Angel Stadium

After more than three decades of existence, Angel Stadium, looks much as it did when it opened in 1966. In 1960, Gene Autry founded the Los Angeles Angels. The team played their first year in Los Angeles’ Wrigley Field in 1961. After one year, they moved to Dodger Stadium in 1962, and played there until 1965. With the need for their own stadium, it was announced that a new ballpark would be built in Anaheim, and be called Anaheim Stadium.

Construction began on August 31, 1964. With the move to Anaheim, the team changed its name from the Los Angeles Angels to the California Angels. After a work stoppage and strikes the stadium was completed on time. Opening Day came on April 19, 1966. The three-tier stadium had 43,204 seats, that stretched from the right field foul pole to home plate, and around to the left field foul pole.

Escalators, elevators, and ramps helped fans get to their multi-colored seats. Anaheim Stadium instantly became known as the "Big A", because of the A-frame scoreboard that was behind the outfield wall. It was 230 feet tall, and a $1 million giant halo topped the scoreboard. Original dimensions at Anaheim Stadium were 333 ft. (left), 404 ft. (center), and 333 ft. (right).

The first of two renovations to Anaheim Stadium came in 1979, when the Los Angeles Rams (NFL), moved to Anaheim. The stadium was enclosed, increasing the capacity to 65,158. A new scoreboard was installed on the facade of the outfield roof, because the "Big A" was moved to the parking lot. New executive and media boxes, along with a new sound system were also added. The stadium remained multipurpose until 1995, when the Rams moved to St. Louis. The next renovation began after the Disney Company bought the Angels in 1997.

With the Rams departure and earthquake damage, many changes took place at the stadium. After the 1996 season, renovations began with the removal of all the outfield seats. Renovations continued throughout the 1997 season. Parts of the stadium remained closed during the 1997 season, thus making the capacity around 33,000. Replacing the 20,000 seats in the outfield are bleacher seats, a video display board, an out of town scoreboard below the right field seats, a "California spectacular" in which geysers erupt and a stream cascades down a mountainside covered with real trees, and artificial rocks behind the left-center field fence, and new bullpens. All of the multicolored seats were replaced by green seats. The exterior of the stadium was also renovated. The concrete structure and ramps were painted green and a plaza was constructed outside the stadium with two giant Angel hats. Anaheim Stadium was renamed Edison International Field in 1997 after a deal was struck with Edison International Power for the naming rights. With a new capacity of 45,050, the renovated stadium opened on April 1, 1998.

The ballpark has many amenities including the Pepsi Perfect Game Pavilion, dugout level seating, and three club restaurants; The Knot Hole Club (sports bar located on the club level down the right filed line), The Diamond Club (an upscale restaurant with outdoor seating), and the Home Plate Club (overlooks the main entrance of the ballpark). After the 2003 season, Edison International and the Angels ended the naming rights agreement. The stadium will be now known as Angel Stadium.