The Big "A"
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Do you remember the "Big A?" If you're a Los Angeles Angel fan (formerly the California Angels), you'll probably remember the original stadium that housed the Angels. Known as the "Big A" for the huge, 230-foot high letter "A" that stood proudly outside the left field fence, the Big A stood for the stadium, the sign, and the team itself. When the team won a game, the gold halo atop the "A" glowed to show the victory.
The History
In August, 1964, construction began on the stadium and the surrounding parking lot. Eventually the stadium and grounds would take up 140 acres of what had been prime farmland in Anaheim. The original contractor on the project was the Del E. Webb company, and the stadium took two years to build. The first pitch on the bluegrass surface took place on April 19, 1966. It cost a total of $24 million to build in 1966.
Built as a baseball stadium, in 1979 the stadium was enclosed to become a multi-purpose stadium, primarily as the home field for the Los Angeles Rams football team. The Rams eventually left Anaheim for St. Louis, and in 1997 renovations removed seats and created a primary baseball park again. After the 1979 renovation the Big "A" sign was moved from behind left field to a spot in the parking lot near the 91 Freeway.
In 1997, after the Walt Disney Corporation bought the team, the stadium was again renovated, and the Big "A" was also updated. The name was also changed to Edison International Field in a 20-year endorsement deal. In 2005 the team changed their name to the original Los Angeles Angels, and renamed the stadium Angel Stadium.
The Team
Anaheim Stadium was built as the home of the Anaheim Angels, first owned by legendary Hollywood cowboy actor Gene Autry. Autry owned the team for 38 years. He sold 25 percent ownership in the team to the Walt Disney Company in 1996, but continued to be the owner of the team because of his long love of the team and the game until his death in 1998. In 1982 the Angels retired number 26 as Autry's number as the "26th" man on the team. Today, the team is owned by Arturo Moreno, who renamed the team the Los Angeles Angels and the stadium Angel Stadium.
The team franchise actually began playing in 1961 in Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. In 1962 they moved to Dodger Stadium, where they played through the 1965 season until their own ballpark was ready. Some pretty famous all-stars have played for the Angels through the years, from legendary pitcher Nolan Ryan to Tommy John, Rod Carew, and "Mr. October," Reggie Jackson.
