Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 9-7 Boston Red Sox
Angels Stadium
6th July 2013
Att 36,112
We ended our East Coast tour two years ago at what I thought was the best stadium of the trip (ironically Fenway Park, home of today's visitors). Unfortunately this time we probably finished with the worse of the trip. I'd actually been to the stadium before when it was known as Anaheim Stadium and was home to the LA Rams as well as the California Angels playing in front of a few thousand. Since then (1991) the Rams have moved to St Louis, the Angels have changed their name more than once, the stadium has been chopped down to create just a baseball arena and there has been considerable investment in the team from owners Disney to make them regular contenders (including a World Series Title in 2002).
Opened in 1966 it is the 4th oldest stadium in the majors. The major renovations took place in 1998 removing the three tier stands (that used to form an enclosed bowl) from the outfield and replace them with bleachers, some grass, a few rocks and a waterfall. But despite this, you are still sat in a 50 year old stadium, and it shows.
If the stadium was the worse of the trip, the game was probably the most exciting, being settled in the 11th inning by a two run home run from the much maligned and out of form Josh Hamilton. Prior to that we had seen the appearance of the famous rally monkey (not heard of it? Google it!) and I will admit to a smile following one of his videos!
We also experienced Red Sox nation on the road for the first time, which was one of the trip's highlights. I don't know how many of the thousands and thousands of Bostonians in the stadium live in the area or had traveled in for the weekend (my hotel was full of them) but it is the most impressive turnout of away fans I have seen in American Sports. They also got a rendition of Sweet Caroline going in the 8th inning. Quality support.
Opened in 1966 it is the 4th oldest stadium in the majors. The major renovations took place in 1998 removing the three tier stands (that used to form an enclosed bowl) from the outfield and replace them with bleachers, some grass, a few rocks and a waterfall. But despite this, you are still sat in a 50 year old stadium, and it shows.
If the stadium was the worse of the trip, the game was probably the most exciting, being settled in the 11th inning by a two run home run from the much maligned and out of form Josh Hamilton. Prior to that we had seen the appearance of the famous rally monkey (not heard of it? Google it!) and I will admit to a smile following one of his videos!
We also experienced Red Sox nation on the road for the first time, which was one of the trip's highlights. I don't know how many of the thousands and thousands of Bostonians in the stadium live in the area or had traveled in for the weekend (my hotel was full of them) but it is the most impressive turnout of away fans I have seen in American Sports. They also got a rendition of Sweet Caroline going in the 8th inning. Quality support.