1979 California Angels season

The 1979 California Angels season was their 19th in Major League Baseball. The Angels reached the postseason for the first time by winning the American League West Division with a record of 88–74, three games ahead of the Kansas City Royals in Jim Fregosi's first season as manager. The Angels were defeated by the Baltimore Orioles 3–1 in the 1979 American League Championship Series. Don Baylor had an outstanding season, playing in all 162 games, scoring 120 runs, hitting 36 home runs and driving in 139 runs on his way to being named the American League Most Valuable Player, gaining 20 of 28 first place votes.

Offseason

December 4, 1978: Ron Jackson and Danny Goodwin were traded by the Angels to the Minnesota Twins for Dan Ford.
January 9, 1979: 1979 Major League Baseball draft
*Al Newman was drafted by the Angels in the 3rd round.
*Otis Nixon was drafted by the Angels in the 1st round of the secondary phase, but did not sign.
January 29, 1979: Bobby Jones was released by the Angels.
February 3, 1979: Ken Landreaux, Dave Engle, Paul Hartzell, and Brad Havens were traded by the Angels to the Minnesota Twins for Rod Carew.
March 27, 1979: Willie Davis was signed by the California Angels as a free agent.

April 19, 1979: Curt Brown was signed as an amateur free agent by the Angels.
May 4, 1979: Dave Chalk was traded by the Angels to the Texas Rangers for Bert Campaneris.
July 31, 1979: Terry Humphrey was released by the Angels.

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Angels, three games to one.

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Salt Lake City