# Angels–Athletics rivalry

The Angels–Athletics rivalry is a Major League Baseball (MLB) divisional rivalry played between the Los Angeles Angels and the Athletics. Both teams compete as member clubs of the American League (AL) West division, and both teams have grown a steady rivalry since the Athletics' relocation to California and to the AL West in 1968. Though not as intense as the Dodgers–Giants rivalry equivalent in the National League (NL) West; the A's and Angels have often battled for the division title on numerous occasions, with the added animosity between Northern and Southern California fueling the matchups. Despite this; the Athletics' relocation to Las Vegas possibly for the 2025 season likely wouldn't exclude geography as a factor, as Las Vegas is closer in proximity to Southern California. The Athletics lead the series 541–491, and the two teams have yet to meet in the postseason.

## Background

The Angels joined the American in 1961 as an expansion team. The Athletics relocated to Oakland in 1968 after owner Charlie Finley endured much difficulty in securing a new ballpark in Kansas City, though Kansas City would later be granted an expansion franchise in 1969 known today as the Royals. The Athletics were one of the oldest franchises in league history, having joined the MLB in 1901 as the Philadelphia Athletics. Both teams struggled mightily through the 1960s as both encountered mediocre play, however; the Athletics began to quickly emerge as postseason titans, winning three straight World Series titles from 1972 to 1974. The Angels found a brief moment of postseason success as they reached the playoffs for the first time in 1979. The A's continued to stay competitive through the 1980s as they managed three appearances across the decade in the ALCS, even managing to win yet another World Series in 1989. The Angels would also manage two appearances in the ALCS in 1982 and 1986, but lost both times.
Both teams dealt with long term issues stemming from multiple mediocre seasons in which either team made the postseason, however; the rivalry began to have more implications within the division as the A's bolstered a younger lineup of future stars known famously as the "Moneyball" team. The Angels finished the 2002 season as runner-ups in the division, snagging a wild card berth; while the Athletics managed a record-setting 20 game win streak near the end of the season. Much to the shock of sportswriters and fans alike, the A's fell in the ALDS to the Minnesota Twins, while the Angels pushed on to win the World Series in an improbable playoff run. During the 2004 season, both teams came down to the wire tied for wins headed into the final series of the season, with the last three games being played in Oakland. Both teams were battling to secure the division title; however, Oakland fell in two crushing losses to the Angels with only one victory in the series coming in the final game of the year. Oakland would find themselves eliminated from the playoff hunt, though the Angels would go on to suffer a crushing sweep at the hands of the eventual champion Boston Red Sox.
As of 2023, both teams have yet to meet in the postseason. The animosity waned yet again during the decade as both teams struggled mightily in either playoff contention or maintaining a winning record. Tension began to resurface between both teams in 2023, when Angels' third baseman Anthony Rendon received a four-game suspension following an altercation with an Athletics fan during the season opener series in Oakland. The fan reportedly taunted Rendon for his injuries and play. In retaliation; Rendon attempted to rip the fan's shirt and was subsequently removed from the stadium and given a 4 game suspension. He was also fined an undisclosed amount.

## Season-by-season results

Angels vs. Athletics Season-by-Season Results :
1960s (Angels, 88–74)
SeasonSeason seriesat Los Angeles/California Angelsat Kansas City/Oakland AthleticsOverall seriesNotes
1961
Tie
9‍–‍9
Angels, 6‍–‍3
Athletics, 6‍–‍3
Tie 9‍–‍9
1962
Angels
12‍–‍6
Angels, 6‍–‍3
Angels, 6‍–‍3
Angels 21‍–‍15
1963
Athletics
10‍–‍8
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Angels 29‍–‍25
1964
Angels
12‍–‍6
Angels, 5‍–‍4
Angels, 7‍–‍2
Angels 41‍–‍31
1965
Angels
13‍–‍5
Angels, 6‍–‍3
Angels, 7‍–‍2
Angels 54‍–‍36
Angels rename to "California Angels" with a month of the season remaining
1966
Tie
9‍–‍9
Angels, 6‍–‍3
Athletics, 6‍–‍3
Angels 63‍–‍45
Angels relocate to Anaheim and open Anaheim Stadium
1967
Angels
14‍–‍4
Angels, 9‍–‍0
Angels, 5‍–‍4
Angels 77‍–‍49
1968
Athletics
13‍–‍5
Athletics, 6‍–‍3
Athletics, 7‍–‍2
Angels 82‍–‍62
Athletics relocate to Oakland and play at Oakland‍–‍Alameda County Coliseum as the "Oakland Athletics"
1969
Athletics
12‍–‍6
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Athletics, 7‍–‍2
Angels 88‍–‍74 :
1970s (Athletics, 97–72)
SeasonSeason seriesat California Angelsat Oakland AthleticsOverall seriesNotes
1970
Athletics
10‍–‍8
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Angels 96‍–‍84
Angels pitcher Clyde Wright threw a no-hitter against the Athletics.
1971
Athletics
11‍–‍7
Athletics, 7‍–‍2
Angels, 5‍–‍4
Angels 103‍–‍95
1972
Athletics
10‍–‍8
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Angels 111‍–‍105
Athletics win 1972 World Series
1973
Athletics
12‍–‍6
Athletics, 7‍–‍2
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Tie 117‍–‍117
Athletics win 1973 World Series
1974
Athletics
12‍–‍6
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Athletics, 7‍–‍2
Athletics 129‍–‍123
Athletics win 1974 World Series Athletics take a 121‍–‍120 lead on June 24 in the series, a lead they would never relinquish.
1975
Athletics
11‍–‍7
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Athletics, 6‍–‍3
Athletics 140‍–‍130
1976
Athletics
12‍–‍6
Athletics, 6‍–‍3
Athletics, 6‍–‍3
Athletics 152‍–‍136
1977
Athletics
10‍–‍5
Tie, 4‍–‍4
Athletics, 6‍–‍1
Athletics 162‍–‍141
AL expansion reduces season series to 15 meetings per year. Athletics win ten straight season series.
1978
Angels
9‍–‍6
Angels, 4‍–‍3
Angels, 5‍–‍3
Athletics 168‍–‍150
1979
Angels
10‍–‍3
Angels, 5‍–‍2
Angels, 5‍–‍1
Athletics 171‍–‍160 :
1980s (Athletics, 70–57)
SeasonSeason seriesat California Angelsat Oakland AthleticsOverall seriesNotes
1980
Athletics
10‍–‍3
Athletics, 4‍–‍2
Athletics, 6‍–‍1
Athletics 181‍–‍163
1981
Athletics
8‍–‍2
Athletics, 4‍–‍0
Athletics, 4‍–‍2
Athletics 189‍–‍165
Strike-shortened season
1982
Angels
9‍–‍4
Angels, 5‍–‍1
Angels, 4‍–‍3
Athletics 193‍–‍174
1983
Athletics
8‍–‍5
Athletics, 4‍–‍3
Athletics, 4‍–‍2
Athletics 201‍–‍179
1984
Angels
7‍–‍6
Athletics, 4‍–‍2
Angels, 5‍–‍2
Athletics 207‍–‍186
1985
Athletics
7‍–‍6
Angels, 4‍–‍3
Athletics, 4‍–‍2
Athletics 214‍–‍192
1986
Angels
10‍–‍3
Angels, 5‍–‍1
Angels, 5‍–‍2
Athletics 217‍–‍202
1987
Athletics
7‍–‍6
Athletics, 5‍–‍2
Angels, 4‍–‍2
Athletics 224‍–‍208
1988
Athletics
9‍–‍4
Tie, 3‍–‍3
Athletics, 6‍–‍1
Athletics 233‍–‍212
Athletics lose 1988 World Series
1989
Athletics
8‍–‍5
Athletics, 4‍–‍3
Athletics, 4‍–‍2
Athletics 241‍–‍217
Athletics win 1989 World Series :
1990s (Athletics, 68–55)
SeasonSeason seriesat California/Anaheim Angelsat Oakland AthleticsOverall seriesNotes
1990
Athletics
9‍–‍4
Athletics, 5‍–‍1
Athletics, 4‍–‍3
Athletics 250‍–‍221
Athletics lose 1990 World Series
1991
Athletics
12‍–‍1
Athletics, 6‍–‍1
Athletics, 6‍–‍0
Athletics 262‍–‍222
1992
Athletics
8‍–‍5
Tie, 3‍–‍3
Athletics, 5‍–‍2
Athletics 270‍–‍227
1993
Athletics
7‍–‍6
Angels, 4‍–‍3
Athletics, 4‍–‍2
Athletics 277‍–‍233
1994
Athletics
6‍–‍3
Tie, 3‍–‍3
Athletics, 3‍–‍0
Athletics 283‍–‍236
Strike-shortened season. Strike cancels postseason.
1995
Athletics
7‍–‍6
Angels, 5‍–‍2
Athletics, 5‍–‍1
Athletics 290‍–‍242
1996
Athletics
7‍–‍6
Athletics, 4‍–‍2
Angels, 4‍–‍3
Athletics 297‍–‍248
Athletics win ten straight season series.
1997
Angels
11‍–‍1
Angels, 5‍–‍1
Angels, 6‍–‍0
Athletics 298‍–‍259
Angels rename to "Anaheim Angels." Angels win 12 straight meetings and 7 straight away meetings (1996‍–‍97)
1998
Athletics
7‍–‍5
Tie, 3‍–‍3
Athletics, 4‍–‍2
Athletics 305‍–‍264
1999
Angels
8‍–‍4
Angels, 5‍–‍1
Tie, 3‍–‍3
Athletics 309‍–‍272 :
2000s (Athletics, 97–90)
SeasonSeason seriesat Anaheim Angels/ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheimat Oakland AthleticsOverall seriesNotes
2000
Athletics
8‍–‍5
Tie, 3‍–‍3
Athletics, 5‍–‍2
Athletics 317‍–‍277
2001
Athletics
14‍–‍6
Athletics, 7‍–‍3
Athletics, 7‍–‍3
Athletics 331‍–‍283
MLB changed to an unbalanced schedule in 2001, resulting in 19-20 meetings per year.
2002
Athletics
11‍–‍9
Angels, 6‍–‍4
Athletics, 7‍–‍3
Athletics 342‍–‍292
First season in which both teams qualify for playoffs. Angels win 2002 World Series
2003
Athletics
12‍–‍8
Tie, 5‍–‍5
Athletics, 7‍–‍3
Athletics 354‍–‍300
2004
Angels
10‍–‍9
Tie, 5‍–‍5
Angels, 5‍–‍4
Athletics 363‍–‍310
Teams meet in the final series of the season in Oakland and tie for first place in the AL West; the Angels win two of three games to win the division.
2005
Angels
10‍–‍9
Angels, 5‍–‍4
Tie, 5‍–‍5
Athletics 372‍–‍320
Angels rename to "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim"
2006
Angels
11‍–‍8
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Angels, 7‍–‍3
Athletics 380‍–‍331
John Lackey/Jason Kendall brawl
2007
Athletics
10‍–‍9
Tie, 5‍–‍5
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Athletics 390‍–‍340
2008
Angels
10‍–‍9
Tie, 5‍–‍5
Angels, 5‍–‍4
Athletics 399‍–‍350
2009
Angels
12‍–‍7
Athletics, 6‍–‍4
Angels, 8‍–‍1
Athletics 406‍–‍362 :
2010s (Angels, 97–93)
SeasonSeason seriesat Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim)at Oakland AthleticsOverall seriesNotes
2010
Angels
11‍–‍8
Angels, 7‍–‍2
Athletics, 6‍–‍4
Athletics 414‍–‍373
2011
Athletics
11‍–‍8
Tie, 5‍–‍5
Athletics, 6‍–‍3
Athletics 425‍–‍381
2012
Athletics
10‍–‍9
Athletics, 7‍–‍3
Angels, 6‍–‍3
Athletics 435‍–‍390
2013
Athletics
11‍–‍8
Athletics, 5‍–‍4
Athletics, 6‍–‍4
Athletics 446‍–‍398
On April 29, the teams played a 19-ining game that lasted 6 hours, 32 minutes, the longest game by time in Athletics history. The Athletics won the game on a Brandon Moss walk-off home run.
2014
Angels
10‍–‍9
Angels, 7‍–‍3
Athletics, 6‍–‍3
Athletics 455‍–‍408
2015
Angels
11‍–‍8
Angels, 6‍–‍4
Angels, 5‍–‍4
Athletics 463‍–‍419
2016
Angels
12‍–‍7
Angels, 6‍–‍4
Angels, 6‍–‍3
Athletics 470‍–‍431
Angels name reverts to "Los Angeles Angels"
2017
Angels
12‍–‍7
Angels, 7‍–‍2
Tie, 5‍–‍5
Athletics 477‍–‍443
2018
Angels
10‍–‍9
Angels, 5‍–‍4
Tie, 5‍–‍5
Athletics 486‍–‍453
2019
Athletics
13‍–‍6
Athletics, 6‍–‍3
Athletics, 7‍–‍3
Athletics 499‍–‍459 :
2020s (Athletics, 42–32)
SeasonSeason seriesat Los Angeles Angelsat Oakland AthleticsOverall seriesNotes
2020
Athletics
6‍–‍4
Angels, 2‍–‍1
Athletics, 5‍–‍2
Athletics 505‍–‍463
Season shortened to 60 games (with 10 meetings) due to COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
Athletics
15‍–‍4
Athletics, 8‍–‍2
Athletics, 7‍–‍2
Athletics 520‍–‍467
2022
Angels
12‍–‍7
Angels, 6‍–‍3
Angels, 6‍–‍4
Athletics 527‍–‍479
2023
Angels
7‍–‍6
Angels, 5‍–‍2
Athletics, 4‍–‍2
Athletics 533‍–‍486
Schedule structure modified this season to allow every team to play one series against every interleague team. Shortening meetings from 19 to 13 games.
2024
Athletics
8‍–‍5
Angels, 4‍–‍3
Athletics, 5‍–‍1
Athletics 541‍–‍491
2025
Upcoming, June 9‍–‍11, September 5‍–‍7
Upcoming, May 19‍–‍22, August 15‍–‍17
Athletics move to West Sacramento, California and only keep the franchise name, "Athletics". :
Summary of Results
SeasonSeason seriesat Los Angeles Angelsat Oakland AthleticsNotes
Los Angeles Angels vs Kansas City Athletics
Angels
77‍–‍49
Angels, 42‍–‍21
Angels, 35‍–‍28
Los Angeles Angels vs Oakland Athletics
Athletics
492‍–‍414
Athletics, 232‍–‍221
Athletics, 260‍–‍193
Overall Regular season games
Athletics
541‍–‍491
Angels, 263‍–‍253
Athletics, 288‍–‍228 :