16 March 2012

"Los Angeles is a constellation of plastic." - Norman Mailer

Hello all, today's blog post is brought to you by your fascinating guest blogger, Bethany's husband Matthew.

                                            

Today, I'll be writing about The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Seriously, that name is ridiculous.  Does that mean we should call them the Minnesota Twins of Minneapolis, or the Texas Rangers of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex (but mostly in Arlington)?  Is there something special about Anaheim that makes it worth mentioning, other than Disneyland?  I know Disney wants us to believe that Anaheim is some kind of destination worth caring about, but no one really does.  Disney World is infinitely better, if you like that kind of thing.

There's not much to say about the Angels other than that they won one World Series in 2002 against an incredibly juiced Barry Bonds.  However, the original owner of the Angels was none other than Gene Autry, cowboy singer extraordinaire.  Gene Autry's real name is Orvon Grover Autry, so you can see why he went by Gene (although Gene isn't really a badass cowboy name either, I'd bet that if he was a real cowboy he wouldn't have done very well).

                         gene autry

Orvon Grover is most famous for the songs "Here Comes Santa Claus", "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer", and "Frosty the Snowman" (also not particularly cowboy).  He owned a ranch in California that was originally called the Monogram Ranch.  He renamed it Melody Ranch, not very cowboy.  Although they did film the first few years of Gunsmoke there, so that maybe gives it an air of authenticity. So, I guess what I'm saying is that Orvon Grover, the Angels, and Los Angeles are perfect partners.  He was a fake cowboy, the Angels don't really have an identity (they just sign good players from other teams, a small time Yankees if you will), and I'm pretty sure Los Angeles doesn't really exist.

Ladies and Gentleman, your Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim!

***Blog owner's note -- The views of this author do not necessarily reflect those of the blog owner. She (I) would like to say for the record that she (I) loves (love) Gene Autry. Christmas would not be same without him. Hopefully our marriage can survive this rift.

6 comments:

Jill, Benevolent Dictator said...

Look here, Mr. Guest Blogger, Disney World is not in Anaheim. The destination you meant to refer to is, in fact, Disneyland. It is smaller, more intimate, and more fulfilling than any tomfoolery one might find in Orlando. Consider yourself served.

Bethn8r said...

I fixed it, he mistyped. He meant Disneyland, but yes, he was slamming it in comparison to Disney World.

mm said...

I'm sure your marriage will survive especially if you were kind enough to guest post.

I, too, think it's a dumb name.

KC said...

That's great guest blogging!!

dw said...

Brilliant! I have left similar disclaimers when I have guest-blogged for KC. Clearly, though, you need your own blog.

Also, if a be-fringed green and red-striped shiny shirt isn't "cowboy," then what is?

Also, too, the Vikings now play at "Mall of America Field at Metrodome," so who are we to criticize the Angels dumb-ass name?

LH said...

I concur. Great guest blogging. And I love Gene's shirt.