Josh Hamilton and C.J. Wilson banners removed from Angel Stadium entrance
You can walk or drive past any major league stadium and figure out pretty quickly which players the corresponding team views as faces of the franchise.
The Los Angeles Angels are no exception to that rule. At the main entrance to Angel Stadium, six large banners each featuring the likeness of an Angels player welcome fans to the ballpark every day, and the message is simply: “These are our guys. Take’em or leave’em.”
With that in mind, MLB.com points out that this season’s Angels banners have undergone some major changes despite the team making few significant changes during the offseason. Of the six banners, only Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Jered Weaver remain from last season. Basic math tells us that means three banners were removed and three new banners were put up in their place.
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Here’s a look at the new banners. .
It’s difficult to tell, but that’s Erick Aybar on the bottom left, Garrett Richards top middle, and Huston Street top right. They’re the new arrivals.
As for those removed, according to MLB.com, those would be Josh Hamilton, C.J. Wilson and Howie Kendrick.
Kendrick goes without explanation. He was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney back on Dec. 11. What the Angels are likely to learn here though is that replacing Kendrick’s banner will be far easier than replacing his production from the second base position. But sometimes those are the decisions teams must make.
With Hamilton it’s understandable as well. After coming forward in February and admitting a relapse reportedly involving cocaine, he could face a year-long suspension, which takes him out of the team’s plans. As cold-hearted as it might seem, they’re better off distancing themselves from a marketing standpoint while maintaining their support on a personal level.
As for Wilson, well, the message is a little stiffer considering he’s still on the team and isn’t mired in any controversy. It’s simply the Angels acknowledging he’s no longer one of the team’s best players four years into a five-year, $77.5 million contract, and perhaps on a deeper level they’re acknowledging his days are numbered.
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Both potential realities are not lost on Wilson, who briefly addressed the banner removal on Friday.
“It’s the big leagues,” Wilson said. “You lose 10 or 11 games, you’re not going to be the face of a franchise. It’s fine.”
He’s taking it in stride, but his pride has to be a little bit sore. Especially considering he was born and raised in Orange County and grew up wanting to pitch for the hometown team. With that said though, it wasn’t just the “10 or 11 losses” that have the Angels souring. it’s 4.81 ERA he posted last season and especially the league-high 85 walks he issued in 175.2 innings.
Those the areas Wilson has to improve on to change their mind, and he should have a chance to do so. The Angels can send all the symbolic messages they want, but it will always come down to results. If Wilson can somehow use this as motivation as opposed to the beginning of the end, then maybe he can leave the relationship on his own terms.
BLS H/N: Larry Brown Sports
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
