It’s that time of the year when most Americans gather with their families to celebrate Thanksgiving and give thanks for the events – good and bad that occurred during the past year. In a year of political and economical turmoil like none of us have ever seen we all have sincere hope and faith that the country can pull together and solve its problems. Certainly not to diminish the task at hand, there is still plenty about which to be thankful and as Angel fans we are indeed blessed.
Here are a few reasons why we as Angel fans should be thankful:
Our Owner – Arguably Arte Moreno is one of the best, if not the best owner in baseball and of sports franchises in general. He is committed to delivering an improving quality product on and off the field every year and he wants to win. He has shown a willingness to put his resources behind his mantra and for this we are extremely grateful.
Our Front Office – never before have we as fans had so much information and access to the front office as we have now. From the minor league system and scouting to public relations and the major league organization, general management has shown a commitment of excellence. After a poor beginning for the franchise, the recent years have shown great success – 7 division titles including 4 in 5 years and, of course, a World Series Championship in 2002.
Our Stadium – Attending games at the Angels Stadium of Anaheim is a tremendous treat. The stadium is clean, bright and friendly. Issues that other communities are experiencing haven’t reared their ugly head and for that we are very grateful. The stadium is still a safe and friendly venue for families to enjoy. For the second year it was voted as the best in terms of atmosphere, in/out access, prices and quality.
Our Fans – In the 1960s and 1970s fan attendance of 10,000 to 20,000 per game was a rarity. For the sixth consecutive year, more than 3 million fans crossed through the turnstiles to enjoy the Angels. This represents selling around 95% of all tickets available.
Our Team – 2008 was a terrific year with a 100 win season (best in MLB), Frankie Rodriguez’ 60 saves record and other individual milestones achieved. To be sure, the post season was disappointing, but the year was a wonderful success and 2009 looks to be as good or even better. We don’t know what the outcome of the off-season negotiations and deals will bring in terms of new faces through free agency or trades, but we are certain to have another champion-quality team wearing red.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
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