The O.C. Register reported that Angel Stadium of Anaheim had 118 vermin (i.e. rat) infestation violations at hot dog stands, kiosks and in-stadium restaurants as reported by the health inspector since 2005. And 33 of those were “major” vermin infestations. That compares unfavorably to Dodger Stadium, which had only seven and PetCo Park in San Diego, which had only 2 during the same period.
As a die-hard Angel fan — a season tickete holder for the past three years — I am reeling.
I’ve eaten their hot dogs and enjoyed their tasty “Italian beef” sandwiches. So have my kids. I can say right now, as I type those words, a feeling of nausea and helplessness permeates my body. And I’m not talking about the Angels’ hitting attack.
It’s been um, tough these last nine years convincing my fellow baseball lovers in the West San Gabriel Valley where I live to root for the Angels, after all, this is still Dodger Country. I cheered on Arte Moreno’s billboard campaign, his marketing reach into the San Gabriel Valley, agreeing that Angel fans don’t just come from Orange County. There have been Angel cap spottings in Pasadena, Alhambra, Temple City.
This story will make it harder to be at the front of the line defending the old Angels vs. Dodgers debate. Though I still bleed Angel red, I’ll be stopping at the Burger King for dinner before entering the stadium when I return to my seats Wednesday night.