December 29, 200322 yr 12/29/2003 2:56 PM ET New name for Big A 'Angel Stadium of Anaheim' to replace Edison Field By Doug Miller / MLB.com Edison International made its decision, Arte Moreno made his, and the ballpark on Katella will have a new name in 2004. The Angels announced Monday that their stadium will be known as Angel Stadium of Anaheim for the 2004 season, ending a naming-rights agreement that called the ballpark Edison International Field of Anaheim since 1998. When the utility company exercised its option to exit the agreement, the club decided to go back to a non-corporate name for the �04 season. "Moving forward we will rename the facility Angel Stadium," club president Dennis Kuhl said in a statement. "The decision is both part of a continuing effort to expand our brand, as well as a return to baseball tradition. The future possibility of a new partnership with a title sponsor remains an option." The Angels already have made significant strides toward increasing that branding, changing the road uniforms to say �Angels� across the front instead of �Anaheim� and planning for a major upgrade to the outfield scoreboard. Edison agreed to pay the Angels more than $60 million over a total of 20 years for the naming rights and a package that included advertising and a luxury suite, but the company opted out of the deal Monday, although Kuhl and an Edison official said there was no animosity. "We appreciate the working relationship we have shared with Edison International during its tenure as our title sponsor," Kuhl said. "We anticipate a continuing relationship in the future." Edison chairman John E. Bryson�s statement was very similar to Kuhl�s. "We appreciate the sponsorship we have had with the Angels and wish this world-class organization much success in the future," Bryson said. With the new name, the Angels can concentrate more on bringing their fans in touch with the team�s illustrious past. The team has lately been more vigilant in using the park�s nickname, "The Big A," which refers to the towering A-frame scoreboard that used to stand behind the outfield wall but now sits by the freeway in the parking lot. The Angels also will host a two-day fan festival at Angel Stadium on Feb. 14-15. Doug Miller is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs
December 29, 200322 yr Most Angels fans prefer to call the stadium the Big "A" versus the departed Edison Field.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.