Angels Fans Crave New Ownership and Winning Above All Else

Frustrated fans boo team president as a proxy for owner Arte Moreno's controversial comments about fan priorities

Apr. 4, 2026 at 11:04am

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At the Angels' 2026 home opener, fans loudly booed the ceremonial first pitch thrown by team president John Carpino, seen as a proxy for unpopular owner Arte Moreno. Moreno had recently stated in an interview that surveys show affordability is the top priority for Angels fans, with winning not even in the top five. Fans in attendance strongly disagreed, chanting "sell the team" and expressing their desire for new ownership committed to building a winning team.

Why it matters

The Angels have struggled on the field for over a decade, missing the playoffs for 11 straight seasons. Despite this, the team still draws solid attendance, showing the passion of the fan base. However, Moreno's comments about fan priorities have deeply angered supporters who feel winning should be the top priority for the team's ownership.

The details

At the home opener, fans booed as team president John Carpino threw out the ceremonial first pitch, seeing him as a proxy for unpopular owner Arte Moreno. Fans held signs and wore shirts expressing their desire for Moreno to sell the team, with one fan's shirt listing "sell the team" as the top priority. Several fans expressed their belief that winning should be the top priority, not affordability, contradicting Moreno's recent comments.

  • The Angels celebrated their 2026 home opener on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • Moreno made his controversial comments about fan priorities in a recent interview with the Orange County Register.

The players

Arte Moreno

The owner of the Los Angeles Angels, who has come under fire from fans for his comments about their priorities.

John Carpino

The president of the Los Angeles Angels, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the home opener and was booed by fans as a proxy for Moreno.

Ashleigh Aitken

The mayor of Anaheim, who is a long-time Angels season ticket holder and expressed her belief that winning is a top priority for the team's loyal fan base.

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What they’re saying

“If you're not in it to win it, then what are we doing?”

— Jose Bocanegra, Angels fan

“Winning is our No. 2 priority. No. 1 is getting a new owner.”

— Jarod Venegas, Angels fan

“I don't necessarily feel it came out wrong. I feel he hasn't cared for a while.”

— Johnny Estrada, Angels fan

What’s next

The Angels will look to address the concerns of their frustrated fan base, potentially by making a renewed commitment to building a winning team or exploring a sale of the franchise to new ownership.

The takeaway

The Angels' loyal fan base has grown increasingly frustrated with the team's lack of success on the field and owner Arte Moreno's apparent disconnect with their priorities. While affordability is important, fans overwhelmingly believe that winning should be the top priority for the franchise, and many are calling for new ownership that will be dedicated to returning the Angels to the playoffs and contending for championships.