Just as game one of the 1979 American League Championship Series against the California Angels was set to begin, Garcia's brother, John, was arrested. He was found in possession of hashish after he was caught trying to scalp tickets to the game. Garcia sat out game one, but starred in game two. He had an RBI single and score on Eddie Murray's home run in the second inning, then drove in DeCinces in the third. Overall, he went 3-for-11 with the two RBIs in the ALCS.