Angels–Athletics rivalry
AL West rivalry between California's Angels and Athletics.
The Angels–Athletics rivalry is a Major League Baseball (MLB) divisional rivalry between the Angels and the Athletics, both members of the American League (AL) West division. The rivalry developed steadily after the Athletics relocated to California and joined the AL West in 1968, with the two teams frequently competing for the division title. The Athletics lead the all-time series 551–505, and the teams have never met in the postseason.
Quick Facts
- Location
- California
- First meeting
- April 30, 1961
- Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California
- Angels 6, Athletics 4
- Latest meeting
- June 28, 2026
- Angel Stadium, Anaheim, California
- Angels 4, Athletics 1
- Stadiums
- Angels: Angel Stadium; Athletics: Sutter Health Park
- Total meetings
- 1,056
- Largest victory
- Angels: 18–2 (July 25, 1964)
- Athletics
- 21–3 (September 20, 2018)
- Current win streak
- Angels, 2
Facts from the source article.
Background
The Angels joined the American League in 1961 as an expansion team. The Athletics relocated to Oakland in 1968 after owner Charlie Finley encountered difficulty securing a new ballpark in Kansas City; Kansas City later received an expansion franchise in 1969, now known as the Royals. The Athletics were one of the oldest franchises, having joined MLB in 1901 as the Philadelphia Athletics. Both teams struggled through the 1960s, but the Athletics emerged as postseason titans, winning three straight World Series from 1972 to 1974. The Angels reached the playoffs for the first time in 1979. The Athletics remained competitive through the 1980s, making three ALCS appearances and winning the World Series in 1989. The Angels made two ALCS appearances in 1982 and 1986, losing both. Both teams experienced mediocre seasons, but the rivalry intensified as the Athletics built a younger lineup known as the "Moneyball" team. In 2002, the Angels finished as division runners-up and secured a wild card berth, while the Athletics set a record with a 20-game win streak. The Athletics lost in the ALDS to the Minnesota Twins, while the Angels won the World Series. In 2004, both teams entered the final series tied in wins, playing the last three games in Oakland. The Angels won two of three, eliminating the Athletics from playoff contention, but the Angels were swept by the eventual champion Boston Red Sox.
Season-by-season results
The season-by-season results are recorded in a table format showing yearly win-loss records and series outcomes. The table includes ties, with 99 ties recorded in one season. The Angels won 126 games in a season, with 63 wins at home and 63 on the road, leading to a cumulative series lead of 2115. The Athletics won 108 games in a season, with 54 home and 54 road wins, resulting in a cumulative Angels lead of 2925. Another season saw the Angels win 126 games with 54 home and 72 road wins, extending the Angels' cumulative lead to 4131. A 135-win season for the Angels, with 63 home and 72 road wins, brought the cumulative lead to 5436; that year the Angels were renamed "California Angels" with a month remaining. A tie season of 99 games, with Angels 63 and Athletics 63, left the cumulative at 6345; the Angels relocated to Anaheim and opened Anaheim Stadium. The Angels won 144 games with 90 home and 54 road wins, cumulative 7749. The Athletics won 135 games with 63 home and 72 road wins, cumulative Angels 8262; the Athletics relocated to Oakland and played at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum as the "Oakland Athletics". The Athletics won 126 games with 54 home and 72 road wins, cumulative Angels 8874. The Athletics won 108 games with 54 home and 54 road wins, cumulative Angels 9684; Angels pitcher Clyde Wright threw a no-hitter against the Athletics. The Athletics won 117 games with 72 home and 54 road wins, cumulative Angels 10395. The Athletics won 108 games with 54 home and 54 road wins, cumulative Angels 111105; the Athletics won the 1972 World Series. The Athletics won 126 games with 72 home and 54 road wins, resulting in a tie at 117117; the Athletics won the 1973 World Series. The Athletics won 126 games with 54 home and 72 road wins, cumulative Athletics 129123; the Athletics won the 1974 World Series and took a 121120 lead on June 24, a lead they never relinquished. The Athletics won 117 games with 54 home and 63 road wins, cumulative Athletics 140130. The Athletics won 126 games with 63 home and 63 road wins, cumulative Athletics 152136. The Athletics won 105 games with 44 ties and 61 road wins, cumulative Athletics 162141.
More in Club History
Elsewhere in Oakland Athletics
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced