Downing transformed himself, through hard work, weight training (before it was common), and experimentation, from an inconsistent, weak-hitting catcher to a reliable clutch-hitting slugger who set the AL record for consecutive errorless games by an outfielder (244 games, from May 25, 1981 through July 21, 1983, second game).
Downing showed the intensity that would characterize his play throughout his career literally from the first pitch of his first game. Playing third base, he raced after a short foul pop-up that was apparently out of reach. He dived and caught it, but bruised his leg so severely that he was out for nearly six weeks. In his second day after coming back, he got his first ML hit, an inside-the-park HR off Mickey Lolich. In his first full season, 1974, Downing showed good power with 10 HR in 293 at-bats, but hit only .225. The White Sox' number-one catcher in 1975, he hit .240 with seven HR in 420 at-bats. Traded with two pitchers to California after the 1977 season in return for Bobby Bonds, Rich Dotson, and Thad Bosley, he was their regular catcher for the next two seasons. In 1978 he set the club mark for fielding average by a catcher, .993. After the season he had bone chips removed from his right elbow. He made the All-Star team in 1979, hitting a career-high .326 with 12 HR and 75 RBI as the Angels won their first division title.
After missing most of 1980 with a broken ankle, he spent most of 1981 in the outfield and never caught again after that season. He began his errorless streak in the OF, but did not compile it at the expense of his aggressive style of play, which compensated for his below-average speed. His 330 errorless chances in 1982 set the AL mark for most chances in an errorless season. Downing hit 28 HR, 16 better than his previous high, and scored 109 runs while driving in 84. Manager Gene Mauch used him as both a leadoff hitter for his ability to get on base (86 walks), and as a cleanup hitter for his power and clutch hitting. The Angels won another division title, but once again Downing hit poorly in the LCS. He missed five weeks in 1983 with a broken left wrist, but otherwise continued his consistent production. Although he is a streaky hitter within each season, at the end of the year he has posted his usual 20 HR, 85 RBI and runs, and .275 BA. His career-high 95 RBI in 1986 helped the Angels to another division title, and although he hit only .222 in the LCS, he drove in seven runs to lead both teams. He utilized another of his talents, getting hit by a Calvin Schiraldi pitch with the bases loaded in the ninth inning of Game Four to send the contest into extra innings. His intense play and his unusually wide, open batting stance, as well as his clutch performance, finally gained him national notice. Angels owner Gene Autry earlier in the year had, as part of California's 25th anniversary, named Downing the left fielder on the franchise's all-time team.
Downing switched to DH in 1987 to lessen the wear on his body. He had his best season, reaching career highs with 29 HR, 110 runs, and 106 walks (tied for the AL lead). He spent three weeks on the DL near the start of the 1988 season and hit just .242, his lowest average since 1975, although he hit 25 HR in 484 at-bats. He recovered in 1989 and completed his domination of the Angels' all-time offense totals, ranking as the franchise's career leader in home runs, RBI, runs, extra base hits, total bases, hits, doubles, games, and at-bats. (SH)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»August 11, 1973: White Sox rookie Brian Downing cracks his first major league hit, a home run off Detroit's Mickey Lolich. Downing's debut dinger is a first in the majors since at least 1945—an inside the park homer. It'll be matched in two years by the Giants Johnnie LeMaster, who will do it in his first at bat.
»September 2, 1975: Johnny LeMaster homers in his first ML at bat for the Giants during a 7–3 win over Dodgers. In 12 years and 3,191 at bats, LeMaster will hit only 22 home runs, but this first hit is a ML record—an inside the park homer. Brian Downing two years ago was the first player to hit his first homer inside the park.
»April 17, 1982: Lured by a cap night promotion, a stadium-record 61,640 fans pack Anaheim Stadium and see Brian Downing homer twice to lead the Angels to a 6–2 win over the Twins. In the 6th inning, SS Rick Burleson tears his rotator cuff making a throw to 1B and will be lost for the season.
»July 27, 1982: Against California, Oakland's Rickey Henderson steals his 95th base but gets caught stealing three times in an 8–7, 13 inning California win. Not since 1916, has an American Leaguer been thrown out three times in a game. Rickey will be thrown out 42 times this year, breaking the mark of 38 caught steals set by Ty Cobb in 1915. Bob Boone, who is behind the plate, homers for the Angels. Reggie Jackson and Brian Downing homer and Jax adds two doubles.
»September 21, 1982: Playing against the Royals at Anaheim Stadium, outfielders Fred Lynn and Brian Downing crash through the LF fence while trying to catch a fly ball. Lynn makes the catch and it is ruled an out, the umpires reasoning that it is the same as if he had tumbled into the seats. California wins, 2–1, when Daryl Sconiers singles home the winner in the 9th.
»July 22, 1983: Angels OF Brian Downing misplays Chet Lemon's line drive in the 6th inning of a 13–11 loss to Detroit, ending his American League-record consecutive-errorless-game streak at 244.
»September 26, 1986: California clinches the American League West title with an 8–3 win over Texas. Brian Downing belts two home runs for the Angels.
»July 14, 1990: Dante Bichette, Dave Winfield, and Brian Downing each homer twice in California's 8–7 win over Toronto. This is the 8th time three teammates have done this in the ML.
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