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09/21/2010 2:59 PM ET
Angels to kick-off 50th Anniversary Celebration
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The Angels will formally unveil their 2011 plans surrounding the club's 50th Anniversary and
accompanying year-round celebration on Friday September 24th. The 2011 Angels campaign theme is
More Than "A" Season, an event that will encompass a 12-month celebration of 50 years of Angels
Baseball. Throughout the year, Angels fans will experience a season unlike any they have ever seen
before. The 50th Anniversary is about the fans and their celebration of great moments throughout Angels'
history. Many unique events are centered on fan interaction including retro nights and giveaways, 81 first
pitches with former Halos, special programming on Fox Sports West, AM830 and more.
Starting this Friday, the Angels' 50th Anniversary logo will be revealed in select locations throughout
Angel Stadium. Locations include prominent placement on the windows above the home plate gate, as
well as the batters eye in center field, where the 2010 All-Star Game sign was previously located. In
addition, the club's home, road and alternate uniforms for the 2011 campaign will be on display.
Fans are welcome to join the 50th Anniversary kickoff taking place at the Home Plate Gate of Angel
Stadium Friday between 5 and 7pm. Friday night's activities include the opportunity to see live interviews
as current and former Angels discuss their place in club history with AM830 & Fox Sports West. Fans will
also have the opportunity to win prizes at the event.
There were many factors important to the Angels when development of the logo began. The first
was the gold halo, signifying the club's Golden Anniversary. It also pays homage to the Angels previous
usage of a gold halo on past club marks. The logo conveys the celebration of 50 years of Angels Baseball,
signified by the number 50 in club numbering featured predominantly beneath the halo. The ribbon
below celebrates the club's expansion in 1961 through 2011 prosperity. Finally, the "A" logo and use of
the color red emphasize the current brand imagery.
The Angels will commemorate the Golden Anniversary on-field with enhancements to the 2011
club uniforms. In lieu of the current silver halo, Angel hats will now feature a gold halo around the
primary "A" logo as well as a 50th anniversary patch affixed to the left side. On the front of the club's
home, road, and alternate red jerseys, a gold halo is featured on the "A" of the club lettering. The 50th
anniversary patch will appear on the right sleeve, while an "A" patch with gold halo will be featured on the
left sleeve.
ANGELS EXPANSION HISTORY
On December 6, 1960, Gene Autry attended the American League's expansion meetings in St. Louis
seeking a ballclub he could broadcast on his radio station. Instead, he became owner and Chairman of the
Board of the expansion Los Angeles Angels. A little over a week later on December 14, 1960, the Angels
took part in a special expansion draft to select 30 players from the other existing A.L. clubs. Yankees
pitcher Eli Grba was the first player chosen by the Angels. Other notable Angels chosen included: Chicago
pitcher Ken McBride, Detroit catcher Bob "Buck" Rodgers, Boston infielder Jim Fregosi, Chicago infielder
Ted Kluszewski, Baltimore pitcher Dean Chance and Baltimore minor league outfielder Albie Pearson. On
October 1, 1961 the Angels completed their inaugural season with a 70-91 record, establishing the best
mark for an expansion team in MLB history.
Since the 1960 expansion, the Angels have gone on to win eight West Division titles, one American
League pennant and the 2002 World Series. Throughout the 50 years, Angel players have captured two
MVP awards, two Cy Young awards, thirty-three Rawlings Gold Gloves and one hundred thirty All-Star
Game appearances.
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