ANGELS ’90 : PROFILING THE NEWCOMERS

MARK LANGSTON

Age: 29

Position: Pitcher

Major league experience: Six years

How obtained: Signed as free agent, Dec. 8, 1989.

Pertinent stats: Went a combined 16-14 in 1989 with Seattle and Montreal. Led the American League in strikeouts in 1984, 1986 and 1987. Signed a five-year, $16-million contract with the Angels.

Comments: Considered baseball’s premier free agent last fall, Langston’s presence has given the Angels a surplus of quality starters. The left-hander is best known for his fastball, which has helped him strike out at least 200 in five of the last six seasons, but he also can be effective with a variety of breaking and offspeed pitches. Langston has had a tendency to give up the long ball--he allowed 30 or more home runs a season from 1986-88--but many came inside Seattle’s cozy Kingdome. His earned-run average has improved in each of the last four seasons, from 5.47 to 4.85, 3.84, 3.34 and 2.74, and he has proven a durable commodity. He has been on the disabled list just once in six years.