| The original Angels played in perhaps the most beautiful minor league park of all time -- L.A.'s Wrigley Field. Famous Angels included outfielders outfielders Jigger Statz and Smead Jolley first baseman Steve Bilko and future Rifleman TV star Chuck Connors. The Pacific Coast League Because of its geographic separation from the rest of organized baseball, and the temperate climate of most of its member cities, the Pacific Coast League (1904 - 1957) developed a brand of baseball all its own. Another factor that made this loop unique was that the Coast League teams remained largely independent of the Majors, with most players staying for many years. This stability allowed fans to feel like they knew the players personally. Many players were born and raised locally, and this helped created intense rivalries, like that between the Hollywood Stars and Los Angeles Angels. The Coast League's real aspiration was to become the third major league. In 1952, the PCL was granted Open classification for the purpose of evolving toward major league status. Of course, that dream died when the Dodgers and Giants moved West, robbing the PCL of their most lucrative markets, and returning it to an AAA designation. |
