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1966 thru 1997: California Angels owned by Gene Autry.
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Gene Autry purchased an Expansion Team in 1961, and named them after The popular PCL Franchise,
The Los Angeles Angels. Autry purchased the right to name his team after The PCL Angels from Walter O'Malley, the owner of
the PCL franchise and The Dodgers. At first, The Cowboy's new team played at Wrigley Field, where the well loved PCL Angels
played. By that time, The Brooklyn Dodgers had settled into their new home in Los Angeles, and took the hearts of Baseball
Fans in the City of Angels. In 1966, Gene Autry decided to move away from Los Angeles. His first choice was moving team to
the City of Long Beach, but he did not want to call his team the Long Beach Angels, so the City of Long Beach backed down.
The City of Anaheim told The Cowboy that he could call his team anything he wants if his team played in their city. A deal
was struck, and Anaheim Stadium was built. So began the saga of "Angels in The
OC."
UNDER GENE AUTRY:
- 1979 Division Champions--California Angels.
- 1982 Division Champions--California Angels.
- 1986 Division Champions--California Angels.
STAR PLAYERS SIGNED UNDER THE COWBOY: Jim Fergosi, Nolan Ryan, Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson, Fred Lynn,
Brian Downing, Frank Robinson, Don Baylor, Dan Ford, Wally Joyner, Tim Salmon, Chili Davis, Chuck Finlay, Bobby Grich, Jim
Abbott, Mike Witt, Don Sutton, Lance Parrish, Dave Winfield, Gary DiSarcina, Jim Edmonds, Garrett Anderson, Darin Erstad,
and Eddie Murray.
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