Retired Numbers - Los Angeles Angels

  The Angels have been a quirky team where they never really changed locations or nicknames, but they've been known as different identities since their beginning in 1961. From the LA Angels, they soon became known as the California Angels. Then after a while they took the name Anaheim Angels, then Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim...then eventually back to their original identity as the LA Angels. Time is a flat circle in that case, but along the way they've had a few legendary players call California their home, with a couple of notable names perhaps on the way.

#11 - Jim Fregosi

When the Angels and the Washington Senators were selecting players in the 1960 Expansion Draft, Fregosi was grabbed up by the Angels, and late in the inaugural season, he was called up and became the teams 1st star player. All 6 of his all star seasons (1964, 66-70) came as a member of the Angels as did his Gold Glove season of 1967. In an era where middle infielders were terrible hitters, Fregosi was an uncommonly reliable bat, hitting the team's first 2 cycles in 1964 and '68 and even to this day holds the team record for 70 career Triples. Later in his career, the Angels desired to bring him in as Manager, so he sought his release from the Pittsburgh Pirates and ended his playing career to return to California.

#26 - Gene Autry

Gene Autry was an accomplished actor, singer, musician and rodeo personality among other qualities when he sought the radio rights to the Angels upon the announcement of the expansion team. His pitch to baseball was so well made, he was persuaded to go further and seek ownership of the franchise. He'd remain the main owner until his death in 1998. His incredible support to the team was honored in 1982 as the #26 was the first retired number in team history in his honor. At the time, baseball rosters were capped at 25 players, with the #26 reflecting Autry and his support's status as symbolically the 26th man on the team. When the Angels won their first World Series title in 2002, Autry's cowboy hat was held in the air during the team's celebration on the field.

#29 - Rod Carew

Frustrations with Minnesota ownership allowed the Angels to trade for the future Hall of Famer in 1979. The change in location did nothing to break up Carew's string of all star nominations as he added the final 6 years of his 18 year streak. Immediately, he helped the Angels reach the postseason for the 1st time in their history, then another division title in 1982 for good measure. Despite breaking his hand early in that '82 season, he still hit over .300 and put together a 25 game hitting streak. He retired after 1985, and the following year the Angels were quick to make him their 1st player with a retired number.

#30 - Nolan Ryan

The Angels would trade one future retired number great in exchange for another in 1971 when they sent Jim Fregosi to the Mets in exchange for Nolan Ryan. The first 5 of Ryan's 8 all star nominations came with the Angels (1972, '73, '75, '77 and '79). Ryan would set numerous Angels records, including Strikeouts (2,416), Complete Game (156), Shutouts (40) in addition to his single season records of 383 Strikeouts in 1973, 332.2 Innings in 1974 and 26 Complete Games in 1973 and '74. The first 4 of his record 7 No-Hitters came with the Angels in 1973 (x2), 1974 and 1975.

#50 - Jimmie Reese

Reese was 71 years old, and while men at that age usually sit back end enjoy their twilight years, Reese was hitting up the Angels for a job where they hired him on as a Coach...for the next 22 years until his death at age 93. He was in charge of player conditioning and would regularly use a fungo bat to assist players with fielding practice. His cheery personality made him known as the "nicest man in baseball" and was so well liked by the players that Nolan Ryan would name his son Reese in honor of the old coach. At the time of his death, he was known as the oldest man to wear a uniform for a team, and the Angels retired his #50 to reflect that honor.