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The average baseball fan across the nation might look at the Los Angeles Angels’ name and think, “It certainly makes sense because they’re close to LA,” but for people native to Orange County, it can feel like a slap in the face.
That’s why Anaheim Mayor Ashley Aitken called on owner Arte Moreno in an open letter about the Angels’ future to be named to the team that is actually represented.
“[Acknowledge] The greatness of Anaheim’s history and contribution to Orange County is partially read by the prominent recognition of “Anaheim” as the team’s position and partner.
That point was one of several Aitkens handled in letters calling for better communication between the city and the angel ownership about the future of the angels in Anaheim. The team playing in the fourth oldest stadium in Major League Baseball is faced with questions regarding reporting potential maintenance issues at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.
Angel Stadium in Anaheim will be seen in Anaheim on Monday, January 9th, 2006 (AP Photo/Damiando Bargane)
In a letter written on Angel’s Home Opener Day for the 2025 season, Aitken admitted that it had little to do with the team’s ownership.
“I want to change that for the better,” she said.
She writes that she is tired of vague statements from the organizations surrounding her position in Anaheim and wants “an open and honest conversation about the future of Anaheim baseball.”
In addition to her plea for the change to the Anaheim Angels, she listed the next starting point for a better relationship between the city and the franchise.
Los Angeles Angels designated batsman Mike Trout celebrates with a dugout on April 24, 2024 after hitting a home run in six innings of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Anaheim, California. Full access to the stadium for inspection and information exchange. They will go through a public process to ensure that they meet their obligations under the Excess Land Act. Community outreach focuses on residents’ assumptions of property through research, community meetings and stakeholder engagement. Provides regular updates to the community, focusing on transparency and partnerships. Through our community work agreement, we commit to include local skilled workforce in both stadium improvements and long-term staffing. Investments in Anaheim’s residents and their schools, parks and workforce training
Programs, affordable housing, open spaces.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the angels responded to the letter:
“We are grateful to Mayor Aitken’s letter and our desire to strengthen the relationship between the city and the angel baseball. We look forward to the first day and the future of Anaheim’s angel baseball.”
The Angels will play at Angel Stadium, as they have been since 1966. The city of Anaheim owns a stadium, and the angels run it.
The Angels didn’t pay rent to play in the stadium, and the team extended it to extend the lease until 2032. They have another option to extend their current lease and will keep them in Anaheim until 2038 without obligation to pay rent.
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In 2020, the city agreed to sell the stadium and its surrounding land to a company affiliated with Moreno for $325 million. However, the deal was later cancelled by the city council.
Now, as the Angels approach their 2025 home opener, they have a record of victory in an unfamiliar position against the Guardians in Cleveland. After a six-game road trip to start the season, they are 4-2. But even if the teams put together a season that exceeds expectations and exceeds .500, it will be their first victory season in Anaheim since 2015.
Over the past decade, Angels players have won four AL MVP awards (Mike Trout in 2016 and 2019 and Shohei Ohtani in 2021 and 2023) and have played in the zero playoff game.
The lack of team success is mixed with the uncertain future of the long-term home.
If the Angels can escape that shadow again, they will likely be able to do it in the city where they actually play across the players’ chests.
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