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Current Video:Angels timeline: 1997|
Look back into the Angels' history, celebrating 50 years.
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-- Disney as the new creative owners of the Angels. You know people expected -- changes for the 1997. Season. And gold -- did they get them. First the official -- game from the California Angels for the Anaheim Angels. Then a new logo. And the new uniform. -- this. Awful. Initially there was something exciting about thing in the business -- You know they got so we're past. Couple of fit my dad my kids like effectively enough sign -- it might mention actually thought they thought. When Disney took over it was more VA in marketing tool for them. That's not to say one way is better than the other but they're definitely different citizen and you can tell them -- is the Autry the Autry sold team. Take it credit create a lot more entertainment environment within the ballpark and some things we certainly didn't have to. I admire the business document the Disney taught us this ballpark is built because -- Disney. But 100 million dollar renovation of the big game also got underway. One of its goals opening that panoramic view beyond center field to woods' former glory. And finally a new attitude. Angel -- hired Terry Collins. I date a 160 pound bundle of energy at their feisty new manager. A career minor league infielder who managed the Astros for three seasons. Collins gold and light a fire under these Angels. Its -- to work in his first full season Darin Erstad hit to me -- and it's next sixteen home runs. First He was guy that was so focus would run through anything. Play the game exactly how its course before it. There was no nonsense about anything yours today it was all about given Max effort every opportunity yeah. I was you really do vice figured you are seeing how long ago you said Spears self. And my parents for -- just have fun playing and I'll have a place. It is just pulled out a lot running things and get dirty apparently fans like that happen. Garret Anderson also stepped up hitting 303. With -- 92 RBIs 189. Hit a -- team record. And then there's the -- there's Tim Salmon. Boudreau then 129. Runs with -- 33 home runs his third straight season with thirty or more homers. For pure excitement. One catch tonight Jim Edmonds -- the ball. -- -- I was right there front sooner had the best view of anybody watched him make that catch in Kansas City and you know He can go get them. They have her most is the look on semi space. When I rolled over and it was kind of run and how mean He was this on the biggest Ron's face and like I can probably be to stop them law it was one of those things those are some mailing. I was still pride -- just so much oddity cottage in but but yeah it was it was it was amazing catch that was a pretty special moments in my life. Needless to say Jim won his first gold glove in 97. One of the most talented guys. That I'd ever seen play and goes back to and learn minor leagues coming -- you could turn on you know you're through this term guys could flip the switch. He was that guy who's that guy I would not before even really understood what it -- -- together to find it funny. 1997. Also marked the first year of interleague play and the first regular season freeways serious with the Dodgers. The boys in blue won all four games and once again halo faithful. Had reason to beat blew at least temporarily when it came that are older cousins up the freeway. We. Play bad -- on the freeway series there could be 60000 people here but you know. 45000. They have tradition they had a lot of things that the Angels were never able to do live -- four championships under their belt -- has great. Teams that have been -- planning a postseason play. The Angels are going that direction now. But you know when you have that history and it is really hard to compete whether it really is. On July 29. Chuck -- mowed down the Indians 72. To become the angels' all time leader in wins with 139. Inspired play helped the halos -- first place as late as August 19. I enjoyed watching Chelsea can enjoy it. He wasn't the dominant force. But here's the toughest guy -- take the mound to watch a guy who -- to give up four runs in the first inning and he's out there in the eighth inning with a 140 pitches. Not willing to give the ball I think anybody that's ever talk about chuck Finley -- have nothing but respect shorter. The factor that I never wanted to come off the mound. Isn't thrilled so it really watch him. Compete because He was a serious competitive guy. I can't think of -- -- that I played with about rather -- my corner. Construction. And I mean that in any situation personally. Or athletics. Wonderfully strong. Voice -- And I think the world. Unfortunately. The dog days of summer nipped at the halos heels. And by season's end the Angels with the 84 wins finished six games behind the division winning Mariners. Nevertheless their best record since 1989. If Terry Collins could keep motivating. -- the youngsters could keep heading. And if this thing could you imagine hearing. The forecast remains -- -- guys ahead where these new book Angel.