History of the Los Angeles Angels
Established 1961, moved to Anaheim in 1966.
The Los Angeles Angels are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, competing in Major League Baseball as a member of the American League West division. Established in 1961, the team originally played in Los Angeles before moving to Anaheim in 1966, and their name derives from the city of Los Angeles and a minor league club of the same name.
- founded
- 1961
- home_stadium
- Angel Stadium (since 1966)
- original_home
- Wrigley Field, Los Angeles (1961)
- league
- American League West
- original_owner
- Gene Autry
- name_origin
- From the Spanish 'Los Angeles' and a minor league team
Lore & Background
The Angels were formed during Major League Baseball's expansion in 1960–1961, partly to counter the proposed Continental League. Gene Autry, a former movie cowboy and broadcaster, purchased the franchise after earlier bids by Hank Greenberg and Charlie Finley failed due to Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley's objections. Autry paid O'Malley $300,000 for the rights to the Angels name, which had been used by a Pacific Coast League team O'Malley owned.
In their first season (1961), the Angels played at Wrigley Field in South Los Angeles and finished 70–91, the best winning percentage ever for a first-year MLB expansion team. They moved to Dodger Stadium in 1962, where pitcher Bo Belinsky threw the first no-hitter at that venue in May 1962. The team contended for the American League pennant in 1962, finishing third. In 1964, pitcher Dean Chance won the Cy Young Award.
Unable to secure a new stadium in Los Angeles, Autry agreed to build Anaheim Stadium in Orange County, and the team moved there in 1966, changing its name to the California Angels. In their first year in Anaheim, the Angels drew over 1.4 million fans, finishing second in the American League in attendance behind the Detroit Tigers, a sharp increase from 566,727 the previous year.
Reader's Guide
The Los Angeles Angels represent a key chapter in Major League Baseball's westward expansion. As one of the first MLB teams established on the West Coast, they helped solidify professional baseball's presence in California. Their move from Los Angeles to Anaheim in 1966 demonstrated the growing importance of suburban markets and the role of stadium construction in team success. The Angels' early years featured competitive play, including a near-pennant in 1962 and individual achievements like Dean Chance's Cy Young Award. The team's name, rooted in the Spanish translation of Los Angeles and a minor league predecessor, reflects the region's cultural and historical ties. Despite initial struggles as tenants of the Dodgers, the Angels built a loyal fan base in Orange County, setting attendance records and becoming a lasting fixture in Southern California sports.
Did You Know?
- The Angels' name was purchased from Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley for $300,000.
- In 1961, the Angels finished 70–91, the best winning percentage ever for a first-year MLB expansion team.
- Pitcher Bo Belinsky threw the first no-hitter at Dodger Stadium in 1962.
- The team changed its name to the California Angels in 1965 before moving to Anaheim in 1966.
- In 1966, the Angels finished second in the American League in attendance, behind the Detroit Tigers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Angels franchise begin and where did they play their first season?
The Angels started play in 1961 at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles before relocating to Anaheim in 1966, where they have called Angel Stadium home ever since.
Why did the Angels move from Los Angeles to Anaheim?
The franchise shifted from Los Angeles to the neighboring city of Anaheim in 1966, settling into what is now Angel Stadium, and has remained in that Orange County location for nearly six decades.
Who was the original owner of the Angels?
Gene Autry, the well-known cowboy actor and radio personality, was the founding owner who established the team in 1961.
Where does the Angels' name come from?
The name draws on the Spanish roots of 'Los Angeles' and was also used by a minor league club in the region, giving the franchise its celestial identity from the start.
What division do the Angels compete in today?
The Angels are a member of the American League West division in Major League Baseball, facing off against the Astros, Mariners, Rangers, and Athletics on a regular basis.
More in History of Major League Baseball by team 1-24
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