Los Angeles Angels fans are voicing their dissatisfaction with team owner Arte Moreno, urging him to sell the franchise. Recent protests at Angel Stadium, organized by groups like Angels Boycott and Angels Central, have brought attention to the fans’ grievances. These demonstrations are set to peak during Sunday’s nationally televised game against the Texas Rangers in Anaheim, California.
Fan Protests and Frustrations
On Friday, fans were encouraged to wear black and express their discontent vocally. The following day, over 100 fans gathered at the stadium’s main entrance to protest Moreno’s ownership. A unique protest on Thursday saw fans in the upper deck participating in the ‘tarps off’ trend, drawing attention with chants of ‘Sell the Team’ and other expressions of frustration.
The core issue for fans is the team’s performance. The Angels have not had a winning season since 2015 and are currently at the bottom of the MLB standings with a 19-34 record. The team has also cycled through six managers since Mike Scioscia’s departure in 2018, with Kurt Suzuki currently at the helm.
Ownership and Financial Concerns
Arte Moreno purchased the Angels in 2003 for $183.5 million, and the franchise is now valued at $2.8 billion. Despite this growth, fans criticize Moreno for not investing adequately in free agents to support stars like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. Past investments, such as the contracts for Albert Pujols and Anthony Rendon, have not yielded the expected results.
Off the field, the Angels face challenges with their stadium lease and potential renovations. The team’s lease with the city of Anaheim runs through 2032, but the stadium lacks modern amenities. Anaheim’s mayor, Ashleigh Aitken, has suggested the team revert to the ‘Anaheim Angels’ name to facilitate discussions about stadium improvements. A state bill, the ‘Home Run for Anaheim Act,’ supports this name change as a condition for future agreements.
Looking Ahead
Fans, united in their call for change, are determined to continue their protests throughout the season. The Angels’ struggles on and off the field have fueled a desire for new leadership and a fresh direction for the franchise.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
