1972 California Angels season

The 1972 California Angels season involved the Angels finishing fifth in the American League West with a record of 75 wins and 80 losses.

Offseason

 * October 27, 1971: Tony González was released by the Angels.
 * December 10, 1971: Jim Fregosi was traded by the Angels to the New York Mets for Nolan Ryan, Don Rose, Leroy Stanton, and Frank Estrada.
 * January 26, 1972: Tommie Reynolds was traded by the Angels to the Milwaukee Brewers for Andy Kosco.

Regular season

 * April 18, 1972: Nolan Ryan struck out Charlie Manuel for the 500th strikeout of his career.

Opening Day starters

 * Sandy Alomar Sr.
 * Leo Cárdenas
 * Ken McMullen
 * Andy Messersmith
 * Vada Pinson
 * Mickey Rivers
 * Jim Spencer
 * Leroy Stanton
 * Jeff Torborg

Notable transactions

 * May 2, 1972: Billy Cowan was released by the Angels.
 * May 16, 1972: Steve Barber was signed as a free agent by the Angels.
 * May 26, 1972: Archie Reynolds was traded by the Angels to the Milwaukee Brewers for Curt Motton.
 * July 28, 1972: Joe Azcue and Syd O'Brien were traded by the Angels to the Milwaukee Brewers for Ron Clark and Paul Ratliff.
 * August 1, 1972: Fred Kuhaulua was signed as an amateur free agent by the Angels.
 * August 15, 1972: Andy Kosco was traded by the Angels to the Boston Red Sox for Chris Coletta.
 * August 17, 1972: Eddie Fisher was traded by the California Angels to the Chicago White Sox for a player to be named later and Bruce Miller. The Chicago White Sox sent Bruce Kimm (September 1, 1972) to the California Angels to complete the trade.

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

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

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

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

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