Hideki Matsui

How did the Los Angeles Angels build for success in 2010? They tossed away their best starting pitcher, they let the American League leader in bases-on-balls walk via free agency, and they let their 35 year old former AL MVP outfielder leave, replacing him with a 36 year old outfielder from the New York Yankees.

The early results are in, and they are not pretty: the Los Angeles Angels have won only two of their first seven games, their starting rotation is in shambles, and their hitters are having trouble getting warm. But hey, that 36 year old outfielder has worked out. At week’s end, Matsui has an RSL of .370/.414/.667/1.080, and has two of the team’s eight homeruns.

In the Big Inning - The Los Angeles Angels were founded in 1961, one of the first two AL expansion teams. The Angels shared Los Angeles with the recently relocated Dodgers and played in Dodger Stadium from 1962-1965.

You know, we might make more money if - Toward the end of the 1965 season, the Los Angeles Angels changed their name to the California Angels in an effort to broaden their fan-base, and the following spring moved into Anaheim Stadium.

Actually, you know we might make more money if - Following the 1996 season, the California Angels decided to centralize and strengthen their fan base by changing their name to the Anaheim Angels, in honor of their rapidly growing home town.

Hmm, what if we just - Apparently unsatisfied with being merely the third highest grossing team in the majors, in 2005 the Anaheim Angels re-adopted their origin moniker in order to appeal the second largest media market in the country, much to the chagrin of both the cities of Anaheim and Los Angeles. In order to appease the politicians in their hometown, they affixed the words "of Anaheim" to the end of their name.

Best Trade in Team History - In 1971, the Angels sent Jim Fregosi to the Mets in exchange for Frank Estrada, Don Rose, Leroy Stanton, and Nolan Ryan. Fregosi never played more than 101 games again, while Nolan Ryan went on to have his best seasons with the Angels.

Worst Trade in Team History - Right before the start of the 2000 season, the Angels sent Jim Edmonds to the St. Louis Cardinals for Kent Bottenfield and Adam Kennedy. Jim Edmonds won six straight Gold Gloves from 2000-2005 with the Cardinals, and hit 210 home runs in six seasons. While Kennedy has been a cornerstone of the Angels infield, Bottenfield had a losing record in the only season he spent with the Angels.

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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Archive