Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim
A stone's throw from Disneyland Park, Angel Stadium of Anaheim ("The Big A") is a gorgeous 43,250 capacity ballpark that feels distinctly Californian. Looking out beyond center field, bustling Interstate 5 sits below the Honda Center in the foreground (home to the NHL's Ducks), and a large waterfall fountain just over the fence shoots water and fireworks after every Angels home run. One of the easiest stadiums in baseball to drive to, Angel Stadium is home to top-notch American League baseball under the sunny Southern California skies.
Los Angeles Angels History
Coming into Major League Baseball in 1961, the Los Angeles Angels were one of the league's first two expansion teams and were owned by actor and "Singing Cowboy" Gene Autry for the franchise's first 36 years. The Angels hadn't made the playoffs since 1986 when they clinched a wild-card berth in 2002 and rode the opportunity all the way to the team's first World Series win. The 2002 Angels cemented the team as a formidable crosstown rival to the Los Angeles Dodgers and have continued to be a force in the American League West since owner Arte Moreno bought the team from the Walt Disney Company in 2003.
It's hard to talk about the Angels without bringing up arguably one of the best baseball players in the game, Mike Trout. The must-see superstar is now essentially an Angel for life after signing a 12-year, $430 million contract in 2019, and with three American League MVP Awards under his belt, the do-it-all Trout has proved his worth. Trout leads an Angels lineup filled with big bats, including 2019 World Series hero Anthony Rendon and two-way Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani. Defensively, highlight reel plays are the norm at Angels games with the jaw-dropping Trout in center field. Manager Phil Nevin leads a team of gritty veterans and promising up-and-comers as they battle for AL West supremacy.