History of Los Angeles Angels in Timeline
The Los Angeles Angels, a professional baseball team in the Greater Los Angeles area, compete in MLB's American League West division. Established in 1966 and playing their home games at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, they are a prominent team in Major League Baseball.
1903: Los Angeles Angels in the Pacific Coast League
In 1903, the Los Angeles Angels were playing in the Pacific Coast League (PCL).
1961: Angels Begin Play at Wrigley Field (Los Angeles)
As an expansion team, the Angels initially played their home games at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, the former home of the PCL Angels.
1961: Angels Add Commemorative Patch to Uniforms
Before the start of the 2012 season, the Angels added a new patch to their uniforms. This patch featured a red circle with the words "Angels Baseball" surrounding the club logo and the year "1961" in the center to commemorate the franchise's founding year. With this addition, the Angels' "A" with the halo appeared in three places on the jersey: the right shoulder, the wordmark, and the left shoulder.
1961: Purchase of Naming Rights and Team Formation
Gene Autry purchased the rights to the Los Angeles Angels name in 1961 and used it for his new MLB expansion team.
1961: KCAL Begins Angels Broadcasts
KCAL-TV, then known as KHJ-TV, first secured the rights to broadcast Angels games from 1961 to 1963.
1961: Angels Inaugural Season Broadcast on KMPC
The Angels' inaugural season in 1961 was broadcast on KMPC radio, a station owned by team owner Gene Autry.
1961: Angels Franchise Founded
The Los Angeles Angels franchise was founded in 1961 by Gene Autry as one of MLB's first two expansion teams.
1961: Los Angeles Angels Debut with Blue and Red Colors
When the Los Angeles Angels debuted in 1961, their team colors were predominantly blue with red trim, a scheme that would remain for much of the franchise's early history. Their logos often featured a baseball with wings and a halo.
May 5, 1962: Bo Belinksy's No-Hitter
On May 5, 1962, Angels pitcher Bo Belinsky achieved a historic feat by pitching the first no-hitter in Dodger Stadium history during a game against the Baltimore Orioles.
1962: Move to Dodger Stadium
The Angels moved to Dodger Stadium (then referred to as Chavez Ravine) in 1962, where they were tenants of the Dodgers.
1963: KCAL Concludes First Stint of Angels Broadcasts
KCAL-TV concluded its initial stint of broadcasting Angels games in 1963.
1964: KTLA Begins Angels Broadcasts
KTLA began televising Angels games in 1964, coinciding with Gene Autry's ownership of both entities.
September 2, 1965: Name Change Announcement
The Angels announced their name change to the California Angels on September 2, 1965.
1965: Anaheim Stadium Gets Nicknamed "The Big A"
In 1965, while Anaheim Stadium was under construction, sportswriter Bud Furillo from the Herald Examiner coined the nickname "The Big A." This moniker referenced the prominent letter "A" that served as the ballpark's primary scoreboard.
1965: Angels Become the California Angels
On September 2, 1965, while still playing at Dodger Stadium, the team changed its name from the "Los Angeles Angels" to the "California Angels."
1965: Angels End Tenure at Dodger Stadium
The Angels concluded their three-year tenancy at Dodger Stadium in 1965, marking the end of an era for the team.
1966: Angels Move to Anaheim and Introduce New Logo
In 1966, the California Angels moved to Anaheim, adopting a new logo to reflect the change. The logo retained the interlocking letters but replaced "LA" with "CA" while keeping the previous color scheme.
1966: Angels Move to Anaheim Stadium
In 1966, the California Angels, formerly the Los Angeles Angels, began playing their home games at the newly constructed Anaheim Stadium.
1966: Move to Anaheim
The California Angels officially moved to Anaheim in 1966.
1969: Dick Enberg Joins Angels Broadcast
Legendary broadcaster Dick Enberg joined the Angels' broadcast team in 1969, bringing his iconic voice to KTLA's coverage of the team.
1969: Angels relocate to AL West
The Angels rivalry with the Oakland Athletics began in 1969 when the Angels relocated to California and the AL West.
1971: Angels Introduce California Outline Logo
From 1971 to 1985, the Angels used a logo featuring the word "Angels" written on an outline of California. Notably, the "A" in "Angels" was lowercase in 1971 and 1972 but became uppercase from 1973 onward.
1972: Angels' California Outline Logo Changes Case of "A"
After using a lowercase "A" in their "Angels" wordmark on the California outline logo for a year, the team switched to an uppercase "A" from 1973 to 1985.
1973: Angels' California Outline Logo Changes Case of "A"
After using a lowercase "A" in their "Angels" wordmark on the California outline logo for a year, the team switched to an uppercase "A" from 1973 to 1985.
1978: Dick Enberg Departs Angels Broadcast
Dick Enberg departed from the Angels' broadcast booth in 1978, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the most recognizable voices in the team's history.
1980: Anaheim Stadium Renovations Lead to Relocation of "Big A" Sign
When Anaheim Stadium underwent renovations and expansion in 1980 to accommodate the NFL's Rams, the iconic "Big A" sign was moved from its original position beyond left-center field to a parking lot section southeast of the stadium.
1984: Mike Witt's Perfect Game
Mike Witt pitched a perfect game for the Angels against the Rangers at Arlington Stadium in 1984.
1985: Angels Retire California Outline Logo
After using it for over a decade, the Angels retired the California outline logo in 1985, marking the end of an era in the team's visual identity.
1986: Angels Introduce "Big A" on Baseball Logo
In 1986, the Angels adopted a new logo featuring the "Big A" atop a baseball, with the shadow of California in the background. This marked a departure from the California outline logo.
1988: Angels Establish Team Hall of Fame
The Angels established their official Hall of Fame in 1988 to honor the greatest players, managers, and contributors in franchise history.
1992: Angels Retire "Big A" on Baseball Logo
After a six-year run, the Angels decided to move on from the "Big A" on the baseball logo in 1992.
1993: Angels Revive Interlocking "CA" Logo
Returning to a familiar design, the Angels brought back the interlocking "CA" logo in 1993, a design element that resonated with their history. The logo was used with variations, sometimes appearing on a blue circle and sometimes without any additional elements.
1993: Angels Begin Affiliation with Prime Ticket
The Angels initiated their broadcast partnership with Prime Ticket (later known as Bally Sports West) in 1993, marking the start of a long-standing relationship with the network.
1994: Kenny Rogers's Perfect Game
Kenny Rogers pitched a perfect game for the Rangers against the Angels in 1994.
1995: Angels and Mariners Epic Pennant Race
In 1995, the Angels and Mariners engaged in a dramatic season-long battle for the division title. The Angels held a commanding 13-game lead in August, but the Mariners mounted a remarkable comeback, taking over first place in late September. The season came down to a tie-breaker game, highlighting the intensity of their rivalry.
1995: KTLA Concludes Angels Broadcasts
KTLA's run as the television home of the Angels came to an end in 1995, marking the conclusion of a significant chapter in the team's broadcasting history.
1996: Los Angeles Angels' Blue and Red Era Comes to an End
After using blue and red as their primary colors for most of their history, the Angels made a significant change in 1996, marking the end of an era.
1996: KCAL Returns as Angels Broadcaster
KCAL-TV once again became the broadcast home of the Angels from 1996 to 2005, marking a return to the network after a long hiatus.
1996: Angels Conclude KMPC Broadcasts
KMPC radio concluded its run as the flagship station for Angels broadcasts in 1996, ending a long-standing partnership.
1996: Angels Retire Interlocking "CA" Logo
The Angels used the interlocking "CA" logo until 1996, when they decided to refresh their visual identity once again.
1996: End of "California Angels" Era
The California Angels name was used until 1996.
1997: Angels Broadcasts Move to KRLA
Angels radio broadcasts moved to KRLA (1110 AM) for the 1997 season.
1997: Angels Rebrand as Anaheim Angels and Introduce New Color Scheme
Following renovations to Anaheim Stadium and the Walt Disney Company's acquisition of the team, the Angels underwent a major rebranding in 1997. They changed their name to the "Anaheim Angels" and introduced a new logo featuring a cartoonish "ANGELS" script with a wing on the "A" above a periwinkle plate and crossed bats. This marked a significant shift from their previous logos, and their colors changed to dark blue and periwinkle.
1997: Disney Acquisition, Stadium Renovation, and Name Change
The Walt Disney Company acquired the team in 1997, renovated Anaheim Stadium (renaming it Edison International Field of Anaheim), and the team was renamed the Anaheim Angels.
1997: Interleague Play Begins
The introduction of interleague play in the 1997 season marked a significant moment in baseball, as it allowed the Angels and Dodgers to face each other in the regular season for the first time.
1997: Anaheim Angels Era Begins
The team was renamed the Anaheim Angels in 1997.
1998: Angels Conclude KRLA Broadcasts
The Angels wrapped up their broadcasts on KRLA after the 1998 season.
June 1999: Angels-Dodgers Brawl
Tensions between the Angels and Dodgers boiled over in June 1999, leading to a bench-clearing brawl. The altercation stemmed from an incident where Angels pitcher Tim Belcher tagged out Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park after an at-bat. The incident escalated into a physical confrontation, resulting in Park's ejection and subsequent suspension.
1999: Angels Broadcasts Shift to KLAC
KLAC (570 AM) became the new home for Angels radio broadcasts in 1999.
2000: Birth of the Rally Monkey
The Rally Monkey, a symbol of the Angels' come-from-behind spirit, was born in 2000. During a game, a clip from "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" played on the scoreboard, coinciding with an Angels rally and win. The team then hired Katie, a capuchin monkey, to star in original rally clips.
2001: Anaheim Angels Return to "Big A" Logo with a Modern Twist
In 2001, the Anaheim Angels brought back the "Big A" logo but with a modern update. It featured a silver halo over a dark blue baseball diamond. This change also marked a shift in the team's colors to their current scheme of predominantly red with dark blue and white accents.
2001: Mariners' Dominant Season
The Seattle Mariners had a stellar season in 2001, achieving a remarkable 116 wins.
2002: Angels and A's Rivalry Heats Up
In 2002, the Angels and A's rivalry intensified as both teams emerged as contenders. The A's secured the division title with a 103-win season, fueled by their "Moneyball" tactics, while the Angels clinched the Wild Card berth. The A's were upset in the ALDS, while the Angels went on to win their first World Series title.
2002: Angels win first World Series and honor Gene Autry
In 2002, the Angels won their first World Series, a moment made bittersweet by the absence of their founder, Gene Autry, who had passed away four years prior. After the victory, Tim Salmon honored Autry by bringing out one of his signature Stetson hats, and Autry's number 26 was retired.
2002: Angels' Attendance Soars, Consistently Ranking Among MLB's Best
Starting in 2002, the Angels consistently ranked among MLB's top teams in attendance, drawing over 2 million fans annually. They surpassed 3 million fans per year from 2003 to 2019, a testament to their strong fan base.
2002: Terry Smith Joins Angels Broadcast
Terry Smith became the play-by-play commentator for the Angels' radio broadcasts in 2002.
2002: 2002 Angels Team Inducted into Hall of Fame
The Angels inducted the entire 2002 World Series championship team into their Hall of Fame, recognizing their historic achievement and unforgettable contributions to the franchise.
2002: Angels' World Series Triumph
The Angels won their first World Series championship in 2002, further fueling their rivalry with the Mariners.
2002: First World Series Championship
The Angels won their first and only World Series championship in 2002 under manager Mike Scioscia.
2002: First Pennant and World Series Victory
The Angels, under Disney's ownership and managed by Mike Scioscia, won their first pennant and World Series championship in 2002.
2002: Rally Monkey propels Angels to World Series victory
The Rally Monkey gained global recognition during the 2002 World Series. In a pivotal Game 6, the Angels were trailing the San Francisco Giants 5-0. Fueled by the Rally Monkey and fervent fan support, they scored six unanswered runs, ultimately winning the game and turning the series in their favor to clinch the championship.
2003: Angels Return to KSPN
In 2003, the Angels returned to KSPN for their radio broadcasts.
2003: Angels' Attendance Soars, Consistently Ranking Among MLB's Best
Starting in 2002, the Angels consistently ranked among MLB's top teams in attendance, drawing over 2 million fans annually. They surpassed 3 million fans per year from 2003 to 2019, a testament to their strong fan base.
2004: Angels' Postseason Success Renews Rally Monkey's Popularity
From 2004 to 2009, the Angels made the postseason five times, leading to a resurgence in the Rally Monkey's popularity.
2004: Angels and A's Battle for Division Title
The 2004 season saw another close race between the Angels and A's. The teams entered the final week of September tied for first place, with their last three games against each other in Oakland. The Angels won two crucial games, securing the division title and eliminating the A's from playoff contention.
2004: End of "Anaheim Angels" Era
The Anaheim Angels name was used until 2004.
2005: Addition of "Los Angeles" to Team Name
Arte Moreno, the new owner, added "Los Angeles" to the team's name in 2005, making them the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
2005: KCAL Concludes Second Stint of Angels Broadcasts
KCAL-TV concluded its second stint as the broadcaster of Angels games in 2005.
2005: "Los Angeles" Added to Name
The team added "Los Angeles" back to their name in 2005, becoming the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
2007: Mark Gubicza Joins Angels Broadcast
Mark Gubicza joined the Angels' television broadcast team as a color commentator in 2007.
2007: Angels and KSPN Part Ways
The Angels' partnership with KSPN for radio broadcasts concluded in 2007.
2009: Angels' Postseason Success Renews Rally Monkey's Popularity
From 2004 to 2009, the Angels made the postseason five times, leading to a resurgence in the Rally Monkey's popularity.
2009: Angels Recognized for Exceptional Fan Value
In 2009, ESPN Magazine voted the Angels the number one franchise in professional sports for Fan Value, highlighting their strong connection with their supporters.
2009: Anaheim Drops Lawsuit Over Name Change
The city of Anaheim dropped its lawsuit against the team's name change in 2009.
2010: Angels Maintain High Attendance Despite Missing Playoffs
From 2010 to 2013, the Angels consistently averaged 40,000 fans per game, ranking second only to the New York Yankees, despite not making the playoffs during those years.
2010: Victor Rojas Joins Angels Broadcast
Victor Rojas took over as the play-by-play announcer for the Angels in 2010.
2011: Angels Maintain High Attendance Despite Missing Playoffs
From 2010 to 2013, the Angels consistently averaged 40,000 fans per game, ranking second only to the New York Yankees, despite not making the playoffs during those years.
2011: Angels Celebrate 50th Anniversary with Gold Halo Logo
To commemorate their 50th anniversary in 2011, the Angels temporarily changed the halo on their "Big A" logo from silver to gold. This change paid homage to the franchise's history and the traditional use of gold for 50th anniversaries. Their uniforms also reflected this change, featuring the gold halo throughout the season.
2012: Angels Add Commemorative Patch to Uniforms
Before the start of the 2012 season, the Angels added a new patch to their uniforms. This patch featured a red circle with the words "Angels Baseball" surrounding the club logo and the year "1961" in the center to commemorate the franchise's founding year. With this addition, the Angels' "A" with the halo appeared in three places on the jersey: the right shoulder, the wordmark, and the left shoulder.
2012: Angels Maintain High Attendance Despite Missing Playoffs
From 2010 to 2013, the Angels consistently averaged 40,000 fans per game, ranking second only to the New York Yankees, despite not making the playoffs during those years.
2012: Angels Ranked Among Best Sports Franchises by ESPN
In 2012, ESPN and its fans ranked the Angels fifteenth among the best sports franchises and third best within MLB. This ranking considered factors like fan attendance, fan relations, on-field performance, ownership, affordability, stadium experience, and player likability.
2012: Mark Langston Joins Angels Broadcast
Mark Langston joined the Angels' radio broadcast team as a color commentator in 2012.
2012: Signing of Albert Pujols
The Angels signed Albert Pujols in 2012, marking a period of increased international attention for the team.
2012: Wilson and Napoli Fuel Angels-Rangers Rivalry
The rivalry between the Angels and Rangers escalated in 2012 due to on-field incidents and off-field exchanges involving players who had played for both teams. Notably, pitcher C.J. Wilson's prank on former teammate Mike Napoli by tweeting his phone number added fuel to the fire, showcasing the animosity between the two clubs.
2013: Angels Maintain High Attendance Despite Missing Playoffs
From 2010 to 2013, the Angels consistently averaged 40,000 fans per game, ranking second only to the New York Yankees, despite not making the playoffs during those years.
2013: Plan to Drop "of Anaheim"
In 2013, the team planned to drop "of Anaheim" from their name as part of a new Angel Stadium lease, but the deal wasn't finalized.
2013: Houston Astros Join AL West, Adding to Angels' Rivalries
The Houston Astros joined the American League West division in 2013, adding another layer to the Angels' list of rivals, which already included teams like the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers.
2014: Last Playoff Appearance
As of 2023, the Angels' last playoff appearance was in 2014.
2015: Angels Fans Set Multiple Guinness World Records
By 2015, Angels fans had set six Guinness World Records for the largest gatherings of people wearing themed attire, including blankets, wrestling masks, cowboy hats, wigs, Santa hats, superhero capes, and sombreros. They also held the record for the most significant gathering of people with selfie sticks.
2015: Dick Enberg Receives Ford C. Frick Award
Dick Enberg was honored with the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award in 2015 for his exceptional contributions to baseball broadcasting, particularly his memorable work with the Angels.
2015: Current Name Adopted
The team adopted their current name, the Los Angeles Angels, in 2015.
2018: Vladimir Guerrero Inducted into the Hall of Fame
On 2018, Vladimir Guerrero, who played for the Los Angeles Angels, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is the sole Hall of Famer to be depicted wearing an Angels cap on his plaque.
December 20, 2019: Proposed Sale of Angel Stadium
On December 20, 2019, the city of Anaheim voted to sell Angel Stadium and surrounding land to a group led by owner Arte Moreno, but the deal was later canceled due to corruption allegations.
2019: Angels' Attendance Remains Strong, Ranking Fifth in MLB
In 2019, the Angels continued to draw impressive crowds, finishing fifth in MLB attendance with over 3 million fans attending their games.
2020: Omission of "of Anaheim" Suffix
By 2020, most official sources omitted the "of Anaheim" suffix.
2020: Victor Rojas Departs Angels Broadcast
Victor Rojas concluded his tenure as the Angels' play-by-play announcer in 2020.
May 24, 2022: Resignation of Mayor Sidhu
Anaheim mayor Harry Sidhu resigned on May 24, 2022, following bribery and corruption allegations related to the proposed Angel Stadium sale.
December 9, 2023: Shohei Ohtani Signs With the Dodgers
On December 9, 2023, Shohei Ohtani, the Angels' star pitcher and hitter, sent shockwaves through the baseball world by signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency. The deal, hailed as the largest contract in professional sports history, marked a significant shift in the balance of power within Major League Baseball and left Angels fans stunned.
2023: Angels' Win-Loss Record Through 2023
As of 2023, the Angels have a win-loss record of 4,958-5,016-3 (.497).
2023: Franchise Record for Runs Scored in a Game
The Angels set a franchise record in 2023 by scoring 25 runs against the Rockies, including 13 runs in the third inning.
2023: Wayne Randazzo Joins Angels Broadcast
Wayne Randazzo took over as the play-by-play announcer for Angels television broadcasts on Bally Sports West in 2023.
2024: Angels adopt "Dance With Me" by Blink-182 as new home run song
In 2024, the Angels started using "Dance With Me" by Blink-182 as their home run song, replacing previous choices like "Song 2" by Blur and "Chelsea Dagger" by The Fratellis.
