Earth to Arte: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Is S-T-U-P-I-D

So, Arte Moreno's has gone ahead and re-named the Anaheim Angels the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim."

That has to be one of the all-time stupidest team names ever. And is Moreno's opinion of Orange Countians so low that he thinks we'll be mollified by leaving "of Anaheim" in the name?  That makes about as much sense as the New York Yankees of the Bronx (hat tip to Local Liberty Blog).

My sources confirm that the name-change is being driven by Moreno's ego -- not the irrational "marketing" smoke-screen Moreno is throwing up. That ruse is simply unbelievable. This name change will only alienate the fan-base without enticing the masses in L.A., Riverside and San Berdoo counties who Arte thinks will suddenly start buying Angel tickets because he put Los Angeles in the name.

One Anaheim insider said he has expected this to happen ever since Moreno first bought the team, based on comments Arte made at the time.

Moreno's has stepped onto a slippery slope. He's breached his contract with the City of Anaheim, and now no one trusts him. It's only a matter of time before he reneges on his earlier promise and raises the price of beer.

SIDEBAR: It's interesting there is no mention of the name change on the official Angels website, other than in the Fan Forum section. And the URL continues to be anaheim.angels.mlb.com.  Check out this letter of resignation from and Angels employee balsting Moreno for the name-change and general disregard for Angel fans.

Comments

[Dana Reed]

Changing the name of a baseball team may, or may not, be stupid. Only time will tell. But it amazes me how oblivious some Orange County residents are to the fact that many outside Orange County are openly contemptuous of Orange County and the people who live there.

Perhaps it's jealousy which drives their anger. But, thinking objectively, a businessperson wishing to market a wide swath of Southern California can hardly be faulted for choosing to minimize any OC connection.

[TRO]

I hope someone with the Angels organization re-thinks this complete afront to baseball fans everywhere.

[Meg Waters]

Interesting perspective from Dana Reed -- but frankly, I don't think most corporate executives based in Orange County believe they have to apologize for being headquartered here.

We have a lot of companies who market to the world from Orange County-- and many of them actively include Orange County's lifestyle in their image -- from Disney to Oakley we have hundreds of businesses here who embrace our county's youthful, active and sports-oriented image. That should be something a professional sports team would want to capitalize on, not run away from.

Using Mr. Reed's analogy, you could say that since many people in the world are contemptuous of the United States, maybe the U.S. humanitarian aid to Indonesia should be labeled "From Russia with love".

The Anaheim Angels are located in Anaheim and are Orange County's team. I think that's a benefit, not a limitation.

[Jubal]

BOOM! That round goes to Meg Waters on a knockout punch. Somebody should lock Moreno in a room with her for an hour.