You’ve heard of “Angels in the Outfield.” Now, collectors in southern California–or those passing through– can enjoy Angels in the airport.
To honor the 56th season of Angels baseball, John Wayne Airport in Orange County is presenting a “Calling All Angels” exhibit in the Vi Smith Concourse Gallery. The exhibition is owned by the Angels and will be on display through July. Ticketed passengers will be able to view the exhibitions in the terminals.
The exhibit is a big one.
Some of the highlights include a glove that belonged to strikeout king Nolan Ryan, a uniform that catcher Benji Molina wore during the 2002 World Series, a bat used by Hall of Famer Rod Carew, and ticket stubs from opening day at Anaheim Stadium in 1966.
There are quite a few pieces of memorabilia from key moments in Angels’ history, like the glove and baseball used by Clyde Wright when he threw a no-hitter at Anaheim Stadium against Oakland on July 3, 1970. That was the first no-hitter tossed at “The Big A.”
There is also a ticket stub from the 1967 All-Star Game, won 2-1 by the National League in 15 innings at Anaheim Stadium. Media guides from the team’s early years, a baseball signed by original owner Gene Autry, and a baseball signed by 1964 Cy Young Award winner Dean Chance is also among the exhibits.
Ticket stubs from some of Ryan’s no-hitters and his 19 strikeout game also are on display. He struck out 19 batters three times during the 1974 season.
And of course, the Rally Monkey will have a presence in the exhibit.
The exhibit also shows photo montages of Angels history, beginning with the franchise’s birth in 1961.
“Angels Baseball is privileged to have the opportunity to partner with John Wayne Airport in a display featuring some of the highlights and memorabilia from the organization’s first 55 years,” Tim Mead, the Angels’ vice president for communications, said in a release. “The exhibit also salutes the fans who bring their unwavering energy, enthusiasm and optimism to the ballpark on a daily basis.”
Tammy Lechter, who runs Still Productions, a Laguna Beach-based storytelling company and is the curator of the exhibit along with Adrienne Helitzer, said the airport exhibit will “help bring people’s memories back.”
“Viewers will look at it and say, ‘I was at the game,’ or, ‘I remember when that happened.’ [Or] ‘I followed him through that season,’” Lechter said. “It’s just a wonderful way of bringing photography and words into another dimension.”
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