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Anaheim Angels Team History

Atlanta Hawks
Angels Primary Logo
Angels Alternate Logo
Angels Wordmark Logo

Established
1961

City
Los Angeles - Anaheim - Los Angeles (Anaheim)

League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1961 – 1999 / American League

Team History
2005 – Present / Los Angeles Angels
1997 – 2004 / Anaheim Angels
1965 – 1996 / California Angels
1961 – 1964 / Los Angeles Angels

Nickname
Angels – The Anaheim Angels are one of the most beloved teams in Major League Baseball and have been since their inception in 1961. But did you know that their nickname has an interesting origin story?

The name “Angels” was chosen by team founder Gene Autry, a famous cowboy actor who owned the radio station KMPC. He wanted to bring Western flair to his new baseball team, so he chose “Angels” as a popular term for Cowboys back then. It is believed that Autry chose this name because he felt it would be easier for fans to remember than something more obscure like "Los Angeles Stars" or "Los Angeles Flyers."

Autry's decision was wise; over 60 years later, people still recognize and love the Anaheim Angels' nickname! The logo features an angel with wings spread wide open carrying a bat while wearing red halo-like headgear - all symbols of good luck and protection from harm. It represents what every fan hopes will come true when cheering on their favorite players during each game.

In addition, many fans enjoy referring to themselves as members of Angel Nation - another way they show support for their beloved franchise! Whether you're attending games at Angel Stadium or watching them from home on TV, everyone can agree that there's nothing quite like being part of this particular group who loves America's pastime just as much (if not more) than anyone else does!

Championship
World Series 1
2002

Stadium
2004 – Present / Angel Stadium of Anaheim
1998 – 2003 / Edison International Field
1965 – 1997 / Anaheim Stadium

*Los Angeles*
1962 – 1964 / Chavez Ravine
1961 / Wrigley Field

Owner
2003 – Present / Arturo Moreno
1996 – 2003 / The Walt Disney Company
1961 – 1996 / Gene Autry

  • 1996
  • 2002
  • 2003
  • Anaheim Angels 2002

    Walt Disney Company

    The Walt Disney Company effectively took control of the Angels in 1996, when it was able to gain enough support on the board to hire Tony Tavares as team president. Gene Autry, however, remained as chairman until his death in 1998. In 1999, Tavares hired Bill Stoneman as team general manager, under whose watch the Angels eventually won their first ...
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  • World Series - 2002 Anaheim Angels

    World Series Winner 2002

    The 2002 World Series was a best-of-seven playoff series to determine the champion of Major League Baseball for the 2002 season. It was the 98th series between the champions of the American League (AL) and National League (NL), here respectively the Anaheim Angels and the San Francisco Giants. The series was played from October 19–27, 2002 at Pacific Bell Park ...
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  • Arte Moreno - Los Angeles Angels

    New Ownership – Moreno

    In April 2003, it was announced that Arte Moreno had reached a deal with The Walt Disney Company to purchase the team for $180 million. On May 15, 2003, MLB commissioner Bud Selig announced that the sale of the Angels to Moreno had been approved. One of the first people to congratulate Moreno after the news was Diamondbacks’ owner Jerry ...
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Who is the greatest Anaheim Angels?
  • Add your greatest player

To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.

History of the Angels

The Anaheim Angels, previously known as the California Angels, have a long and storied history in Major League Baseball. From their beginnings as the Los Angeles Angels in 1961 to their current incarnation as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, they have been an integral part of baseball for over five decades.
The early years saw them struggle on the field but remain competitive despite playing in one of MLB's smallest markets. In 1965, they were purchased by Gene Autry, who renamed them The California Angels and moved them from Dodger Stadium to Angel Stadium, where they would play until 1996 when Disney acquired ownership rights and changed their name again - this time to The Anaheim Angels.

Under new leadership, things began turning around for the team, with manager Terry Collins leading his troops into postseason action during four consecutive seasons (1997-2000). Unfortunately, it was not enough; even though two World Series appearances followed (2002 & 2009), both were losses that left fans wanting more success from this talented roster.

Despite all these changes throughout its history, one thing has remained constant: The passion that players feel about representing Orange County on America’s biggest stage – Major League Baseball! This is why so many great players like Nolan Ryan or Mike Trout chose “the Halos” when deciding which team should be honored with their talents; because there is something special about wearing those iconic red halo helmets every night out at Angel Stadium!
From Albert Pujols' walk-off home run against the Kansas City Royals back in 2014 that clinched a Wild Card spot all the way through today's 2020 season featuring Shohei Ohtani lighting up opposing pitchers with his powerful bat while also taking turns pitching effectively - no matter what year it is, you can always count on seeing some exciting baseball games coming out of Southern California thanks largely due to the much-beloved franchise: The LA/Anaheim/California Angels!




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Retired Number
11 / Jim Fregosi
26 / Gene Autry
29 / Rod Carew
30 / Nolan Ryan
42 / Jackie Robinson
50 / Jimmy Reese

*Blue is this team’s history

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