Sports Radio Service


		The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim visit Oakland By Jerry Feitelberg July 9, 2010

	The Angels invade Oakland tonight to start a 3 game set with the A's. The Angels have been in existence for 50 seasons. Their first season was in 1961. They were known as the Los Angeles Angels and played their home games at Wrigley Field in South Central LA. They moved to Chavez Ravine (Dodger Stadium) in 1962 and then moved to Anaheim for the 1966 season and were known as the California Angels. The Angels were owned by the "Cowboy", Gene Autry. In all the years Autry owned the club they never won a pennant. After his death, the club, then known as the Anaheim Angels, was sold to the Disney Company and in 2002 won their first and only pennant and beat the San Francisco Giants in the World Series. The club was purchased by Arte Moreno in 2005 and became known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Moreno, a wealthy businessman, is the first person of Hispanic descent to own a major League ball club. Moreno has marketed the club well and became a fan favorite when he not only lowered ticket prices but also prices on food and beer. He has been rewarded with success both on the field and at the box office. The Angels have won 5 division crowns in the last 6 years and attendance has been strong. The Angels lost several key players at the end of the 2009 season. Chone Figgins went to Seattle and John Lackey signed with Boston. Their big slugger, Vladimir Guerrero, was not signed and is now in Texas where he has found a home and has regained his form as one of baseball's most feared sluggers. Nonetheless, the Angels are 4 games over the .500 mark entering tonight's game. In contrast, A's ownership has made it clear that they want to move the team out of Oakland. The club has been here since 1968 and did draw well in the '80's when the team was owned by the Haas family. Since 1996, when ownership changed, the script has been the same. The A's have a low payroll and if a player looks like he will become an elite player, he will be traded or leave the club via free agency. Perhaps ownership should emulate what Arte Moreno has done in Los Angeles and make Oakland a great franchise once again.