Top 50 Moments in Angel Stadium History

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General view of Los Angeles Angels halo structure at Angel Stadium. The Halo is lit up after every Angels victory either on the road or at home. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

#50 Greatest Moment –

So we have to start somewhere and what better to start but in the beginning. The first regular season game at the Big “A” was on April 19, 1966 which we already discussed. However the next game on April 20, 1966 is our 50th greatest moment as it was the day where the Angels got the first victory in their new home.

The Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 in 11 innings to record their first of 2,368 home victories. Paul Schaal recorded the first triple in stadium history and went 2 for 4 with two RBI’s in the win. Dean Chance pitched eight strong innings giving up three runs on six hits but got a no decision as the White Sox tied the game in the 6th.

The game would remain tied until the bottom of the 11th inning when a Joe Adcock pinch-hit single scored catcher Buck Rodgers to make a winner out of Ed Sukla. Sukla had pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. Rodgers was 3 for 5 in the game with two runs scored. Angels Hall of Fame member second baseman Bobby Knopp also went 4 for 5 with a run scored.

For the 12,381 fans who were in attendance at the three hour and thirty-eight minute contest they got their money’s worth. You know what they say “You never forget your first time”.

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