Fact #2: First Angels number retired

The first number retired by the Angels franchise was not for a player, but instead for the original owner, Gene Autry. The number that was retired for Gene was #26, because he was the "26th man" for the team. The number was retired in 1982. When Major League Baseball was expanding in 1960-61, he just wanted the broadcasting rights to the team. Instead he served as the owner for the Angels for 38 years until it was sold to Disney during his final years.