The California Angels, formerly known as the Los Angeles Angels, boast a visually rich and evolving uniform history. From their inception in 1961 to 1996, the team’s uniforms have mirrored baseball fashion trends while maintaining a distinct identity. This article explores the fascinating changes in the California Angels Uniforms during these formative years, showcasing the home and road jerseys, detailing manufacturer variations, and highlighting key design elements that define each era. Join us as we delve into the sartorial story of the California Angels, a team whose uniforms are as captivating as their on-field legacy.
1961-64: The Los Angeles Angels’ Early Style
In their inaugural years as the Los Angeles Angels, the team sported classic baseball uniforms crafted by Rawlings for home games and Tim McAuliffe for road games. These early uniforms established the foundation for the Angels’ visual identity.
The road jerseys from 1961 featured a simple yet elegant design, embodying the traditional aesthetic of early 1960s baseball attire.
The 1962 home uniforms, also by Rawlings, presented a clean and classic look, typical of baseball jerseys from that era.
Continuing the design from the previous year, the 1962 road uniforms maintained the established style.
In 1963, Spalding joined Rawlings as a home uniform manufacturer, while Tim McAuliffe continued to produce the road jerseys. This marked a slight diversification in uniform providers.
Rawlings’ 1963 home jerseys exemplified the classic baseball uniform, known for its quality and traditional design.
Spalding’s version of the 1963 home jersey offered a slightly different take while adhering to the team’s established look.
The 1963 road uniforms, crafted by Tim McAuliffe, maintained consistency in design and manufacturer.
In 1964, Rawlings became the sole provider for home jerseys, with Tim McAuliffe continuing to produce the road uniforms. This streamlined the manufacturing for the home attire.
Rawlings maintained their role as the home jersey manufacturer in 1964, ensuring quality and a consistent team aesthetic.
Tim McAuliffe continued to be the manufacturer for the 1964 road jerseys, preserving the uniform style.
1965-69: Transition to California Angels and Script Change
Moving to Anaheim in 1965 marked a significant change, with the team rebranding as the California Angels. This era saw the road jersey script updated to “Angels,” reflecting the team’s new geographical identity. Tim McAuliffe became a prominent manufacturer during this period.
The 1965 home jerseys retained a classic baseball look, now representing the California Angels.
The 1965 road jerseys debuted the new “Angels” script, a key identifier for the team going forward.
In 1966, Rawlings and Spalding shared home jersey manufacturing again, alongside Tim McAuliffe for road jerseys. This dual home manufacturer setup returned for this season.
Rawlings continued to produce home jerseys in 1966, maintaining their established quality and style.
Rawlings’ 1966 home jerseys further solidified the team’s classic uniform design.
The 1966 road jerseys, still by Tim McAuliffe, remained consistent with the previous year’s design.
For 1967, Rawlings was the sole home jersey manufacturer, while Tim McAuliffe continued to produce the road jerseys. This simplified the home uniform production once again.
Rawlings became the exclusive home jersey provider in 1967, ensuring uniform consistency.
Tim McAuliffe continued to manufacture the road jerseys in 1967, maintaining the established design.
Wilson took over home jersey production in 1968, while Tim McAuliffe remained the road jersey manufacturer. This marked a change in home uniform providers.
Wilson became the new home jersey manufacturer in 1968, bringing their expertise to the California Angels uniforms.
Tim McAuliffe’s road jerseys in 1968 continued the team’s established uniform tradition.
In 1969, Spalding became the home uniform manufacturer, and McAuliffe Uniform (formerly Tim McAuliffe) produced the road jerseys. The MLB 100th Anniversary patch was a notable addition this year.
Spalding took over home jersey manufacturing in 1969, also incorporating the special MLB anniversary patch.
The MLB 100th Anniversary patch was prominently featured on the 1969 home uniforms.
McAuliffe Uniform continued producing the road jerseys in 1969, maintaining design continuity.
1970: California Sleeve Patch and Name on Back (NOB) Introduction
1970 brought further modifications, including the addition of a California sleeve patch. Name on Back (NOB) was also introduced to both home and road jerseys, although surviving examples from this year are scarce. Spalding manufactured the home jerseys, and McAuliffe Uniform continued with the road jerseys.
The California sleeve patch was a new addition in 1970, enhancing the team’s regional identity.
The 1970 road jerseys also featured the new California sleeve patch, creating a unified team look.
1971: Last Flannel Season and Unique Cap Style
1971 marked the final season for flannel jerseys and introduced a new look. A unique one-year cap style was also debuted. Rawlings produced the home jerseys, and McAuliffe Uniform continued with the road jerseys.
The 1971 home jerseys were the last of the flannel style, representing the end of an era.
The 1971 road jerseys also marked the end of the flannel era, with a design unique to this final season.
1972: Debut of Double Knit Poly Jerseys and Button-Down Style
In 1972, the California Angels transitioned to double-knit polyester jerseys. These jerseys maintained a button-down style for this one year only. The road script changed to red with white trim, and a new cap logo was introduced. Rawlings produced home jerseys, while both Rawlings and McAuliffe Uniform manufactured road jerseys.
The 1972 home jerseys were the first in double-knit polyester, a significant shift in uniform material.
The 1972 road jerseys featured a striking red script and the new double-knit polyester fabric.
1973-74: Pullover Jerseys and Uppercase “A”
The 1973 season saw the “a” in “Angels” change to uppercase “A” and a switch to pullover jerseys. The road script trim was updated to navy, and NOB was removed from road jerseys. McAuliffe Uniform produced home jerseys, and Rawlings manufactured road jerseys.
The 1973 home jerseys transitioned to a pullover style and featured the new uppercase “A” logo.
The 1973 road jerseys also adopted the pullover style and featured navy trim on the script.
In 1974, W.A. Goodman & Sons took over home jersey manufacturing. The pullover style and uppercase “A” were maintained.
W.A. Goodman & Sons became the new home jersey provider in 1974, continuing the pullover style.
1975: NOB Returns to Road Jersey
1975 saw the return of Name on Back (NOB) to the road jerseys. W.A. Goodman & Sons continued to make home jerseys, and Rawlings remained the road jersey manufacturer.
NOB remained absent from the 1975 home jerseys.
The 1975 road jerseys reintroduced NOB, a feature that had been absent in previous years.
1976-77: NOB Removed from Home and Road Jerseys
For the 1976 and 1977 seasons, NOB was removed from both home and road jerseys. W.A. Goodman & Sons continued producing home jerseys, and Rawlings remained the road jersey manufacturer.
NOB was absent from the 1976 home jerseys, continuing the trend from the previous year.
The 1976 road jerseys also lacked NOB, creating a minimalist look for both home and away uniforms.
The NOB absence continued for the 1977 home jerseys, maintaining the uniform style.
1978: NOB Returns Again
1978 saw the return of NOB, although some jerseys from this year are found without it. W.A. Goodman & Sons remained the home jersey manufacturer, and Rawlings continued with the road jerseys.
Despite the return of NOB in 1978, some examples, like this home jersey, still appeared without it.
1979-80: Larger Lettering and Number Font Change
For 1979 and 1980, the lettering and numbers on the California Angels uniforms became larger and thicker, accompanied by a change in the number font. NOB was again absent from both jerseys. Wilson produced home jerseys, and W.A. Goodman & Sons manufactured road jerseys.
The 1979 home jerseys featured noticeably larger lettering and a new number font.
The 1979 road jerseys mirrored the home style changes with larger script and numbers.
The larger font style continued into the 1980 season for the home uniforms.
The 1980 road jerseys also maintained the larger lettering and number font style.
1981-85: NOB Returns Again
NOB made yet another return in 1981 and remained a feature through 1985. Wilson produced home jerseys, and W.A. Goodman & Sons manufactured road jerseys. The team also wore a 25th-anniversary patch in 1985.
NOB was reintroduced to the home jerseys in 1981, becoming a consistent feature again.
The 1981 road jerseys also featured the return of NOB, creating uniform consistency.
NOB was maintained on the 1982 home jerseys, continuing the established style.
The 1982 road jerseys also continued to feature NOB, keeping the uniforms consistent.
The NOB style was consistently applied to the 1983 home jerseys.
The 1983 road jerseys also maintained the NOB feature, ensuring uniform consistency.
The NOB style was consistently applied to the 1984 home jerseys.
The 1984 road jerseys maintained the NOB feature, continuing the uniform style.
The 1985 home jerseys featured a special 25th-anniversary patch, commemorating the team’s milestone.
The 1985 road jerseys also displayed the 25th-anniversary patch, unifying the celebratory design.
1986-88: New Sleeve Patch Design
A new sleeve patch design was introduced in 1986 and continued through 1988. Wilson manufactured home jerseys, and Rawlings produced road jerseys. In 1988, nameplates were used due to a player name change, an exception to the usual NOB style. The cap logo also became tapered in 1988.
The 1986 home jerseys featured a newly designed sleeve patch, updating the uniform’s look.
The 1986 road jerseys also incorporated the new sleeve patch design, creating a unified team appearance.
Rawlings became the sole manufacturer for both home and road jerseys in 1987. The new sleeve patch design continued.
Rawlings became the uniform manufacturer for both home and road jerseys in 1987.
Rawlings produced the road jerseys in 1987, ensuring manufacturer consistency across all uniforms.
Nameplates were used on the 1988 home jerseys due to a specific player name change, a unique detail for this season.
The 1988 road jerseys also reflected the changes in cap logo, which became tapered at the top of the “A”.
1989-92: Button-Downs Return, NOB Nameplates Used
Button-down jerseys made a comeback in 1989, replacing pullovers. NOB nameplates were now used on all jerseys. The cap logo thickened, matching the sleeve patch logo. Rawlings continued as the sole manufacturer. An All-Star Game patch was worn in 1989.
Button-down jerseys returned in 1989 for the home uniforms, marking a shift back to a classic style.
The 1989 road jerseys also featured button-down styling and NOB nameplates, along with the All-Star Game patch.
NOB nameplates were maintained on the 1990 home jerseys, continuing the style.
The 1990 road jerseys also continued to feature NOB nameplates, keeping the uniforms consistent.
The NOB nameplate style was consistently applied to the 1991 home jerseys.
The 1991 road jerseys also maintained the NOB nameplate feature, ensuring uniform consistency.
The 1992 road jerseys continued with the NOB nameplate style, keeping the uniforms consistent.
1993-94: Retro Look Influenced by the 1960s
A significant uniform overhaul in 1993 brought a retro look heavily inspired by the 1960s style. New home and road caps were introduced. Russell Athletic became the new manufacturer.
The 1993 home jerseys adopted a retro 1960s-inspired design, marking a significant style change.
The 1993 road jerseys also reflected the retro 1960s influence, completing the uniform redesign.
In 1994, the MLB 125th Anniversary patch was added to the uniforms. Russell Athletic continued as the manufacturer.
The 1994 home jerseys featured the MLB 125th Anniversary patch, adding a commemorative element.
The 1994 road jerseys also displayed the MLB 125th Anniversary patch, unifying the celebratory design across all uniforms.
1995-96: Alternate Jersey Added
An alternate jersey was introduced in 1995, expanding the California Angels uniform options. Russell Athletic remained the manufacturer in 1995, and Wilson took over in 1996. A 35th-anniversary patch was worn in 1995.
The 1995 home jerseys featured a 35th-anniversary patch, celebrating another team milestone.
The 1995 road jerseys also displayed the 35th-anniversary patch, unifying the celebratory look.
The 1995 alternate jersey was introduced, adding a new dimension to the team’s uniform set.
Wilson became the manufacturer in 1996, continuing the home, road, and alternate jersey styles.
Wilson took over as the uniform manufacturer in 1996, maintaining the established designs.
Wilson also produced the 1996 road jerseys, ensuring consistent manufacturing across the uniform set.
Wilson also manufactured the alternate jerseys in 1996, completing their first year as the uniform provider.
