Top 5 Los Angeles Angels All-Stars Of The Past 10 Years


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Top 5 Los Angeles Angels All-Stars of the Past Decade

Los Angeles Angels All-Stars of the Past Decade
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

All-Star weekend is nearly upon us, and for the Los Angeles Angels (43-45), the timing could not be better. Now is the perfect time for Angels' GM Jerry Dipoto to be working the phones and seeing which of his assets could land some much-needed help for either the starting rotation or the bullpen.

Even without a change in personnel, Los Angeles will be glad to use the time off to rest Peter Bourjos and their motley four-man rotation until Jason Vargas returns from the DL.

The notable absence of second baseman Howie Kendrick from the American League All-Star roster is a disappointment, but as long as Kendrick continues his solid hitting, the great Josh Hamilton renaissance will ensure that offense will not be the Halos' problem going forward in the second half of the season.

Even though the Angels need one more arm, personnel is not really the issue going forward. Staying healthy is every team's priority, but the Halos have been hit especially hard this year and cannot afford another momentum-killing injury. Beyond that, however, Los Angeles has several questions to answer in the following order: is Hamilton's 12-game hitting streak a sign of better things to come from the $125 million man? Has Albert Pujols' left foot crippled him to the point where he will no longer be a feared power hitter this season? Will Bourjos ever stop getting hurt? What if pitching help is not on the way? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, let's take a break from today's worries and glance back at those Halos who had the fortune of appearing in the Midsummer Classic over the past decade. I bring you the five best Angels All-Stars of the past 10 years.

Tony Baker is a Los Angeles Angels writer for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter at @tonloc_baker.

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5. Francisco Rodriguez

Francisco Rodriguez
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Few closers were more feared than K-Rod in his prime. The single season all-time saves leader (62) had a nasty slider and eventually developed an equally devastating changeup that frustrated opposing batters to no end.

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4. Torii Hunter

Torii Hunter
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The big-smiling center fielder is currently helping the Angels' American League rivals over in Detroit, but Hunter's time in the Southern California sun was not wasted; he racked up a pair of Gold Gloves and All-Star appearances, and charmed Halo fans with his natural charisma.

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3. Mike Trout

Mike Trout
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Trout's rookie campaign was one of the most amazing this league has seen. Whether he was hitting home runs (30 HRs on the year) or saving them, 2012 was the Year of Trout and gave Anaheim hope for the future. His sophomore campaign hasn't been too shabby either, and the Halos hope Trout will maintain his .315 average to salvage the 2013 season.

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2. Jered Weaver

Jered Weaver
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Weaver is back to looking like the Weaver of old who made three of the past four All-Star games. His vicious changeup and deceptive delivery have always made Weaver difficult to hit. Even though he will miss the Midsummer Classic this year, look for Weaver to have a big finish in the second half.

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1. Vladimir Guerrero

Vladimir Guerrero
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Angel fans lost no love for Big Daddy Vladdy when he left for Texas in 2010. The hulking right fielder was one of the most likable Angels in recent memory, whether he was crushing pitches at his toes or gunning down runners at the plate from right field. His five All-Star appearances as an Angel ensured his place among the greatest ever to wear a Halos uniform.


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