They have been known as the Los Angeles Angels, the California Angels, the Anaheim Angels and, finally, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
In any event, they are the Angels and they have been around since Dec. 14, 1960, when the American League had its expansion draft in Boston to stock its two new teams–the Angels and Washington Senators.
From that day forward, the Angels and White Sox have been contributing to each other’s success–or, in some cases, the lack of same. It was on that day that the Sox, having left among its unprotected players first baseman Ted Kluszewski and young pitcher Ken McBride, unwittingly provided the new Los Angeles club with a couple of firsts:
“Big Klu,” star of the 1959 World Series but reduced to pinchhitting chores by the end of the 1960 season, ended up winning the Angels’ first-base job and, on Opening Day at Baltimore, hit the first home run in Angels history–a two-out, two-run, first-inning blast off Milt Pappas. Then he hit a three-run shot the next inning as the Angels went on to a 7-2 victory.
McBride, a member of the Sox’s World Series team but on of their San Diego farm club in ’60, was the Angels’ first All- Star, named to the 1961 American League roster for both games. He also made the All-Star team in ’62 and ’63.
The Angels grabbed him, and he compiled records of 12-15, 11-5 and 13- 12 the next three years, with earnedrun averages of 3.65, 3.50 and 3.26, before a shoulder injury in ’64 ended his effectiveness and, a year later, his career.
“We had fun in Los Angeles,” he said. “We had a good group of guys. We had veterans and some good young kids who played good.”
He especially had fun on the night of his first start against the Sox, May 19, 1961, when he beat his former teammate Bob Shaw 5-3 in L.A. There was more fun in 1962, when the second-year team stunned baseball by finishing third in the AL.
“We beat Washington a doubleheader on July 4 to go into first place,” McBride recalled, “and there was a big crowd of fans waiting for us at the airport. I’ll always remember that.”
The Sox helped the Angels open their new ballpark–then called the Big “A” –in 1966. On Opening Night, Sox rookie Tommie Agee hit the first home run in stadium history as Tommy John beat the home team 3-1. The teams have made a few memorable trades over the years (see below), but the biggest deal may hav been the one that didn’t get done three years ago: Jon Garland, Chris Singleton and two prospects to the Angels for Darin Erstad.
It’s safe to say both clubs are glad today that the Angels, at the last moment, nixed the deal.
– – –
They got their kicks on Route 66
The ALCS isn’t the first time the Sox and Angels have crossed paths.
Their fortunes have intersected frequently in the past, often with memorable results.
FROM CHICAGO TO L.A.
Ted Kluszewski
Sox: Hit 3 home runs in 1959 World Series.
Angels: Hit first home run in team history on Opening Day, 1961
Ken McBride
Sox: Pitched for 1959 AL pennantwinners.
Angels: Was team’s first All-Star in 1961.
FROM L.A. TO CHICAGO
Jim Fregosi
Angels: Shortstop was expansion team’s first true star.
Sox: Managed team from 1986-88
Bobby Knoop
Angels: Fregosi’s double-play partner 1964-1969.
Sox: Played parts of two seasons in 1969-70; coached in 1977-78.
Roland Hemond
Angels: Farm director during 1960s.
Sox: General manager from 1970-85.
Chuck Tanner
Angels: Played 14 games in 1961-62.
Sox: Manager from 1970-75.
BIG SOX–ANGELS DEALS
1969: Sox trade infielder Sandy Alomar Sr. to Angels for 2nd baseman Bobby Knoop.
Winner: Angels. Alomar was an dependable infielder for next five years.
1970: Sox trade outfielder Ken Berry for outfielder Jay Johnstone, catcher Tom Egan and pitcher Tom Bradley.
Winner: Sox. Bradley won 15 games twice (1971 and 1972).
1977: Sox trade outfielder Brian Downing and pitchers Chris Knapp and Dave Frost for outfielders Bobby Bonds and Thad Bosley and pitcher Richard Dotson.
Winner: Draw. Three ex-Sox helped Angels win AL West in 1979. Dotson won 22 games for AL West-winning Sox in 1983.
