Anaheim, Edison, Angel Stadium

[Bluesteve32]

Here are some pics of Anaheim Stadium, now Angel Stadium, as it is being built and the early days of the stadium. Notice the surrounding areas, a lot different today.

[Bluesteve32]

Here is the almost completed stadium. Baseball only facility with symetrical dimentions.

[Bluesteve32]

The stadium in 1966 with the Big A scoreboard.

[Bluesteve32]

Way before the 57 Freeway was completed in the mid 1970s, notice the orange groves.

[Bluesteve32]

Original front entrace at the Big A.

[Bluesteve32]

The offices from the other dirsction at sunset.

[Bluesteve32]

An arial view of a packed Anaheim Stadium, rare in those days. ;)

[Bluesteve32]

Another construction photo:

[Bluesteve32]

A historic even at the Big A, Ryan's 383'rd K on the Big A scoreboard.

[Bluesteve32]

Another Ryan Specialty:

[Bluesteve32]

Multipurpose Big A for a Rams game. Ruined a great baseball only park for this: :grouchy

[Bluesteve32]

Anahiem for baseball 1980-1996/

[Bluesteve32]

See the cheeap repleacemnt for the Big A scoreboard! :ughh

[Bluesteve32]

Opening Day 2005. Notice the differences.

[Bluesteve32]

Front of sadium today, but now Angel Stadium. Notice the old Big A scoreboard, now a message borad for the 57 Freeway at the far right of the pic.

[Bluesteve32]

Big A, last season after a game.

[Clash City Rocker]

Here is the almost completed stadium. Baseball only facility with symetrical dimentions.

It always had a football pressbox? Or is this a early renovation 79-80 photo :confused:

Hell, what I want are LA Wrigley Field photos......in color. Thats like the forgotten stadium of all times.

[Bluesteve32]

It actually always had a football pressbox. It was enlarged when the Lambs came to the venue and dismantled duing the last renovation.

[Chisox73]

Great pics there Bluesteve.:clapping Keep up the great work.

When they dismantled the old football seats,I had hoped that they would have brought back some form of the original big A scoreboard,that gave the stadium its identity in the first place.

[Bluesteve32]

Great pics there Bluesteve.:clapping Keep up the great work.

When they dismantled the old football seats,I had hoped that they would have brought back some form of the original big A scoreboard,that gave the stadium its identity in the first place.

I believe a lot of fans were hopeing for something similar and from what I understand, Disney looked into it, but the cost was prohibitive and the technology is much different today.

Another thing, when they moved the Big A to its present location, it was structually unsafe for a while and they had to shore it up to get it operative as a message board for comming events. It also does its original job of lighting up everytime the Angels win. Many of us lodtime Angel fans still can hear Dick Enberg say after a win, "The Halo shines tonight!" Of course current bradcaster Rory Markus' sign off after a win is "Just another Halo vicotory." That was very sweet after game 7 to hear Rory say that as I turned on the radio just to catch him say it.

[Bluesteve32]

Although some were posted on some other threads, here are some of LA Wrigley.

[Bluesteve32]

Here is one with the signature Wrigley Tower from the street level. look at the old cars.

[Bluesteve32]

Here is an old B & W.

[Bluesteve32]

Not sure what this is, but look like some kind of celebration.

[Bluesteve32]

During a game with a a packed house. LA was ready for MLB certainly by the 1920s.

[Guerrero Mad Man 2715]

Looking at the multipurpose version of Angel Stadium or Anaheim Stadium, and comparing it to todays Angel Stadium, you can see the likenesses of both and the main parts that were renovated. The tall wall in right used to be seating for football, just like the metrodome. Part of the batters eye were also seats at one point. The Left Field Family Pavillion had two levels and so on. But I must say, to make a baseball stadium into a multipurpose and back, they did a great job on Angel Stadium. I love going to the games over the summer. It's always a nice soothing atmosphere.

[Jake83]

The views of Orange County suburbia are superior:D

[Guerrero Mad Man 2715]

I personally think that the view of the 57 isn't that bad. To me, it makes things feel modern. Other than the Coors Billboard, I love the scenery. The pic below is Angel Stadium pregame in 2005.

[Bluesteve32]

Looking at the multipurpose version of Angel Stadium or Anaheim Stadium, and comparing it to todays Angel Stadium, you can see the likenesses of both and the main parts that were renovated. The tall wall in right used to be seating for football, just like the metrodome. Part of the batters eye were also seats at one point. The Left Field Family Pavillion had two levels and so on. But I must say, to make a baseball stadium into a multipurpose and back, they did a great job on Angel Stadium. I love going to the games over the summer. It's always a nice soothing atmosphere.

Actually, the seats in left were the former endzone seats with a bit of modification and addition of the bullpens. The right field seats, the former "Wally World," are basically the same seats and the football seat used to retract from undereath and get pulled out, like a basketball gym's seats for the Lambs games. The club level seats, which beacme boxes in the first modification in 1980, were even sweetened up in the recent renovation, the football pressbox was totally removed, press box enlarged, the box homeplate seats were made part of the Diamond Club, and the batter's eye were former football seats, that used to have a tarp for baseball and the vines growing up the wall in centerfield. The rockpile was also added in that area. I am not a big fan of the rockpile, but the kids love it, for the fireworks (thank you Bill Veeck).

[Jake83]

Put some stands in center field and layed off the smoke bombs and fireworks and The Big A would be fine

[Bluesteve32]

Looks like BP at old Wrigley.

[Bluesteve32]

Gene Mauch at Wrigley in the 1950s. The ivy on the fence that you saw on Home Run Derby and many films is in the background.

[Bluesteve32]

This is the former home of the Los Angeles/California Angels Spring Traning home in Palm Springs, then known as Angel Stadium. It also was the home of the Palm Springs Angels of the Class A California League, now the Lake Elsinore Storm now a Padres Organizantion team after they switched Rancho Cucamonga with the Angels.

[pudgie_child]

Multipurpose Big A for a Rams game. Ruined a great baseball only park for this: :grouchy
It would have been possible to design and build a more baseball-friendly football expansion, but, unfortunately, they didn't. You have to admit that there was value to folks in OC in having the Rams in Anaheim - and I'm not even a Rams fans.

[sflnyc]

BUMP

I’ve looked through some old threads trying to find stadiums that aren’t commonly discussed. I have some pictures that I would like to post for all to see and enjoy, and here we have the original Anaheim Stadium I’ve thoroughly enjoyed some of the pictures and personal photographs that other members have contributed to the site.

Here are two photos, the first of which is from May 7, 1966 against the Yankees with a sell-out crowd of 42,851 on hand. Roger Maris is at bat in the Top of the 2nd Inning against lefty Marcelino Lopez. The second one is a color photo from either the 1960's or 1970's. SoCal experts could probably tell when the words "Anaheim Stadium" appeared on the back of the "Big A" scoreboard, as they were not seen on one of the earlier photos posted.

[PeteU]

Multipurpose Big A for a Rams game. Ruined a great baseball only park for this: :grouchy

That's not even a good football stadium. Fans at one end of the endzone are close to the field, and the fans at the other end of the endzone are jipped.

[sflnyc]

Photo in the 1980's after the football seats were added. Original "Big A" scoreboard is off in the parking lot.

When one looks at Anaheim football set-up closely, it looks as though it literally followed the model of Candlestick Park's 1972 expansion. The retractable sideline seats on the other side from the Press Box were closest to the football field (baseball centerfield) and went further away as you approached the other endzone, leaving a "dead spot" of seats in the RF corner field level). Both main scoreboards were in the LF area/endzone. I have a postcard of Candlestick in football form from the exact same angle but didn't think about it until I was posting this message.

[marlins739]

They really did a good job with the Angel Stadium renovations. I was there over the summer, and the place really does feel like the other new parks inside. The outfield area looks just as good if not better than the other new parks, because the dimensions are a result of what's left of the football renovations. It looks even better with the left field video board now. It would have been great to see the Big A back where it belongs, but even without that they did a great job on the place, and the fans are great out there too

[Urbanshocker13]

They should have kept the big A scoreboard that was awesome!! That would look so cool in Left field! Too bad the orange groves had to go as well thats a real let down.

[gman5431]

[QUOTE=Bluesteve32;462265]
Another thing, when they moved the Big A to its present location, it was structually unsafe for a while and they had to shore it up to get it operative as a message board for comming events. It also does its original job of lighting up everytime the Angels win.[QUOTE]

When did they move the Big A back? I was out there last summer. Nice place to see a game.

G Man

[sflnyc]

New addition to the Anaheim photo thread from the Football expansion days.

[placount]

those rocks in center field are disgusting. that whole blank are is lame, they could find something better or just tear it down... either way. looks bad

[Power Wally]

The fake rocks must be the most hated 100ft x 100ft in baseball.

[Lpeters199]

The Big A at night.

[Aviator_Frank]

That original Big A looks better than what theyy have now in the outfield.

Ah, simplicity at its best.

[califangels72]

few more early photos of anaheim stadium....damn shame that the scoreboard cant be reincorporated into the present angel stadium....the rams took care of that when they moved it in '79....

[califangels72]

28 Feb 1933, Los Angeles, California, USA --- Giants Start Spring Training. Carl Hubbell, pitcher on the New York Giants, practices with his brother Merritt, as Spring Training starts at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. Carl is on the right.

[califangels72]

wish that I couldve seen it....just once...damn!

[JT7]

Here's Anaheim Stadium after the 1994 Northridge Quake. The only stadium/sports facility to suffer such extensive damage in the Los Angeles area. Why?

[califangels72]

Southern California icon since 1966!....a few shots of the old girl that I took...

[Yankees2k6]

It was better with the big A showing the scoreboard.

[Chevy114]

Its weird to see no seats in the outfield in the early days of the stadium and having only a few of the parking lot is weird too, but it was still better than the enclosed version. The new version is probably the best, its still big but warm and inviting!

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Very cool stadium. I never appreciated how nice it is.

Does post #2 remind anyone of Yankee Stadium? Was Anaheim Stadium modeled (at least a little bit?) after YS?

[JT7]

Very cool stadium. I never appreciated how nice it is.

Does post #2 remind anyone of Yankee Stadium? Was Anaheim Stadium modeled (at least a little bit?) after YS?

More like Dodger Stadium....

[stlfan]

I always call it Dodger Stadium Jr. It was basically built as a scaled back version of Dodger Stadium.

[califangels72]

still wanna blow up that damn rockpile in centerfield!!!! would leave plenty of room to bring the BIG A back in as a hitters background!

[JT7]

still wanna blow up that damn rockpile in centerfield!!!! would leave plenty of room to bring the BIG A back in as a hitters background!

Although I do agree about the rockpile, and it would be great to bring the Big A back, it just isn't feasable anymore. When Anaheim stadium was "disneyized" in the 90's, brining the Big A was a consideration but was to costly and it was decided to leave it in the parking lot. It would have been cool if they built a replica of the scoreboard inside the stadium instead of the rockpile. Im sure it would have cost the same......

[OBomb]

I like this stadium, but I don't. I appreciate what's been done to it to make it a better stadium than it was when it was enclosed, but there are some sightline issues I think could be resolved with a new stadium. Not that I'm suggesting the Angels need a completely new ballpark, considering just how extensive the renovations were; but I have always felt really far from the action even when I'm not sitting far into the outfield.

I saw games in this ballpark in 1996 when it was still enclosed, 1997 when the renovations began and the outfield stands had been demolished, and in 1998 when the renovations were complete. The difference in two years as a result of the renovation was mind-boggling. I haven't seen a game at the Big A since Arte Moreno bought the team and reduced prices and added a new scoreboard, but I'd like to go back again. Despite my complaints about the sightlines, Angel Stadium is a nice place to watch a game, especially considering the product on the field. If I had an AL team to root for, it'd be the Angels.

[bleacherbum73]

Does anyone have pics that were taken DURING the renovation of Angels Stadium, when it was being turned back to a baseball only stadium ?

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Original artist rendering


Wire photos of the opening of the Big A










Below are from April 1966, with some kind of pregame ceremony

Click to ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2563004690_fc1eaebcec_o.jpg)


Click to ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2563004032_f721b41745_o.jpg)



Click to ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/2563004362_c73fe5b628_o.jpg)


Finally, game time
Click to ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2563003534_512454112f_o.jpg)

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Here's 2 of LA's Wrigley Field, home of the angels from 1961-65




I love this shot. It puts a color perspective on the old b&w Home Run Derby program, which was filmed here. I'll have to cross post this one to the vintage/forgotten stadium thread

Click to ENLARGE (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/2563094340_1f5d26e14e_o.jpg)

[J.R.]

She looks great, but I think they still have some work to do. The entire right field football stands should be demolished - there are some really bad seats up there, and the section itself ruins the view from the lower level seats located just to the right.

[Power Wally]

Next year, Angel Stadium will be the 2nd oldest stadium in the American League. Despite all it has been through, it has aged rather well.

O.T. - Dodger Stadium is already the 2nd oldest stadium in the NL.

[Chevy114]

Look at all that on site parking! Man they could fit a lot of cars at the stadium!

[Aviator_Frank]

Look at all that on site parking! Man they could fit a lot of cars at the stadium!

A true visual testament to the lack of mass transit in SoCal in 1966. Wow.

[Philtration]

It was a great idea to go back to the original configuration at the big A but a new design for the outfield seats would be nice.
I had forgotten how big the old scoreboard actually was!

[Lafferty Daniel]

A true visual testament to the lack of mass transit in SoCal in 1966. Wow.

It's really pathetic that older generations were so shortsighted. Angel Stadium still has major traffic issues.

[Philtration]

I never really noticed how much the original layout looked like Yankee Stadium and the original design of U.S. Cellular.

[Chevy114]

A true visual testament to the lack of mass transit in SoCal in 1966. Wow.

Yeah a city that large needs it!

[stlfan]

I agree about the outfield seating, at least the right field stands. Those old football seats need to go. They also need to bring the Big A back, retrofit it and have it be updated with a large hi-def board like the scoreboard at Kaufmann Stadium.

[Paul W]

their is a connection for the two stadiums - one-time yankees owner dell webb's construction company erected anaheim stadium.

[SteveJRogers]

Riding on the City of New Orleans...

ERRRR, actually the SoCal Amtrack express, chugging into the Anaheim station on its way from San Diego to LA. Well actually I was going from Solona Beach to LA.

[stlfan]

Here is a neat looking photo I found online of construction during the expansion for the Rams. I haven't been able to find good photos of construction (or really destruction) during the renovation in the late 90's.

[mrakbaseball]

Here's 2 of LA's Wrigley Field, home of the angels from 1961-65

The MLB Angels played 1 season at Wrigley Field, 1961. 1962-1965 at Chavez Ravine (Dodger Stadium).

Wrigley was demolished in 1966.

[DaBigMotor]

Interesting theing about Anaheim/Angels stadium, is that I NEVER saw the deconstruction of the football seats.

It seems that it was in its football configuration one season, and then as it is now the next.

I distinctly remember the 1980 construction that enclosed it, though.

Did the Rams use the Angels' clubhouse? If they had their own, any idea what it is used for now?

[bnbusser]

Interesting theing about Anaheim/Angels stadium, is that I NEVER saw the deconstruction of the football seats.

It seems that it was in its football configuration one season, and then as it is now the next.

I distinctly remember the 1980 construction that enclosed it, though.

Did the Rams use the Angels' clubhouse? If they had their own, any idea what it is used for now?

I grew up going to Anaheim stadium... first game was in 1968.... damn 40 years ago! The Rams had their own locker room under the left field stands. Thats where the visitors locker room was too....

[LetsGoMets687]

[Wall-E]

Hey look, a piece of Citi Field is in the background.

Oh wait, that's just a Domino's Pizza. Silly me.

[Yankees2k6]

The rocks looks like Clay-Doh

[six4three]

Sure do.

I like the idea of the rocks, but c'mon. That looks like a bad parody of a Disney park.

[Lafferty Daniel]

That giant Happy Meal behind the rocks makes the giant milk carton at the Metrodome look classy.

[bnbusser]

Sure do.

I like the idea of the rocks, but c'mon. That looks like a bad parody of a Disney park.

everyone in so cal calls that stupid rockpile big thunder mountain...like the ride at dismal land (disneyland) my wife is a lawyer and one of her clients was dinseyland and she hated them... it is NOT the happiest place on earth to work!

[pudgie_child]

It's really pathetic that older generations were so shortsighted. Angel Stadium still has major traffic issues.

The traffic in Anaheim is actually better than in most stadiums. I've gone to dozens of games there and rarely had a problem getting to the stadium or finding parking.

[JT7]

The traffic in Anaheim is actually better than in most stadiums. I've gone to dozens of games there and rarely had a problem getting to the stadium or finding parking.


I agree....Angel Stadium for some reason has better flow than Dodger Stadium. Plus, if you know the parking lot well, you may find the "secret" ways out....

[bnbusser]

I agree....Angel Stadium for some reason has better flow than Dodger Stadium. Plus, if you know the parking lot well, you may find the "secret" ways out....

I started driving to Angel games in the early 70s..yeah im OLD~! Orangewood is by far the best in and out still to this day.. Katella and State College are a zoo on game days, especially if the Ducks are playing at the same time.

[Rob R]

Holy smokes, everything about this stadium screams "cheap."

[Power Wally]

Holy smokes, everything about this stadium screams "cheap."

Correct. Perhaps us taxpayers should be bilked out of millions to build a new stadium....NOT.

[SteveJRogers]

Plus it has an AMTRACK station right there that runs on the Coastal line.

[JMC Bomber]

Correct. Perhaps us taxpayers should be bilked out of millions to build a new stadium....NOT.

Well something's got to give in 8 years when their lease is up.

[pudgie_child]

Well something's got to give in 8 years when their lease is up.

They'll renovate Angel Stadium. There's no need to spend resources on a new ballpark when they're doing so well in the current ballpark.

[Lpeters199]

Angels' owner Gene Autry at groundbreaking.

[alpineinc]

Couple 1969 pics from Mike McCann's blog (http://mikemccann.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-05-25T08%3A44%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=12) of WFAN fame.

[Dodgersfan323]

Wow, never realized how beautiful the original Big A really was :cap:

[Power Wally]

I wish Orange County was still as wide open as it was in the 60s. :sorry:

[placount]

That giant Happy Meal behind the rocks makes the giant milk carton at the Metrodome look classy.

I was at the dome the other night and thanked god that the milk carton was gone.

[tugger]

In post #92 there appears to be almost NO foul ground.

[mandrake]

My family loves Anaheim. We love Anaheim Stadium. And we love Disneyland. After all, we just won the dream suite there last week while on vacation ! And we saw the Yankees get their annual Anaheim beating .

This ballpark is one of the very best in MLB. I have been to many parks, especially the classics that are no more. It is much better than Dodger Stadium, or Shea Stadium (don't even mention Candlestick) or any other park built from in the 60's, 70's, 80's. Maybe you can update it a little when the lease is up, but I love the location and the parking is EASY to get out of. (I think I parked in a bank's lot for $10 and zipped out onto Katella. Nothing like Yankee or Shea lot nightmares).

Anaheim. Keep the Angels and keep the Stadium. You have a great franchise, a great fan base, and you have the Happiest Place on earth.(and you won a Stanley cup too)..... If you built a stadium close by for the Rams and got them to move back in 6 years.....heaven.

[HollandsComet]

Wow, never realized how beautiful the original Big A really was :cap:

I've always been curious--how did they actually move the Big A scoreboard during the renovation for the Rams? Did they dismantle it and re-build it in the parking lot, or did they move it all in one piece?

[J.R.]

Interesting theing about Anaheim/Angels stadium, is that I NEVER saw the deconstruction of the football seats.

It seems that it was in its football configuration one season, and then as it is now the next.

You could see them taking it apart throughout the 1995 season.

[DMR67442]

Below are from April 1966, with some kind of pregame ceremony

Click to ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2563004690_fc1eaebcec_o.jpg)


Click to ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2563004032_f721b41745_o.jpg)



Click to ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/2563004362_c73fe5b628_o.jpg)


Finally, game time
Click to ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2563003534_512454112f_o.jpg)
[/QUOTE]

Mario these 1966 color picture look like they were taken today with my cannon 8 megapixel camera. What did you use to clean them up and look so clear? They are clear as the photos I posted on the tiger stadium site. You always have some great photos of the older parks

Dave:banghead:

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

com/3081/2563004032_d039831f7f_b.jpg[/IMG]

Mario these 1966 color picture look like they were taken today with my cannon 8 megapixel camera. What did you use to clean them up and look so clear? They are clear as the photos I posted on the tiger stadium site. You always have some great photos of the older parks

Dave:banghead:


Thanks, but I did nothing to clean these up. They were on my D: drive and posted to Flickr & here. I wish I could give credit to the source, but I'm unsure where they were found. They are super clear though for the 1960's.

[DMR67442]

Thanks Mario they are incredible quality for the 60's:eek:

[bnbusser]

If anyone is interested, I have uploaded my photos from Anaheim stadium. Some of the photos at the end are from the internet. It has pics I took of the earthquake damage, as well as all 3 configurations of the stadium..

http://albums.phanfare.com/5406850/2643072#imageID=45025805

click on start slideshow and turn your speakers on

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

It looks like something in a zoo for seals,
Oh Wait I think I do see A Seal!
Man I hate that damn rock pile:banghead:
They Should Blow It Up, And Either Move the old Halo Scoreboard back into the stadium, or make a replica of it and put it where the rock pile was.

[bnbusser]

It looks like something in a zoo for seals,
Oh Wait I think I do see A Seal!
Man I hate that damn rock pile:banghead:
They Should Blow It Up, And Either Move the old Halo Scoreboard back into the stadium, or make a replica of it and put it where the rock pile was.

They thought about moving the old scoreboard back when they refurbished the stadium in the 90's. The problem was if they moved it back, chances were it would literally fall apart. I agree, they should have rebuilt the big A scoreboard. I grew up with that.. "the halo shines tonight" (Dick Enberg after an Angels victory)

[Mr.Prince24]

They thought about moving the old scoreboard back when they refurbished the stadium in the 90's. The problem was if they moved it back, chances were it would literally fall apart. I agree, they should have rebuilt the big A scoreboard. I grew up with that.. "the halo shines tonight" (Dick Enberg after an Angels victory)

I would love to see that. But in today's fast paced world of corporate dollars for cheap entertainment (the Angels not fitting that), I highly doubt that. And the rock pile has to go. Add some 60's nostalgic throwback things into the park and make it feel like old time Angels baseball

[Swoboda4]

Thanks, but I did nothing to clean these up. They were on my D: drive and posted to Flickr & here. I wish I could give credit to the source, but I'm unsure where they were found. They are super clear though for the 1960's.


Not surprised at all at the quality of those photos. We forget that there isn't a digital camera in existence that can match a color Kodachrome or Fuji Velvia slide. A properly scanned Kodachrome slide would be about a 25-40 megapixel equivalent. Even the cheapest throwaway film camera with 100 speed film is a 40 megapixel digital image. You can't beat the convenience of digital, but digital, even now, can't shine film's shoes for image clarity.

[Mr.Prince24]

Not surprised at all at the quality of those photos. We forget that there isn't a digital camera in existence that can match a color Kodachrome or Fuji Velvia slide. A properly scanned Kodachrome slide would be about a 25-40 megapixel equivalent. Even the cheapest throwaway film camera with 100 speed film is a 40 megapixel digital image. You can't beat the convenience of digital, but digital, even now, can't shine film's shoes for image clarity.

I doubt the images were that bad, considering 40+ years of aging. They look good to me

[bnbusser]

Not surprised at all at the quality of those photos. We forget that there isn't a digital camera in existence that can match a color Kodachrome or Fuji Velvia slide. A properly scanned Kodachrome slide would be about a 25-40 megapixel equivalent. Even the cheapest throwaway film camera with 100 speed film is a 40 megapixel digital image. You can't beat the convenience of digital, but digital, even now, can't shine film's shoes for image clarity.

Actually thats not true. I shoot with the nikon D3 and its sharpness is MUCH better than any film I have shot with my nikon F5. The 12.3 megapixel D3 and D2XS clearly outperform 35mm. I can make finer prints with the 12 meg D2XS (razor sharp at 13x19 inches) than I ever could with 35mm— and I was fanatic about lenses and darkroom work. It all has to do with the glass (lenses) you use. I have all high end nikon lenses and there is a difference, both in film and digital. Digital has made my job much easier and cheaper for me (in film and developing). Just about any photos you see in magazines and books now are digital.

[alpineinc]

Nice Big A shot from 1966, from Tom Spaulding (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tspauld/49509194/) on flickr. Enlargement HERE. (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/33/49509194_e3c72d721d_o.jpg)

[Pinstripes]

Cool thread, great pictures everyone. As a Yankee fan, Angels Stadium is a house of horrors for me, but I've been there for several games in recent years on my trips to SoCal, and I enjoy seeing the older photos as well as the recent ones and the progression the stadium has made over the years.

Despite being a renovated "old" stadium, it has a great atmosphere, nice ameneties, and overall it's a great place to see a game. Getting in and out is a breeze compared to some stadiums I've been to.

I actually think the rocks and waterfall, although "fake", are a nice touch and add something unique to the ballpark.

And a fun little sidenote: I met Gary Thorne in the parking lot after an Angels/Orioles game one night. I recognized his voice immediately. :D We talked for a minute or two, he was very friendly.

[Manhattan]

Cool thread, great pictures everyone. As a Yankee fan, Angels Stadium is a house of horrors for me, but I've been there for several games in recent years on my trips to SoCal, and I enjoy seeing the older photos as well as the recent ones and the progression the stadium has made over the years.

Despite being a renovated "old" stadium, it has a great atmosphere, nice ameneties, and overall it's a great place to see a game. Getting in and out is a breeze compared to some stadiums I've been to.

I actually think the rocks and waterfall, although "fake", are a nice touch and add something unique to the ballpark.

And a fun little sidenote: I met Gary Thorne in the parking lot after an Angels/Orioles game one night. I recognized his voice immediately. :D We talked for a minute or two, he was very friendly. As Yankees fan too I will not be in a good imood. f the Yankees lose while I will be at Angel Stadium for one game could be from July 10 to July 12 or September 21 to 23 of the 2009 Major League Baseball season. I hope that the Yankees will sweep the Angels at Angel Stadium and at New Yankee Stadium next season. I only go to Dodger Stadium for Dodgers' games. And I also am a Dodgers' fan.

[Avg_Hr_Rbi]

very nice pics....of the original stadium then the 80's expansion for the Rams and now the new stadium make overs........all I can say is I'm glad I don't live in CA., I mean after all the things they've done to that stadium in it's existence taxes out there must be through the roof

[Yoda]

That giant Happy Meal behind the rocks makes the giant milk carton at the Metrodome look classy.

lol!:cool:

[Gary Dunaier]

That giant Happy Meal behind the rocks makes the giant milk carton at the Metrodome look classy.

Relax... take a chill pill... maybe a nice cup of iced coffee will settle you down...


(Photo taken April 24, 2007. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/2317834683/in/set-72157604067970552/))

:coffee

[Aviator_Frank]

Actually he may prefer a lower-caffeine Coke. Here's a new thread idea . . . Stadiums with oversized drink container advertising.

[pudgie_child]

very nice pics....of the original stadium then the 80's expansion for the Rams and now the new stadium make overs........all I can say is I'm glad I don't live in CA., I mean after all the things they've done to that stadium in it's existence taxes out there must be through the roof

The original baseball stadium was financed by the City of Anaheim, as was the football expansion. The city had favorable lease terms, however, which was one of the reasons the Rams left when the city gave them a lease buyout option (to avoid the Rams challenging construction of the arena).

The more recent baseball renovations commissioned by Disney were largely financed by Disney (the city contributed only $20 million, which came from the city's general fund). Furthermore, because of the Angels' success, the city receives annual rent payments because the Angels meet high revenue/attendance thresholds.

In contrast, the city has had to pay more out of pocket for the construction of the Pond/Honda Center. In either case, both of the investments, in regard to the city's contribution, would seem to have paid off (although one could argue that construction of the Pond indirectly lead to the departure of the Rams).

[mandrake]

The original baseball stadium was financed by the City of Anaheim, as was the football expansion. The city had favorable lease terms, however, which was one of the reasons the Rams left when the city gave them a lease buyout option (to avoid the Rams challenging construction of the arena).

The more recent baseball renovations commissioned by Disney were largely financed by Disney (the city contributed only $20 million, which came from the city's general fund). Furthermore, because of the Angels' success, the city receives annual rent payments because the Angels meet high revenue/attendance thresholds.

In contrast, the city has had to pay more out of pocket for the construction of the Pond/Honda Center. In either case, both of the investments, in regard to the city's contribution, would seem to have paid off (although one could argue that construction of the Pond indirectly lead to the departure of the Rams).


Can you get the RAMS back in six years when they have an escape clause from St Louis?

[stlfan]

Please, take them back!!!!

[pudgie_child]

Can you get the RAMS back in six years when they have an escape clause from St Louis?

The plans to put a football stadium in Anaheim have essentially been shelved. There's a shot that the Rams could move to Industry or Pasadena.

[alpineinc]

Renovation, 1979.




Aerial shot, 1970.

[califangels72]

1992...Angels retire Nolan Ryans number 30....Enclosed Big A...

[califangels72]

Vs texas and baltimore....

[JT7]

I forgot that this thread was here...I am looking for pictures of Anaheim Stadium immediately following the Earthquake in 94, I had submitted a picture but I know there is more. More specifically, the big gapping hole in the Left Field Upper deck after the scoreboard fell, the replacement scoreboard and if anyone has them by chance, pictures of the damage immediately following the quake.

[redv]

Couple of random shots from 2 games last season (2008) both vs. the A's. Their primo seats behind home plate are below the level of the field, which I thought was pretty different. All the ones I've noticed are just kind of parked infront of the regular seats. The batters are Jack Cust and Vlad.

[mrakbaseball]

I like how this ballpark's exterior ramps are subtle and don't jut out so much from the ballpark itself. If only U.S Cellular's ramps were built this way.

[mrakbaseball]

Anaheim/Angel Stadium, the top ballpark of the 1960s :applaud:

[Gary Dunaier]

Their primo seats behind home plate are below the level of the field, which I thought was pretty different.

Didn't Dodger Stadium also have seats like that for a few years? If memory serves me right they were called "Dugout View" or something like that.

[mandrake]

Anaheim/Angel Stadium, the top ballpark of the 1960s :applaud:



If MLB could produce a gem like this, almost ruin it for the Rams, then restore it to its glory, then there are no excuses for having any obstructions in any new ballpark. Period. Case closed.

Royals Stadium is another example of a modern (60's-70's) stadium done right.

I like both of 'em, but Anaheim is tops.

[Dougman59]

In retrospect, the rams move to Angel Stadium is a case of incredibly poor cost benefit. Overhauling a beautiful stadium, for say maybe 120-130 football games (no playoff in that time either) wasn't really worth it in my mind. From what I've found nobody liked football at the stadium.

[J.R.]

Anaheim/Angel Stadium, the top ballpark of the 1960s :applaud:

Dodger Stadium.

[qbannik]

Anaheim/Angel Stadium, the top ballpark of the 1960s :applaud:


You're hilarious :laugh

Now you're so obsessed with downgrading Dodger Stadium you're posting in every thread you can how this or that ballpark is better than Dodger Stadium. This is really neurotic obsessive behavior. :laugh

[bnbusser]

Growing up a mere 15 min from Anaheim stadium, I have seen well over 400 games, concerts etc there. Since LA was 40 miles away, (3 hours by freeway) I only saw a handful of games at Dodger stadium (100). That being said, the original Anaheim stadium was nice... but it was NO Dodger stadium. Dodger stadium to this day still looks like they just opened the place. What Disney did to Anaheim was better than what it was when the Rams moved in, BUT adding big thunder mountain in CF was a joke.... As a kid, it was fun seeing the big A scoreboard in left, and the little building beyond CF... we often wondered what was in there. Dodger stadium looks better now than some of the newer parks...

I was the first one in Anaheim stadium after the Jan 94 earthquake when the scoreboard fell in Left.... that pic appeared in newspapers and USA today baseball weekley

[magicmagee]

I went there in 1998 I beleive, a few years after the Rams left town. It looks like a great stadium now, but unfortunatley when I went it was under renovation to knock down those terrible football seats.

Bright spot though; it was a Angel/Dodger Freeway series game, and I saw my first bench clearing brawl. Crazy Tony Phillips charged Chan Ho Park!

[qbannik]

Growing up a mere 15 min from Anaheim stadium, I have seen well over 400 games, concerts etc there. Since LA was 40 miles away, (3 hours by freeway) I only saw a handful of games at Dodger stadium (100). That being said, the original Anaheim stadium was nice... but it was NO Dodger stadium. Dodger stadium to this day still looks like they just opened the place. What Disney did to Anaheim was better than what it was when the Rams moved in, BUT adding big thunder mountain in CF was a joke.... As a kid, it was fun seeing the big A scoreboard in left, and the little building beyond CF... we often wondered what was in there. Dodger stadium looks better now than some of the newer parks...

Agreed. The Big A is a good place to watch a game, but it's far too artificially quirky--highlighted by the horrible fake rocks in the middle of a suburban parking lot.

[bnbusser]

Agreed. The Big A is a good place to watch a game, but it's far too artificially quirky--highlighted by the horrible fake rocks in the middle of a suburban parking lot.

yeah the rocks is what everyone has dubbed "big thunder mountain". When Disney first took over the Angels, gasp they had CHEERLEADERS... it was a joke.... and those hokey uniforms with the wings on the hats....

The nice thing about both Dodger and Anaheim is the view of the mountains on a clear day/night... (on the 3 times out of the year when there is no smog).

You can see the San Gabriels from Dodger stadium and Mt. Baldy from Anaheim....

[pudgie_child]

Like others here, I am also an Orange County native.

On a technical level (the stadium cross-section and proximity of seats to home plate), Anaheim Stadium is probably superior to Dodger Stadium, in part because the architects had the benefit of designing the Big A after Dodger Stadium and some of the other cookie-cutter ballparks of the 60's had already opened. The three-tier design was an improvement from the Capt. Emil Praeger's Dodger Stadium design and even more egalitarian than ballparks built later (I'm looking at you AT&T Park, Enron Field, Safeco Field, New Yankee Stadium, and Coors Field). ;) Of course, Anaheim Stadium was designed before the age of corporate suites, and opened with only 8 suite equivalents, which were located within the original press box structure. The Big A cross-section was replicated at Giants Stadium in New Jersey and later at Camden Yards.

Overall, however, there is really no question within Southern California that Dodger Stadium is a superior ballpark. Dodger Stadium's proximity to Downtown is not a trivial thing. The Big A, on the other hand, isn't even located in the most vital city in Orange County (which is Santa Ana for those not familiar with the area).

There was a time (before Disney's acquisition of the team) when the Autrys and the City of Anaheim were negotiating funding for a new ballpark. At one time, reports were that they were only $10 million apart from reaching a deal. The ballpark, however, would have been located in the Big A parking lot, so the end result would have likely been a mediocre retro ballpark like the others on the west coast (you know who you are).

The Big A renovation was adequate, but I think the Angels would have been better served conducting their renovation in the same vein as the Dodgers - renovate the ballpark to its original vision. It was an aesthetic misstep to turn the Big A into a retro ballpark with a big wall in right field. Hopefully a long-term renovation from Arte Moreno will correct some of HOK's mistakes.

[mrakbaseball]

The Big A renovation was adequate, but I think the Angels would have been better served conducting their renovation in the same vein as the Dodgers - renovate the ballpark to its original vision. It was an aesthetic misstep to turn the Big A into a retro ballpark with a big wall in right field. Hopefully a long-term renovation from Arte Moreno will correct some of HOK's mistakes.

I like the big wall in right, they should have used the current OF configuration when it was enclosed for football. The subtle asymmetry works well here. :applaud:

[pudgie_child]

I like the big wall in right, they should have used the current OF configuration when it was enclosed for football. The subtle asymmetry works well here. :applaud:

I think the big wall in right field is contrived, and worse yet, the "pavilion" seats above the wall are subpar because the rake is too shallow. Also, the height of the right field pavilion obstructs the seats in the right field corner of the original grandstand (the Angels are forced to sell those seats as obstructed, and sell them at a discount on goldstar.com)

[qbannik]

I think the big wall in right field is contrived, and worse yet, the "pavilion" seats above the wall are subpar because the rake is too shallow. Also, the height of the right field pavilion obstructs the seats in the right field corner of the original grandstand (the Angels are forced to sell those seats as obstructed, and sell them at a discount on goldstar.com)

They tried to save money by keeping all the old football seats and pass them off as "quirky retro baseball seats". Bad idea. They should have razed the entire outfield area, kept it symmetrical and built a well-planned outfield seating area like New Comiskey with low non-obstructed bleachers and a fan deck, and maybe some grass berm seating.

[pudgie_child]

They tried to save money by keeping all the old football seats and pass them off as "quirky retro baseball seats". Bad idea. They should have razed the entire outfield area, kept it symmetrical and built a well-planned outfield seating area like New Comiskey with low non-obstructed bleachers and a fan deck, and maybe some grass berm seating.

I agree that they should have replaced the football seating in both right and left. They could have kept the terrace level concourse (the main field level concourse never extended past the original grandstand), and then built new seating extending from the old concourse. They had to replace most of the left field seating anyways, in order to accommodate the new bullpens.

I don't have a problem with the asymmetry, but I do have a problem with the high, shallow seating in right and the distant seating behind the left-field bullpens. And the rock pile is an utter waste of space.

[mandrake]

I have only been to Anaheim Stadium a few times while on vacation, but I liked it much better than Dodger Stadium. Of course, it has 10,000 less seats so you are closer to the action.
I admit, Big Thunder Mountain looks stupid and s/b removed. I have not sat in RF. I have sat in deep LCF and those seats are MUCH better than any bleacher seats at YS.
While I did not see cheerleaders, what's so wrong with having some pretty girls try to get the fans going? When I went to Royals Stadium in the '80's, they mave have not had cheerleaders, but they had young college age female ushers who were all drop dead gorgeous, dressed in blue hot pants. No way in the world that could happen in Shea or Yankee without having major incidents/ejections/arrests.

[bnbusser]

The BAD thing about Dodger stadium is getting OUT after a game. If it is a sellout and you wait around, get comfy.... With only 3 ways into the park and 50,000 people, it gets crowded very quick.

Anaheim has 3 entrances also but 2 of them lead right to the 57 freeway. It is much easier leaving there than in LA.

The food used to be so much better in Anaheim. Now its nothing but a fast food park. Dodger stadium still has the Dodger dogs which are still tasty...

When we were kids in the 70s, we could sit in the bleachers at Dodger stadium or the upper deck in Anaheim for 50 cents.... then it went up to a buck.... still not a bad deal, and THAT was in the day of doubleheaders (not this day night crap they pull now). We used to scour the schedules to see all the doubleheaders and go.... there were at least 2 to 3 per year scheduled, because it NEVER rains in So. Cal during baseball season.. I have seen them put the tarp on only twice in so Cal. Once was in Anaheim, and the other in San Diego at Jack Murphy...

[ChineseDemocracy]

Seems like a fine ballpark to me, I can't wait to visit this edifice during the summer.

If anyone is familiar with the Pond, don't the club and loge sections at AS remind you of the Pond layout?

[mrakbaseball]

I have only been to Anaheim Stadium a few times while on vacation, but I liked it much better than Dodger Stadium. Of course, it has 10,000 less seats so you are closer to the action..
:applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :thumbsup:

[mrakbaseball]

Better sightlines+better access=Angel Stadium is the better park :twocents:.

[jnakamura]

Better sightlines+better access=Angel Stadium is the better park :twocents:.

The sightlines are much worse in the outfield in Anaheim. In LF the stands are pushed back 20 feet from the fence, and if you're sitting in the RF pavilion you can't even see the last 75 feet in front of the wall, and the RF box seats have major obstructions to seeing the outfield.

[mrakbaseball]

The sightlines are much worse in the outfield in Anaheim. In LF the stands are pushed back 20 feet from the fence, and if you're sitting in the RF pavilion you can't even see the last 75 feet in front of the wall, and the RF box seats have major obstructions to seeing the outfield.
That may be the case, but I prefer Angel Stadium's grandstand to Dodger Stadium's.

[jnakamura]

That may be the case, but I prefer Angel Stadium's grandstand to Dodger Stadium's.

So do I, but I prefer Dodger Stadium's pavilions to Anaheim's--no obstructions.

[mrakbaseball]

The BAD thing about Dodger stadium is getting OUT after a game. If it is a sellout and you wait around, get comfy.... With only 3 ways into the park and 50,000 people, it gets crowded very quick.

Anaheim has 3 entrances also but 2 of them lead right to the 57 freeway. It is much easier leaving there than in LA.

The food used to be so much better in Anaheim. Now its nothing but a fast food park. Dodger stadium still has the Dodger dogs which are still tasty...

When we were kids in the 70s, we could sit in the bleachers at Dodger stadium or the upper deck in Anaheim for 50 cents.... then it went up to a buck.... still not a bad deal, and THAT was in the day of doubleheaders (not this day night crap they pull now). We used to scour the schedules to see all the doubleheaders and go.... there were at least 2 to 3 per year scheduled, because it NEVER rains in So. Cal during baseball season.. I have seen them put the tarp on only twice in so Cal. Once was in Anaheim, and the other in San Diego at Jack Murphy...
Anaheim is easier to exit.

[bnbusser]

Anaheim is easier to exit.

that is EXACTLY what I said.... anahiem is easier to exit...

WHEN I first went to an Angels game in 1968, there was no 57 freeway that ran parallel to right field. The freeway was not completed till the early 70's. The only way in was from St. College or Katella, and the traffic sucked. Back then, not many people went to the games (unless it was a giveaway). Crowds of 5 to 7 thousand were common. Even then, leaving the games in the late 60s and early 70s sucked... because of the traffic. Once the 57 went in, it was much easier. Orangewood took you right to the 57... and home...

[Ross11903]

I learned the hard way about those box seats in the right field corner, couldn't see most of the outfield. I also agree with what has been said about the right field bleachers, which is why I avoid that area too.

Not sure if it has been addressed (too lazy to read the whole thread), but the sight lines from the lower field level between 1st and the foul pole and 3rd and the foul pole are terrible, as you are facing center field. You must turn yourself to look towards home plate and views are usually obstructed to some degree by fans sitting closer towards home plate. For affordable seats, I usually stick to the lower upper deck (400's) or the upper deck (500's) around home plate.

Positive notes about the stadium: The overall atmosphere here is great, I give Angels fans crap about only paying attention since 2002, but I give them credit for being loyal since then (although not many bad seasons since either). I may not like the Angels but I am glad there is a solidly developed baseball fan base here in Orange County. Before that, Anaheim/Edison/Angel Stadium was not the most pleasant place to see a game. Oh and also, Arte made beer relatively cheap at the stadium (something like $4.75 for a small, about $6.00 for a large :clapping)

Parking: Don't park in the stadium parking lot, park in a business lot across the street from orangewood and then sneak out the back way to the 5 for a quick exit. Its cheaper too if you don't mind walking.

[mrakbaseball]

Though flawed, Angel/Anaheim Stadium has perhaps the best ballpark grandstand constructed during the 1960s. :applaud:

Felix Hernandez 2008


Jarrod Washburn 2008

from the Seattle Times' Geoff Baker

[jnakamura]

Though flawed, Angel/Anaheim Stadium has perhaps the best ballpark grandstand constructed during the 1960s. :applaud:



Why is it better than Dodger Stadium? Dodger Stadium doesn't have blind spots anywhere, while Anaheim/Edison/Angel has multiple obstructions--some even cutting off half the field. Also DS has many thousands more seats behind home plate, where most people prefer to sit.

:thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

[DiggerODell]

Also DS has many thousands more seats behind home plate, where most people prefer to sit.

:thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

Speak for yourself dear sir.

[curb my enthusiasm]

It's amazing how much Angel Stadium reminds me of Renovated Yankee Stadium.

[jnakamura]

Speak for yourself dear sir.

I'll speak for more than myself. Check out any seating/pricing chart. Seats behind home plate are ALWAYS prefered seating. You'd rather sit by the foul pole than behind the plate perhaps? Suit yourself. :crazy

[mrakbaseball]

Why is it better than Dodger Stadium?
Human scale.

[Ross11903]

Sat up in Section V430 yesterday for opening day, lower upper deck down the right field line, I've sat there before as well as comparable sections on the other side, but for some reason it was really bugging me how the seats face center field. Even as back and far up as I was, it was a mild inconvenience to consistently look towards home plate for pitches. I think I will stick to seats closer towards the infield from now on, even if I have to sit further up.

I used to attribute this to it being a former baseball/football stadium, however it was actually originally built for just baseball. I wonder why they designed it like this, where the stands don't angle back towards the field until you get to the foul pole, as opposed to other ballparks that angle the stands back towards the field past the infield, then continue straight out towards the foul pole.

[Aviator_Frank]

The angling of seats towards the home plate/infield area is a relatively recent phenomenon. Chase Field (opened in 1998) has it. Dodger Stadium (1962) does not.

[McDodger]

The angling of seats towards the home plate/infield area is a relatively recent phenomenon. Chase Field (opened in 1998) has it. Dodger Stadium (1962) does not.

I think he means the outer sections facing the infield, like Fenway...



Wrigley...



Memorial...



Busch...

[GuitarPunk2512]

OT: did the orioles use the foul poles from memorial stadium in oriole park? they look exactly the same. if they did, thats pretty cool.

[McDodger]

OT: did the orioles use the foul poles from memorial stadium in oriole park? they look exactly the same. if they did, thats pretty cool.

yeah, they're the same. There's a little sign near the base that says so.

[Ross11903]

I think he means the outer sections facing the infield

Yes exactly, even dodger stadium seems to have a slight angling, although this may have been a recent renovation, as I have found some other pictures of dodger stadium that does not have the sections angled towards the infield. It looks as if the way they are angled makes it face around 2nd base, a significant improvement from facing the left/right fielder.

Actually the old Dodger Stadium seating layout had more foul territory than Angel Stadium, allowing the field level seats to head towards the foul pole at a steeper angle than the current AS setup, meaning that the current angle of the AS field level seats (beyond the infield) are at an even worse angle than the pre-renovated Dodger Stadium.

New


vs.

Old


Angel Stadium

[jnakamura]

Fan killed at Angels Stadium on opening day.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/sports-mlb/20090408/MLBFanDeath.040809/

[mandrake]

First game a fan get killed inside the stadium in a fight.

Second game one of the pitchers gets killed after the game in a hit and run tragedy:



ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart died Thursday in a hit-and-run car crash after a game, a hospital official said.

Adenhart, 22, died after undergoing surgery, University of California, Irvine Medical Center spokesman John Murray said.

Adenhart was one of three people killed in the crash early Thursday after pitching in a loss against the Oakland Athletics.

The driver of a minivan ran a red light in Fullerton and hit two cars, including one carrying Adenhart.

Police Lt. Craig Brower said the minivan driver fled the crash scene and was captured a short time later. The driver was arrested and booked for investigation of felony hit-and-run.

[DiggerODell]

First game a fan get killed inside the stadium in a fight.

Second game one of the pitchers gets killed after the game in a hit and run tragedy:



ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart died Thursday in a hit-and-run car crash after a game, a hospital official said.

Adenhart, 22, died after undergoing surgery, University of California, Irvine Medical Center spokesman John Murray said.

Adenhart was one of three people killed in the crash early Thursday after pitching in a loss against the Oakland Athletics.

The driver of a minivan ran a red light in Fullerton and hit two cars, including one carrying Adenhart.

Police Lt. Craig Brower said the minivan driver fled the crash scene and was captured a short time later. The driver was arrested and booked for investigation of felony hit-and-run.

Absolutely tragic! On both counts. I actually watched the game with Oakland, hard to imagine! So young!

[mrakbaseball]

from Steve Bowles (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenbowles/)

[pudgie_child]

Though flawed, Angel/Anaheim Stadium has perhaps the best ballpark grandstand constructed during the 1960s. :applaud:


I would agree that the original cross-section is the best.

I don't like Disney's renovations, though. It would have been better to put the suites on the terrace level and return to club level concourse to being an open concourse (as it was pre-Rams). Having an open concourse would also help to justify the premium ticket price for club level seats.

And I hate what they did to the area behind home plate. I don't like the dugout level suites (it looks horrible on TV), nor do I like the 4 level structure behind the "Diamond Level" seats.

[mrakbaseball]

I would agree that the original cross-section is the best.You are correct



And I hate what they did to the area behind home plate. I don't like the dugout level suites (it looks horrible on TV), nor do I like the 4 level structure behind the "Diamond Level" seats.
I like the dugout suites, they remind what Dodger Stadium used to be.

[Chevy114]

I thought the angled seats meant like how each seat is invidually angled toward homeplate, not the entire section of seats is angled. The trop has it and its annoying because you fee like you get less room and you're right on top of people.

[coasterbill]

Does anyone have any pictures from 1997 when they were in the process of renovating the stadium?

[mrakbaseball]

from Steve Bowles (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenbowles/)

[brewers08]

Here is an interesting video of the stadium during a collage football game. If you watch it the 2nd deck is shaking while the fans are jumping up and down.

http://www.coachfair.colostate.edu/pages/bowls.asp#movie

[mrakbaseball]

Angels BP


Mariners


Nick Adenhart memorial


Griffey with Japanese media


Ichiro leading off

[JT7]

Does anyone have any pictures such as this one? It's a hard find...Im interested in damage pictures and repair pictures...

[mets16]

Does anyone have any pictures such as this one? It's a hard find...Im interested in damage pictures and repair pictures...
http://albums.phanfare.com/5406850/2643072#imageID=45025805

[JT7]

http://albums.phanfare.com/5406850/2643072#imageID=45025805

AWESOME Pictures!!!! Great link!!! Anyone who is an Angels fan should check it out....

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

Does anyone have any pictures such as this one? It's a hard find...Im interested in damage pictures and repair pictures...

That looks like Atlanta Motor Speedway after the tornado strikes a season or two ago.

If that's Anaheim, I'd like to know what caused that damage.

[Ross11903]

That looks like Atlanta Motor Speedway after the tornado strikes a season or two ago.

If that's Anaheim, I'd like to know what caused that damage.

'94 Northridge earthquake. Great pictures in that link, really took me back to the old miserable closed in cookie cutter that was Anaheim Stadium. I'd also like to see any demolition/renovation pictures when they took down the outfield upper decks, or just before they put in big thunder mountain.

[mets16]

It's amazing how they brought that place back to respectability, and how disgusting an NFL team can make a ballpark look. Places like Oakland, San Diego and SF were nice ballparks until NFL teams marched in. That "A" above the scoreboard was the worst excuse for a replica of an A imaginable.

[Ross11903]

Random but, I have noticed that there are a significant number of commercials shot at Angel Stadium. Just watching the game right now, One-a-day men's health, Taco Bell nacho "drag" commerical, and there have been some others that I cannot think of off hand. Perhaps its just its relatively close proximity to LA.

[Aviator_Frank]

It's amazing how they brought that place back to respectability, and how disgusting an NFL team can make a ballpark look. Places like Oakland, San Diego and SF were nice ballparks until NFL teams marched in. That "A" above the scoreboard was the worst excuse for a replica of an A imaginable.

Actually the Oakland Coliseum wasn't all that bad. Mount Davis is what turned it into a visual nightmare.

Jack Murphy was more suited to football; the baseball diamond never looked right since it was offset 45 degrees. It looked shoehorned into there.

Totally agree on The Stick and the Big A (SoCal's nickname for Anaheim Stadium prior to the Edison Field naming rights). Enclosing them totally destroyed their appeal.

[mrakbaseball]

Random but, I have noticed that there are a significant number of commercials shot at Angel Stadium. Just watching the game right now, One-a-day men's health, Taco Bell nacho "drag" commerical, and there have been some others that I cannot think of off hand. Perhaps its just its relatively close proximity to LA.
Was the Miller High Life commercial with delivery guy attempting to cheer from glassed-in a sky box filmed in Anaheim?

[mrakbaseball]

1997?

[Aviator_Frank]

IIRC 1997 was when they opened it up but I didn't know they started the demo during the season.

[soup]

1997?


Jesus, did they cut the whole outfield with a walk-behind? That must have taken days :crazy

[Ross11903]

Was the Miller High Life commercial with delivery guy attempting to cheer from glassed-in a sky box filmed in Anaheim?

Yes thats another one. Thanks mrakbaseball, great pic to show the transition

[brewers08]

haha I just heard the guy from BB tonight refer to the rocks as "that Fred Flintstone thing in center field". I lol'ed

[ChineseDemocracy]

Was the Miller High Life commercial with delivery guy attempting to cheer from glassed-in a sky box filmed in Anaheim?

I think it was Miller Park.

[Bobby_Ayala]

I think it was Miller Park.

Nope. Anaheim. I don't believe Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting of many commercials or location I should say.

[ChineseDemocracy]

You're right, my mistake.

Just watched the commercial again and paid some attention. I figured Miller would shoot their commercials in their own....ah *@^#$* it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_OxCHyLLkU&feature=related

[citifaithful]

For those Halos fans out there, if you're staying close by the disney hotels area and don't have a car, is it easy to get over to the park and catch a game? (Public trans, shuttles, and/or cabs) I want to go there during the summer. Great renovation job. Probably the best example of one.

[ChineseDemocracy]

I want to go down there for a Dodgers/Angels game.

I would like to park for free somewhere, and have some seats that will provide the best bang for my buck.

Thanks

[whitesox901]

Its layout when it first opened before I got all ****** up for football, it reminds me of U.S. Cellular Field

[mandrake]

For those Halos fans out there, if you're staying close by the disney hotels area and don't have a car, is it easy to get over to the park and catch a game? (Public trans, shuttles, and/or cabs) I want to go there during the summer. Great renovation job. Probably the best example of one.

Hello. The Stadium is located on Katella Ave, approx 1 mile or so from DLR. Katella is the road at the end of Disney's California Adventure. While you could walk it (20 minutes?) I Have been told that the area in between is not that great but It did not look bad to this New Yorker. You can take one of those 'trolley bus ' to the game from the Disney transportation center. I think the system is ART (Anaheim Resort Transit?) and it might be $2 each way.

[citifaithful]

Hello. The Stadium is located on Katella Ave, approx 1 mile or so from DLR. Katella is the road at the end of Disney's California Adventure. While you could walk it (20 minutes?) I Have been told that the area in between is not that great but It did not look bad to this New Yorker. You can take one of those 'trolley bus ' to the game from the Disney transportation center. I think the system is ART (Anaheim Resort Transit?) and it might be $2 each way.

Thanks a lot. Think I'll do some research with the ART. Any recommendations on best section to sit over there?

[BMF]

Thanks a lot. Think I'll do some research with the ART. Any recommendations on best section to sit over there?

I think it looks better remodeled

[mandrake]

Thanks a lot. Think I'll do some research with the ART. Any recommendations on best section to sit over there?

The seats are so much cheaper than what NY ers are used to dishing out. When I took my kids, I sat in the LF family zone. Usually I sit upstairs and there are no obstructions. Great place to see a game; love to eat a Carl's Jr at the game too.

[Ross11903]

Thanks a lot. Think I'll do some research with the ART. Any recommendations on best section to sit over there?

For value, I try to get seats in the lower upper deck (400's) around the infield. Or the upper part (500's) in the same area are not bad either. Avoid the field level in the right field corner, they are obstructed by the elevated right field bleacher seats (Sections 134-135, 232-233 or so)

[Bobby_Ayala]

No sign for a replacement.

[Bobby_Ayala]

Random but, I have noticed that there are a significant number of commercials shot at Angel Stadium. Just watching the game right now, One-a-day men's health, Taco Bell nacho "drag" commerical, and there have been some others that I cannot think of off hand. Perhaps its just its relatively close proximity to LA.

Just saw a One-A-Day multi-vitamin commercial that was filmed at Angel Stadium

[ChineseDemocracy]

Disgusting.

More violence at Angel Stadium.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Two-Shot-at-Angel-Stadium.html

[Bobby_Ayala]

They really did a good job with the Angel Stadium renovations. I was there over the summer, and the place really does feel like the other new parks inside. The outfield area looks just as good if not better than the other new parks, because the dimensions are a result of what's left of the football renovations. It looks even better with the left field video board now. It would have been great to see the Big A back where it belongs, but even without that they did a great job on the place, and the fans are great out there too

Angel Stadium is very underrated. Classic triple-tier stands which recall Yankee Stadium, close to capacity crowds (dressed in Angel red) nearly every game. Love the subtle asymmetry, varied wall heights as well. If you're in SoCal, this is the must-see ballpark. :twocents:

[jnakamura]

Angel Stadium is very underrated. Classic triple-tier stands which recall Yankee Stadium, close to capacity crowds (dressed in Angel red) nearly every game. Love the subtle asymmetry, varied wall heights as well. If you're in SoCal, this is the must-see ballpark. :twocents:

Mrakbaseball lives! :laugh

You're right, a timeless symmetrical design :applaud::applaud::applaud:

[marlins739]

2010 All Star Game logo revealed today

[Bobby_Ayala]

Mrakbaseball lives! :laugh

You're right, a timeless symmetrical design :applaud::applaud::applaud:



Who are you Rip Van Winkle? Enjoy Rosie.:laugh

[Bobby_Ayala]

Mrakbaseball lives! :laugh

You're right, a timeless symmetrical design :applaud::applaud::applaud:


Even Anaheim Stadium 40 years ago is an upgrade over Dodger. IMO. More intimate.

[Chevy114]

2010 All Star Game logo revealed today



Cool logo, a little plain, but very simplistic! No one will ever beat the giants ball splashing in the water logo imo!

[PurpleMustReign]

Cool logo, a little plain, but very simplistic! No one will ever beat the giants ball splashing in the water logo imo!


I thought Anaheim just had the All-star game... am I wrong?:noidea:shrug:

[abronson86]

1989 was the last All-Star Game at Anaheim Stadium. NL won in extras and it was the longest ever All-Star Game, until 2008, when it was broken at Yankee Stadium.

[jnakamura]

I thought Anaheim just had the All-star game... am I wrong?:noidea:shrug:

This will be Anaheim's 3rd All-star game.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers and Mets have only hosted one apiece in the last 47 years.

[Bobby_Ayala]

This will be Anaheim's 3rd All-star game.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers and Mets have only hosted one apiece in the last 47 years.

I wonder why that is considering Dodger Stadium is hallowed ground? :crazy Why doesn't MLB come to their senses and give Dodger Stadium the All-Star Game? :shrug:
That said, I'm glad MLB is awarding the ASG to the Angels. Angel Stadium is a classy ballpark for a classy organization.

[BigMac1212]

I just hope the famed "A" gets moved into the stadium before the All-Star Game.

[Bobby_Ayala]

I just hope the famed "A" gets moved into the stadium before the All-Star Game.

Don't see that happening.

[BigMac1212]

Don't see that happening.

Bummer. :(

[mets16]

I just hope the famed "A" gets moved into the stadium before the All-Star Game.

I would love to see that happen. It can easily be moved inside to be a support for a new video board and tying in the ballpark.

[Bobby_Ayala]

I would love to see that happen. It can easily be moved inside to be a support for a new video board and tying in the ballpark.

So easy, it wasn't done when this place was renovated.

[mets16]

So easy, it wasn't done when this place was renovated.

Because it wasn't part of the plan of the renovation. I'm saying it isn't the hardest thing to do if they wanted to do it.

[Bobby_Ayala]

Because it wasn't part of the plan of the renovation. I'm saying it isn't the hardest thing to do if they wanted to do it.
They already have 2 scoreboards. The Big A is fine in its current location. Its been there for a longer time than it was a scoreboard anyway.

[mandrake]

They already have 2 scoreboards. The Big A is fine in its current location. Its been there for a longer time than it was a scoreboard anyway.

If somehow the Angels can get Halladay, you just may have the 2009 WS there as well as next years's All Star Game !:nod:

The Big A = the Yankees Graveyard.:D

BTW I have no idea why Dodger Stadium has not hosted the ASG in a long time, but the Mets showed zero interest in the 1980's and 90's in hosting one at Shea, for whatever reason.

[marlins739]

If they want to keep showing off the new ballparks at All Star Games, they're going to have to do a few more NL cities in a row, like they did in 2006 and 2007. There are only two new/updated AL parks that haven't had one yet: Kaufmann and Target (and NYS is out for a few years), and lots of NL parks: Petco, Citizens Bank, Nationals, Citi, Marlins.

[philliesfiend55]

When did the Angels' stadium open? Wasn't it about 1965 or '66? Despite it's roughly 45 years of age and service, it's been renovated nicely and kept fresh. It should provide a great site for the 2010 All-Star Game.

[Lafferty Daniel]

I wonder why that is considering Dodger Stadium is hallowed ground? :crazy Why doesn't MLB come to their senses and give Dodger Stadium the All-Star Game? :shrug:
That said, I'm glad MLB is awarding the ASG to the Angels. Angel Stadium is a classy ballpark for a classy organization.

mrakbaseball, I mean Bobby, did you have a bad experience at Dodger Stadium or something? Did a Dodgers fan insult you, or do you just like being passive aggressive because you like drama?

[Bobby_Ayala]

mrakbaseball, I mean Bobby, did you have a bad experience at Dodger Stadium or something? Did a Dodgers fan insult you, or do you just like being passive aggressive because you like drama?

Look at the Dodger Stadium thread, I, Bobby_Ayala replied to a photo of Dodger Stadium from behind home plate facing the field and stated "I like this". That said, if I were given the choice of attending a game at either Angel Stadium or Dodger Stadium, I would choose Angel Stadium. Is that not allowed? This isn't Red China.
As for insults, there are at least 2 members who go out of their way to dispute my opinions, I'll leave it at that.

[Bobby_Ayala]

As always. Him and his boyfriend have made it their ultimate goal in life to rag on the Dodgers every chance they get. I'm flattered they would take their time to do this everyday, but it's a little annoying.

I would love to have the ability to rooftop this guy, you know what I mean?


Dare all you want, . I hope this isn't your clever way of trying to "fly under the radar." Like when your boyfriend, I mean, YOU, implied that the White Sox had one fan in the White Sox season thread.
You may want to polish up your semantics, they are horribly shallow and thinly-veiled.

?


Yeah...no one with a functioning brain really cares for BSPN or their worthless opinions.

Randy Newman, because you bleed Dodger blue through and through.

And again, you can't stop talking about DS in the Phone Park thread.

This is what is called an "obsession." Get the help you so desperately need.I prefer this


to this


That's just an opinion, but I find it interesting that Dodger fans get so offended when people praise the Angels and their fine ballpark.

[ChineseDemocracy]

The ramps, giant helmet, and signage hide the exterior you're so crazy about.

So I would take a beautifully landscaped hill over ramps and other gimmicks.

Thanks. So where does that leave you?

[baseballman1243]

I prefer this


to this


That's just an opinion, but I find it interesting that Dodger fans get so offended when people praise the Angels and their fine ballpark.

The whole scene right around Angels Stadium seems so fake and forced.

[BMF]

I prefer this


to this


That's just an opinion, but I find it interesting that Dodger fans get so offended when people praise the Angels and their fine ballpark.

wow dodgers stadium is really dug in there...it looks cool

[ChineseDemocracy]

Besides, he keeps using that picture from 1962. There are much better pictures from that vantage point that were taken recently. It's in the Dodger Stadium thread, if my memory serves me well.

Not ashamed of that at all. It's not for everyone. Even I sometimes wish there was some more exterior to the stadium; even a beautiful front entrance. It is what it is though, and there is nothing that can be achieved by playing Monday Morning Quarterback. In that regard, it's the most unique stadium. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Cheers.

[jnakamura]

The whole scene right around Angels Stadium seems so fake and forced.

Agreed. It looks as if it's trying very hard to be something it's not. Fiberglass boulders?? Come on... Walt Disney shouldn't do MLB.

[Anubis2051]

Besides, he keeps using that picture from 1962. There are much better pictures from that vantage point that were taken recently. It's in the Dodger Stadium thread, if my memory serves me well.

He does that a lot when he's trying to put down someone's stadium. He keeps using pictures of NYS and Citi under construction. Dodger Stadium looks much better now than it did in 1962, which is saying something, since it's always been a beautiful park.

[Bobby_Ayala]

Besides, he keeps using that picture from 1962. There are much better pictures from that vantage point that were taken recently. It's in the Dodger Stadium thread, if my memory serves me well. I've used the 1962 DS pic twice, here and in a thread about models.


Not ashamed of that at all. It's not for everyone. Even I sometimes wish there was some more exterior to the stadium; even a beautiful front entrance. It is what it is though, and there is nothing that can be achieved by playing Monday Morning Quarterback. In that regard, it's the most unique stadium. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Cheers.
It's not for everyone indeed, but yet everytime someone (myself) states they prefer a particular ballpark over Chavez Ravine, I hear about it non-stop. To call Dodger Stadium "Unique" is a bit of a stretch.

[ChineseDemocracy]

How so? .

[The Old Ballpark]

I've used the 1962 DS pic twice, here and in a thread about models.




It was used several times by a poster named "Mrakbaseball". He had been particularly critical of posts praising Chavez Ravine.

That's probably where the confusion came in that YOU had used it often.

BTW, I've seen literally dozens of older pix of Dodger Stadium, but never that particular one from 1962. I know it's from '62 because it shows the ballpark without the three million dollars of landscaping that Walter O'Malley added over the winter of 1962-63.

Where did you find it?

[Bobby_Ayala]

The Dodger Stadium apologists demand you love Dodger Stadium or else.

Borrowing the criteria used by Mr. Clem Angel Stadium is superior to Dodger Stadium.
1. Field Asymmetry. Angel Stadium
2. Architectural Design. Angel Stadium
3. Seat Proximity. Angel Stadium
4. Location. Angel, much easier to access Orange, I-5, Garden Grove etc.
5. Aesthetics. Angel Stadium, anything beats any combination of yellow and orange seating.

[jnakamura]

So because you and Mr. Clem have the OPINION that Angel Stadium is "better looking" than Dodger Stadium, and the OPINION that asymmetry is more appealing to your personal tastes, you state that as a fact?

Huh?

Explain that to us poor uneducated souls.

How are opinions facts?

Why do you always insist on stating your opinions as facts when they aren't?

[UnderPressure]

Let's face it, if all California ballparks not named Dodger Stadium were all identical to Dolphins Stadium or Metrodome, or Tropicana, Ayala would still pick those over Dodger Stadium.

[whitesox901]

few more early photos of anaheim stadium....damn shame that the scoreboard cant be reincorporated into the present angel stadium....the rams took care of that when they moved it in '79....

Like this it reminds me of a mix of Shea and New Comiskey

[Bobby_Ayala]

So because you and Mr. Clem have the OPINION that Angel Stadium is "better looking" than Dodger Stadium, and the OPINION that asymmetry is more appealing to your personal tastes, you state that as a fact?

Huh?

Explain that to us poor uneducated souls.

How are opinions facts?

Why do you always insist on stating your opinions as facts when they aren't?Exactly what I'm talking about, when I referred to Dodger Stadium apologists who demand you worship all things Dodger. It must be really hot in Portland, get an air conditioner guy. :laugh Never once did I say my opinions should be regarded as facts, but there you go into your patented hissy fit. I prefer Angel Stadium over Dodger Stadium, so sue me. :rolleyes:

Three Rivers it's not.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/bowster/
A ramp dominated facade that works. Should be compared to USCF.

[OBomb]

While I prefer Angel Stadium to that hellhole in Chavez Ravine, I think all of us can agree that Angel Stadium looks a lot better now than it did pre-1998. The stadium (both before and after football expansion) was plain, gray, and drab. Having the Big A scoreboard in left field until 1979 at least gave the place some character. But other than that, blah.

Also most of what Angel Stadium a better place to watch a game than Dodger Stadium is the fanbase. Angels fans, while passionate, are more laid back and much more courteous than Dodgers fans as I have found. I may get reamed for expressing that but I'm going off my observations as well as those made by others.

[Bobby_Ayala]

I prefer Angel Stadium to that hellhole in Chavez Ravine,

jnakamura and ChineseDemocracy take note.:laugh

[jnakamura]

Never once did I say my opinions should be regarded as facts...

Then why do you state them as such?

Opinion: "I prefer the aesthetics of Angel Stadium over Dodger Stadium"

Factual statement: "Angel Stadium is without a doubt aesthetically better than Dodger Stadium"

You only make factual statements, so don't give us any BS about "never once", you ALWAYS do it.

[Bobby_Ayala]

You only make factual statements,
Thanks for the compliment, you're coming around. :cool:

[Bobby_Ayala]

Get real. We defend any slight on Dodger Stadium just as we would if you slighted Vin Scully. And I'd hardly call Vin an inferior broadcaster, although I'm sure you would. :laugh

Again. YOU brought up Vin Scully, I didn't. YOU did. Mr. Scully has nothing to do with the thread. Vin Scully is regarded as one of, if not the best baseball broadcaster of all time. :applaud:

Why would they want to stay? It's a dump, just like your boy Arte says it is :nod:

Well, the Angels lease runs through 2031. :lookitup and the Angels haven't resorted to installing any tacky "beaches" or "Woods" either

[jnakamura]

Again. YOU brought up Vin Scully, I didn't. YOU did. Mr. Scully has nothing to do with the thread. Vin Scully is regarded as one of, if not the best baseball broadcaster of all time.

Let me explain this so even you can understand...

You strangely claimed that by us defending Dodger Stadium, that meant there must be something inferior about it. I pointed out that that makes no sense, and I used an analogy using Vin, to show you how nonsensical your point was.

Perhaps you'd care to explain your point: How does defending something mean that it "must be inferior?"

[marlins739]

Angel Stadium of Anaheim, June 2007 interleague time against the Astros. If you look closely from inside the concourses, you can tell it's from the 60s, but they did a really good job of bringing the place up to modern standards. Only low overhangs and less legroom tip you off

I didn't notice this until I got there, but the rocks form an A


Right field area in the afternoon. The dead space down there is a little awkward, they should find something to do with it


The outfield area from the first base cross aisle


The seating bowl from the right field bleachers.


A look into the dead zone behind the center field fence


Looking towards the infield from the first base side


Outside behind the plate


Inside one of the hats


Exterior from the parking lot


And finally, from the window of the Holiday Inn down the road, with Orange County suburbia and the Big A

[KingmanIII]

They should cover that batter's eye with a grass berm or some plant life.

[Bobby_Ayala]

The RF bleachers were from the 1980 expansion, not the '60s.

[marlins739]

I meant to put that comment at the beginning, since I mean that about the rest of the park, not the right field bleachers. There were places with low overhangs that made it hard to see fly balls that you don't find in newer ballparks, and I noticed there was less legroom than in other parks