A fictionalized version of the group appeared in the sports fantasy movie Angels in the Outfield by Walt Disney Pictures in 1994.
The Walt Disney Company bought the franchise in 1996, and it changed its name to Anaheim Angels in 1997. The squad won its first and only World Series in 2002 while it was owned by Disney.
Although the squad still has some ties to Disney, it was sold to advertising tycoon Arte Moreno in 2003.
Because Disney intended Anaheim to be a “destination city” similar to Orlando, Florida, which is close to Walt Disney World, the team’s name was changed to the Anaheim Angels.
Considerable supporters felt that the “Anaheim” portion of the team’s name was too “small time” and that the name no longer accurately reflected the full state of California. This led to some controversy.
Fans made fun of the new white and blue pinstriped jerseys with the new Angels emblem that were used for the team’s outfits.
With new red and white uniforms and an updated Angels emblem, the team underwent another rebranding in 2002. Red and silver were painted over the Big A outside the stadium to resemble the new Angels emblem.
The Walt Disney Company sold the team to Arte Moreno on May 15, 2003, making him the first Hispanic owner of a significant American sports franchise.
He gained popularity among the crowd by bringing down the cost of admission and snacks and investing money to hire more talented players.
Why Did Disney Sell The Angels?
“They are inadequate for athletics. They don’t want to field a winning squad; they only want to amuse the crowd.” Disney’s issues were just getting started.
The Autry family chose to sell the Angels organization during the devastating baseball players’ strike of 1994–1995.