10 Reasons why the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim winning the World Series would be good for baseball

My series of Why Each Team's Potential World Championship Would Be Good For The Game moves on with the California Angels.

OK Fine, The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
It's a stupid name. A great organization but a stupid name. There. I got that out of the way. And I won't make any more references to the silly name.

The organization is a damn good one and they could very well have a big time contender for years to come. I picked them to win the West and the pennant at the beginning of the season on the strength of their starting pitching. However their recent 5 game slide has put them a full week behind the Texas Rangers.

If the slide continues, I won't be able to include them as a contender. So let's knock this out.

10 Reasons why the
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
winning the 2011 World Series
would be good for baseball

1. Mike Scioscia's Hall of Fame resume would be undeniable

I would argue that Scioscia is the best manager in baseball today. Maybe even a notch about LaRussa and Leyland. He took over an Angels team in 2000 that had never won a playoff series.

By 2002 they were the World Champions. Players have come and gone but the Angels returned to October baseball as Division Champions in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and made it to the ALCS in '05 and '09.

He already has as many World Series titles as Leo Durocher and Earl Weaver. If he wins again, then he will have a completely different roster than the 2002 Champs. His resume is already impressive. Another title (plus the fact that he already has 12 years under his belt and doesn't seem close to retiring) would mean he would join his mentor Tom Lasorda in Cooperstown.

2. It would break Bobby Abreu's bad luck streak

Bobby Abreu has logged in 15+ solid and sometimes spectacular big league seasons. The former All Star, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner played 8 1/2 seasons in Philadelphia but was traded away before they won the World Series in 2008.

He spent a few more years with the Yankees but was in an Angels uniform when they won the 2009 World Series. He's played in the post season with three different organizations (the Astros, Yankees and Angels) and has yet to play in the World Series.

He has earned a long October.



3. A ring for Torii Hunter

I like Torri Hunter. There are a lot of reasons to like Torii Hunter. He plays with passion. He plays with respect for the game and its past.

And in his prime, he was the most dynamic defensive outfielder not named Jim Edmonds and could hit too.

He's outspoken and colorful, but isn't it nice to have a star who isn't bland?

And he sets up tons of college scholarships through his foundation. Do we really want him to finish his career RINGLESS?


4. The Age of Ace Pitchers will move to the American League

We could be in an age of having 1-2 ace tandems in for contending teams. Halladay-Lee, Lincecum-Cain, Lester-Beckett etc. You are hard pressed to find a better 1-2 punch than Jered Weaver and Dan Haren. Throw in Ervin Santana and the Angels would have probably the most lethal 1-2-3 of any American League staff.

Plus these aces winning would take away some of the sting of 2006. Dan Haren was a member of the Cardinals who was dealt away in 2005 for Mark Mulder. The Cardinals won the World Series that year but Mulder was injured and Haren was in Oakland. Mulder was replaced by Jeff Weaver, Jered's brother. Jeff was cut by the Angels to make room for Jered. It would be nice to see the Weaver brothers compare rings.



5. Old and Young Angels would be rewarded

The picture to the left shows 35 year old Torii Hunter high fiving 19 year old Mike Trout. This team can be a wonderful bridge between veterans fighting for their first title and young kids hoping to get their quest for a title over with early.

Vernon Wells, Abreu, Hunter and Joel Pinero know their window is closing. Players like Weaver, Trout, Tyler Chatwood, Jordan Walden, Peter Bourjos and Mark Trumbo all hope to be fixtures in Anaheim for a while. This year could be a wonderful bridge for two eras of Angels baseball.





6. FINALLY some tourists would discover Anaheim!

Seriously. I feel so badly for the Chamber of Commerce of Anaheim.

Without the Angels, why would any tourist come to Orange County. If only there was SOMETHING in Anaheim that could draw in tourism without being solely dependent on the fate of the Angels.

We've got to brainstorm about that.


7. It would be further humiliation for Frank McCourt... which is a good thing

The Dodgers actually play in Los Angeles and they have the deep rooted love and devotion of the city (even though they arrived in Los Angeles only 3 years before the Angels were formed.)

But with the Dodgers in disarray, losing in front of empty seats, dumping players and needing to be bailed out by baseball, one of the marquee franchises has become a laughing stock.

Having them not only endure this disastrous season but seeing their nominal neighbor win it all would only help getting McCourt and this whole mess out of the game.

As entertaining as it has been, it has run its course.




8. Arte Moreno is a great owner and great owners should have a title.

Moreno took over the Angels after they won the World Series under Disney. So he took over a quality team. But what has happened under his leadership is stability in management, a quality product on the field and class in the organization.

They have developed good players, traded and signed others and consistently contended. And their owner clearly cares to not only win but make the Angels a proud organization.

You think that's par for the course? Why not drive up the 5 and visit Chavez Ravine, then get back to me.

Like Mark Cuban in basketball, owners who really care and put their guts in the team deserve a title.


9. It's best that all teams that won in the Steroid Era win another title soon.

Look, we all had fun during The Steroid Era, but it would be best for the game that it goes away as soon as possible.

The teams that won during the peak would all be better off if they pick up another title so their last October heroes weren't sitting under a black cloud.

When 2002 World Series MVP Troy Glaus' name came up in the steroid investigations, a Giants friend of mine said "See! We should have won if they weren't juicing!" I pointed out that the Giants had Barry Bonds.

Seriously... let's put it all behind us.

10. Maybe another title will FINALLY make the Angels one of the cool marquee baseball franchises

A few years ago, I wrote about how everything was underrated with the Angels.

From Rod Carew and Nolan Ryan building up their Cooperstown credentials to Don Baylor and Fred Lynn launching homers to Reggie Jackson's last October hurrah and Jim Freaking Abbott, the Angels have always provided some great moments and likable stars. And they had Gene Autry owning the team and loving them until the day he died. (Why isn't the stadium called "Gene Autry Park?")

Maybe their lack of championships despite having star players hurt them in getting national exposure. Maybe playing in Orange County instead of in the city has given the Angels an aura of being a suburb franchise and not a cool city team.

But they ARE a model team and have given their fans lots of great baseball. They should be mentioned as one of the top tier teams. Maybe tying the Red Sox and Yankees with World Series titles this century will do just that!


Now as a Red Sox fan, I've never been a big Angels fan. But there is no denying lots of positives would come about from an Angels title.

If they lose a few more games, it would make this whole post moot. Then again, because I picked the Angels, I suppose I should be kind of rooting for them.

If you liked this then go ahead and read the entries for the other teams.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX
NEW YORK YANKEES
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

I'm standing by my pick of the Angels

Back in March, I picked the California Angels (yes, I still call them that) to win not only the American League West but also make it all the way to the World Series.

I thought they had the best pitching to win the West. I thought the weight of Toronto being taken off Vernon Wells' shoulders would have led to a resurgence in his bat. And with Kendry Morales due back at mid season, they would get a nice jolt.

And I also figured in a short playoff series, the combination of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana would have them win both the Division Series and the ALCS.

Well that pick looks... well... not so good now.
But unlike my out of the blue picking of Oakland in 2009, I am standing by my pick.

Yes their offense is awful. They keep grounding into double plays and they've been shutout as many time this year as they had all last year.

Morales isn't coming back, Wells has been a total bust and here we are in Mid June with the Angels 5 games under .500.

But here's the thing. There is talent in the lineup. Mark Trumbo has shown some pop, Howie Kendrick is a decent hitter and Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu and Maicer Izturis all have ability. They are in a funk.

Hitting is easier to fix than pitching, and this Angels team CAN pitch. Weaver and Haren are still pitching well, even if their win loss record doesn't reflect it. Young Jordan Walden has stepped into the closer role.

The Angels need to make a move and they need to make it sooner rather than later.

If they could bring in a player to give the team an offensive spark, the effect could be felt up and down the line up.

Imagine a player like Carlos Beltran plugged into the lineup. Remove him from the purgatory of Flushing and have him play in an outfield with Torii Hunter and Peter Bourjos (would there be a better defensive outfield in the game?)

And having him go on one last contract run could mean the likes of Abreu and Hunter and Trumbo could see more fastballs.

And also remember the Angels are only 5 games back of the Rangers with about 2/3 of the season to play. AND the Rangers always have a tough time of it in August.

(Even last year, the Rangers had a losing August. They just had such a big lead that none of the other AL West teams could take advantage of it.)

Give this lineup a new spark and the Angels could start scoring more runs and getting on a roll. Just take a look at the Red Sox to see how quickly things can turn around for a talented club.

But Arte Moreno and the management have to make a deal involving some prospects too.

Last year they made the right move, realizing that they got the best of what they could out of Joe Saunders and packaged him off for Dan Haren.

In the past the Angels have held on to players long before they have any worth in the majors or as trade bait.

(Dallas McPherson? Robb Quinlan? Brandon Wood?)

Bring Beltran to Anaheim and see the line up click.
Then see that 5 game deficit crumble.
Then see one of my picks look pretty good.

Yup. I'm standing by my pick.

Hey Arte! You can still make this biggest splash this off season!

Arte Moreno, I understand you aren't happy that the Angels stayed home this October. Since you took over the Angels in 2003 (when they were still the defending champs), the Angels have made the playoffs in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009... yet have yet to make it past the ALCS under your guidance.

I know that this year with the injuries and Kendry Morales breaking his own damn leg must have killed you.

AND seeing Vlady Guerrero make it to the World Series in a RANGERS uniform must have burned you inside.

And you want to make a splash... like you did with Vlad who won an MVP in Anaheim. And Bartolo Colon who won a Cy Young. And Torii Hunter, who is now the face of the franchise.

And yeah, Carl Crawford would have fit in perfectly with the Angels.
So would have Jayson Werth.

But don't get mad.
WIN THE OFF SEASON!

It's very simple.
Offer Cliff Lee an 8th season.

Get the biggest free agent on the market and bring him to the Angels. Have him pitch with Jared Weaver and Danny Haren and Ervin Santana, giving the Angels the best rotation in the American League.

Yeah, 8 years is nots nuts, but trust me... you want to play in a nutty game right now and with one bold move you can the Angels so much better and pull the rug out of so many other teams.



It would devastate the Rangers... you know the team that actually won the pennant. Remember them? Your chief rivals?

Improving at THEIR expense is a good way to play October ball.


It would continue to take attention away from the Dodgers, who are only in the news in divorce court these days.

The Dodgers should have traded for Cliff Lee in 2009 and it cost them a pennant. Now have him play in Orange County.



Lest we forget that signing Cliff Lee would make this a disastrous winter for the Yankees. They lost out on Crawford and so far all they have to show for this off season is NOT losing Jeter and Rivera (and they could STILL lose Pettitte.)

Everyone and their moose thinks Lee is signing with the Yankees.
Shock everyone. And tell him "You can avoid the New York media and still have a great chance to win a title. And one title is all they need in Anaheim."

And while the Angels have played well against the Yankees in the past, it is a wise policy to try and avoid them in October.

So come on! You know you want to raise a World Series trophy as owner. You can do it by patiently building a team up through the farms system and having the chips fall the right way in the playoffs.

The Angels did that in 2002.

Now it is time for a good old fashioned bought pennant.

Will Cliff Lee still be an elite pitcher in 8 years?
Who knows and who cares?

If he's led the Angels to a few pennants and a World Series title, then it will all be worth it.

So buck up Arte. Make the offer.
You clearly have some dough to spend. Use the cash that was ear marked for Carl Crawford.

Even if you regret it, you'll still be loved in Boston for keeping Cliff Lee out of the Bronx... and that's worth SOMETHING.

The Name of Angel Stadium

What is it about the Angels and their identity crises. 

Now for years the stadium where the Angels played was called "Anaheim Stadium."

It made sense.
It was a stadium. They played in Anaheim.

Not a very creative name, but certainly not a confusing one.

When Disney took it over and inexplicably decided to install the rocks from the Thunder Mountain Railroad in centerfield, they decided to rechristen the stadium "Edison International Field" in the age old tradition of corporate names on parks.

(Before anyone cries for the good old days... Weegman Park was renamed Wrigley Field. It's not new.)

Then Arte Moreno, the most underrated owner in sports, took over and took the corporate name off of it.

Now I personal think they should have reverted back to Anaheim Stadium... the Big A.
But Arte wants people to believe they play on Hollywood and Vine and nowhere near the Orange groves of Anaheim.

If not Anaheim Stadium, I thought that Gene Autry Stadium would have been a good name. After all, Mr. Autry owned the team for decades and poured his heart and money into the club.

But I understand an owner not wanting to honor another park.

For the record, I'd be fine with Arte Moreno Stadium for that matter.

But they went with Angel Stadium. I guess officially it is Angel Stadium of Anaheim... but the "of Anaheim" is written in 8 point Helvetica font on the front entrance.

Look at that picture on the top again for a second.

It says Angel Stadium and has the Angels logo between the worlds Angel and Stadium.

On first glance, doesn't it read ANGELA STADIUM?

How about on second glance?

On the 8th glance, I am still reading ANGELA STADIUM!

That's bad placement of an A.

Maybe there can be a MONA STADIUM, JONATHAN STADIUM and SAMANTHA STADIUM to finish the "Who's The Boss?" series of ballparks.

Everything about the Angels is underrated

The coolness of the Angels is underrated. They've had some of the biggest names in baseball over the past 4 decades pass through town.
Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew, Nolan Ryan, Fred Lynn, Don Baylor, Bert Blyleven, Lee Smith, Bobby Grich, Doug DeCinces, Mark Langston and Vladimir Guerrero all had All Star years in Anaheim.

They had Jim Abbott, a one handed pitcher for God sake!



The Angels are also as strange as they are cool. They've had 3 city names since the 1996 season (California Angels, Anaheim Angels and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) yet they have never moved from the Big A.

The Naked Gun had its climax at an Angels game, Tony Danza once played an Angels pitcher and its most recognizable tradition is the Rally Monkey.

For years their reputation of collapsing was also underrated.
They blew the 1982 Best of 5 ALCS to Milwaukee despite having a 2-0 lead.
They blew the 1986 Best of 7 ALCS to my Red Sox when manager Gene Mauch made one of the great panic moves of all time and yanked a dominant Mike Witt in the 9th, only to have Donnie Moore serve up Dave Henderson's homer.
And in 1995, they were in first by 11 games in August only to lose a one game playoff to Seattle.

And their owners have been underratedly colorful.
Between the singing cowboy Gene Autry and the flamboyant and free spending Arte Moreno... the Walt Disney Company was the LEAST interesting ownership group!

They also won a World Series (one my dad, a huge Giants fan would rather forget) with an underrated farm system.

In an age where people claim the World Series must be bought, the Angels won it all in 2002 with an entirely homegrown outfield, 2 home grown catcher and a home grown slugging World Series MVP thirdbasemen. 3 out of their 4 starting pitchers, their All Star closer, their phenom set up man, their lefty specialist and two middle relievers were also products of their farm system. Plus, while their middle infielders were drafted by other organizations, they spent their rookie years in Anaheim.

They had 16 players who came up through their system and 3 more picked up as minor leaguers on a team that won the World Series. The Red Sox and Yankees WISH their farm could produce like that.

I'll tell you something else about the Angels that is underrated: Their impact on baseball this decade.

Tonight's 18-9 pounding of the Yankees on the heels of splitting 4 in Fenway should serve notice that the ALCS won't necessarily be latest chapter of Red Sox vs. Yankees.

A lot of people, including yours truly picked the Angels to win it all. And the fact that they can pitch, they can close and they can manufacture runs and neither the Red Sox nor the Yankees really scare them... it doesn't feel like such a bad pick.

And if they win it all, that would mean the underrated Mike Scioscia would have lead the Angels to 4 playoff appearances in 6 years including 3 trips to the ALCS and 2 titles.

Folks, in this day and age where no team can repeat... that could make the Angels the team of the decade!

And it would have all been happening without us even noticing.
Who would have thought a potential dynasty would be underrated?

Now if only they could decide the name of their team!