Monday 26 March 2018

2018 ANGELS SEASON PREVIEW

Photo courtesy of Angels Baseball
It’s time to play ball! Here in Southern California, Anaheim’s own Los Angeles Angels have built an all-star lineup that promises an exciting 2018 season.

“General Manager Billy Eppler and our baseball operations department had a tremendous offseason,” says Tim Mead, the team’s vice president of communications. “… This team is going to be a very, very exciting, entertaining and successful one!”

Among the major additions is Japanese powerhouse pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. “[Signing] Shohei Ohtani has been the buzz of not only Anaheim and Southern California but the baseball community at large,” Mead says. “We are all excited to watch this young man’s dedication to excel as a pitcher and hitter at the Major League level.”

But the rookie is hardly the only exciting change to a roster packed with top baseball talent. The Angels secured a three-year deal in late 2017 with free agent Zack Cozart, a longtime shortstop from the Cincinnati Reds who is moving to third base. Waiving the no-trade clause in his contract with the Detroit Tigers, second baseman Ian Kinsler is also joining the team, bringing with him a couple World Series experiences. Meanwhile, returning outfielder Mike Trout— two-time American League MVP and three-time runner-up—rounds out an impressive roster that includes Gold Glove winners Andrelton Simmons and Martín Maldonado, All-Star Justin Upton, fan favorite Kole Calhoun and of course, future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols.

“We feel this is a club with a lot of presence and one our fans are really going to enjoy following,” Mead says. “… Our starting rotation is healthy, which is so very important for us, and we have secured some additional depth in our bullpen that should play a key role.”

Those catching a game this year are also going to see a few changes around Angel Stadium. To enhance the fan experience, new scoreboards in left and right field were added, in addition to new ribbon boards around the ballpark. Legends Hospitality, the team’s food, and concessionaire partner is also working on new menu items that will be rolled out throughout the stadium.

“From the time you get in the stadium to the time you leave, one of the focuses that [owner Arte Moreno] has always insisted on is the fan experience,” Mead says. “I think we do as good a job with [that] as anyone in baseball!”

Angel Stadium is located at 2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806. Tickets for the 2018 season are on sale now at the Los Angeles Angels website.

https://visitanaheim.org/

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