Anaheim’s attempt to save the Angels.

When the name changed to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the City of Anaheim was extremely upset and thought that it broke the contract the city had with the baseball team.  The stadium is owned by the City of Anaheim, and has a contract with the team until 2029.   Click here to read the letter that the City of Anaheim wrote to all of its business owners and residents of Anaheim about the cities standpoint on the situation.

The City of Anaheim conducted a lawsuit against the baseball team to defend the contract.  Along with that they also got every mayor in Orange County, and the mayor of Los Angeles to sign a petition opposing the name change.  The case went on trial on January 9, 2005 and on February 9, 2005 the court ruled that the baseball team was in contract with the name change.  Appeals were made by the City of Anaheim but it did not prevail in the fight against the baseball team.

“Angel fans have a palpable pride, and perceive a prejudice against their community in the name change,” wrote Andrew Guilford, who serves as co-counsel for the city in the case along with Mike Rubin. “This case has attracted a lot of attention because people care deeply about this issue.  But, ultimately, this case is about contract law, and about the power and responsibility of courts to protect the unique rights of parties.”

This quote sums up how I personally feel about the name change.  The City of Anaheim did everything they could to try and save the team’s name but there was nothing they could do once the court ruled against them.  As a resident of Anaheim I feel as though this city is enough to market the team.  The name “Los Angeles” is not needed to make it have a higher selling point. Yes, Los Angeles is more well known than Anaheim, but many big name companies, and other professional sports teams have done very well resting on the name Anaheim alone.  Does Disney and the Anaheim Ducks come to mind?

Have some pride.

Is it possible to be in two geographic locations at once? No, but if  you are at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim stadium you can be!  Sounds pretty ridiculous right?  These two locations, Anaheim and Los Angeles, are approximately 40 miles apart from each other, and in two different counties; but they are put together to represent one baseball team.

Why would someone do that?  Simple, to generate more revenue.  This makes me feel that Arte Moreno, team owner, does not care about his team, only the money it makes.

Last year I moved out of my parents house to go to school at Chapman University located in Orange, Calif.  Rather than live right by the campus so I could walk to class, I thought it would be more enjoyable for me to take the 5 minute drive to school so I could live right by Angel stadium.  I am able to walk to games, enjoy the atmosphere, get free parking, and occasionally deal with all the Angel fans blocking State College Blvd.  All in all I am completely happy with my decision of  where I live.  Being an Anaheim resident I have a sense of pride for my hometown team.  Although, I do not feel that my hometown is properly represented.

I want the name Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to be changed back to its name, Anaheim Angels. I also want Arte Moreno to realize that Anaheim has made a name for itself.  It is the home of Disneyland, and also a part of Orange County.  There is money to be made in Anaheim.  Keeping the name will make many of the fans happy to cheer on their local, hometown team.