Kevin Appier - Anaheim Angels

Anaheim Angels

After the one season campaign in New York, Appier was traded to Anaheim for Mo Vaughn. During a solid season with the World Series winning Angels in 2002, Appier went 14-12 with a 3.92 ERA. In Game 2 of the division series, Appier went 5 innings, giving up 3 runs, and left the game leading 4-3, but received a no-decision in the Angels victory after a blown save by Francisco Rodriguez. In game 1 of the ALCS, Appier went 5 innings in a 2-1 loss against the Minnesota Twins. He also started game 5, going 5.1 innings, and leaving the contest with the Angels leading 3-2 in the game that put Anaheim in the World Series, though he once again did not receive the decision. He finished the ALCS with a 3.48 ERA. Starting game 2 of the World Series, Appier did not factor into the decision after a terrible 5 runs in 2+ innings pitched, as the Angels went on to win the game 11-10. With the Angels facing elimination, Appier started Game 6, pitching four innings of shutout ball before yielding a 5th inning 2-run HR, and leaving with a man on base who eventually scored via stolen base and wild pitch off Francisco Rodriguez, leaving him with an 11.37 ERA for the series, which the Angels won in seven games.

In 2003, Appier was plagued with a previously undiagnosed flexor tendon injury and was eventually released at the end of July. He then signed with the Royals, but after five starts needed surgery. After missing most of 2004, Appier briefly retired, but came out of retirement and was re-signed by the Royals to a minor-league contract before the 2005 season, failing to make the team in Spring Training and retiring on March 29. In October, Appier applied for reinstatement with Major League Baseball and signed a minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners. During 10 games with the AAA Tacoma Rainiers, Appier was 1-2 with a 4.54 ERA. On June 3, 2006, Appier asked for and was granted his release by the Mariners, officially retiring the next month.