Breaking News: Anthony Rendon on Track to Play Fewer Games for Angels Than Ted Williams Did for…see more

Anthony Rendon’s tenure with the Los Angeles Angels has been marred by injuries and inconsistency, and now, a staggering comparison has emerged: Rendon is on track to play fewer games for the Angels than Ted Williams did for the Boston Red Sox during World War II. This eye-opening statistic underscores just how little Rendon has been on the field since signing his massive contract with the Angels.

Rendon’s Struggles with the Angels

When the Angels signed Anthony Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million contract ahead of the 2020 season, they expected to add an elite hitter and defensive third baseman to complement Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. Rendon had just helped the Washington Nationals win the 2019 World Series and was coming off a career-best season in which he slashed .319/.412/.598 with 34 home runs and 126 RBIs. His ability to get on base, hit for power, and play stellar defense made him one of the most sought-after free agents that offseason.

However, since joining the Angels, Rendon has struggled to stay healthy and produce at the level he once did. Over the past four seasons, he has been plagued by injuries, ranging from hip and groin issues to wrist and hamstring problems. As a result, he has played in only a fraction of the games expected of him.

Through his first four seasons with the Angels, Rendon has appeared in just 200 games out of a possible 546, meaning he has missed more than 60% of the team’s games. In contrast, Ted Williams, despite serving in the military during World War II, managed to play 251 games for the Red Sox between 1942 and 1946. If Rendon’s injury troubles continue, it is very possible that Williams, who was actively serving in the war for multiple seasons, will have played more games for the Red Sox in that period than Rendon will for the Angels over his entire contract.

The Ted Williams Comparison

Ted Williams is widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. However, his career was interrupted twice due to military service—first from 1943 to 1945 during World War II and later from 1952 to 1953 due to the Korean War. Despite missing nearly five full seasons of baseball, Williams still put up legendary numbers, finishing his career with a .344 batting average, 521 home runs, and two MVP awards.

During his WWII years, Williams managed to play in parts of two seasons (1942 and 1946) before and after his military service. In those years, he played 151 games in 1942 and 100 games in 1946, totaling 251 games. This means that despite leaving baseball to fight in a war, he still played more games for the Red Sox in that span than Rendon has played in four injury-plagued years with the Angels.

What Went Wrong for Rendon?

Rendon’s frequent injuries have significantly limited his ability to contribute to the Angels, frustrating both the team and its fanbase. When healthy, he has shown flashes of the player he once was, but those moments have been few and far between. His power numbers have dipped, and his once-elite plate discipline has been overshadowed by his inability to stay on the field.

Aside from injuries, there have also been concerns about Rendon’s motivation and attitude. In multiple interviews, he has expressed a somewhat indifferent approach to playing baseball, suggesting that it is simply his job rather than a passion. This has raised questions about whether he has the drive to return to the elite level he once reached in Washington.

The Angels’ Costly Investment

The Angels’ decision to sign Rendon to a massive contract is now looking like one of the worst investments in recent MLB history. With three years still remaining on his deal, the team is left with few options. Trading him would be nearly impossible due to his injury history and high salary, and releasing him outright would mean eating a massive financial loss.

Rendon’s struggles have also been part of a larger issue for the Angels, who have failed to build a competitive roster around Trout and Ohtani in recent years. The team has consistently missed the playoffs despite having two of the most talented players in baseball. Rendon was supposed to be the missing piece to push them over the top, but instead, he has become a symbol of the franchise’s inability to capitalize on their star talent.

Can Rendon Turn It Around?

At 33 years old, Rendon still has time to salvage his Angels career, but it would require a drastic turnaround. The biggest factor will be his health—if he can stay on the field, he still has the hitting ability to be a productive player. However, given his history, there is little reason to believe that his injury woes will suddenly disappear.

Another factor will be his mindset. If Rendon is truly motivated to prove doubters wrong, he could still provide value in the final years of his contract. However, if his injuries persist and his lackluster attitude remains, he will likely go down as one of the most disappointing signings in Angels history.

Conclusion

The fact that Anthony Rendon is on track to play fewer games for the Angels than Ted Williams did for the Red Sox during World War II is a stunning statistic. It highlights just how little impact Rendon has had in Los Angeles since signing his massive contract and serves as a reminder of how unpredictable free-agent signings can be.

Unless Rendon can find a way to stay healthy and regain his All-Star form, his time with the Angels will be remembered more for what could have been rather than what actually was. With three years left on his contract, the clock is ticking for him to prove that he can still be a valuable piece of the team’s future.