A superlative second baseman, Knoop (pronounced “Kuh-NOP”) won three Gold Gloves and was voted the Angels’ Owner’s Trophy for “inspirational leadership, sportsmanship and professional ability four times. Called “the Nureyev of second base” by sportswriters, the acrobatic introvert established an AL second base record with 12 putouts in a nine-inning game (8/60/66). Knoop and his roommate, shortstop Jim Fregosi, turned an AL-record six double plays in a May 1, 1966 game. Usually a poor hitter, he hit 17 home runs in 1966, including a home run and double in the same inning (April 30). He became an Angel coach in 1979.
