Los Angeles Angels

The Angels entered the American League in 1961 as an expansion franchise, initially sharing Dodger Stadium before moving to Anaheim Stadium in 1966. Owned by singing cowboy Gene Autry, the Angels were defined by their owner's enthusiasm and their perpetual position as Southern California's second baseball team.

The early years produced scattered excitement but little sustained success. The 1962 team finished a surprising third in the AL behind the pitching of Dean Chance, who would win the 1964 Cy Young Award. Nolan Ryan arrived in 1972 and delivered seven seasons of electrifying pitching, including two of his record seven career no-hitters, but the Angels couldn't build a winner around him.

The franchise's name changed multiple times - from the Los Angeles Angels to the California Angels in 1965 - reflecting ongoing identity questions that would persist for decades. Autry's commitment to the franchise was unquestionable, but translating that commitment into championships proved elusive.

The Angels reached the ALCS in 1979, 1982, and 1986, but each time fell short in devastating fashion. The 1986 collapse was the most painful - leading the Red Sox 3-1 in the series and one strike away from the World Series in Game 5, the Angels surrendered a Dave Henderson home run and eventually lost the series in seven games. The collapse was so traumatic that it haunted the franchise for years.

The late 1980s and 1990s brought modest success and painful lows. Donnie Moore, the reliever who gave up Henderson's homer, tragically took his own life in 1989. The team cycled through identities, becoming the Anaheim Angels in 1997 when the Walt Disney Company took over ownership.

Despite the struggles, individual stars shone. Tim Salmon became the franchise's most consistent power hitter, Jim Edmonds emerged as a dynamic center fielder, and the organization slowly built the kind of depth that could support a championship run.

The 2002 season delivered the franchise's only World Series championship in one of the most dramatic Fall Classics ever played. As a wild card team, the Angels entered the postseason as underdogs but played with a fearless, scrappy style that captivated fans. The Rally Monkey - a video board promotion featuring a capuchin monkey - became a beloved symbol of the team's never-say-die spirit.

In the World Series against the Giants, the Angels trailed 5-0 in Game 6 before staging a stunning comeback. Scott Spiezio's three-run homer ignited the rally, and the Angels went on to win Game 6 and then Game 7, completing one of the greatest comebacks in Series history. Troy Glaus was named MVP, but it was a team victory in the truest sense.

Arte Moreno purchased the team in 2003, becoming the first Mexican-American owner in MLB history. He rebranded the team as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2005 - a controversial name change - and invested in both payroll and free agency. The Angels won five AL West titles between 2004 and 2009, establishing themselves as consistent contenders.