Richard Beverage Knihy

The Hollywood Stars, established in 1926, became a symbol of glamour in baseball, reflecting the allure of Los Angeles. Initially operating until 1935 at Wrigley Field, the team faced a rent dispute that led to its relocation to San Diego. After a two-year hiatus, a second version emerged in 1938, playing at Gilmore Field until 1957. During their tenure, the Stars achieved notable success, winning pennants in 1949, 1952, and 1953, and became a favorite among Hollywood's elite, intertwining sports and entertainment history.

Focusing on the Los Angeles Angels, this book provides a detailed year-by-year history of the team from 1903 to 1957, highlighting their dominance in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) with 14 pennants. It explores the intense rivalries and passionate fan support that characterized the league, which featured future Hall of Famers like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. The narrative includes statistical insights, an all-time player roster, and personal interviews with former players, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the early days of baseball on the West Coast.

The Hollywood Stars were created in 1926, when the Salt Lake City franchise of the Pacific Coast League was transferred to the greater Los Angeles area. To avoid confusion with the resident Los Angeles Angels, the new ballclub was called Hollywood. It was a wise choice of names. The movie capital had a glamour that was soon attached to the Stars and created an interest wherever they played. But the Hollywood story is actually one of two separate entities. The first operated from 1926 to 1935 and played at Wrigley Field as a tenant of the Angels. When a dispute arose in 1935 over a proposed increase in rent, owner Bill Lane moved his team to San Diego. After a hiatus of two years, the second incarnation was created in 1938 when the Mission Reds of San Francisco moved to Southern California. They moved into their new park, Gilmore Field, in 1939 and remained there through 1957, when the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles. Hollywood won pennants in 1949, 1952, and 1953 and was the team of choice for the movie world.