Sunday, April 18, 2004
City of Angels? Anaheim's trying
Team's working hard to extend fan base in Los Angeles
Building brand loyalty takes time, and money. Angels owner Arturo Moreno so far has willingly invested both to extend the team's geographical reach and to fulfill his vision.
The revamped Angels - Moreno spent more than $140-million on four high-profile free agents during the offseason - have undertaken an aggressive marketing campaign that encroaches on traditional Los Angeles Dodgers territory.
"There are 16 million-plus people in the (Los Angeles) metro area. We both drew over 3 million people last year," Moreno told CBS SportsLine.com. "There is absolutely no reason to try and erode (the Dodgers) fan base."
But the Angels appear to be distancing themselves from the Anaheim label to enhance overall appeal.
The city's name is absent from new advertisements adorning 18 billboards in Los Angeles, replaced with the traditional "A" logo and halo. The team's road jerseys, pocket schedules and tickets identify the team in nickname and logo only.
"What we're doing is promoting Angels baseball," Moreno said. "We're starting to grow our fan base.
"I think it takes a long time because you have to be consistent, and you have to deliver a good product."
TAX TIME: Ballplayers, like everybody else, have to pay income taxes.
In addition to federal income taxes, players must pay any state and city income taxes for each locale they play in.
"The state sees you come in and it's like they see dollar signs," Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers said. "They're like piranha."
OOPS FOR O'S: The Orioles expect to be fined after a roster mixup involving rookie pitcher Eric Bedard and outfielder Jack Cust last weekend.
The Orioles optioned Bedard to Triple-A Ottawa on March 30 with the intention of recalling him to start against the Devil Rays on April 10, and sending Cust to Ottawa in return.
Bedard started the game as planned and allowed three runs on six hits over three innings in Baltimore's 11-3 win.
Per major-league rules, a team must wait 10 days during the regular season to recall a player sent to the minors.
Because Baltimore's season did not begin until April 4, the transaction was voided but the Orioles kept the win.
GO THE DISTANCE: Such gracious hosts are the Royals that actor Kevin Costner might partake in spring training next year.
Country artist Garth Brooks worked out with the team this spring.
Costner, who has starred in three baseball-themed movies, was asked by Royals Hall of Famer George Brett about the possibility last week, according to the Kansas City Star.
"He was really excited about (it)," Brett told the paper. "Then he said, 'Yeah, but I don't want to be a burden. I don't want to be one of those celebrities who just hangs out with the players and gets in everyone's way.'
"But I told him it's not like that. Garth was a welcome addition, and Kevin would be the same."
QUOTABLE: "It kind of completed the circle of my family. They were saying my dad (Bobby Bonds) was the next Willie Mays. They just got the name wrong, from Bobby to Barry." - Giants outfielder Barry Bonds on tying, and later passing, Willie Mays for third place on baseball's all-time home run list. Bonds tied Mays with his 660th career homer on Monday, and hit No. 661 on Tuesday.
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Information from other news organizations and notes submitted by baseball writers were used in this report.
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