2004 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Anaheim Angels are no strangers to success; apart from their 2002 World Series championship, the Angels won three West Division titles from 1979 through 1986. They are in the thick of the American League West Division race again this year, so start thinking about your World Series tickets.

The Los Angeles Angels were founded by former actor Gene Autry in 1961 and played their first five seasons in Los Angeles. After the 1965 season the club moved to Anaheim and became the California Angels. In 1972 the Angels acquired right-handed pitcher Nolan Ryan from the New York Mets. In his eight seasons with the team, Ryan led the league in strikeouts seven times and in shutouts twice; he also threw four of his all-time-record seven no-hitters.

California won its first division title in 1979 under manager Jim Fregosi, a former Angels shortstop. Don Baylor, who led the league in runs batted in (RBIs) and runs scored that year, became the first designated hitter to be named the AL most valuable player (MVP).

Superstar outfielder and designated hitter Reggie Jackson joined the Angels in 1982 and led the league in home runs to power California to its second division championship. Manager Gene Mauch guided the team to a 93-69 win-loss record before the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Angels in the AL Championship Series.

Mauch retired in 1983 but returned as manager two years later. In 1986 he directed the Angels to their third division crown with a team that featured veterans Jackson, third baseman Doug DeCinces, pitcher Don Sutton, and rookie first baseman Wally Joyner. The Angels again lost the AL Championship Series, this time to the Boston Red Sox.

The Angels came close to a division title in 1995, ending the season in a first-place tie with the Seattle Mariners, but they lost in a one-game playoff. The franchise was purchased by the Walt Disney Company in May of 1996 and renamed the Anaheim Angels before the 1997 season began.

Long considered the 'other' team in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the Angels gradually put themselves in a position to win a World Series. While 2001 could have been the year, injuries held the team back. One of the most important factors for the World Champion Angels in 2002 was health -- seven of the eight everyday players played in 140 games or more, and five of them appeared in over 150 games. And when an Angel did wind up on the disabled list, the bench was deep enough to step right in and produce.

Over the years, with lineups that have starred Don Baylor, Rod Carew, Bobby Grich, Reggie Jackson, Don Sutton and Nolan Ryan, the Angels have fielded exciting teams and played in a beautiful setting. No wonder their tickets are so coveted.