Angels vs. Dodgers

Ever since the Angels inception into Major League Baseball in 1961, they have played second fiddle to the Dodgers. They have always been the ugly step-sister comparable to the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. Sure they've had their share of fans but when compared to the Dodgers, their following has been few and far between. Up until 2002, the Angels had yet to not only win the World Series but even make an appearance. That's 41 years of heartbreak, with every season ending the same refrain: "We'll get em next year."

The Dodgers, on the other hand, were considered not only the best franchise in California but next to the Yankees, the best franchise in the Major Leagues. No way the Angels could compete with them for a supportive fan base and basically for 41 years, they didn't even try. In those 41 years (when the Angels didn't even make a World Series appearance) the Dodgers went to six World Series and won four of them! Could two teams share a city as big as Los Angeles? Sure. But not these two. The Dodgers clearly were the big brother, while the Angels were left outside the door begging to get in.

The Dodgers were the model franchise with the perfect owner. They built up their minor leagues, signed occasional free agents, improved the fan experience every year, had a great manager and owner, and were a team that everyone wanted to play for and be a part of.

The Angels, on the other hand, were the opposite. They traded their minor leaguers, signed overpriced and over-the-hill free agents, never put money into the stadium or the fans, switched managers constantly, and were a team and franchise that was laughed at by many.

In 2002, this all changed and for the last 6 years, their roles have reversed. The Angels not only made their first World Series appearance that year but they beat the Giants in 7 games! They've had the same manager since 1999. They have an owner now that believes in building from within, signing occasional free agents, putting his money into the fan experience, and creating a franchise that people want to be a part of. (Sound familiar).

The Dodgers, on the other hand, have become the ugly step-sister. They not only haven't reached the World Series since 1988 but have only 2 playoff victories since that time. They change managers as often as some people (not me...just ask Chad) change their underwear. The last few years they have signed overpriced and past their prime free agents. They raise ticket prices every year and have become one of those teams that people snicker at behind their backs.

Perfect example:

In the offseason, both teams were vying for a center fielder. Both teams had an opportunity to sign two players: Torii Hunter and/or Andruw Jones. Both players had similar ability and upside and would cost essentially the same amount of money per year. The Angels signed Torri Hunter to a contract for 18 million a year (5 years 90 million) and the Dodgers signed Andruw Jones (18 mil a year as well: 2 years 36 million).

One of them is good in the clubhouse and the community, plays hard every day and every play, backs up his desire with statistics, and keeps his body in tip-top shape. Not only that but given the choice, clearly chose the Angels over the Dodgers. That person = Torii Hunter.

The other (Andruw Jones) has never been known as a "clubhouse guy," doesn't hustle on every play, backs up his contract with a .165 batting average, and is about 50 lbs overweight. Not only that but given the choice, the Dodgers had no choice. They have become the team that is forced to sign those type of players because they are no longer the franchise that free agents want to play for.

Another example:

Arte Moreno (Angels' owner) buys the team in 2003 for 184 mil. He instantly lowers concessions without raising ticket prizes. He goes out and finds ways to make money without taking it from the fans. What happens? Team starts winning, fans flock to the stadium, the franchise is now worth over 500 million (6 years later).

Frank McCourt (Dodgers' owner) buys the team in 2004 for 430 mil. He instantly raises ticket prices, exiles the fans by putting in luxury boxes in the front row (thus making those with season tickets now 10th row viewers at the same price), and turns away Dodger veteran players telling them "the past is history." True that the franchise is now up to 694 million but the Angels (a smaller market team) is closing fast.

What's all this mean?

If you ever become a CEO or a President of a company.....put your money back into your product. This will not only make those who work for you happy but also those who use your product.

Clearly Arte Moreno understands this concept while Frank McCourt does not. I encourage all to jump off the Dodger bandwagon and join me on the Angels. You will be a lot happier.