The Los Angeles Angels enter spring training this year with a lot to solve and a lot to prove. Losing Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers was certainly a blow, but there is still plenty of talent on the Angels roster, and hopefully Mike Trout will lead the way.
What the Angels hope will happen is a complete change in the team's outlook this season under new coach Ron Washington. Washington was praised for his motivational skills during his time with the Rangers and Braves, and for a group that can sit back and feel sorry for themselves, Washington is the perfect man at the helm to make them believe they can overachieve in 2024.
This whole process starts with spring training, and Wash will have some help in camp with former players Albert Pujols, Vladimir Guerrero, David Eckstein, Tim Salmon, and even Mark Gubicza expected to be at spring training passing on tips and giving Washington more sets of eyes around the camp.
Part of the culture Washington is trying to instill this spring with the Angels is having a work ethic that can't be beat. The first two days of spring training are usually reserved for physicals, opening interviews and little else. However, things are very different under Wash, as he has the guys who come to camp actually working out on the spot on the first day of camp.
Reviews have been very positive, with many young players taking part who were already in camp, and Logan Ohope and Patrick Sandoval also scoring as big fans of the changes so far. We'll see if that translates into more wins in 2024, but the Angels camp appears to be off to a great start.
The good news has continued to reach Angels fans, as the team announced that most spring training games will be broadcast on Bally Sports West this year. The 30-game slate is very welcome for those hungry for baseball content, although road games over three days divided into teams will unfortunately not get any TV time.
Most Arizona spring training games will feature a rotating cast of familiar faces providing play-by-play and commentary. When Los Angeles returns at the end of spring training, Mark Gubicza and Wayne Randazzo will handle the telecast calls for the “Freeway Series” exhibition games.
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