2010 Topps Heritage
Wrigley Field was the first home of the 1961 Expansion Los Angeles Angels. The field was built in 1925 by William Wrigley Jr, who owned the original Pacific Coast League Los Angeles Angels as well as the Chicago Cubs. The PCL Angels used the stadium for 33 seasons from 1925 to 1957 when the team and stadium were sold to Walter O'Malley and the Brooklyn Dodgers who would soon move into town. This meant the end for the PCL Angels who were forced to relocate, becoming the Spokane Indians. It's interesting that the new Los Angeles Dodgers would adopt the interlocking "LA" cap logo of the recently evicted Angels, but change the color to Dodger Blue and white.
The newly awarded franchise Angels decided to use Wrigley as their home field for their inaugural season 1961 while they awaited the completion of Chavez Ravine (the name for shared Dodger Stadium when the Angels played there). It would be their only season at Wrigley. Wrigley Field was demolished in 1966 and is now the site of a recreation facility called Gilbert Lindsay Park.
The newly awarded franchise Angels decided to use Wrigley as their home field for their inaugural season 1961 while they awaited the completion of Chavez Ravine (the name for shared Dodger Stadium when the Angels played there). It would be their only season at Wrigley. Wrigley Field was demolished in 1966 and is now the site of a recreation facility called Gilbert Lindsay Park.
The field was bounded by Avalon Boulevard (east), 41st Street (north), 42nd Place (south), and San Pedro Street (west).
See some great old photos here
http://www.ballparktour.com/Former_Los_Angeles.html
http://www.ballparktour.com/Former_Los_Angeles.html
Field dimensions
Left Field - 340 ft
Left Field - 340 ft
Left Center Field - 345 ft
Center Field - 412 ft
Right Center Field - 345 ft
Right Field - 339 ft
Backstop - 56 ft
Los Angeles Angels Wrigley Field Firsts:
MLB Game
04/27/1961
Twins 4, Angels 2
Umpires
Charlie Berry, Joe Linsalata, Frank Umont, Bob Stewart
Managers
Bill Rigney, Angels
Cookie Lavagetto, Twins
Starting Pitchers
Eli Grba, Angels
Camilo Pascual, Twins
Ceremonial Pitch
Hall of Famer Ty Cobb
04/27/1961
Twins 4, Angels 2
Umpires
Charlie Berry, Joe Linsalata, Frank Umont, Bob Stewart
Managers
Bill Rigney, Angels
Cookie Lavagetto, Twins
Starting Pitchers
Eli Grba, Angels
Camilo Pascual, Twins
Ceremonial Pitch
Hall of Famer Ty Cobb
National Anthem
Tony Martin
1961 Angels Wrigley Field ticket Attendance
11,931
11,931
Batter
Zoilo Versalles Twins (pop out)
Hit
Lenny Green Twins (single)
Run
Steve Bilko Angels
RBI
Earl Averill Angels
Single
Lenny Green Twins
Double
Don Mincher Angels
Home Run
Earl Averill Angels
Stolen Base
Zoilo Versalles Twins
Win
Camilo Pascual Twins
Loss
Eli Grba Angels
Save
Ray Moore Twins
Zoilo Versalles Twins (pop out)
Hit
Lenny Green Twins (single)
Run
Steve Bilko Angels
RBI
Earl Averill Angels
Single
Lenny Green Twins
Double
Don Mincher Angels
Home Run
Earl Averill Angels
Stolen Base
Zoilo Versalles Twins
Win
Camilo Pascual Twins
Loss
Eli Grba Angels
Save
Ray Moore Twins
Early 60's Los Angeles Angels pennant
I can remember as a kid the Angels at Wrigley Field. They represented a TRUE team from Los Angeles, and not the hand-me-down teams from Brooklyn and Minneapolis. Their uniforms were classy and the ownership with Gene Autry made up for the small confines at Wrigley. I can remember Bud Blatner, Don Wells and Bob Kelly calling the games on KMPC radio. Today I am very glad that Arte Marino has brought back the name of Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Today they are so similar to what the late Gene Autry would have created. Where have you gone Bob Cerv, Earl Averill, Steve Bilko, Klu and Eli Grba?
ReplyDeleteM.A. Wilson