Halo Baseball

Official Review by Drew Cieszynski, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

While Angels are often known as intermediaries between heaven and earth, Angel Stadium has been an intermediary between Southern California fans and the game of baseball. There has been no shortness of “baseball miracles” here, including three All-Star games, a World Series Championship, no-hitters, a 500th home run, and a 3,000th hit.

While Dodger Stadium may receive more fanfare, Angel Stadium certainly deserves to be mentioned among baseball’s great venues. Since 1966, this venue has been a key part of Los Angeles-based sports, providing memorable events and the setting for many Hollywood pictures. Few stadiums have been able to adapt so drastically over the years to meet the ever-changing needs of sports fans.

Believe it or not, when Gene Autry originally founded the team, Wrigley Field was the first home of the Angels during the 1961 season. Not the world-famous Wrigley Field in Chicago, but rather the Los Angeles version named for the same William Wrigley Jr. This venue was quickly deemed unsuitable for MLB baseball due to a ridiculous power alley which averaged three home runs per game. The solution would have the Angels sharing Chavez Ravine with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1962 to 1965. In 1964, construction on a stadium in Anaheim began and would cost approximately $24 million. In 1966, the Angels were ready to invite approximately 43,200 fans and call it home. Upon opening its gates, it would be referred to as Anaheim Stadium and eventually nicknamed “The Big A.”

Unfortunately for many baseball fans, the Los Angeles Rams began to share the stadium in 1980. The demand for additional seating would cause the stadium to become enclosed to accommodate an additional 23,000 seats. Now with a capacity of roughly 65,000, the additional seating would come at a cost in that it would block the beautiful views of the San Gabriel Mountains and Route 57. The stadium now seemed very different as it appeared like this.

In 1997, the baseball gods would look down upon Anaheim once again and declare that the stadium would be re-opened. Approximately $100 million in renovations would give the Angel fans a true ballpark once again. The new look would make its debut on April 1, 1998. This new layout would offer 5,075 club seats, 68 club level suites, and dugout level suites.

Food & Beverage    4

As you'll read below, there are hoards of food options throughout the stadium. Some of the typical stadium fare includes pizza ($6, add pepperoni for $0.50), Angel Dog ($4.50), peanuts ($2.50 or $6), and cracker jacks ($3.50).

At the Major League Deli, you can get a California Turkey Club, New York Pastrami, or French dip; each for $9.75. One of the newer and more unique options at the ballpark this year is the fried hot dog, available for $7.50.

Perhaps the most famous items at Angel stadium are found at Clyde Wright's BBQ. Mr. Wright is a name familiar to most Angel fans as he threw the first no hitter for Angels at Anaheim Stadium. Some of the options here include Pulled Pork BBQ ($9.75), BBQ Beef Brisket ($9.75), Skeeter ($8.50), Italian sausage ($8), Louisana hot link ($8), Bratwurst ($8), All-Star dog ($7.50), Angus cheeseburger ($6.75), Corn on the cob ($3.50), and Franks & Beans ($2.50).

The stadium offers a mix of unique cuisine as well as many branded vendors, such as Panda Express and Jack in the Box.

For those desiring Mexican treats, options include street tacos ($7.50) and a slew of nacho varieties. These include the signature barbacoa nachos ($9.25), heavenly nachos ($9.25), and big league nachos ($6.50). The most stunning option carried a price tag of $16.50, and was virtually a full size Angels helmet full of loaded nachos.

Some of the beverage options include Coke products in a variety of sizes. Options include the small for $2.75, medium for $4.50, and a large for $6. Other options include Gatorade ($6), Lipton Iced Tea ($6), ICEE ($4.50), and bottled water for $3.75.

The beer options are plentiful as you can get varying sizes at most stands ($4.50, $7.75, & $9). If you enjoy the aluminum bottles, they are also available. One of the greatest novelties for beer drinkers is the souvenir Angels cup that fans can get behind right field for $10. Some of the beer options include Coors, Blue Moon, Miller Lite, Harp, Smithwicks, Guinness, Fat Tire, and Pyramid brewing. Mike's Hard Lemonade ($8.25) and cocktails are available for those who do not prefer beer.

Atmosphere    4

Once you set foot into Angel Stadium, and even into the early innings you'll notice a rather relaxed atmosphere. The sun is usually shining, the mountains surrounding the stadium are in view, and most of the fans are still caught in traffic.

This is a good opportunity to check out the Angels Authentics sections which houses some interesting merchandise commemorating great moments at the stadium. You may also gander to the Budweiser Pavilion and check out the secluded retired numbers or the Angel's Hall of Fame behind home plate.

The game starts off with the song "Calling All Angels" by Train, which is a nice touch for incorporating the team nickname, but isn't necessarily a tune that pumps you up for the game. Another song familiar to Angel fans is "Fill Me Up Buttercup," which is played during the seventh inning at every home game.

The landmark "California Spectacular" seems to be the cue for a lot of the atmosphere. This familiar site in centerfield features erupting geysers and steams that cascade down an artificial mountainside with trees. Fireworks are set off from the display at the start of the game, after home runs, and after wins. Be sure to walk around the 200 level to see the rear of the display and the interesting "A" in the rock formation.

The best part of the atmosphere is easily summed up in two words: "Rally Monkey." Never did I dream that such a simple idea of the image of a monkey on the scoreboard would get the fans so invigorated. I'm sure few will admit it, but many Angel's fans may hope that their team is trailing in the late innings just for a chance to see this digital mascot.

Unfortunately the intro to his appearance is a bit drawn out. At first, the fan's interest is piqued by subtle images of "If You Make Noise, He Will Come." Unfortunately, the fans interest seems to taper as the jumbotron shows images of old movies in an attempt to create a more important climax for the appearance of the monkey. Eventually, the fans who are still awake through the buildup hear the signature line from "Down With the Sickness" by Disturbed and go nuts when the monkey appears with a sign reading "Rally Time." From there the sound system goes into "Jump Around" by House of Pain and the stadium literally goes ape S**t!

The one part that I really dislike about the stadium is how much that they have commercialized it. The "California Spectacular" in left-centerfield is ruined by big obvious Monster Energy display. The home run wall and cup holders are covered in advertisements and unfortunately this takes a bit away from the beauty of the stadium.

A popular phrase after an Angel's win is "Light up that Halo!" Listen as fans shout it out after the game. What they are referring to is the large "A" outside of the stadium. After a win, the halo will illuminate and inform passersby of an Angels' win.

Neighborhood    3

If nothing else, Anaheim is known for being home to Disneyland, the much more intimate cousin of Disney World. The Disney of Anaheim will provide a much better neighborhood, much better weather, and fewer clueless tourists than its counterpart in Florida.

Immediately next to the stadium, you'll find "The Grove," a 1,700 person concert venue. Check the schedule to see if you would be interested in catching a show during your visit to Anaheim Stadium. On any given week, you'll get a chance to see nationally known comedians or musicians.

Off Katella Ave, you'll find "The Catch," a restaurant that has served the fans of Angel Stadium for over 30 years. The restaurant serves up some impressive steaks, Chilean seabass, drunken mahi-mahi, among other things, but it seems to be the burgers that stand out here. Sure, everyone has "good burgers," but the options here are a bit more elevated in uniqueness. Of course, the restaurant has quickly become most renowned around Anaheim for its "OMG Burger." This $36.00 burger might be worth the price just to see it in person. 4 pound patty, 14" bun, 10 slices of cheese. The prices here are a bit more than you will find at most eateries in the area, but the different experience is well worth the price.

Between Interstate 5 and the stadium, you can also stop in at the OC Sports Grill. For the sports fan, they have 3 thirteen foot projector screens, over 50 flat screens, 2 full bars, 8 pool tables, so plenty of entertainment is available. 18 draft beers are offered, but potentially most interesting is the 100 ounce beer tappers you can have served at your table. The menu features all sorts of "Orange County-inspired" names, but some of the more interesting options include the "Angel" wings (with Thai Peanut, Habanero, and Garlic Parmesan sauces), lettuce wraps, and 6 different cuts of french fries (with a variety of toppings and spices that can be added).

Another option near the stadium is JT Schmid's, which offers an extensive menu and its own onsite brewery. You can have pizza, tacos, steaks, and seafood, but the real draw here seems to be their sweet potato fries. Another interesting option is the "Twenty Dollar Burger" which is topped with an eight ounce prime rib, bacon, swiss cheese, and avocado. While their beverage offerings are much beyond beer, they do offer at least six house brews including a light beer, an India Pale Ale, Hefeweizen, Amber, and a Stout. If you are not the adventurous type, they still offer the typical Budweiser, Coors, Hoegarden, Stella, and Woodchuck options.

If you are in a rush, fast options include Panda Express, Rubio's (famous for the fish tacos), Subway, McDonald's, Denny's, and Carl's Jr.

Fans    4

The Angels make it easy for fans to want to show up during the season with the great giveaways offered at the stadium. It seems that year after year the team comes up with clever options.

Behind home plate, you'll find a huge list of season ticket holders and if you look closely, you'll notice that many of them have been around for quite a few years.

The fans do seem to truly enjoy themselves at the game, namely the children. The area in the centerfield concourse offers children all sorts of fun including the halo toss, speed pitch, and video game area. You will also notice most of them carrying plush rally monkeys around the stadium. The Angels have embraced these little leaguers and even show little league cards of their current players on some of the walls throughout the concourse.

I've noticed that most Angels fans are passionate, but not overly passionate like their cross-town rivals. They seem to support the team through thick and thin and make their support known to the players throughout the game.

Access    4

With the stadium located in Anaheim, it is slightly less aggravating than getting to Dodger Stadium, but troublesome nevertheless. With crowds going to the nearby Honda Center or Disneyland, you could run into some brutal traffic here as well.

If you are not driving to the stadium, other transportation options include the Metrolink Orange Line or Amtrak. These railways drop you off at the edge of the parking lot, providing easy access to the stadium. This is a large benefit for fans in San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and San Diego as they can now easily get to the stadium without fighting traffic.

If you are driving from the south, you can take the I-805 N to the I-5 N to the CA-57 N and take the Orangewood Ave exit. From downtown Los Angeles, you'll take the I-10 E to the I-5 South and take the Katella Ave exit. Finally, if you have some free time during a trip, you can get to the stadium from LAX airport by taking the I-405 South to the CA-22 E and taking the City Drive exit.

For a professional Southern California-based team, parking is extremely reasonable at $10.00. There are three entrances to the lot and you can enter any one of them as early as 2.5 hours prior to the game.

Unfortunately, unless your desire is to walk around the stadium or try and snag some batting practice balls, there is little or no reason to show up early. That's due to the unfortunate restrictions on tailgating. Alcohol is strictly prohibited and only approved grilling devices are allowed. This was probably my biggest complaint with the venue. With such a vast parking lot, that is a bit removed from the downtown, you would think it would be the perfect setting (similar to Milwaukee) for great tailgating. I would be willing to pay a few extra dollars for parking if tailgating was incorporated into the gameday experience.

Once inside the stadium, you'll find a large plaza outside of the main areas. This allows the fans a moment to step away from the action and catch your breath if need be. If you stop by here, make sure to bring your camera along as you'll see a statue of the club's longtime owner/chairman Gene Autry and another of Michelle Carew (daughter of Hall of Famer Rod Carew).

Some extra access points go to the stadium for a policy that you rarely find at professional venues. Here you can exit and re-enter the stadium at the Home Plate Gate with a hand stamp and a ticket stub. Now, should you forget something in your vehicle, you are not necessarily out of luck!

Further inside of the stadium, you'll notice four levels of seating. Make your way to the 200 level prior to the game as this is the only level that allows you to completely encircle the field.

The restrooms are not difficult to come by as there are 24 each for both men and women. At no point during my many visits this season did I experience any overly-long lines or frustrations with the restrooms.

Return on Investment    4

For a professional team in Southern California, the Angels offer some amazing values in regards to parking and cuisine prices. Even the beer prices are amazingly reasonable for what I've become accustomed to in the area.

As for the tickets, the stadium offers over 30 different ticket prices (with prices varying greatly due to the opponent). Tickets can be had for as low as $5.00 for adults, but you can score some really decent seats for $40.00.

I do honestly think that Angel Stadium is one of the best values in all of baseball, especially if you have children. As I've preached on many times in this review, I do think the investment would be even more worthwhile if the organization would allow fans to tailgate for an additional fee so that they can enjoy the weather around the ballpark and mingle with other Angels' fans.

Extras    5

With so many years under its belt, Angel Stadium has quite a few extras to brag about. This stadium is tough and fights back against adversity. For instance, in 1994, the Northridge earthquake caused nearly $4 million in damages. The stadium was quickly repaired and back in uniform in no time.

Most notable among the extras is the "Big A" sign now found in the parking lot. At 210 tons and 230 feet tall, this landmark is familiar to most Southern California residents. It was formerly part of the interior stadium and acted as the scoreboard, but was moved the parking during renovations to expand the stadium. The halo at the top of the sign is illuminated when the Angels win. Other than letting passersby know that the home team has won, there is an LED screen that provides updates on the game, upcoming promotions, or sponsor messages.

The stadium has witnessed its fair share of baseball history over the years. With some stadiums still hoping to host a first All-Star Game, this venue has hosted three (1967, 1989, & 2010)! The 2002 World Series was won here and the 2006 World Baseball Classic was also played here. Beyond just some of the big games, the stadium has been witness to several big events. Mickey Mantle hit his final game-winning home run here, Nolan Ryan once struck out nine straight batters, Reggie Jackson hit home run #500 and Vladimir Guerrero launched #400. Two Hall-of-Famers, Rod Carew and George Brett, each recorded hit #3,000 in Anaheim.

Credit is also given to the stadium for appearing in two major motion pictures. Everyone certainly remembers Angel Stadium from the movie "Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad," although many of the interior shots were actually filmed at Dodger Stadium. The lesser known movie starring the Angels was "Angels in the Outfield," starring Danny Glover. Unfortunately once again, many of the interior shots for this movie were filmed at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum .

Another can't miss landmark is the plaza in front of the stadium. Here you will spot the iconic giant Angels hats. Even if you parked in the rear of the stadium, be sure you circle around and take a look at these. You may even take note of the hat size of 649 1/2 on the sweat band. Below the hats, you'll find a full-size brick infield. The distance between the mound and the bases is regulation, so this presents an opportunity to get a feel for the size of a true MLB diamond. The bricks near the respective positions list the names of the Angels players since 1961 who have started at these positions. Other bricks in the plaza can be purchased for $99 and engraved with a fan's name or message.

I've already mentioned the two statues that you can observe (Gene Autry at gate 2 and Michelle Carew at gate 3), but I have not mentioned the music garden at Gate 1. This spacious area allows you to get away from the action and sometimes enjoy some post-game concerts.

Most casual fans associate the "California Spectacular" in centerfield as the prime extra at Angel Stadium, but clearly there are many, many other notable attractions!

Final Thoughts

The sports fan can find a myriad of reasons to check out an Angel's game in Anaheim during the course of his or her lifetime. Obviously, any stop in Los Angeles for business warrants a visit, but incorporating a visit when you take the kids to Disneyland, stopping on the way to San Diego, or during a vacation to one of the beach cities of Orange Country are other options.

Although Angel Stadium has now become the 4th oldest in the MLB (trailing only Fenway, Wrigley, and Dodger Stadium), it does not show its age as explicity as many of the other older ones did prior to retirement. Sure, the concourse shows age and the cement ramps remind fans of yesteryear, but Angel Stadium still provides a modern feel for an MLB game.

Whether you call them the California, Los Angeles, or Anaheim Angels, be sure to include their venue in your travel plans next time you are in Southern California.

Follow Drew's travels through Southern California via username @big10drew on Twitter & Instagram .