Quote:
|
Originally Posted by KP
What else should we expect from a man that openly wears a Dodger hat!? I agree with your opinion, partially, in that the Angels had an agreement with the city of Anaheim and Moreno accepted that agreement when he bought the team because he also bought whatever contracts came with the organization.
I don't agree, completely, that the motive behind the name change was greed. Obviously, those that live in SoCal will have a more evidential opinion than those of us that don't because you have access to newspaper and news reports and sports radio. From what I understand, keeping the "of Anaheim" part of the name was to appease the city and adhere to the contract that says Anaheim must be part of the name. As long as Anaheim is somewhere in the name it does not have to be before Angels.
Moreno, when he became owner, endeared himself to the Angel fans by reducing ticket prices and concession prices, particularly beer. He also made a huge splash in the free agent market with the signings of Vlad, Colon, Escobar and Guillen last year and Cabrera and Finley this year. He wants to win and he wants to give the fans a winner. He also, and true, this may be a smoke screen, wants to bring the franchise, fans and all, to the elite level of teams like the Yankees, Red Sox and Braves as well as "take over" LA. Why would a smart, aggressive business man not want to take advantage of the second largest media market in the country? Moreno has signed deals to have the most ever telecasts in franchise history. Also, from what I understand, he wants or even now has a radio station dedicated to broadcasting all Angel games. He has also successfully marketed the Hispanic community.
Mr. Moreno is spending money and is also trying to make money. I don't believe it's entirely about greed and only greed. He wants a winner. A consistent winner. I'm sure in his mind, the 2002 World Series title isn't truly his because he was not the owner at the time. Disney was. Moreno wants one or two or six of his own. And he'll do whatever he needs to to get them.
Of course, your opinion was spoken like a true Dodger fan! I'll get back to you after the Freeway Series this weekend!
|
KP,
I knew that this article was guaranteed at least one reply; that being you!!!
I agree with you on the free agent acquisitions that the Angels made. They were excellent moves, and Moreno is definitely committed to bringing a winner to Anaheim. I'm sure he did endear Angel fans w/those decisions, but I think the name change is absurd. He can conquer L.A. by staying true to his name, and putting out a winner. If he has an excellent product, L.A. fans will become Angel fans in a hurry...I'm not too proud of living in the most "Bandwagoned" city in America.
The Freeway Series (my motivation for this piece) should be fun!!!