Los Angeles Angels

Lore & Background

The franchise was founded in Los Angeles in 1961 by Gene Autry as one of MLB's first two expansion teams and the first to originate in California. Deriving its name from an earlier Los Angeles Angels franchise that played in the Pacific Coast League (PCL), the team was based in Los Angeles until moving to Anaheim in 1966. Due to the move, the franchise was known as the California Angels from 1965 to 1996 and the Anaheim Angels from 1997 to 2004. 'Los Angeles' was added back to the name in 2005, but because of a lease agreement with Anaheim that required the city to also be in the name, the franchise was known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim until 2015. The current Los Angeles Angels name came into use the following season.

In Their Own Story

The spring training narrative for the 2026 Dodgers was defined by a mix of new faces and final goodbyes. Miguel Rojas, the utilityman and 2025 World Series hero, played what would be his last season before joining the front office. The team also adjusted to life without Clayton Kershaw, who retired after the 2025 campaign. Amidst these transitions, the Freeway Series exhibitions served as a testing ground for new acquisitions. Kyle Tucker, signed to a massive four-year, $240 million contract just days before spring training began in Glendale, was among the players integrating into the lineup alongside returning veterans. The atmosphere at Camelback Ranch was one of anticipation as the team prepared to defend their titles.

Reader's Guide

Throughout their first four decades of existence the Angels were a middling franchise, but did win three division titles during that span. Notable stars to have played for the Angels during that time include Hall of Fame players Nolan Ryan (1972-1979), who threw four of his seven no-hitters with California, Rod Carew (1979-1985), who collected his 3,000th hit with the team, and Reggie Jackson (1982-1986), who hit his 500th career home run with the team. The Angels came within one game of reaching the World Series in 1982 and 1986. Under manager Mike Scioscia, they would eventually achieve their first Wild Card spot in 2002 for their first postseason appearance since 1986 and used this momentum to win the 2002 World Series, their only championship appearance to date. The Angels and the Washington Nationals are the only two MLB franchises to win their sole appearance in the World Series. Over the next seven years under Scioscia's management, the Angels would then win five division titles, spearheaded by their lone Hall of Fame representative Vladimir Guerrero. They also saw an increase in fan attendance, consistently placing the franchise among the top draws in MLB. This notoriety has grown into international attention since 2012 with the signing of Albert Pujols and the emergence of superstars Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, who cumulatively won five AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards with the team. Despite this, they have not appeared in the postseason since 2014, the longest active playoff drought of any MLB team.

Did You Know?

• Through 2025, the Angels have a win–loss record of 5,093–5,205–3 (.495).
• They were the first expansion team to reach 5,000 total wins, doing so in 2024.
• As of 2026, they are one of only three MLB teams, and the only one in the American League, that have been undefeated in the World Series.