Los Angeles Angels
Angel Stadium
California, United States
Founded in 1961, the Los Angeles Angels have undergone multiple rebrands—from California Angels to Anaheim Angels, then the confusing Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, before finally returning to their original name. The "Angels" name pays homage to a former Pacific Coast League team that played in LA before Major League Baseball expanded westward.
The Angels were the first expansion team in MLB history and the first MLB team to originate from California. While they spent their early years as a mid-tier franchise, their defining moment came in 2002, when they captured their first and only World Series title, defeating the San Francisco Giants in a thrilling seven-game series.
Over the decades, the Angels have been home to legendary players, including Nolan Ryan, Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., Mike Trout, and Shohei Ohtani. However, despite their MVP-caliber talent, the team has struggled in recent years, holding the longest active playoff drought in MLB since 2014.
Still, the franchise is focused on rebuilding with young talent and competing against rivals like the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Dodgers in the Freeway Series. They play their home games at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, their home since 1966, known for its iconic "Big A" scoreboard and passionate fanbase.