Aug. 31, 1964 - Before more than 1,000 enthusiastic fans, ground was broken this morning for the new $16 million Anaheim Stadium which is to be the home of the Los Angeles Angels beginning in 1966.
The site of the 150-acre location, which was purchased for about $4 million, is 2000 State College Blvd. between Katella and Orangewood Ave.
With dozens of Anaheim, Orange County, and Los Angeles civic leaders present, Mayor O.L. (Chuck) Chandler welcomed the Angels to their new ballpark.
Accepting on behalf of the Angels were chairman of the board Gene Autry, president Robert O. Reynolds, co-owner L.K. Firestone, and manager Bill Rigney.
Rigney voiced the hope, as did Reynolds, that the Angels would be able to bring Anaheim a championship club in the near future. Rigney also wisecracked, “It’s about time we got something of our own. We’re tickled to death over the move.”
After Angel players — Bob Rodgers, Jim Fregosi, Vic Power, and Jim Piersall — were introduced, a fire truck from Disneyland drove up to the main podium, and Tommy Walker, representing Walt Disney, presented a pennant to Rigney. It was a Mickey Mouse flag.
Mayor Sam Yorty of Los Angeles congratulated the Angels on securing the cooperation of Anaheim and Orange County officials. The L.A. mayor said he was sorry he couldn’t keep the Angels in Los Angeles.
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