Cheap beer, value priced tickets and the most convenient baseball experience in all the majors makes the Angels the perfect team for Orange County.  Here, where you can root on the Ducks of Anaheim, who play only blocks away from the Big A at the Honda Center, the same place where you can spend a day at the beach, and then take in a game only 20 minutes away (or 90 minutes…yay overcrowding).  With the fast paced, ADD nature of Orange Countians, the Angels have put together a family oriented baseball package that opposing fans and organizations have come to covet.  With tons of promotions and affordable prices, The Angels have yet to see a dramatic decrease in attendance—if any at all—that other teams are experiencing.  Part of this can be attributed to the general level of affluence enjoyed by a higher majority of those living in Orange County when compared to most other major league markets.  If you are a baseball fans, a sports fan, or just an entertainment enthusiast living in the OC, the Angels deserve your dollar.  And while you’re there enjoy the scene and culture that Orange County is so famous for; beautiful people, botox, and baseball.

Despite starting the 2009 season with one of the most depleted starting pitching rotations in the major leagues, the Angels have rebounded from an uncharacteristic slow start.  With journeymen pitchers Shane Loux and Matt Palmer, the Angels have shown that with a little bit of faith and a good farm system, you can get the job done without your aces.  Palmer has gone 4-0 in four starts, most recently getting his first complete game on five hits against the Red Sox.  On the season, Palmer has an ERA of 3.16 with 16 strikeouts.  Loux has gone 2-2 with a 4.64 ERA and proved valuable in a threadbare pitching rotation backed up by an even weaker bullpen.  It seems that with adversity, the Angels have responded and come up big, finding pitching help where they least expected it.  Now with Santana and Lackey on their way back, Loux could be headed to the Angels ailing bullpen (worst in the majors) while Palmer appears to be poised to keep his spot in the rotation.

Arte Moreno became the first Hispanic to own a major sports team when he bought the Angels from the Walt Disney Company in May of 2003.   Arte Moreno grew up in Arizona and graduated highschool in 1965.  After serving in the United States Army and fighting in the Vietnam War, Moreno returned to get his marketing degree from the University of Arizona.  In 1984, Outdoor Systems hired Moreno and it was here that he began his rise to the top.  After becoming president and CEO, Outdoor Systems profits grew from 500,000 to over 90 million in less then ten years.  In 1998, Moreno sold the company to Infinity Broadcasting for $8 billion.  In 2003 Moreno was able to accomplish his dream, he bought the Angels from the Walk Disney Company for $180 million.  As soon as Moreno took ownership of the team, he cut ticket and beer prices and attendence soared.  Under Moreno’s ownership, the Angels have experienced a level of success not known during the clubs Disney years, winning the American League Western Division championship in 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2008.  In April 2008, Forbes estimated the Angels worth at over 500 million dollars and commented, “[Moreno] has really done an amazing job with the franchise.  To double the value in three years without getting a new stadium is an incredible feat.”  Picky about his privacy, Moreno does make it a point however to leave the owner suite and mingle with the masses during Angel home games.  Moreno’s only controversial move came when he changed the official name of the Angels from the Anaheim Angels to The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, angering some fans and the City of Anaheim.  However, here at AHV, we say that if that is your biggest gripe with the Halos then Arte is doing just fine.

Tony Reagins is the General Manager of The Angels and became only the 4th African American GM of a major league team in October of 2007.  Reagins graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 1991 and became an intern in The Angels marketing department.  In 1998, Reagins was hired full time as manager of baseball operations.  It did not take Tony long before he was moved to director of player development in 2002.  It was in this capacity that Reagins oversaw the Halo farm system.  Under his watch, Angel affiliates achieved 18 playoff appearances, 15 division titles, and three league titles.  While under the watchful eyes of Reagins, the farm system produced players like Mike Napoli, Jeff Mathis, Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, Howie Kendrick, Kendry Morales, Erick Aybar, and Reggie Willits to name a few.  In 2007, Minor League News awarded the Angels “2007 Farm System of the Year.”  After being promoted to General Manager, Reagins immediately traded Gold Glover Orlando Cabrera to the White Sox for pitcher Jon Garland and then only days later signed fellow Gold Glover free agent Torii Hunter to a five year contract.

You know you’re an angels fan when…

1. You complain about the 5 minute wait to get out of the parking lot
2. You have a love/hate relationship with Rex Hudler
3. You think monkeys and baseball go well together
4. You hate Boston with a passion
5. You still claim 2002
6. Red makes you happy
7. Someone says Anaheim, you think Halos rather then Disneyland.
8. You remember when Walt Disney owned the Angels
9. You feel like Arte Moreno is really looking out for your best interests
10. You trust Scioscia when it comes to big screen televisions.

Rory is the lead radio play-by-play announcer for the Halos but splits time with Hudler and Physioc on the TV side.  Markas has worked for the organization now for eight years and continues to pile up broadcasting accolades for his work.  Markas has been the recipient of three Golden Mike Awards as well as two Associated Press Sportscasting Awards.  In addition to his work for The Angels, Markas is the voice of the USC Trojans basketball team.  Other tidbits of note, Markas briefly worked as a DJ in Las Vegas during the 80’s.

Terry Smith is a radio play-by-play announcer for the Angeles and has enjoyed the position since 2002.  Known for his characteristic and distinctly uttered, “Struck him out” as well as, “It is out-ta here”, Smith is the former longtime broadcaster for the New York Yankees AAA affiliate Columbus Clippers.  Smith is well known for a fan friendly and informative post game report that he anchors on KLAA 830.

Steve Physioc is The Angels local play-by-play announcer and has been involved in broadcasting since graduating from Kansas State in 1977.  Broadcasting everything from college football and basketball to calling NBA and MLB games over the course of an expansive career, Physioc has worked for The Reds, The Giants, and The Padres in addition to The Angels.  Physioc is known for his patience when conversing with his on air partner: Rex Hudler.