What's in a name?

SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim? What's with that? It would be like calling the National Football League Jets The New York Jets of New Jersey because the stadium they play in is in New Jersey, same with the Giants (come to think of it, that's what they should be called, but I digress).

On this date in 2006 a jury in Orange County, California ruled that the owners of the American League franchise in Southern California did not breach their contract with the City of Anaheim by changing the team's name from the Anaheim Angels to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The city of Anaheim said the team violated its lease on the ball park by including Los Angeles in the name. The city of Los Angeles joined Anaheim in the suit because the Angels didn't play in Los Angeles city or county. Team owner Arte Moreno said the lease only stipulated that "Anaheim" be in the name. The team's media guide stated:

The inclusion of Los Angeles reflects the original expansion name and returns the Angels as Major League Baseball's American League representative in the Greater Los Angeles territory.

Many of you older readers may recall the team was originally called the Los Angeles Angels because they played in Los Angeles. Their first home was in a Los Angeles's version Wrigley Field (right).  

The name was changed to the California Angelswhen they moved to Anaheim. Anaheim became part of the name at the behest of the Disney Company that became involved with the Angels in the 1990's. Be that as it may, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is the team's name until further notice, despite the fact that the literal translation of The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is "The the angels angels of Anaheim."

Contributing sources:
Associated Press (AP), February 10, 2006, Santa Ana, California
Los Angeles Times, by Bill Shaikin, December 20, 2008

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