals' speed and defense, which ultimately proved decisive in the postseason. While the Angels outscored opponents regularly, their pitching and defense faltered under playoff pressure, highlighting structural weaknesses despite regular-season dominance.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season marked a turning point for the Angels franchise, demonstrating the potential of a core built around Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. Though their playoff failure was disappointing, the team's performance signaled a return to contention after several underperforming years.

Franchise Momentum: First division title since 2009, reigniting fan enthusiasm and raising expectations for future seasons.
Trout's Ascendancy: Cemented Mike Trout as one of baseball’s premier players, finishing runner-up in MVP voting for the second time.
Offensive Benchmark: Set a franchise record for home runs in a season with 179, later broken in 2017.
Playoff Lessons: Exposed deficiencies in pitching depth and late-game management, influencing future roster decisions.
Hamilton's Struggles: Highlighted the risks of high-profile signings, as Josh Hamilton's production declined amid injury and personal issues.
Long-Term Impact: Paved the way for continued investment in hitting, though pitching remained a persistent challenge in subsequent years.

The 2014 Angels remain remembered as a team that dominated the regular season but failed to translate success into October glory. Their story underscores the importance of balance in baseball, where even elite offense cannot compensate for shortcomings in other areas when the stakes are highest.