Gene Autry

Autry was one of the most recognizable owners in baseball history, and a major contributor to the success of spring training in Arizona. Though his Angels first trained in Palm Springs, Autry eventually moved the team to Tempe Diablo Stadium in 1993. He would go on to lead later expansion efforts for the Tempe Diablo complex.

Known as the Singing Cowboy in the 1930s, Gene Autry moved on to broadcasting before baseball came calling. In 1960, while looking to secure broadcasting rights to a new California expansion team, he was instead persuaded to become the team’s owner—and the Los Angeles Angels were born.

After he died, the Angels retired the number 26 in his honor, reflecting his position as the unofficial 26th member of the team’s 25- member roster. And in 1999, the Angels renamed the stadium Tempe Diablo Gene Autry Field, and his famous ballad “Back in the Saddle” continues to be played after each game.