The North American Sports Almanac: Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have primarily played in one city, Anaheim, since becoming Major League Baseball’s 18th franchise in 1960. That hasn’t stopped them from having four different city names. Originally the “Los Angeles” Angels, the Halos arrived back at that moniker in 2016 after decades of municipality identity crisis. That the solution wasn't the town they actually play in (Anaheim) is probably fitting for a team that has always been owned by showmen. The province of cowboy singer Gene Autry for the shockingly long duration of 38 years, the Angels were briefly stewarded by the Disney corporation before ending up in the hands of an owner who really knows how to put on a show. The problem for Angels fans is that it’s one of self-flagellation. Once one of baseball’s most inoffensive franchises, Arte Moreno’s Halos are prone to self punishment like the saints of yore. It’s finally given the team an identity, but not one they would have ever wanted. Despite their one title in 65 seasons, the Angels are something of a sleeping giant. They have a wonderful stadium and fanbase in the nation’s second largest market. But they also have Arte, a performer whose show seems to always go on.