Arena The Major League Baseball Thread

I guess it depends on what you order there; haven’t been to Angel Stadium for an event since 2014 (Monster Jam), but didn’t eat there, for a baseball game since ‘06 (WBC, I don’t remember what I got to eat), and before that either 2000 or 2001(Yankees/Angels).

 

I've always been curious as to who's bright idea was it to add the "Los Angeles" prefix to the Angels in the first place. Yeah, we get it, they're part of LA county so they're entitled to it. Maybe the Mensa alum assumed that they'd be able to tap into the Dodgers' obviously dominant market in that ear. It's like if the Mets, out of nowhere, decided to rename their team, "the New York City Mets" to tap into the Yankees' market; although the Mets definitely have a far larger market in the Tri-State area (especially Long Island) than the Angels could ever dream of in their neck of the woods.

I actually went to Angels Stadium way back in 1999 during a vacation trip to SoCal with a friend of mine. I don't remember too much about it besides the good weather and mild atmosphere among the fans. They didn't really seem too engaged in the games, but with a bad team like Anaheim was, you couldn't blame them.

 

I'm of the opinion that all powder blues (and other light blue variants) should be road only. But still, those are awesome.

Amazing.

 

It’s a little jarring to see ‘Cubs’ on there without a circle around it, but it’s not a bad-looking uni.

 

Just going to point out that "Los Angeles Angels" literally translates to "The Angels Angels".

This also means that "Los Angeles Dodgers" translates to "The Angels Dodgers", which might actually be worse.

 

I'm watching the Cubs game now and not sure how I feel about the blue jersey/white pants look. Should be all blue.

Also, these are VERY Expos-like.



Amazing.

 

The Angels "identity" issue is kind of amusing in the light of the Dodger's former locality, Brooklyn, and the identity issues there.

No doubt, in both cases, there are/were staunch and earnest fanbases for the team as characterized by locality in which they reside(d).

But that locality is overshadowed and frequently subsumed by the major metro area that continues to expand around it.

These communities want desperately to stake out their uniqueness and difference from the whole...and yet the business of the teams are often needful to expanding well beyond those communities...either to the metro era specifically, or to a more "all-encompassing" awareness/embrace.

The more global identity usually comes from winning, high achieving play/events, or shocking failure. While the Angels certainly can claim each of those...never for any extended reach of time (generationally speaking). Nothing they could stake a prolonged "history of", good or bad.

So the consolation is to touch on the "we are one of you" community outreach by generalizing their identity to their neighborhood to facilitate goodwill, community pride, and hopefully active interest in the team.

"California" was perhaps too general (though I do believe that was the locality name they stuck with the longest).

"Anaheim" is perhaps just too small. Or perhaps Anaheim isn't seen positively by it's neighbors.

If people even in the metro era see the name "Anaheim" and assume that leaves them out as fans because they live elsewhere, even close by, it is a huge negative for the Angels and their marketing/outreach.

Whatever happens, this is a topic that never goes away, is likely to remain so long as the Angels play in Anaheim or really, anywhere in the LA metro area.

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Truthfully...one thing that may shift all of this is the A's and their naming behaviors going forward.

For their duration in Sacramento, they are claiming no city for their identity.

If that somehow works for them...perhaps other teams (in particular expansion teams or relocated teams) consider ditching the location in their name.

I think the tribal nature of people, and sports fans in particular, will likely insist on that identity...but perhaps it will be done at a secondary, or even "fan" level instead.

 

They should bring back the reverse pinstripes.



Amazing.

 

I guess it would be on-brand at Wrigley, but that looks like they’re wearing chewing gum wrapper.

 

Maybe the Cardinals can wear their powder blue alt road kit at Wrigley and the Cubs can wear these in the same game.

They can call it the "Cotton Candy" game.

I mean...let's face it...the rules around how much "contrast" there is between home and road uniforms has all but collapsed.

I'd like to see it...even if it leads to 14 errors.

 

the Yankees just continue to mash homers. Trent Grisham with 2 today.

 

Speaking of things happening in Pittsburgh, an “interesting” decision appears to have been made…





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Doesn’t feel right.

 

Braves got a win...

how many till we win again...

 

I'm missing context. Why would they do this?

 

Because the beverage company is willing to write them a check to put their logo there, and the memories of Roberto Clemente didn't offer up a compelling counter bid.

 

It's not right.

But the fact it went nearly unnoticed indicates the almost forgettable tribute it already was.

I had to squint to even pick out the old memorial...and mixed amongst the jumble of scoreboards and advertising already there...the memorial was just blending into the haze of "junk" people process out.

Come up with a better memorial that will stand out. Cut his number into Right Field permanently. Put "Clemente" in the warning track dirt out there.

Either of those will draw the eye better and will be a monument on the field of play to the man.

I hope the push back leads to a better tribute. He deserves better.

 

Castellanos got figuratively Happy Gilmore'd

https://x.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1908967683736957275?t=KuS8bIuYL8PZco7g7Gl2xA&s=19

 

How about them Red Sox! That lineup can be even better with Roman Anthony waiting in the minors.

 

Fourteen years for Vlad Guerrero seems like 10 too many. I get why the Blue Jays felt they needed to do this, but Vlad does not strike me as the type of player who is going to age gracefully.

Amazing.

 

Feels like the type of contract they eat money on to move to the Yankees or Dodgers in 3 years to be honest.

 

I know there are those itching for their playoffs.

I wouldn't know what that tastes like

 

It's not even May yet. Jeez. Even ChiSox fans can consider their team still "in it".