Los Angeles Anaheim Angels History

Los Angeles Anaheim Angels Baseball History

Anaheim Angels, professional baseball team in the West Division of the American League (AL). The Angels play at Edison International Field in Anaheim, California, and wear uniforms of white, red, and black. The team takes its name from its original home—Los Angeles, The City of Angels.

The Angels won three West Division titles from 1979 through 1986 with lineups that starred Don Baylor, Rod Carew, Bobby Grich, Reggie Jackson, and Nolan Ryan. Jackson, who ranks in the top ten on the all-time home run list, hit 123 of his 563 career home runs during his five years with the Angels. Ryan, baseball’s all-time strikeout leader, threw four no-hitters while with the team.

The Angels were founded by former actor Gene Autry in 1961 and played their first five seasons in Los Angeles. After the 1965 season the club moved to Anaheim and became the California Angels. In 1972 the Angels acquired right-handed pitcher Ryan from the New York Mets. In his eight seasons with the team, Ryan led the league in strikeouts seven times and in shutouts twice; he also threw four of his all-time-record seven no-hitters.

California won its first division title in 1979 under manager Jim Fregosi, a former Angels shortstop. Baylor, who led the league in runs batted in (RBIs) and runs scored that year, became the first designated hitter to be named the AL most valuable player (MVP).

Superstar outfielder and designated hitter Reggie Jackson joined the Angels in 1982 and led the league in home runs to power California to its second division championship. Manager Gene Mauch guided the team to a 93-69 win-loss record before the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Angels in the AL Championship Series.

Mauch retired in 1983 but returned as manager two years later. In 1986 he directed the Angels to their third division crown with a team that featured veterans Jackson, third baseman Doug DeCinces, pitcher Don Sutton, and rookie first baseman Wally Joyner. The Angels again lost the AL Championship Series, this time to the Boston Red Sox.

The Angels came close to a division title in 1995, ending the season in a first-place tie with the Seattle Mariners, but they lost in a one-game playoff. The franchise was purchased by the Walt Disney Company in May of 1996 and renamed the Anaheim Angels before the 1997 season began.

QUICK FACTS

Ballpark: Edison International Field of Anaheim (45,050 capacity)

First Game: April 19, 1966

Dimensions: 330 feet to left field at foul line, 400 feet to center field, 330 feet to right field at foul line.

Baseball owners approved the addition of the Los Angeles Angels during their meeting in October 1960, making the new franchise the first American League team to move to California (and the third overall behind the Dodgers and Giants).

The team's owner was Gene Autry, famed cowboy movie star, who was in control of the team until he sold it to Disney in 1998. The Angels played their first game on April 11, 1961 and it proved successful. Ted Kluszewski hit 2 HRs and the franchise's first pick in the expansion draft, Eli Grba, was credited with the win. The team finished the season at 70-91 for a .435 winning percentage the highest ever for a first-year team.

The team's first season was played at Wrigley Field (An old Pacific League stadium located in the suburbs of Los Angeles) and then the team played its home games at Dodger Stadium until it moved to Anaheim Stadium in 1966.

In 1962, the franchise had its first no hitter. On May 5, Bo Belinsky, a rookie, pitched the noteworthy game and used it to establish himself as part of the Hollywood scene.

Dean Chance finished the 1964 season with a 20-9 record and a 1.65 ERA. He was the first, and only, Angel to win the award and the youngest player ever to be given the honor. He recorded 11 shutouts that season.

On Sept. 10, 1969, the Angels were part of a strange record The Kansas City Royals used 27 players in a single game against them.

In 1970, Alex Johnson won the AL batting title the only time an Angel has captured the mark. That same season, Clyde Wright who had finished with a 1-8 record the season before pitched to 22 victories.

In 1972, the Angels traded Jim Fregosi for four players including Nolan Ryan. In 1973, the future Hall of Famer recorded two no hitters in a season the fifth time it had happened in MLB history. He also recorded 383 strikeouts that season to break the record held by Sandy Koufax. In 1974, in his final start of the season, Ryan recorded his third no-hitter. He tied a major league record in 1975 when he pitched his fourth no-hitter.

The Angels made it to the playoffs for the first time in 1979. They lost to the Orioles in 4 games in the ALCS.

The team won the division title in 1982 under the leadership of manager Gene Mauch. Don Sutton achieved a milestone 300th pitching win in 1986.

In 1986, the team came within an out of an appearance in the World Series. The Angels won three of four against the Red Sox and then struggled to let Boston tie the ALCS at 3-3. The team held the lead in the seventh game and was within a strike of going to the Series when Angels' pitcher Donnie Moore gave up a game winning home run to Dave Henderson.

Nolan Ryan's number 30 was retired in 1992. As an Angel, Ryan pitched to a 138-121 record and a 3.06 ERA in 291 games.

Anaheim Stadium was renamed Edison Field in 1998.

The Angels announced the team has changed its official name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. This change is effective January 3, 2005. The inclusion of Los Angeles reflects the original expansion name awarded by Major League Baseball in December 1960 and again returns the Angels as Major League Baseball's American League representative in the Greater Los Angeles territory that Major League Baseball expects the team to serve.

The Los Angeles region, which is comprised of Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties, is the second largest media market in the country. This name change will strengthen the Angels' long-term economic health by enhancing the marketability through this metropolitan area and beyond.

Angels Baseball and the "A" brand will continue to be the marketing focus of the organization and Angels Stadium of Anaheim remains the home of the 2004 defending American League Western Division Champions.

The Angels have enjoyed tremendous success in Anaheim, highlighted by a World Championship in 2002. The organization will continue to work closely with the City of Anaheim in promoting the Anaheim community, Angel Stadium of Anaheim, and the Angels' baseball experience.

TITLES

The Angels won their first division title in 1979. The Angels won the division again in 1982 and 1986. The Angels have never appeared in the World Series. The Angels won the Wildcard slot in 2002 and defeated the Angels in the Divisional Series.

NAME HISTORY

The franchise was originally the Los Angeles Angels (1961-64), the California Angels (1965-1996) and the Anaheim Angels (since 1997).

TOP MANAGER

Bill Rigney, the first manager for the club, led the team from 1961-69 and posted a 625-707 record. He is the leading manager in terms of wins. Rigney was named Manager of the Year in 1962 by AP and UPI.
Mike Scioscia led the Angels to their best-ever finish in 2002 and now ranks among the clubs top 3 winningest managers of all time.

MVPS

Don Baylor (1979)
Baylor hit .296 with 36 home runs and led the American League with 120 runs and 139 RBIs.

CY YOUNG

Dean Chance (1964)
Chance led the AL with 20 wins (against 9 losses) and a 1.65 ERA in 278.1 innings.

OTHER HONORS

Batting Titles
Alex Johnson, 1970
Angels Hall of Fame
The team has honored the following players with induction into its HOF:
Bobby Grich (.269, 154 HR, 557 RBIs as an Angel)
Jim Fregosi (404 extra base hits, 1,408 hits as an Angels player, 237-248 as the Angels' manager)
Don Baylor (Only Angel to win League MVP)
Rod Carew (Hit .333 with Angels, in baseball HOF)
Nolan Ryan (138-121, 3.06 ERA for Angels, in baseball HOF)
Jimmie Reese (Spent 23 years as Angels Coach)

ROOKIE OF YEAR

Tim Salmon (1993)
Salmon, who debuted in 1992, finished his first full season with a .283 ERA, 31 home runs, 95 RBIs and 5 stolen bases.

RETIRED NUMBERS

11 - Jim Fregosi (SS, Manager)
26 - Gene Autry (Owner)
29 - Rod Carew (2B, 1B)