2009 Los Angeles Angels season

The 2009 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim season was the franchise's 49th season. The Angels began the season as the two-time defending American League West champions.

Perhaps the most notable player to depart in the offseason due to free agency was longtime closing pitcher Francisco Rodríguez, who signed with the New York Mets. Other notable free agent departures were 2008 acquisitions Jon Garland (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Mark Teixeira (New York Yankees). Notable free agent acquisitions included new closer Brian Fuentes, previously of the Colorado Rockies, and Bobby Abreu, previously of the Yankees.

Tragedy struck the Angels twice this season. Preston Gómez, the team's special assistant to the general manager, died January 13 of injuries sustained when he was struck by a car in Blythe, California, on March 26, 2008. As a tribute, the Angels began the season wearing black "PRESTON" patches on their left sleeve. Then, on April 9, rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a car accident in Fullerton, California, hours after pitching 6 shutout innings against the Oakland Athletics in his first start of the season. As a tribute, the Angels continued to assign a locker to Adenhart at home and on the road, hang a jersey with his name and number in their dugout, and wear black patches with his name and number on their left breast for the rest of the season.

On September 28, the Angels clinched the American League West division title, their eighth in franchise history.

Postseason
With their win on Monday, September 28, 2009, the Angels clinched their third straight American League West championship. Also, at that time, the Angels clinched the second-best record in the American League giving them home field advantage for the American League Division Series. Also, with their win on Tuesday, September 29, 2009, the Angels knocked the Rangers out of contention for the American League Wild Card, therefore, the Angels faced the Boston Red Sox in the Division Series for the third year in a row.

American League Division Series
The 2009 American League Division Series featured the AL West champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Wildcard winner Boston Red Sox. The series began on October 8, 2009, with the Angels winning the first two games at Angel Stadium. On October 11, the series continued to Fenway Park where the Angels had a stunning come-from-behind victory to win 7–6 and sweep the Red Sox. This series marks the first time the Angels have beaten the Red Sox in a postseason series as well as the first postseason sweep for the Angels in franchise history.

American League Championship Series
The 2009 American League Championship Series featured the AL West champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the AL East champion New York Yankees. The Yankees won the series 4 games to 2.

Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; BB = Walks; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases

Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; CG = Complete games; SV = Saves; SVO = Save Opportunities; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed Source:

Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Orem