Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim

Most people know the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by shorter names, Los Angeles Angels or Anaheim Angels. The stadium of the team is located near Disneyland, and in 1996, the team was taken over by Disney. In early 2003, the team was sold to Angels Baseball, L.P. and Disney ended all involvement in the sport of baseball.

During the time that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was known as the Los Angeles Angels, the team was ready to prove their talents. The first year ended with the highest winning percentage of a first-year team, and that record is still standing today. Success was close as they played the top contenders for the American League pennant but only finished in third. Bo Belinsky, who had a wild playboy image, pitched the first no-hit game at Dodgers Stadium against the Orioles. As popularity grew, the need for a stadium became evident in order to help grow a real fan base.

Around 1965, Anaheim Stadium was constructed and from that point on the team was to be known as the California Angels. Shortly after the move to Anaheim, the Angels competed in another pennant race that they did not win. Nolan Ryan was the stand-out pitcher who managed quite a few no-hit games and set records for strike-outs. For nearly a decade, the LA Angels of Anaheim dealt with mediocre playing until finally securing an American League West Division championship in 1979.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team then spent the following decade with near-misses hurting the overall morale of the team and its fans. They barely missed the World Series by one game. Following the disappointment, they also miss the World Series again in 1986 by one strike against Boston. Player Donnie Moore took the most criticism from fans as well as himself, which resulted in his unfortunate suicide. For the next 16 years, the Angels did not qualify for the playoffs, and it was said to be because of a rumored curse brought on by tragedies that hurt the team.

The 1990s were more of the same with no defining victories to pull the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim players out of their slump. 2002 was the year in which the team finally turned its luck around. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team picture brightened up as they took home the World Series title for the first time. A defining moment became when Anaheim Stadium was renamed Angel Stadium of Anaheim.