Chone Figgins to retire as an Angel
Angels third baseman Chone Figgins grabs a hit by Yankees batter Mark Teixeira during Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Oct. 17, 2009.
The Angels announced they will sign former fan favorite Chone Figgins to a one-day contract Monday. He will subsequently retire.
In a statement released by the team, the 38-year-old Figgins noted two memories from his eight seasons with the Angels: the time Manager Mike Scioscia told him he’d better see him soon when sending him down from big league camp, and the time he debuted in the majors as a pinch-runner on the 2002 World Series championship team, when Scioscia said he needed to make something happen.
Figgins did, for many years, and he improbably became an All-Star in his final season with the Angels, in 2009. He hit .298 with a .395 on-base percentage, stealing 42 bases and playing plus defense at third base.
That off-season, Seattle guaranteed him $36 million for four years. He never recaptured his form, hitting just .227 with a .302 OBP over three years. The Mariners released him with a season remaining on his contract; he did not play professionally in 2013.
Figgins reached the majors again as a Dodger the next year, primarily serving as a pinch-hitter and mentor to Dee Gordon. He appeared in 38 games before hurting his hip flexor and managed a .373 OBP. The Dodgers designated him for assignment after he rehabbed the injury at triple-A Albuquerque, and he never played again.
His career average as an Angel was .291. He owns the franchise record for stolen bases with 280. He played third, second, shortstop and all three outfield spots.
Follow Pedro Moura on Twitter @pedromoura
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