Framework

Capturing the world through photography, video and multimedia

April 9, 1966: On opening day for the new Anaheim Stadium, the California Angels lose an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants 9-3.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Ben Olender / Los Angeles Times Archive/UCLA

Aug. 30, 1964: Angel manager Bill Rigney, flanked by Disneyland characters Goofy and Mickey Mouse, is presented a "pennant" at groundbreaking ceremonies for new stadium in Anaheim. Angel co-owner Gene Autry sits at left.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Ben Olender / Los Angeles Times Archive/UCLA

June 11, 1965: Aerial view shows the framework of the new stadium in Anaheim. The top of the photo is the Santa Ana Freeway with Orange Drive-In in center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Larry Sharkey / Los Angeles Times

April 23, 1965: Concrete is being poured during construction of Anaheim Stadium. The stadium was 21% completed when this image was taken.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Los Angeles Times

Feb. 6, 1966: The Big A scoreboard at Anaheim Stadium is hoisted into place. The board stands 230 feet high and is crowned with a halo, the insignia of the California Angels.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Cliff Otto / Los Angeles Times

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Angels get their stadium

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Angels get their stadium

April 9, 1966: Anaheim Stadium — the new home of the California Angels — opens with an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants. The Giants won 9-3 in front of 40, 735 paid fans. The American League home opener in Anaheim Stadium was on April 19, 1966, against the Chicago White Sox.

After one season in Wrigley Stadium and  four years of sharing Chavez Ravine with the Dodgers, the expansion team California Angels found their home in Anaheim. According to baseball-almanac.com, in 1965 the Angels averaged 7,451 fans a game. In 1966 they averaged 17,288.  Today the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim attendance averages more than 40,000 a game.

Groundbreaking ceremonies — with Disney characters Mickey Mouse and Pluto in attendance –  was on Aug. 30, 1964. The original cost estimate of $16 million ended up as $24 million.

The first image in the above five-photo gallery was published across the top of the April 10, 1966, Los Angeles Times Sports section front.

In 1961, as reported in this previous From the Archives post,  the expansion Angels played their first game in the old Wrigley Field.

2 Comments

  1. April 11, 2011, 12:21 am

    LINK

    That's Goofy, not Pluto, folks!

    By: Junior6

  2. April 12, 2011, 5:12 pm

    LINK

    The groundbreaking caption is corrected. Thanks for the catch!

    By: Scott Harrison

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