I still remember the smell of freshly cut grass on those little league fields in Anaheim, the ping of a baseball bat, the grit of the infield, and parents cheering from aluminum bleachers. That’s where I learned about pride and winning, and it’s why I’m introducing Assembly Bill 2512 to restore the Anaheim Angels name. Because I will never accept the idea that our hometown should be treated as an afterthought in the name of its own Major League Baseball team.
The team we’re talking about is the Los Angeles Angels. But let’s be honest, they don’t play in Los Angeles. They play here, in Anaheim, at Angel Stadium. A place that generations of families have filled with loyalty, tradition, and hard-earned dollars, regardless of wins or losses. As someone who grew up here, who wore an Anaheim jersey, I can tell you this… Names matter. Identity matters. Winning matters. And replacing “Anaheim” with a rival city’s name is not simply a business decision, it diminishes a community.
I’ve competed at the highest level of collegiate athletics and understand the business side of sports and how it impacts revenue: branding, exposure, winning, growth. But I also understand something deeper. Teams are not just brands, they are symbols. They represent pride, people, and place, and when you remove “Anaheim” from that identity, you send a message that this city is secondary, interchangeable, expendable.
It isn’t.
Anaheim is not a dot on a map between bigger markets. It is a city with its own bona fide culture, history, and sports legacy. Some will argue that “Los Angeles” brings broader recognition. Maybe it does. But at what cost? Are we really saying a team must borrow another city’s identity to “grow the brand”? That Anaheim, with its economic strength, global visibility, and passionate fan base, isn’t enough?
I reject that entirely. Pride and winning are not honors you outsource; they are earned.
Today, discussions about the future of Angel Stadium and the surrounding land are not just about development, they are about identity and the responsible use of public assets. Under the California Surplus Land Act, when public land is considered for sale or lease, there is a clear mandate: prioritize the public good, ensure transparency, and create opportunities that deliver meaningful community benefit. That law exists to ensure public land is not handed over without scrutiny or without returning value to the people. And that value must go beyond financial terms.
Yes, housing matters. Yes, economic development matters. But so does civic identity.
So, if public land is part of the equation, if flexibility, exemptions, or development opportunities are to be granted, then it is entirely fair to ask for something in return that restores dignity and recognition to the people who make this franchise possible. The public deserves more than dollars and cents. They deserve respect. They deserve to see themselves in what they have helped build.
We have a responsibility to ensure that any decision involving public land reflects the values of the public itself, and one of those values is pride of place. I’ve carried that pride from those little league fields to college stadiums and now into public service. I know what it means to represent my hometown, and I know when my community is being overlooked.
So here’s the bottom line: if an entity seeks flexibility under the Surplus Land Act for publicly controlled land in Anaheim, then the people of Anaheim deserve a return that reflects more than financial gain. That means any deal tied to the stadium property must include restoring “Anaheim” to the team’s name. Because this team plays here, in our city, on our land, in front of our families, supported by our community. If the Angels are going to continue to play in Anaheim, then their name should say so.
Anaheim deserves nothing less.
Avelino Valencia represents the 68th district in the California Assembly.