Troy Percival
Troy Percival is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 14 seasons from 1995 to 2009, establishing himself as one of the premier closers of his era with 358 career saves, ranking ninth all-time at the time of his retirement.[1] Born on August 9, 1969, in Fontana, California, Percival spent the bulk of his career with the California/Anaheim Angels from 1995 to 2004, where he became the team's ninth-inning specialist starting in 1996 and played a pivotal role in their 2002 World Series championship victory.[2] He later pitched for the Detroit Tigers in 2005, the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007, and the Tampa Bay Rays from 2008 to 2009, finishing his MLB tenure with a 3.17 earned run average (ERA), 35 wins, 43 losses, and 781 strikeouts over 703 appearances, all but one in relief.[1] Known for his overpowering fastball and intimidating mound presence, Percival earned four All-Star selections (1996, 1998, 1999, 2001) and finished 15th in the 2002 American League Most Valuable Player voting.[2] Percival began his baseball journey as a catcher at the University of California, Riverside, where he played for three seasons before being selected by the California Angels in the sixth round of the 1990 MLB Draft, 175th overall.[2] Transitioning to pitching in the minor leagues, he made his MLB debut on April 26, 1995, as a starter but quickly shifted to relief duties, posting a 1.95 ERA in 62 appearances that year and finishing fourth in American League Rookie of the Year voting.[1] Over his Angels tenure, he converted 316 saves with a 2.99 ERA, including a career-high 42 saves in 1998, and was perfect in save opportunities during the 2002 postseason, securing the final out of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants.[3] After leaving the Angels as a free agent following the 2004 season, Percival's later career was hampered by injuries, including arm surgery that sidelined him for all of 2006.[1] He signed a two-year deal with the Tigers in late 2004, appearing in 73 games in 2005 with 8 saves before being released.[4] Percival returned in 2007 with the Cardinals, recording a 1.80 ERA in 34 relief outings, and ended his playing days with the Rays, where he added 6 saves in 2009 despite ongoing health issues.[1] Retiring at age 40, Percival transitioned to coaching, serving as head baseball coach at UC Riverside from 2015 to 2020 and as a guest instructor for the Angels in 2023.[5] In 2024, he became manager of the independent Pioneer League's Idaho Falls Chukars, returning for a second season in 2025.[6]Early life and amateur career
Early life and high school
Troy Percival was born on August 9, 1969, in Fontana, California. He grew up in a working-class family in the Inland Empire region, where his parents encouraged his involvement in sports from a young age.[1][7] Percival attended Moreno Valley High School in Moreno Valley, California, from 1985 to 1987, where he distinguished himself as a multi-sport athlete, particularly in baseball and basketball. Initially drawn more to basketball, he shifted his primary focus to baseball during high school, playing as a catcher and developing the foundational skills that would define his career. His performance on the diamond helped him gain notice from college scouts, paving the way for his recruitment to play at the University of California, Riverside.[8][7]College career
Percival attended the University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside), where he played college baseball for the Highlanders from 1987 to 1990.[2] As a catcher during his three seasons with the team, he contributed to the program's efforts in the Big West Conference, showcasing his skills behind the plate in a competitive collegiate environment.[9] Following his junior year, Percival declared for the MLB Draft, where he was selected by the California Angels in the sixth round, 175th overall, as a catcher.[1] He chose to forgo his senior season, signing a professional contract with the Angels shortly after the draft and beginning his career in their minor league system.[9] This decision marked the transition from his collegiate achievements to professional baseball, building on the foundation established during his time at UC Riverside.[2]Professional playing career
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Selected in the sixth round of the 1990 MLB June Amateur Draft by the California Angels as a catcher out of the University of California, Riverside, Troy Percival began his professional career in the Angels' organization.[1] Percival's minor league progression spanned from 1990 to 1994, marked by a significant positional shift and steady advancement through the system. In 1990, he played as a catcher for the Short-Season Single-A Boise Hawks, appearing in 29 games with a .203 batting average. The following year, 1991, the Angels converted him to a relief pitcher, a decision that unlocked his potential; he returned to Boise for 28 appearances, posting a 2-0 record, 1.41 ERA, 12 saves, and 63 strikeouts over 38.1 innings. By 1992, Percival split time between High-A Palm Springs Angels (11 games: 1-1, 5.06 ERA, 2 saves) and Double-A Midland Angels (20 games: 3-0, 2.37 ERA, 5 saves), demonstrating improved command with 37 strikeouts in 29.2 combined innings. In 1993, he reached Triple-A with the Vancouver Canadians, making 18 relief outings (0-1, 6.27 ERA, 4 saves, 19 strikeouts in 18.2 innings), though his performance was inconsistent. Percival's strongest minor league season came in 1994 back in Vancouver, where he appeared in 49 games, recording a 2-6 mark, 4.13 ERA, 15 saves, and 73 strikeouts across 61 innings, solidifying his readiness for the majors.[10] Percival made his MLB debut on April 26, 1995, against the Detroit Tigers at Anaheim Stadium, entering in relief and pitching a scoreless inning. That rookie season, he served primarily as a setup reliever, appearing in 62 games with a 3-2 record, 1.95 ERA, and three saves while striking out 94 batters in 74 innings. In 1996, following the departure of veteran closer Lee Smith, Percival transitioned to the full-time closer role for the Angels, a position he held through 2004; he recorded 36 saves that year with a 2.31 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 74 innings, earning his first All-Star selection.[1][5] From 1996 to 2004, Percival established himself as one of baseball's elite closers, amassing 313 saves for the Angels with a 3.06 ERA over 513.1 innings pitched. Key highlights included a career-high 42 saves in 1998 alongside a 3.65 ERA, and his finest overall season in 2002, when he went 4-1 with 40 saves, a 1.92 ERA, and 68 strikeouts in 57.1 innings. He earned three additional All-Star nods in 1998, 1999, and 2001, showcasing his overpowering fastball that regularly exceeded 100 mph and his intense mound presence. Percival's reliability was evident in high-leverage situations, where he limited opponents to a .201 batting average against during his Angels tenure.[1][11]| Year | W-L | ERA | Saves | IP | SO | All-Star |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 0-2 | 2.31 | 36 | 74 | 100 | Yes |
| 1998 | 2-7 | 3.65 | 42 | 66.2 | 87 | Yes |
| 1999 | 4-6 | 3.79 | 31 | 61.2 | 69 | Yes |
| 2001 | 4-2 | 2.65 | 39 | 54.2 | 63 | Yes |
| 2002 | 4-1 | 1.92 | 40 | 57.1 | 68 | No |