The Anahiem Angels win first World Series: It was a wild, wacky and ultimately wonderful 2002 season for the Anahiem Angels, who began the year mired with the worst record in team history and finished up a magical recovery with the best mark after the regular season. It paved the way for an historic, memorable run through the postseason that culminated with a dramatic World Series championship, the first in the history of the franchise. On January 3, 2005 Angels Baseball, L.P. announced that it would change the name of the club from the Anaheim Angels to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.