Rod Carew, a former player for the Los Angeles Angels, is estranged from the club and believes that the only way to resolve their issues is for the team to be sold.
Carew, a Hall-of-Fame first baseman, even considered requesting the removal of all references to him in the stadium. However, he decided against it because he wants fans to remember his time with the Angels.
Carew opened up about his strained relationship with the organization due to the numerous Angels fans who have expressed their disappointment at not seeing him around the stadium.
Neither Carew nor his wife have been to Angel Stadium since 2022.
“I encounter #Angels fans everywhere, and they say, ‘Hey, we don’t see you around the stadium anymore.’ Well, that’s not because of me. It’s because of the people upstairs.” Hall-of-Famer Rod Carew opens up about his strained relationship with Halos. https://t.co/87GcAVBEr1
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) April 11, 2024
In a meeting with team president John Carpino, Carew asked if he could attend Angels spring training as a guest instructor, but the request was denied due to a potential conflict of interest.
Carew also faced a similar situation in 2000 when the Angels found out he had been with the Minnesota Twins during spring training. He feels slighted by the Angels and has no intention of jeopardizing his relationship with the Twins.
Rod Carew declined an invitation to attend the Angels’ 2023 home opener and was not invited to the 2024 home opener. This led to him deciding to tell his side of the story, feeling as though he had been blacklisted.
However, the Angels’ president, John Carpino, denied this and stated that Carew is always welcome at Angel Stadium. Carew’s frustration with the team began in 2022 when owner Arte Moreno announced the possible sale of the franchise.
Although the team was later taken off the market, Carew felt Moreno did not address his issues with former manager Mike Scioscia.
Carew’s relationship with the Angels worsened after he suffered a heart attack in 2015, with no executives visiting him in the hospital.
Carew was furloughed during the pandemic and not retained, despite having years left on his contract. Carpino said a reconciliation is possible if Moreno reaches out, to which Carew responded with a “maybe.”
Fans reacted as follows.
So, he openly rooted for Arte to sell and now he’s griping about ARTE burning bridges?
— Earned not Given (@10oh3point1) April 11, 2024
This is a real shame. Rod Carew is an Angels legend. He shouldn’t be treated like this.
— Geoff (@GeoffOC_) April 11, 2024
Sadly, we shouldn’t be shocked. Arte needs to see this team.
— JRod (@JROD56) April 11, 2024
He wants Arte to sell the team.
Just like the rest of us. #RepTheHalo pic.twitter.com/0TFajtuJRX— Arte Moreno is a terrorist 𖤐 (@Halos760) April 11, 2024
— Austin Brady (@austinivich) April 11, 2024
Arte Moreno is a bum and needs to sell!
— BustedGril$$$ (@xSilentWindx) April 11, 2024
He can see the ineptitude and he probably can’t stand by and just watch Artie run it over the cliffs.
— ron rummel (@rummel_ron) April 11, 2024
Full disclosure, Rod Carew is a jerk.
— bob (@bob38305676) April 11, 2024
