The Early Days of Angels Baseball

The Los Angeles Angels, often referred to as the Halos, were established in 1961 as an expansion team. The franchise came into existence through the efforts of Gene Autry, the “Singing Cowboy,” who sought to bring a second Major League Baseball (MLB) team to the greater Los Angeles area, following the Dodgers. From their inception, the team quickly became an integral part of the Southern California sports scene, initially playing their home games at Wrigley Field (not to be confused with the iconic Chicago ballpark) and later moving to Dodger Stadium before settling in their own stadium in Anaheim in 1966.

Team Identity and Iconography

The team’s moniker, “Angels,” was inspired by Los Angeles itself, often dubbed “the City of Angels.” Over the years, the Angels have undergone several name changes, including the California Angels, the Anaheim Angels, and finally returning to the Los Angeles Angels. Their logo and color schemes have evolved, but the association with halos—a nod to angelic imagery—has remained a constant symbol of the team’s identity. The team’s primary colors, red and white, are prominent motifs seen in