On Wednesday night, Angel Stadium in Anaheim hosted a symbolic moment for the Los Angeles Angels. Former Rams great Eric Dickerson stepped onto the mound to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Angels faced the New York Yankees. The event marked the first public appearance of the team’s new owner, Stan Kroenke, a proven winner in professional sports.
Kroenke’s winning pedigree
Speaking with MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger before the pitch, Dickerson praised Kroenke’s business acumen and his appetite for victory. “Kind of quiet but a really good businessman as you can tell. But Stan likes winning. I can tell you that right now. He likes winning,” the Hall of Fame running back said.
Sale details and timeline
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment announced Tuesday that it will purchase a controlling interest in the Angels at a reported valuation of $4 billion. The transaction, pending Major League Baseball approval, is expected to close in early 2027. The deal ends Arte Moreno’s 23‑year tenure as the franchise’s controlling owner. Moreno bought the team from Disney in 2003 for $184 million, shortly after the Angels captured their first World Series title.
Angels’ recent struggles
Since Moreno’s acquisition, the Angels have endured a decade‑long stretch of disappointment. The club has posted 11 consecutive losing seasons, has not reached the postseason since 2014, and has not won a playoff game since 2009. Fans have grown accustomed to “sell the team” chants, reflecting deep frustration with the franchise’s performance.
What Kroenke brings
Stan Kroenke’s sports empire includes a Super Bowl victory with the Rams, an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets, a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche, and a Premier League title with Arsenal FC. His track record of building championship‑caliber organizations suggests a potential turnaround for the Angels, whose fan base has long yearned for competitive success.
Local reaction
Southern California residents greeted the news with optimism. The ceremonial pitch, combined with Dickerson’s endorsement, gave many fans hope that the long‑awaited change is finally arriving. “Goodbye, Arte,” a chant that echoed through the stadium on Tuesday night, was quickly replaced by a new refrain: “Welcome, Stan.”
Looking ahead
While the sale still requires MLB’s green light, the announcement alone has already shifted the conversation in Anaheim and the broader Los Angeles market. If Kroenke applies the same winning formula that has produced championships across multiple leagues, Angels supporters may soon see a revitalized franchise that competes for playoff spots and, ultimately, a World Series title.
For now, the first pitch serves as a symbolic start to a new chapter—one that could restore pride to a fan base that has endured more than a decade of disappointment.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
