The (Former) Big A

Walking into Anaheim Stadium (now Angel Field of Anaheim), Aug-1997.

The building just beyond left-center field is “The Pond”, home of the National Hockey League Anaheim Ducks.

• Location: Katella Avenue and Orange Freeway, Anaheim, Calif.
• Opened: 1965 as Anaheim Stadium (renovated 1998)
• Additional names: Edison International Field of Anaheim (1998); Angel Field of Anaheim (2005)
• Home team: California Angels (1965-96), Anaheim Angels (1997-2004), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2005-present), American League
• Capacity: 45,050

By the time I got to the park once affectionately called the “Big A”, in 1997, Disney owned the Angels, and they had begun a huge renovation of the park. By opening day in 1998, the outfield was dominated by a water park, and the upper deck had been completely done over.

As a result, it isn’t fair for me to give the park a rating until I can see it again in its modernized state (no idea when that might be). It’s just a shame I couldn’t see the old place.

By the way, the night I was there, Matt Williams of Cleveland tied an American League record by knocking in six runs in the fourth inning. The Tribe won, 10-1.