The History of the Los Angeles Angels

The Early Days

The Los Angeles Angels began their journey in 1961 when Gene Autry, a famous cowboy actor, bought the team. They were one of the first expansion teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). The team played their first games at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, which was different from the famous Wrigley Field in Chicago.

During their first season, the Angels surprised everyone by winning 70 games, which was really good for a brand new team. Their first star player was a pitcher named Dean Chance, who won the Cy Young Award in 1964.

Moving to Anaheim

In 1966, the Angels moved to Anaheim and changed their name to the California Angels. They played in Anaheim Stadium, which fans often called "The Big A" because of the large A-shaped scoreboard.

The 1970s brought some exciting players to the team. Nolan Ryan, a pitcher who could throw the ball really fast, joined the Angels in 1972. He threw four no-hitters while playing for the Angels, which means the other team couldn't get any hits during those games.

The 1980s and 1990s

The Angels reached the playoffs for the first time in 1979, and again in 1982 and 1986. Even though they had good teams, they couldn't make it to the World Series during this time.

In 1996, the team changed their name to the Anaheim Angels. Disney owned the team during this time and made some changes to the stadium and team colors.

World Series Champions

The biggest moment in Angels history came in 2002. With players like Garret Anderson, Tim Salmon, and Troy Glaus, the Angels made it to the World Series. They played against the San Francisco Giants in an exciting series that went to seven games. The Angels won and became World Series champions for the first time!

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

In 2005, the team changed their name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Some fans were confused by the long name that mentioned both cities. In 2016, they simplified it to just the Los Angeles Angels, even though they still play in Anaheim.

Recent History

In the 2010s, the Angels signed some big-name players like Albert Pujols and Mike Trout. Trout has become one of the best players in baseball and has won three Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards while playing for the Angels.

In 2018, Japanese player Shohei Ohtani joined the team. He is unique because he can both pitch and hit really well, which is rare in modern baseball.

The Angels Today

Today, the Angels continue to play at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The team works hard to win another World Series championship for their fans. With exciting players and a rich history, the Angels remain an important part of baseball in Southern California.

Over their 60+ years of history, the Angels have had many great players, exciting games, and memorable moments that fans will always remember.