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 – Baseball fans nationwide know and love the California Angels, one of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises. But did you ever stop to wonder where their nickname came from? As it turns out, there are a few different theories about how they became known as “the Angels.”
The first theory is that the name was derived from Los Angeles' previous team in 1961 called "Los Angeles Angels." The team moved to Anaheim in 1965 and changed its name accordingly. However, some believe this isn't enough explanation for why they chose "Angels" specifically when naming their new franchise after relocating cities.
Another popular belief is that owner Gene Autry wanted his baseball team named after his hit song “Back In The Saddle Again," which includes lyrics such as: “Out on the plains I go riding again/Searching those wide open spaces/I ride 'em up high way down low/Ride 'em like an angel." It's possible he thought these lyrics would be fitting for a baseball team based near Hollywood—and thus adopted them into what we now know today as the California Angels!
Finally, some people think it might have been inspired by Los Angeles' other teams around this period—the Lakers (named after Lake Michigan) and Dodgers (from Brooklyn). By combining both ideas ("Lakers" + "Dodgers"), you get something close sounding to angels – hence becoming known officially as simply ‘The Angeles.'
No matter where or why it originated, one thing remains true: The California Angles will forever remain an iconic part of American sports history!
Championship
World Series 0
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
- 1965
- 1970's
-
Move From Los Angeles to Anaheim
Stymied in his attempt to get a new stadium in Los Angeles, Autry looked elsewhere. His first choice for a stadium was the site offered by the city of Long Beach. However, the city insisted the team be renamed the Long Beach Angels, a condition Autry refused to accept. He was able to strike a deal with the suburban city ... -
The Ryan Express
During the 1970s, although Angel fans endured some mediocre years on the field they also were able to enjoy the heroics of fireballer Nolan Ryan, who tossed four of his seven no-hitters as an Angel. He also set several strikeout records throughout his career, most notably a 383-strikeout mark in 1973, still a major league record. Ryan was acquired in ...
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 Los Angeles Angels, previously known as the California Angels, have a long and illustrious history in Major League Baseball. Founded in 1961 as an expansion team, the Angels have become one of baseball’s most successful franchises. Over nearly sixty years, they have won six division titles and made nine trips to the playoffs. The team has also featured some of baseball’s greatest players, including Nolan Ryan, Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson, and Mike Trout.
The Angels began life as a minor league affiliate for the Los Angeles Dodgers before becoming an independent franchise during MLB's expansion era in 1961. They quickly found success under manager Bill Rigney, who led them to four consecutive winning seasons from 1962-1965, including two second-place finishes behind future Hall Of Famers Sandy Koufax & Don Drysdale's Dodgers teams. During this period, they were known by their original name, “Los Angeles Angels.” Still, they changed it when owner Gene Autry moved them southward closer to Anaheim following the 1965 season, thus beginning what is now known as “the Anaheim Era."
Under manager Lefty Phillips, the Halos continued their success, making three more playoff appearances between 1967-1979, with stars like Bobby Knoop, Jim Fregosi, Nolan Ryan & Frank Tanana leading them. During this time, they also adopted their iconic logo featuring a haloed angel bearing wings holding up a bat while wearing softball cleats, which still adorns all Angel uniforms today.
In 1979, new ownership came into play with Gene Autry selling off his shares, resulting in Jackie Autry becoming majority owner, ushering forth what many fans consider "The Golden Age" of Angel baseball due largely thanks to her husband's financial commitment towards building out competitive rosters throughout her tenure until she sold off controlling interest at the end of the 1998 season (though she remained a minority partner until 2002). This period saw great successes come via names like Brian Downing, Wally Joyner & Chili Davis, among others, culminating with a World Series appearance in 1986 against the Boston Red Sox, where despite valiant efforts, they could not overcome the eventual champion Red Sox dynasty led by Roger Clemens, et al. The Angels would return in 1989 yet fall short once more, losing four games straight to the Oakland A's infamous Bash Brothers squad headlined by Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, respectively.
Despite no championships through the first forty years of existence, the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels finally broke through in 2014 after signing superstar outfielder Mike Trout the prior year.
Sports Fan Products
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