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{{short description|American baseball player (born 1968)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Tim Salmon
|image=Tim Salmon Afghanistan crop.jpg
|caption= Salmon at the [[Bagram Air Base]] in May 2008
|position=[[Right fielder]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1968|8|24}}
|birth_place=[[Long Beach, California]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=August 21
|debutyear=1992
|debutteam=California Angels
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=October 1
|finalyear=2006
|finalteam=Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.282
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=299
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=1,016
|teams=
* [[Los Angeles Angels|California / Anaheim / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]] ({{mlby|1992}}–{{mlby|2004}}, {{mlby|2006}})
|highlights=
* [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|2002}})
* [[AL Rookie of the Year]] (1993)
* [[Silver Slugger Award]] (1995)
* [[Angels Hall of Fame]]
}}

'''Timothy James Salmon''' (born August 24, 1968), nicknamed "'''King Fish'''", is an American former professional [[baseball]] player and current [[Sports broadcaster|sportcaster]]. He played his entire career in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) from {{mlby|1992}} to {{mlby|2006}} with the [[Los Angeles Angels|California / Anaheim / Los Angeles Angels]] as an [[outfielder]] and [[designated hitter]]. Salmon was an integral member of the Angels team that won the [[2002 World Series]]. He is an analyst for [[Bally Sports West]]'s ''Angels Live'' pre-and-postgame shows.

Salmon is considered one of the most prolific and beloved players in Angels history.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Houston |title=The 10 greatest Angels of all time: No. 2 -- Tim Salmon |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2013-may-31-la-sp-sn-10-greatest-angels-tim-salmon-20130531-story.html |access-date=April 29, 2022 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 31, 2013 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> At the time of his retirement, Salmon had the most home runs in Angels history with 299, since surpassed by [[Mike Trout]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=James |title=Photos: Mike Trout breaks Angels' HR record with No. 300 |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2020/09/05/photos-mike-trout-breaks-angels-hr-record-with-no-300/ |access-date=April 29, 2022 |work=[[Orange County Register]] |publisher=[[Southern California News Group]] |date=September 5, 2020 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> He was inducted into the [[Los Angeles Angels#Angels Hall of Fame|Angels Hall of Fame]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/angels/history/hall-of-fame |title=California Angels Hall of Fame at |work=mlb.com |access-date=December 23, 2019 }}</ref>

==Early life==
Salmon was born on August 24, 1968, in [[Long Beach, California]], and was raised in the [[Belmont Shore, Long Beach, California|Belmont Shore]] neighborhood of the city. When he was three years old, Salmon provoked a two-hour search after he wandered out of the house and was found watching games at the [[baseball field]] in a local park. Salmon's parents divorced when he was young, causing him to initially move to [[Texas]] with his mother and brother before splitting time between there and his father's house in [[Arizona]] under [[Joint custody (United States)|joint custody]]. Salmon cites his older brother and grandmother as sources of stability in his childhood.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex Angels star Tim Salmon holds onto Long Beach roots |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2013/12/15/ex-angels-star-tim-salmon-holds-onto-long-beach-roots/ |access-date=April 29, 2022 |work=Orange County Register |publisher=Southern California News Group |date=December 15, 2013}}</ref>

Salmon attended [[Greenway High School]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. He was a three-sport varsity athlete, primarily playing baseball and [[American football|football]] while also playing [[basketball]]. As a member of the school's football team, Salmon played various positions, mostly [[Punter (football)|punter]] and [[wide receiver]], and received scouting interest from various [[college football]] programs. As a senior in 1986, Salmon was a member of a state championship-winning [[Babe Ruth League]] team. At the age of 17, he was drafted in the 18th round by the Atlanta Braves in the 1986 amateur draft but he did not sign. In high school, Salmon was undecided about which sport to pursue, but he ultimately chose to join [[Grand Canyon University]]'s baseball team. In 1988, he played [[collegiate summer baseball]] with the [[Cotuit Kettleers]] of the [[Cape Cod Baseball League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2012website/archives/Current%20Year/All_Time_MLB_CCBL_Alumni.pdf |title=Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |access-date=January 9, 2020}}</ref>

==Professional career==
===Minor leagues===
Salmon was selected by the [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]] in the third round of the [[1989 Major League Baseball draft|1989 MLB Draft]], the 69th overall pick. He was initially assigned to the [[Bend Bucks]], an Angels affiliate in the [[Class A Short Season]] [[Northwest League]]. In his first minor league season, Salmon posted a .245 [[Batting average (baseball)|batting average]] with 6 [[home run]]s and 31 [[Run batted in|RBIs]] in 55 games. In 1990, he was promoted to the [[High-A|A-Advanced]] [[Palm Springs Angels]]. During a May 26 game against the [[Inland Empire 66ers|San Bernardino Spirit]], Salmon was hit in the face by [[Kerry Woodson]]'s [[fastball]], fracturing his jaw.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 May 1990 |title=Injury sidelines top Angel hitter |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-desert-sun-injury-sidelines-top-ange/157928298/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=[[The Desert Sun]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |location=[[Palm Springs, California]] |page=D3 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He was hospitalized and had his jaw wired shut, sidelining him for a large portion of the season. One doctor likened Salmon's injury to "breaking glass in a sock," but Salmon stated he didn't feel any pain.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Plunkett |first=Bill |date=1990-07-24 |title=Outfielder faces recovery head-on |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-desert-sun-outfielder-faces-recovery/157928390/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=The Desert Sun |page=D1 |publication-place=Palm Springs, California |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Up until the injury, he was batting .288 with 2 home runs and 21 RBIs in 36 games. Salmon returned to the field in 1990 with the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Midland RockHounds|Midland Angels]], posting a .268 batting average with 3 home runs and 16 RBIs in 27 games. He spent all of 1991 with Midland, batting .245 and hitting 23 home runs with 94 RBIs in 131 games. In the 1992 season, Salmon was promoted to play for the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[Edmonton Trappers]], batting .347 with 29 home runs and 105 RBIs, all of which were new career highs in his minor league tenure.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tim Salmon Minor League Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=salmon001tim |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref> He won the [[Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award]] that season.

===Major leagues===
====1992–1995: Early success, Rookie of the Year====
On August 20, 1992, Salmon was called up to the big leagues by the Angels. Some baseball media members considered Salmon to be the most anticipated Angels call-up since [[Wally Joyner]] in 1986.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cizek |first1=Bill |date=21 August 1992 |title=So long 'Wally's World,' hello 'Salmon Roe' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-pilot-so-long-wallys-world-hell/157928987/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=News-Pilot |publisher=Copley |location=San Pedro, California |page=B1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He made his MLB debut on August 21, starting in right field and going 0-for-4 with a walk against the [[1992 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] in [[Yankee Stadium (1923)|Yankee Stadium]]. Salmon recorded his first hit the next day, a single off of Yankees starter [[Mélido Pérez]] in the 7th inning.<ref>{{cite web |title=California Angels at New York Yankees Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA199208220.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=30 April 2022 |date=22 August 1992}}</ref> He recorded his first career home run on August 23, a solo shot to left field off eventual teammate [[Scott Sanderson (baseball)|Scott Sanderson]] in the 4th inning.<ref>{{cite web |title=California Angels at New York Yankees Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA199208230.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=30 April 2022 |date=23 August 1992}}</ref> In his brief first season in the majors, Salmon batted .177 with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs in 23 games.<ref name="stats">{{cite web |title=Tim Salmon Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=salmoti01 |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=1 May 2022}}</ref>

In 1993, Salmon joined the team as the everyday starter in right field for his true rookie season. By August, Salmon was batting .279 with 23 home runs and 71 RBIs, earning him media consideration as the frontrunner for the [[American League]]'s [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year award]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gholson |first1=Nick |date=12 August 1993 |title=No contest: Salmon AL's top rookie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news-no-contest-salmon-al/157929274/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=[[Times Record News]] |publisher=[[Harte Hanks]] |location=[[Wichita Falls, Texas]] |page=D1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Salmon finished the season batting .283 with 31 home runs and 95 RBIs. He won the American League Rookie of the Year award, only the fourth AL player ever to receive a unanimous vote.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 October 1993 |title=Angels' outfield star named top AL rookie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-news-angels-outfield-star-n/157929349/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=The Courier-News |location=[[Bridgeport, New Jersey]] |page=B5 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

Salmon started his 1994 season slow. Through May 3, he was batting .225 with 3 home runs, a point at which Angels hitting instructor [[Rod Carew]] had a meeting with Salmon, persuading him to be more aggressive at the plate. He took Carew's advice and results quickly followed: in a three-game stretch from May 10 to May 13, Salmon compiled a total of 13 hits, joining [[Joe Cronin]] and [[Walt Dropo]] in a three-way tie for the most hits in a three-game period in American League history. The set of games included a 5-for-5 performance with 2 home runs in a blowout victory over the [[1994 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] in the [[Kingdome]] on May 13, raising his season batting average to .336 by the end of the day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cour |first=Jim |date=1994-05-15 |title=Salmon smoking, stroking hits at record clip during tear |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-desert-sun-salmon-smoking-stroking/157929440/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=The Desert Sun |page=B2 |publication-place=Palm Springs, California |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Salmon received the [[Major League Baseball Player of the Week Award|AL Player of the Week Award]] for May 9–May 15, a first for his career.<ref name="potw">{{cite web |title=Major League Baseball Players of the Week |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/mlb-players-of-the-week.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=3 May 2022}}</ref> He finished the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|strike-shortened]] season batting .287 with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs in 100 games.<ref name="stats" />

1995 was one of Salmon's career-best years at the plate. He set career highs in batting average at .330, [[on-base plus slugging]] (OPS) at 1.024, hits with 177, runs with 111, and [[total bases]] with 319. He received a [[Silver Slugger Award]] that year, and his 6.6 [[wins above replacement]] (WAR) ranked 7th among all players and 5th among position players in the American League. He placed 7th in [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|AL Most Valuable Player Award]] voting.<ref name="stats" />

====1996–1999: Move to cleanup spot====
With the emergence of Angels left fielder [[Garret Anderson]] in the previous season and continued production from center fielder [[Jim Edmonds]], Salmon was the eldest of a young outfield that some members of the media considered to be second-best in the AL, only behind the [[Cleveland Indians]] trio of [[Albert Belle]], [[Kenny Lofton]], and [[Manny Ramirez]].<ref>{{cite news |date=30 March 1996 |title=AL Preview |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-al-preview/157929641/ |access-date=30 August 2022 |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |page=F8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Through April 1996, Salmon was batting .281 with 3 home runs and 11 RBIs. By the All-Star break, he was batting .293 with 22 home runs and 58 RBIs, but he did not receive an All-Star selection. Salmon finished the season batting .286 with a team-leading 30 home runs and 98 RBIs. He led AL right fielders in putouts with 302 and was second in right fielder [[Assist (baseball)|assists]] with 13. He led the AL in most games played in the outfield with 153.<ref name="stats" />

In 1997, Salmon was moved to the [[Cleanup hitter|cleanup spot]] for the first time in his career after primarily batting third every year since his true rookie season. The move resulted in an increased amount of RBIs for Salmon, including 60 before the All-Star break. Salmon finished the year batting .296 with 33 home runs and set career-highs in [[plate appearance]]s with 695, [[At bat]]s with 582, and RBIs with 129. He drove in [[Darin Erstad]] 23 times and [[Dave Hollins]] 22 times. He led AL outfielders in [[double play]]s with 5 and right field assists with 15. His 129 RBIs ranked 7th in the major leagues. He finished seventh in AL MVP voting, receiving 84 points and a 21% share.<ref name="stats" />

During spring training in 1998, Salmon suffered a strain to his [[Achilles tendon]] but was able to continue playing. On April 22, Salmon left the game in the third inning after straining the [[Arches of the foot|arch]] in his left foot.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schmuck |first1=Peter |date=23 April 1998 |title=Angels rally, end O's trip on sour note |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-angels-rally-end-os/157929728/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=[[Baltimore Sun]] |pages=1D and 6D |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Terry |date=23 April 1998 |title=Covering all the bases |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-breeze-covering-all-the-bases/157930446/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=The Daily Breeze |location=Torrance, California |page=D8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He was placed on the 15-day [[Injured list|disabled list]] and would not return until May 9. Salmon was named the AL Player of the Week for August 9, a span in which he batted .480 with 12 hits, 4 home runs, and 9 RBIs.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1998-08-11 |title=Salmon wins AL Player of the Week |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-signal-salmon-wins-al-player-of-the/157930499/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=The Signal |page=B2 |publication-place=Santa Clarita, California |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He finished the season batting .300 with 26 home runs and 88 RBI. His .410 [[on-base percentage]] (OBP) ranked fourth in the American League. Salmon maintained his status as the cleanup batter throughout the year, making 93 of his 130 starts there.<ref name="stats" />

Salmon received the third AL Player of the Week award of his career on April 18, 1999, after batting .481 with 2 home runs and 12 RBIs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DiGiovanna |first1=Mike |date=21 April 1999 |title=Angels Report |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-angels-report/157930598/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=D10 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> On May 3, Salmon was removed from a game with an injury to his left wrist; X-rays taken that evening were negative and he was diagnosed with a sprain.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Chris |date=4 May 1999 |title=Defeat Doesn't Hurt as Much |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-defeat-doesnt-hur/157930659/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=D1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> On May 11, Salmon was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 4.<ref>{{cite news |date=12 May 1999 |title=Salmon Goes on Disabled List |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-salmon-goes-on-dis/157931070/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=D8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Salmon missed 62 games with the injury and did not return until July 17. He finished the 1999 season batting .266 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs in 98 games.<ref name="stats" />

====2000–2002: Veteran presence and World Series====
With longtime pitcher [[Chuck Finley]] departing the team after 1999 and shortstop [[Gary DiSarcina]] playing his final MLB game on May 8, Salmon became the longest-tenured player on the field for the Angels early in the 2000 season. He received his fourth career AL Player of the Week award on August 6 after batting .583 with 2 home runs and 7 RBIs.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 August 2000 |title=Elarton, Clark, Salmon honored |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-elarton-clark-s/157931145/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |page=B2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> On August 18, Salmon hit a fourth-inning home run off [[Roger Clemens]], the 223rd home run of his career, surpassing [[Brian Downing]] for the most in Angels history.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DiGiovanna |first1=Mike |date=19 August 2000 |title=Erstad's Heroics Are Just Super for Angels |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-erstads-heroics-a/157931215/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=D1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He earned the Player of the Week award again for August 27 after batting .500 with 2 home runs, one of which gave him his 30th on the year and made the Angels the first AL team that season to have four different players hit 30 home runs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Verrell |first1=Gordon |date=29 August 2000 |title=Salmon saluted again |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-californian-salmon-saluted-again/157931352/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=The Californian |location=Temecula, California |page=C4 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> His season stats improved from his injury-shortened 1999 season, batting .290 with 34 home runs and 97 RBIs while setting career highs in games played with 158 and walks with 104. His 108 runs scored ranked 10th in the AL and his 4 outfield double plays ranked second.<ref name="stats" />

During the 2000–01 offseason, Salmon underwent surgery on both his right foot and his left shoulder, preventing him from conducting his regular weight training regimen. During spring training, he suffered a strain on his abdomen. Before the start of the season, Salmon, who was about to finish a four-year contract, briefly considered signing with the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]], but instead signed a four-year, $40-million extension with the Angels. Through the first month of the 2001 season, Salmon batted .233 with 3 home runs, 10 RBIs, and 12 strikeouts. His struggles continued throughout the season and his batting average dipped to a season-low .195 on May 26. By the end of the season, he was batting .227, a career-low when excluding his abbreviated 1992 call-up season. He hit 17 home runs and 49 RBIs in 137 games. Team manager [[Mike Scioscia]] attributed Salmon's struggles to the two surgeries and spring training injury he endured.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Newhan |first1=Ross |title=Slumping Salmon Doesn't Shirk Blame |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-26-sp-38632-story.html |access-date=31 August 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=26 August 2001 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.halosheaven.com/story/2006/3/2/345/30008|title=The 100 Greatest Angels: # 1 Tim Salmon|website=halosheaven.com|date=2 March 2006}}</ref>

In 2002, Salmon's regular season stats rebounded as he batted .286 with 22 home runs and 88 RBIs in 138 games. He helped lead the Angels to a 99-win season and a berth into the [[2002 American League Division Series]] as the wild card team – it was the first postseason appearance of Salmon's career and the first for the Angels franchise since the [[1986 American League Championship Series]]. During the ALDS, Salmon went 5-for-19 (.263) with 2 home runs and 7 RBIs in the team's 3–1 series victory over the [[2002 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]]. During the [[2002 American League Championship Series]], he went 3-for-14 (.214) with 3 walks as the Angels sealed their first ever [[List of American League pennant winners|American League pennant]] and a trip to the [[World Series]] with a 4–1 series victory over the [[2002 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]].<ref name="stats" /> During Game 2 of the [[2002 World Series]], Salmon went 4-for-4 with 2 home runs, the first being a 2-run home run off [[Russ Ortiz]] in the second inning to make the score 7–4 Angels and the second also coming as a 2-run home run off of [[Félix Rodríguez (baseball)|Félix Rodríguez]] to break the tie and give the Angels the 11–9 lead en route to their 11–10 victory. In Game 3, Salmon went 1-for-4 with an RBI, 2 walks, and 2 runs scored, and a stolen base. During Game 6, he went 2-for-4. Overall, Salmon went 9-for-26 (.346) with 2 home runs, 5 RBIs, 4 walks, and a 1.067 OPS as the Angels defeated the [[2002 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] to win their first ever World Series. Salmon posted a 21.89% championship [[win probability added]] (cWPA) during the series, the highest out of anyone on the team and second-highest in the series behind [[Barry Bonds]]'s 22.94%.<ref>{{cite web |title=2002 World Series - Anaheim Angels |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2002_WS.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=31 August 2022}}</ref>

====2003–2006: Surgery and final seasons====
In 2003, his age-34 season, Salmon faced a positional change for the first time in his career as he [[Platoon system|platooned]] with [[Jeff DaVanon]] in right field and made the rest of his appearances as a [[designated hitter]]. He played 78 games in right field and 68 as the designated hitter. He finished the season batting .275 with 19 home runs and 72 RBIs.<ref name="stats" />

In 2004, Salmon's stint as a primary outfielder for the team effectively came to an end as he was the designated hitter in 39 appearances, pinch hitter in 14, and outfielder in 8. Through 60 games, Salmon was batting .253 with 2 home runs and 23 RBIs. On July 26, Salmon told the media that he was contemplating retiring after the 2005 season, the extent of his contract. On August 12, it was announced that Salmon would need surgery for his [[Rotator cuff tear|torn rotator cuff]] and [[biceps]] tendon. He signaled a desire to finish out the season and help the Angels in their playoff hunt before undergoing the procedure. By August 29, Salmon was experiencing too much pain in his arm to swing a bat but still said he hoped to return that season; he was placed on the 15-day disabled list in the meantime. On September 1, Salmon decided to undergo the surgery that would end his 2004 season and likely sideline him for all of 2005 due to its expected eight-to-10 month recovery window. Because Salmon's contract was due to expire following the 2005 season, there was speculation that the injury and subsequent surgery could be career-ending.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DiGiovanna |first1=Mike |title=Surgeries Could End Salmon's Angel Career |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-sep-02-sp-salmon2-story.html |access-date=31 August 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2 September 2004 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> As expected, Salmon missed all of the 2005 season while recovering.<ref name="stats" />

In January 2006, a 37-year-old Salmon was extended a non-roster invite to spring training.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Padilla |first1=Doug |title=Sports Wire: Salmon invited by the Angels |url=https://www.sbsun.com/2006/01/07/sports-wire-salmon-invited-by-the-angels/ |access-date=31 August 2022 |work=San Bernardino Sun |date=7 January 2006 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Following spring training, Salmon made the major league roster and signed a one-year deal worth $400,000 to serve as a designated hitter. On May 13, Salmon hit the 1,000th RBI of his career, following [[Garret Anderson]] as the second player in Angels history to drive in 1,000 runs for the franchise.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DiGiovanna |first1=Mike |title=Milestone Not Especially Grand to Salmon |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-may-14-sp-angrep14-story.html |access-date=31 August 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=14 May 2006 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> On September 28, Salmon announced he would officially retire at the end of the 2006 season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Scarr|first=Mike|title=Salmon officially announces retirement|url=http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060928&content_id=1688564&vkey=news_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana|publisher=losangeles.angels.mlb.com|access-date=February 11, 2014|date=September 28, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221221326/http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060928&content_id=1688564&vkey=news_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana|archive-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref> He played his final major league game on October 1, 2006, against the [[Oakland Athletics]]. His name and jersey number were cut into the infield and outfield grass of the playing field at [[Angel Stadium]]. Salmon finished his major league career with a .282 batting average, 1,674 hits, 299 home runs, 1,016 RBIs, 986 runs scored, 48 stolen bases, a .385 OBP, .498 SLG, 128 [[OPS+]], 40.5 WAR, and 1,672 games played.<ref name="stats" />

==Legacy==
[[File:Angels Opening Day First Pitch 2012 (9275935926).jpg|thumb|Salmon (left) throwing a [[ceremonial first pitch]] alongside [[David Eckstein]] (center) and [[Troy Percival]] (right) in 2012]]
As of {{currentyear}}, Salmon is the Angels' all-time leader in [[Base on balls|walks]] (965). He is second in franchise history with 299 [[home run]]s, 1,016 [[Run batted in|RBI]]s and 986 [[Run (baseball)|runs scored]].  He is one of only three Angels players to have won the [[MLB Rookie of the Year award|Rookie of the Year]] award,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nightengale |first1=Bob |title=Salmon Makes It Unanimous : Baseball: Outfielder is the runaway choice as Angels' first rookie of the year, giving local teams a sweep of the award. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-29-sp-50999-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=June 24, 2020 |date=October 29, 1993}}</ref> the others being [[Mike Trout]] in 2012 and [[Shohei Ohtani]] in 2018.

Salmon returned to Angel Stadium as a player in the 2010 [[All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game]] where he received a standing ovation before hitting two home runs for the [[American League]] and receiving the game's MVP award.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/07/salmon-a-hit-at-angel-stadium.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title= Tim Salmon is a hit at Angel Stadium | date=July 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wolke |first1=Dan |title=Salmon stars in celebrity softball game |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2010/07/12/salmon-stars-in-celebrity-softball-game/amp/ |website=Orange County Register |access-date=June 24, 2020 |date=July 12, 2010}}</ref>

Salmon's jersey number, 15, has not been officially retired by the Angels. The number was out of circulation from his retirement until the team issued it to [[Randal Grichuk]] in 2023. On August 22, 2015, Salmon was inducted into the [[Los Angeles Angels#Angels Hall of Fame|Angels Hall of Fame]] alongside former pitchers [[Dean Chance]] and [[Mike Witt]] during a pregame ceremony at [[Angel Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Adler |first1=David |title=Salmon, Chance, Witt join Angels Hall of Fame |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tim-salmon-inducted-into-angels-hall-of-fame-c144795594 |access-date=31 August 2022 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |date=22 August 2015}}</ref> On August 29, 2016, he was inducted into the [[Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame]] with a ceremony at [[Smith's Ballpark]] in [[Salt Lake City]], the home of the Angels' Triple-A affiliate [[Salt Lake Bees]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Trent |title=A Bee for a day: Angels great Tim Salmon inducted into PCL Hall of Fame |url=https://www.deseret.com/2016/8/30/20595092/a-bee-for-a-day-angels-great-tim-salmon-inducted-into-pcl-hall-of-fame |access-date=31 August 2022 |work=[[Deseret News]] |date=29 August 2016}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Salmon, his wife Marci, and their four children reside in [[Scottsdale, Arizona]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.timsalmon.com/about-tim-salmon/|title=About Tim Salmon - Tim Salmon Foundation}}</ref> While Salmon was with the Angels, the family lived in [[Newport Beach, California]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2016/04/01/at-home-with-tim-salmon/|title = At Home with Tim Salmon|date = April 2016}}</ref> His son played baseball while his daughter played softball.<ref name="azcentral1">{{cite news |last1=Obert |first1=Richard |title=Tim Salmon making impact as Scottsdale Christian coach |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2016/04/06/tim-salmon-making-impact-scottsdale-christian-coach/82710036/ |access-date=31 August 2022 |work=[[The Arizona Republic]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |date=6 April 2016}}</ref>

Salmon is a [[Christians|Christian]]. During his time with the Angels, he would lead weekly chapel services in the team's clubhouse.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shaikin|first=Bill|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-14-sp-64080-story.html|title=Hit By A Bombshell|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 14, 1997|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> Salmon has served as the head baseball coach at [[Scottsdale Christian Academy]] since 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2021-03-01/angels-tim-salmon-scottsdale-christian-academy-baseball-coach|title = For Tim Salmon, being a high school coach is about 'more than just baseball'|website = [[Los Angeles Times]]|date = March 2021}}</ref> He coached his son from 2015 to 2018.<ref name="azcentral1" />

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
*[[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Tim Salmon}}
{{Baseballstats |mlb=121640 |espn=2760 |br=s/salmoti01 |fangraphs=32 |brm=salmon001tim |retro=S/Psalmt001}}

{{s-start}}
{{S-ach}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Jeff King (baseball)|Jeff King]]
| title = [[MLB Player of the Month|American League Player of the Month]]
| years = July 1997
| after = [[Bernie Williams]]
}}
{{s-end}}

{{2002 Anaheim Angels}}
{{Angels Hall of Fame}}
{{AL Rookie of the Year}}
{{AL OF Silver Slugger Award}}
{{AL Comeback Players of the Year}}
{{Hutch Award}}
{{PCL MVPs}}
{{Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award}}
{{Topps Minor League Player of the Year Award}}
{{The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year Award}}
{{Sporting News MLB Rookie of the year}}
{{PCL Hall of Fame}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Salmon, Tim}}
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