by Dan Trammel

Created on: February 23, 2009   Last Updated: March 01, 2009

Beginning play as an expansion team in 1961, the Los Angeles Angels did not take long to become competitive, posting a winning record in just its second season, good enough for third place in the American League. Two seasons later the Angels repeated the feat, but this time finished in fifth place. Despite its early success, the Angels did not earn its first post-season berth until 1979. Between 1979 and 1986, the Angels won three American League West Division championships, but were not able to get over the hump, losing in the American League Championship Series each season. The most heartbreaking was in 1986 when they were 1 strike away from a pennant. Up 3 games to 1 over the Boston Red Sox, and holding a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth inning, Red Sox center fielder Dave Henderson belted a 2-run homer off of relief pitcher Donnie Moore. The Angels would lose that game and drop the next two and miss their opportunity at a World Series title. It would take 16 seasons for the Angels to gain some level of redemption, finally returning to the post-season, and this time winning a World Championship, a 7-game series victory over the San Francisco Giants. In the 6 seasons since, the Angels have continued to dominate its division, winning 4 division titles. Despite several name changes throughout the team's history, numerous players have contributed to the franchise's success.

The franchise's first star was shortstop Jim Fregosi, a 6-time All-Star and 1-time Gold Glove Award winner. Selected in the 1960 Expansion Draft, Fregosi became a regular in 1963 and was a mainstay in the infield through 1971. In 1964, he became the first Angel to hit for the cycle. One of the top shortstops of the time, Fregosi received MVP votes 8 consecutive seasons. Traded to the New York Mets for Nolan Ryan following the 1971 season, Fregosi still ranks among the Angels' all-time leaders in several offensive categories including triples (1st with 70), hits (5th with 1408), runs (5th with 691), total bases (5th with 2112), doubles (5th with 219), and RBIs (8th with 546). Following his playing career, Fregosi returned to the Angels in 1979 as manager and led them to their first post-season appearance.

Acquired in a trade for Fregosi, pitcher Nolan Ryan proved to be an outstanding acquisition. In 8 seasons in an Angels' uniform, Ryan was named to 5 All-Star teams, led the American League in strikeouts 7 times, including a Major League record 383 Ks in 1973, and threw 4 no-hitters. He is

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