Welcome to the Los Angeles sports team guide! Here you will find a guide to all the sports teams in L.A. The guide will help you learn about the history of the teams, players on the team, and fun facts on the team.
The purpose of the guide is to help the novice sports fan either pick a team in L.A. to support, or just to learn a little bit more about their favorite team.
The guide got special help from Los Angeles Times sports columnists T.J. Simers, longtime sports writer and participant on ESPN's "Around the Horn," and Bill Dwyre, who was L.A. Times sports editor for 25 tears. They voice their own opinions on every L.A. sports team. Special thanks goes out to those two for helping out.
Click on one of the teams under the title "TEAMS" on the left to get to the guide.
Please discuss anything you want to in the site forum.
After you are done browsing the site, or if you already have a favorite team, take the survey! Results of the survey will be posted after enough votes are cast.
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Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Chivas USA
Chivas USA is a branch of Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas), one of Mexico's most popular teams. The team has a fierce rivalry with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
History
The Mexican Chivas has been around since 1908. Because of the rising number of Mexican immigrants living in Southern California, Chivas had a very large following in Los Angeles. So Chivas USA was founded in 2004 and had their first game in 2005. The team's original plan was to field only Hispanic players - but after a four-win first season, the idea was scrapped. Chivas USA has a very large following in the Hispanic community, despite having only two Mexican players. Chivas won 10 games the following season, and last year they won 15 games in reaching the Western Conference Semifinals before losing to the Kansas City Wizards.
Current Situation
Chivas USA is off to a rocky start this year. Despite the addition of goal scorer Alecko Eskandarian and Swiss international Raphael Wicky, they are 1-2-1 with eight goals scored against, third worst in the league. Eskandarian, Wicky, and star forward Ante Razov have all been injured, and their best player, Sacha Kljestan, was suspended for a game. Chivas is sure to find their form after their key players return from injuries, but Chivas fans should be a little worried at goalkeeper Brad Guzan's inability to keep balls out of the goal. He has only 12 saves this season. That means of the 20 shots on frame, 40 percent have gone in. For a goalie, a 60 percent save rate is pretty bad. Heck, it's unacceptable, especially for a player of his caliber.
Fun FactChivas USA coach Preki is one of the most successful players in MLS history. In his 10-year MLS career, he scored 79 goals and tallied 112 assists. The eight-time all-star and two-time MVP played spend most of his career with the Kansas City Wizards, where he won the championship in 2000. Preki played until he was 41 years old. Now 44, he may want to put on the Chivas uniform to help his team climb back to the top of the western conference.
Why People Like
Hispanics living in Southern California have obvious ties to Chivas USA, but they are slowly becoming more and more popular among casual soccer fans as well. After sitting in the Galaxy's shadow the first year, they have established themselves as the best soccer team in L.A. Fans that are tired of L.A.'s recent fall from greatness unimpressed with the Beckham phenomenon find solace in supporting Chivas USA. Despite Chivas' success, their attendance is still second to the Galaxy.
Why People Hate Them Chivas USA isn't exactly the most marketable team. With most of their fans being Hispanic and the majority of them being hardcore soccer fans, it can be intimidating for the average fan to support a team as beloved as Chivas USA. Simply put, there fans are too crazy for some. Chivas USA also has the image as a "team full of Mexicans," when it couldn't be further from the truth. But with success comes popularity. I predict in the next few years, after Chivas USA has won its first championship, they will have as many supporters at the Galaxy. That is, if they break out of this early-season funk. Getting beat by the Galaxy 5-2 in their first meeting of the season certainly didn't help.#1 Fan
Considering Chivas USA has a hard time in general getting fans, they've have had a really tough time getting any A-listers, or B-listers even, to come out to their games. Chivas USA even started a promotion called "the Shirts off their Backs" where they give their uniforms away to fans after every home game. So anyways, this is the best I could do:
Ladies and gentleman, Chivas USA's token celebrity fan: Morrissey. The lead singer of The Smiths was spotted wearing a Chivas USA jersey last year. (I know this is stretching it, but it's the best I can do. Hell, I can't even tell you that this is 100% Morrissey. But let's be honest - the guy is pretty weird, so it's totally not surprising the Englishman to sport a Chivas USA soccer jersey.) Best Player
Tough call here - it's really between three players: Ante Razov, Sacha Kljestan, and Brad Guzan. Razov is the second-leading scorer in MLS history with 109 career goals. last year he scored 11 goals for Chivas USA, and 14 the year before that. Kljestan is the future of the franchise and perhaps American soccer. The 22-year-old midfielder is one of the stars of the U.S. Olympic team that will be competing for a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Guzan is the best young goalie in the U.S. (even though he is struggling this season). Guzan was THIS close to being signed to Aston Villa, a team in the world's best soccer league, the English Premiership. These three players are the most important players on the roster, and they all must step up this season if they want to change the direction the team is heading.
Venue
Like the L.A. Galaxy, they also play their games in the Home Depot Center. But unlike the Galaxy, Chivas USA isn't filling up the stadium. Since 2005, when both teams began to share the Home Depot Center, the Galaxy have averaged 24,067 fans. Chivas USA has averaged on 17,186 fans. That is a difference of nearly 7,000 fans. That's a lot of dough. Galaxy games tend to utilize the grass-covered upper-area of the stadium, where fans can bring picnic blankets and enjoy the game for cheap prices, while Chivas USA games do not.
Simers Says
Just thrilled that Beckham is playing for the Galaxy.
This picture just scared the crap out of every Chivas USA fan.
Verdict
If you actually like to watch decent soccer, Chivas USA is your team. While they don't have Beckham or his fine-looking wife to look at during games, they actually play good soccer. If you are a fan of good soccer and have an interest in the future of American soccer, Chivas USA is the team to support. Games are way more exciting (the crowd is much livelier) and tickets are cheaper. And there's always the chance you'll run into Morrissey.
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are the original L.A. soccer team. From Jorge Campos to Cobi Jones to David Beckham, the Galaxy have never had a problem entertaining their fans. But even with Beckham in the lineup, soccer still sits at the bottom of the sports chain in L.A.
History
The Galaxy were one of the original 10 teams in the MLS. Their first year was a good one. They reached the first MLS Cup against DC United and played one of the most exciting games in MLS history - a 3-2 sudden-death DC United victory. The Galaxy would go on to reach the MLS Cup four more times, winning it in 2002 and 2005. The Galaxy changed the face of the league in 2007 when they signed David Beckham, an international soccer superstar.
Current Situation
Although the arrival of Beckham brought the team a lot of attention, it didn't bring success. Beckham was hurt for most of the season and the Galaxy finished with a record of 9-14-7. In the offseason, the Galaxy brought in former Dutch superstar Ruud Gullit to coach the team. They also re-signed former Galaxy MVP Carlos Ruiz to boost scoring. But in a absent-minded move, the Galaxy sold veteran defender Chris Albright to New England. This left the Galaxy's defense anemic, inexperienced, and lacking chemistry. This season the Galaxy are 1-2-1 with a league-leading nine goals against. While the defense looks terrible, Beckham and long-time crowd favorite Landon Donovan have hooked up for half the team's goals and look quite comfortable playing with eachother.
Fun Fact
The Galaxy played in the Rose Bowl from 1996 to 2003. In their first home game ever at the Rose Bowl, 69,255 fans were in attendance. Later in the year, 92,216 people came to watch them beat the Tampa Bay Mutiny, the largest crowd in the history of MLS soccer until 2006
(a game between Chivas USA and the New England Revolution in front of 92,650). However, even with the all-time high crowd of upwards of 90,000, only three months later the Galaxy would play a home game in front of only 8,561 people. In 1999, the Galaxy played a home game against the Columbus Crew in front of only 4,825 - the smallest crowd in the history of the Los Angeles Galaxy. Why People Like Them
They are the original team. If you were a soccer fan living in Los Angeles in the mid-1990s, you were automatically attracted to the L.A. Galaxy. They had the lovable American (Cobi Jones), the exciting Mexican (Jorge Campos), the gifted midfielder (Mauricio Cienfuegos), and the forward with the funny name (Eduardo Hurtado).
They made the playoffs every year for the first 10 years of the league, so they were always successful and fun to watch. Now with the arrival of David Beckham, they reached a whole new fan base that no team in the MLS had been able to reach - women. Young, old, married, divorced - all women were suddenly begging their husbands or their dads to take them to Galaxy games. The Galaxy have the two most marketable players in the MLS in Donovan and Beckham. Why People Hate Them
They suck. Like, they really, really suck. A 7th-grade girls all-star team could score on the Galaxy defense. And I'm not even exaggerating. They did a great job of picking up Beckham and Gullit, but they did nothing to bolster their defense. Last year the Galaxy gave up 48 goals - only Toronto FC (an expansion team) gave up more goals. You would think they they would have picked up some defenders in the off-season. Instead, they sold their best defender. Whoops. And as much hype and attention that Beckham gets, a lot of it is negative. Intelligent soccer fans are quick to downplay Beckham's talents and are especially critical of his style of play. For every two fans that love Beckham, there is one that thinks he's overrated. The verdict still isn't in yet - but a lot will be decided after Beckham finished his first full year in the MLS.
#1 Fan
Drew Carey. The comic is a season ticket holder for Galaxy games and has been involved with soccer for a long time. He recently competed in a celebrity/athlete video game soccer tournament where he donated $160,000 to a soccer-related fund. He even moonlighted as a photographer for the U.S. National Soccer Team!
Carey's allegiance to the Galaxy may be coming to an end this year - he recently became a minority owner of the Seattle Sounders - an MLS team that will start next year. The Sounders are the only professional club in the U.S. to let their fans vote to keep or fire the general manager every four years. It's a revolutionary idea that much more teams should adopt. So with Carey gone, who will step into his shoes? Will Ferrel has been spotted at a few games. Maybe Mr. Burgundy will take it to the next level.Best Player
David Beckham. And I am going to explain why. While most American soccer fans would say, "Dude, he's so overrated. He doesn't score goals. He doesn't play defense. He isn't quick. He's over the hill. Blah blah blah...," he really is a gifted player. He isn't the goal-scorer that many thought he was. He was never a goal scorer. But he is one of the most accurate passers in the game. He could hit a Coke bottle from 60 yards away. He can bend a ball around a wall of six men. He can hit a teammate running full speed with a perfectly placed ball to his feet. He already has three assists this season (and one goal). His job isn't to play defense or score goals. He was brought to the Galaxy to:
1) increase attendace - check
2) revitalize the MLS - check
3) make the Galaxy better - check
He has done his job, and all the haters need to back off. The Galaxy are bad because they have no defense. Beckham is doing his part, on and off the field. Here is Beckham's first goal he scored last year against the DC United in the SuperLiga semi-final.
Venue
The Galaxy play at the Home Depot Center in Carson. Opened in 2003, the Galaxy is the Holy Grail of American soccer-specific venues. Currently there are seven soccer-specific stadiums in the MLS, with three more in the works. The Home Depot Center is the largest and most popular.
Simers Says
Beckham comes here to put soccer on the map. It sounded like a good idea at the time.
Dwyre Says
I simply don't see enough of [them] to even comment.
Verdict
If you are the casual soccer fan - you like to watch it, but you don't really know players names - then the Galaxy are the team for you. Yes, you may be hopping on the Beckham bandwagon, but at least you're supporting a team with history and a team a stud.
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are the reigning NHL champions, being the first California team to win the Stanley Cup.
History
The Ducks are probably the only professional team to get their start based off a movie. Owned by Disney, the team was originally known as the Mighty Ducks, based off the Disney movie, "The Mighty Ducks."
From 1995-2001, Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya would be one of the best scoring tandems in the NHL and would twice lead the Mighty Ducks to the playoffs. The Ducks made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003 before losing to the New Jersey Devils in seven games. The Ducks would fail to reach the playoffs the next year, and the following year the season was cancelled due to a players strike. In 2004, Disney sold the team to Henry Samueli, and in 2006, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim changed its name to the Anaheim Ducks. With the name change brought unexpected success - the Ducks won their first Stanley Cup, led by Selanne, Andy McDonald, and Scott Niedermayer. Current Situation
The Ducks finished in second place in the Pacific Division and were favored to defend the Cup. However, they were eliminated in the first round by the Dallas Stars after losing their first two games at home. The Ducks were missing two important playes, Corey Perry and Rob Niedermayer, but losing in the first round was a major disappointment. But even with the early exit, the Ducks are still the best team in L.A. and are also one of the most physical, making their games exciting to watch. George Parros is part of a dying breed of enforcers in the NHL, and Chris Pronger and Todd Bertuzzi are also two of the more physical players in the league.
Fun FactGeorge Parros has the greatest moustache in the NHL, and perhaps the greatest in professional sports. He may not have the greatest hockey skills, but he is one of the busiest fighters in the league. Parros has become a fan favorite in Anaheim because of his toughness and moustache. Because of Parros' popularity, the Ducks sell fake moustaches in the Honda Center.
Although he may look like a thug, Parros is actually a graduate of Princeton University. According to Hockeyfights.com Parros was involved in 23 fights, winning eight of them and drawing three. Here is one one of Parros' better fights this year. Why People Like Them
Like the Angels, the Ducks have strong ties to Disney. If you asked any male between the ages of 20-30 who Gordon Bombay is, pretty much all of them would know he was played by Emilio Estevez in "The Mighty Ducks." Disney made sure Ducks games offered a family-friendly environment. Attendance has been very good the past two seasons, with the Honda Center repeatedly selling out 74 games in a row. In fact, this season the Ducks sold-out every single home game. The Ducks are also a better team than the Kings, so the casual L.A. hockey fan may find themselves rooting for the Ducks. The Ducks also have many likable players, including long-time fan favorite Selanne.
Why People Hate Them
The Ducks became the first California team to win the Stanley Cup and it pissed off hockey fans everywhere else. In Canada, hockey is a religion. It's hard enough for them to accept an American team winning the Stanley Cup, but when a team from Southern California wins the Cup, it's simply too much to handle. When USA basketball finished third place at the last Olympic Games, American basketball pundits and fans alike were outraged and upset. That is what the Ducks winning the Stanley Cup was like. The Ducks also have the same problem the Angels have - being located in Anaheim is a pain in the butt for fans. The Interstate 5 Freeway is absolutely brutal to drive on, and just getting to the game can cause major headaches for fans.
#1 Fan
Snoop Dogg. Seriously. Yabba dabba dizzle, fo shizzle nizzle!
Best Player
Teemu Selanne, at age 37, came out of retirement to return to the Ducks this season. In only 26 games, he had 12 goals and 11 assists. But his return may have been more important for team morale than scoring goals. Acquired at the end of January, the Ducks went on to win 10 of 13 games in February and 20 of their last 28. Selanne returned as a hero to Ducks fans and led the team to a second place finish in the division.
Venue
The Honda Center. Located within walking distance of Disneyland and Angels Stadium, the Honda Center has been home of the Ducks since their first season. The Honda Center is one located off the 5 Freeway, and as I've mentioned before, is a pretty big pain in the ass to get to from Downtown Los Angeles. The Honda Center (formerly known as Arrowhead Pond) is also the site of high school basketball championship games. The Center seats more than 17,000 for hockey games. Only 15 years old, the Center is a desirable arena to play in and has been known as having a very fan-friendly atmosphere. The only drawback about the Honda Center is that because the Ducks are pretty succesful, tickets are more expensive than Kings games, even though the Kings play in a brand-new arena.
Simers Says
They tell me they won the Stanley Cup. I'm guessing that's a big deal.
Dwyre Says
Getting old, sliding out of contention for another Stanley Cup in the next few years.
Verdict
The Ducks are the best team in Los Angeles and are definitely more exciting than the Kings. They have a good combination of toughness, skill, and flair. If you can handle the 30-minute to 2-hour commute to Anaheim, the Ducks are a good team to support. But be careful - you may get a lot of flack for supporting a hockey team. People in So Cal simply don't care enough about hockey to follow the Angels. Just ask Simers.
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are the original L.A. hockey team. Playing in the heart of Downtown, the Kings have had a rich tradition in Los Angeles and have a strong So Cal hockey following.
History
The Kings and Lakers moved into the newly-build Forum in 1967. The Kings would make the playoffs seven years in a row beginning in 1987, culminating in thier first Stanley Cup appearance in 1992-93, led by Wayne Gretzky, Jarri Kurri, and Luc Robitaille. The Kings would go on to lose to the Montreal Canadiens in the Finals. Since then, the Kings have only made the playoffs four times, the last in 2002. Despite the recent woes, the Kings have had 13 Hall of Famers, including the greatest hockey player of all time in Wayne Gretzky.
Current Situation
It's hard to say there is a team in L.A. that is worse than the Clippers, but the Kings give them a run for their money. I originally said they were abysmal, but to be more specific, their defense is terrible. They gave up the third-most goals in the NHL last year. They haven't made the playoffs in six years. They have a great young player in Anze Kopitar (only 20 years old and led the team in points), but have struggled all season to find consistency. This season, they used six different goaltenders - six! You can't expect to win games when you are constantly changing the player in your most important position. Because of the poor record of the Kings, the attendance has been disappointing the past couple years.
Fun Fact
ESPN's head hockey analyst, Barry Melrose, was once the coach of the Kings. In fact, it was Melrose that unexpectedly led the Kings to the Stanley Cup in his first year of coaching in 1993. The next two years, however, would not be good for the Kings and Melrose was let go halfway through the 1994-95 season. Melrose was known for his magnificent mullet in his coaching days and even made a one-time appearance in a "This is Sportscenter" commercial.
Why People Like Them
The Kings reached their peak in the late 80's up until their Stanley Cup appearance in '93. This is thanks to the most part to Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky revitalized hockey in Los Angeles. I remember the days of every kid in my school having a Gretzky jersey. He and Magic Johnson were the biggest athletes in Los Angeles during his stint in L.A. Not to mention the fact that Gretzky has arguably the hottest wife in all of sports. The Kings also play in the Staples Center, which is easy to get to and offers pretty cheap tickets in the nose-bleed sections. The Kings also have the distinction of never being owned by Disney, which is a turn-on to a lot of L.A. hockey fans. The Kings also have Kopitar, who at 20 years old, has a very bright future in front of him.
Why People Hate Them
The Kings haven't made the playoffs in six years - six freaking years! That's a longer playoff drought than the Clippers. They stink. That's the bottom line. While I doubt very many people hate the Kings, they are losing more fans than they are gaining. And with the recent success of the Ducks, the casual hockey fan is leaning more towards the Ducks than the Kings. I think the number one way to make the Kings popular again is to bring in Gretzky to be the coach. He may not be the most succesful coach in Phoenix, but he's The Great One and the Kings really have nothing to lose.
#1 FanElisha Cuthbert. She is a Kings season ticket holder and used to date New York Rangers badass Sean Avery. She even use to have a hockey blog. The star of "Girl Next Door" made famous for her bit role in "Old School," she is the perfect L.A. sports fan, and just the fan the Kings need to get people talking about them. Unfortunately, no one really cares about hockey, so no one knows Cuthbert is a Kings fan.
Best Player
Kopitar. The 20-year-old wonder is part of a new breed of young players in the NHL that are making hockey somewhat relevant again. Often overlooked because of Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, Kopitar is the future of the Kings franchise. At 6'4", 220 lbs., he's got everything you want in a hockey player. The kid is looking at another 20 years in the NHL, and if the Kings are smart, they will keep him as long as they can. Here's a shootout goal against Martin Brodeur, one of the greatest goalies in the history of the NHL. Watch the initial fake. Pure genius.
Venue
Staples Center. There is nothing bad about playing in the Staples Center. The place is rad. Every seat in the arena, even the nosebleed seats, is a decent seat. Again, I must mention the $12 beers, but that's the only knock I have on the Staples Center.
There's plenty of parking, easy to get to by public transportation, and the food is great. It's also only a couple blocks away from The Original Pantry Cafe, one of the best diner's in Los Angeles. The atmosphere for Kings games rival Lakers games, but that's because Kings fans are:1) usually drunker than basketball fans
2) usually crazier than basketball fans
3) usually tougher than basketball fans
4) always pissed off because their team is losing
Simers Says
Kings: Philip Anschutz owns the hockey team, and if Lakers ever go on the block, he has the first right of refusal to buy them. Long live Buss.
Dwyre Says
Management has made sure that nobody cares.
Verdict
The Kings are bad, but they aren't a bad team to support. If I had to choose between supporting the Kings or Ducks, I would pick the Kings because a) unlike the Ducks, they are actually in L.A.; b) they have a 40-year history in L.A.; c) I still have my Gretzky jersey that I had when I was 7. Ya, they may be bad right now, but they have Kopitar. He is the future, I'm telling you. His upside potential is tremendous, and next year, I smell playoffs. Now if we can just look past those damn $12 beers.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim technically aren't a Los Angeles team. Located in Orange County, the team's stadium is 30 miles away from Downtown Los Angeles. But because they have the Los Angeles name, they are considered an L.A. team.History
The Angels started as the Los Angeles Angels in 1961. In 1966 they found their permanent home in Anaheim and became the California Angels. The Angels lived in the shadow of the Dodgers until Disney took control of the team in 1996 and renamed it to the Anaheim Angels. In 2002, the Angels won their first World Series after winning one of the most memorable World Series games in the history of baseball - they were down 5-0 with only 3 innings remaining in a must-win game six against the Giants. They scored 3 runs in the 7th and 8th innings to win the game. They went on to win game seven and take home the trophy. The Angels have won the AL West division three times since then, but have failed to make it back to the World Series.
Current Situation
Things are looking pretty good for the Angels. They won 94 games last year and the team only got better. They picked up all-star outfielder Torii Hunter and he is playing awesome - hitting .333 with four home runs through 20 games. Chone Figgins is having an all-star year as well, hitting .341, and Casey Kotchman is tied for the American League lead with 6 home runs. The Angels are tied with Oakland for first place in the AL West and have the second-best record in the A.L.
Fun Fact
They played their first season in Wrigley Field, located just south of Downtown between San Pedro St. and Avalon Blvd. Wrigley Field (which was named before the Cubs' stadium) would be the home of the Angels for only one year. The field was constructed in 1925 and demolished in 1966. A park now sits where the field used to stand.Why People Like Them
The Angels have obvious ties to Disney. Their stadium is located within walking distance of Disneyland and Disney produced the 1994 hit-movie, "Angels in the Outfield." The Angels are extremely marketable and give off the fun-for-the-whole-family vibe. When they won the World Series in 2002, they introduced the world to the Rally Monkey. The Rally Monkey plays on the big screen whenever the Angels are in need of a comeback. The crowd loves him. The players love him. Heck, everyone likes him. Except Sportscenter.
Why People Hate Them
I don't think that anyone really "hates" the Angels. In general, people either like the Angels or they have no opinion about them. As Chris Suellentrop, a writer for Slate said in an article after the Angels won the World Series, "But nationally, the Angels don't have that image. The situation is actually somewhat worse: They're not known for anything. The Cubs are bumblers. The Red Sox are stumblers. The Montreal Expos are losers. But the Angels? They have no reputation at all." The biggest knock on the Angels is that in the midst of sports in Los Angeles, the Angels are pretty near the bottom. Part of that is the location. While 30 miles may not seem that far, the main way to get to Anaheim is the Interstate 5 Freeway AKA the absolute WORST freeway to be driving on after 2 P.M. Trying to leave for a Angels game at 6 o'clock? Don't even think about it. Luckily the train station is less than a mile from the stadium, so public transit may be the way to go when going to Angels games.
#1 Fan
Uhm. Hmmm. Let's see..... They don't have one. That's how insignificant the Angels are. They don't even have a high-profile fan to attend games. This forum tried to list every celebrity baseball fan - the Angels didn't get one mention. I'm not surprised.
Best Player
The Angels' best player is Vladmir Guerrero. The 2004 AL MVP, Vlad the Impaler is an eight-time all-star with no signs of slowing down. Last year he hit .324 and the year before that .329. He's started off a bit slow this year, but he is sure to find his touch and try his best to lead the team to a division title.
VenueAngels Stadium sits just off the freeway in Anaheim. The stadium opened in 1966. In 1980, the Los Angeles Rams moved in and the stadium became fully enclosed to increase capacity. When the Rams moved out, Disney took over and decided to tear down a section of the seats to return the stadium to a baseball-only facility. After the remodel, Angels Stadium became one of the nicer venues in baseball. The "Big A" is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Los Angeles.
Simers Says
The Dodgers didn't think Mike Scioscia would be a good manager.
Dwyre Says
Buy some world series tickets now.
Verdict
If you don't mind the commute to Anaheim, the Angels aren't a bad team to support. The fans they have are friendly and everyone seems to have a good time at the games. It also helps that the Angels are successful and have a pretty exciting team. If you want to be the average baseball fan and you want to support a team that won't make your friends mad at you, the Angels are the team for you.
Los Angeles Dodgers
This picture may be one of the most famous in sports history. And no team in Los Angeles has more history than the Dodgers. With Dodger Stadium sitting high atop Los Angeles overlooking the entire city, the Dodgers have been the most popular team in the area ever since they moved here from Brooklyn in 1958.
History
The Los Angeles Dodgers already had plenty of history before they even got to L.A. The Brooklyn Dodgers had won the world series only three seasons before their move, with baseball legends (pictured below, l-r) Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese, and Gil Hodges (arguably the greatest player not to be in the Hall of Fame.) But the Dodgers have had no problems establishing themselves in L.A., winning the World Series in their second year and twice in the next eight years.
The Dodgers have won the World Series a total of 5 times, the last under Tommy Lasorda in 1988. Sandy Koufax, Orel Hershisher, Mike Piazza, Don Sutton, and Steve Garvey all made their careers in Dodger Stadium. Current Situation
Since 2003, the Dodgers have made the playoffs twice but have failed to reach the National League Championship Series. Last season they finished 2 games over .500so they brought in Joe Torre from the New York Yankees to manage them to greatness - unfortunately, the only thing he's managed to do is start the year with only eight wins in 20 games. The Dodgers also brought in Andruw Jones to bring some power, but he's hitting .156 with only one home run. Now he's riding the bench. So basically, the Dodgers look like they are headed to another year hovering around .500, leaving fans upset and anxious to be a factor in the post-season once again.
Fun Fact
A Dodger's player won Rookie of the Year every year from 1992 to 1996, an unprecedented five times in a row! They were Eric Karros, Mike Piazza, Raul Mondesi, Hideo Nomo, and Todd Hollandsworth. No Dodger has won it since then.
Why People Like Them
History and tradition. If your Grandpa was a Dodger fan, that means your dad is a Dodger fan, which makes you a Dodger fan. There's no if, and, or buts about it. You're a Dodger for life. Tommy Lasorda is one of the most beloved men in all of sports, and he is a God in Los Angeles. And Vin Scully? He's been the voice of the Dodgers since 1453. Thats over 500 years being the play-by-play announcer for the Dodgers! The guy is a legend. Scully called Hank Aaron's 715th career home run, which broke Babe Ruth's record.
Unfortunately I can't find a video of the home run anywhere. But it was one of the greatest calls in the history of baseball. When Aaron hit the ball, Scully called it until it went over the wall. Then - he was silent. Twenty-five seconds passed before he said the now famous words, "A black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol." He made that up on the spot. What a legend.
Why People Hate Them
A lot of people may dislike the Dodgers for moving the team from Brooklyn.
Sixty years later, and it's still a sore subject for a lot of people. Imagine being a huge fan of a team that just won the championship. Now imagine one year later, they move to the opposite end of the United States. Moving the Dodgers out of Brooklyn would be like moving the Lakers to New York. It would never happen, right? Well, it happened in 1957. Apart from that, there really is no reason to hate the Dodgers. I guess you can hate their fans. They are loud, cocky, obnoxious, and have huge illusions of grandeur. At Dodgers games, opposing fans aren't allowed to turn around and high-five each other if they are facing the crowd. Dodger's security considers this 'taunting.' Trust me, you don't want to be accused by Dodgers fans of taunting. Dodgers fans all come to the games with a 40 oz. of Old English and a butterfly knife in their glove compartments. Below me is the picture I took of the Dodger fans that were sitting behind me at the game I went to last week. 
Yes, those are real fans outside the stadium. And yes, they are absolutely terrifying.#1 Fan
Robert Wuhl. I'm serious. The man best known as "Arli$$" is the Dodger's number one fan. But someone else is challenging Wuhl for the #1 spot - Alyssa Milano. Best
known for her work on "Charmed," she writes a blog about the Dodgers in her free time. She may not have the comedic chops that Wuhl has, but she's definitely better to look at. All you have to do is see is see Embrace of the Vampire and my point is made. How the academy failed to nominate this movie for "Best Picture" is beyond me. I demand a recount.Best Player
Two years ago, it was Nomar Garciaparra. Last year, it was Russell Martin. This year, it's too early to tell, but I'm going to go with Jeff Kent, based strictly on his mustache. He hit .302 last season, but he's kind of off to a slow start this year. I am sure with the help of his mustache, he will find his form and return to greatness.
Venue
Dodger Stadium. Sitting high atop Los Angeles in Chavez Ravine, Dodger Stadium is a landmark in Los Angeles. The stadium is pretty awesome for the fact that it's pretty much NEVER been remodeled. It looks nearly the exact same way as it did when it opened in 1962. For some, this may be a headache, but to baseball purists, it's the way it should be. Minimal luxury boxes, plenty of cheap seats, and troughs in the men's bathroom. Baseball the way it was meant to be. Dodger Dogs are a crowd favorite. Best of all, the outfield seats (pavillion seating) cost only $13! The only problem is they don't serve beer out there. But trust me - you don't want those fans drinking beer. Hell, you don't even want them at the game, much less getting drunk at the game.
Simers Says
One of most interesting stats in sports---Dodgers have one playoff win since 1988, a 3-0 shut out by Jose Lima. So where's the statue for Lima at Dodger Stadium?
Dwyre Says
Can the presenceof Joe Torre holld things together for an entire season?
Verdict
The Dodgers are beloved. Anyone can have a good time at a Dodger game. I don't even like the Dodgers, but I would never turn down an invitation to a Dodger game. If baseball is an American past time, then Dodger games are a Los Angeles past time. If you don't mind if your team wins or loses, and you just want to have a good time, be a Dodger fan. You won't regret it.
Los Angeles Clippers
Sorry. This is the best picture of the Clippers that I could find. Actually, the picture really says a lot about what the team is all about - constantly getting dunked on. Not just physically, but metaphorically as well. If the Lakers are Paris Hilton, then the Clippers are Nicky Hilton - big difference. If the Lakers are Alec Baldwin, the Clipps are Stephen Baldwin. If the Lakers are Marcia, the Clipps are Jan. I think you get the point. Often overlooked, never really appreciated, these are your Los Angeles Clippers.
History
The Clippers officially moved to Los Angeles from San Diego in 1984. They didn't make the playoffs until 1992, behind Danny Manning and Ron Harper. They would lose in the first round that year and the following year, and again in 1997. The Clippers we failing to find a face of the franchise. From 1982 to 2000, 11 different players led the team in scoring. Not exactly consistent. That was until they traded for Elton Brand in 2001. The next year they brought in Corey Maggette, and finally, they had some consistency. In 2006, they made the Western Conference semi-finals with a squad that most NBA teams would envy - they had six players average double-figure scoring.
Current Situation
The Clipps season was over before it even began. The loss of star power forward Elton Brand on top of the season-ending injury to up-and-coming point guard Shaun Livingston left the Clipps hurting. The Clipps started the season 4-0 before going 4-15 in December and early January. In March, the Clipps went 3-15 and were looking at a lottery pick in the 2008 draft. The Clipps lost Chris Kaman for the better part of the last three months. Kaman was in the running for Most Improved Player award and was the only dominating player in the Clipps lineup. The Clipps ended the season losing seven in a row. The long bright spot for the season? Rookie Al Thornton averaged over 15 ppg the last three months of the season. Here's to next year, fellas!
Fun Fact
In the 1998 NBA Draft, the Clipps selected Michael Olowokandi with the first overall pick. He was selected ahead of Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, Antawn Jamison, and Mike Bibby. Way to go Clippers!
Why People Like Them
The reasons for liking the Clippers have more to do with not liking the Lakers than actually liking the Clippers. The Clippers are the red-headed step-child of Los Angeles. Let's look at real reasons for liking the Clipps.
Cheaper ticket prices, no accusations of being a bandwagon fan, and Chris Kaman. Kaman is the Brad Pitt of basketball. I've seen women throw their bras at him from the top level of the Staples Center. His nickname is Caveman - how awesome is that?Why People Hate Them
They suck. Like, they are honestly terrible. When D-League all-star Nick Fazekas is actually getting play time on an NBA team - you know your team sucks. And they simply lack history. They have only made the playoffs four times in their 24 seasons. They have never had a dynasty. They have had only true all-star caliber player (Brand), and they have been in the shadow of the Lakers ever since they moved to Los Angeles. They should have never left Buffalo in 1978.
#1 Fan
Frankie Muniz. Yup, the kid from "Malcom in the Middle" is their biggest fan. He's got courtside seats and goes to just about every game. The only reason he's a fan is because he didn't want to compete with Nicholson and Dyan Cannon for attention at Lakers games. But I'll be honest - I was a HUGE fan of "MinM" and the Clipps should be happy that at least one person in Hollywood likes them,
even if he is on the B-list. I mean Billy Crystal is a fan too...but his last good movie was "City Slickers." Their other 'celebrity' fan is Kadeem Hardison. He played the dead brother in "The Sixth Man" co-starring Marlon Wayans. "The Sixth Man" is more commonly known as "Worst Basketball Movie ever made not named 'Eddie'." Best Player
Elton Brand is definitely one of the most overlooked players in the NBA. He averages a double double (20.3 ppg, 10.2 rbg) but has only played in two All-Star games. He is extremely physical and is one of the best offensive rebounders in the league, finishing in the top 10 every year of his career. Brand is also one of the nicest guys in the NBA, winning the NBA Sportsmanship Award in 2006. He came back from injury this year to play in the final 8 games, and he looked surprisingly good, averaging 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Venue
The Clippers play at the Staples Center, or as it's more popularly known, "The Lakers Arena." The good thing about the Clippers is that the seats are cheaper than Lakers games, so when the Spurs or Celtics or Suns come to town, you can watch a good team play for cheap. The Clippers should take the next step and offer cheaper beers. If the Clipps starting selling PBR and Popov cocktails, I don't think anyone would be surprised or disappointed.
Simers Says
Sterling has stuck with Elgin Baylor as GM, and then asks, "How come we can't win one of these years?''
Dwyre Says
Much better than people expect next season.
Verdict
Do you:
a) absolutely loathe the Lakers?
b) enjoy watching crummy basketball?
c) like the television show "Cavemen"?
d) enjoy spending your playoffs watching other teams play?
If you answered "Yes!" to any of these questions, you should be a Clippers fan. But take warning: You will be frustrated! You may find yourself up late and night contemplating your life's choices! You may inexplicably become depressed after watching games! Being a Clippers fan isn't picking up a hobby - it's taking on a second job, a second mortgage, and a second kid. Good luck to you.
Los Angeles Lakers
Arguably the most popular team in Los Angeles, the Lakers have never had problems getting fans or winning championships. They have flair (Kobe Bryant) and they have hair (Sasha Vujacic), the perfect Hollywood combination.
History
In 1960 the Minneapolis Lakers re-located to Los Angeles. With Elgin Baylor and Jerry West as their stars, the Lakers would go on to make the NBA Finals seven times without winning before finally winning their first championship as the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972, giving Baylor his first and only championship of his career. The 1980s would be the years of one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics. In a classic East vs. West matchup, the Lakers would win the championship 5 times during the 80s, with the Celtics hoisting the trophy 3 times. The Lakers would become a dynasty once more at the turn of the century, winning the championship three times in a row from 2000-2002 behind Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'neal.
Current Situation
The Lakers are currently killing it. No joke. Kobe Bryant is playing out of his mind as is on his way to winning his first MVP Award, and deservedly so. After complaining about lack of quality on the team, his teammates responded by helping Kobe lead the team to a first place seed in the extremely competitive Western Conference. The Lakers got a huge boost when they traded perennial underachiever and butt-of-every-joke d-bag Kwame Brown for all-star center Pau Gasol. How the Memphis Grizzlies ever gave up one of the best big men in the league for one of the dumbest is beyond all comprehension. It's like trading a filet mignon from Hungry Hunter for a McRib from McDonalds.
Fun Fact
Star Kobe Bryant was accused of rape by a hotel worker in Colorado!
Why People Like Them
The Lakers have been around nearly 40 years. They have had some great players and have won the championship 9 times. Because they are in L.A., they have the image of an exciting, fun, lively, and entertaining team. The Lakers have a strong history with some of the best players in the history of the NBA having played for them, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, James Worthy, Bob McAdoo, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Magic Johnson. They have 14 Hall of Famers, and that's not including Shaquille O'neal and Kobe Bryant, who are shoe-ins for the Hall.
Why People Hate Them
There's more drama on this team than an episode of "Gossip Girl." Between Magic Johnson's HIV contraction, Kobe and Shaq's feuds, and Rick Fox's foray into acting, the Lakers are just as popular off the court as on the court, which turns off a lot of basketball fans. Also, Kobe is the perfect villain - he's selfish, he's greedy, he's outspoken, but most of all, he's an absolute freak on the court. L.A. fans may love him, the but rest of the NBA absolutely hates him. He's the player that you hate to go against, but would love if he was on your team.
#1 Fan
Jack Nicholson. Not really as cool as it sounds considering Nicholson is one-tenth of the actor he used to be. Go watch "Chinatown" or "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and you'll see how amazing he once was.
Best Player
Kobe Bryant. The 29-year-old Bryant has been dominating the NBA for the past 10 years. With career averages of 25-5-5, Kobe is one of the top-2 best all-around players in the game today (after Lebron). Kobe knows how to work it both on the court and off. His latest controversy - a commercial for Nike where he jumps over a car.
Venue
The Lakers play in the Staples Center, an easy-to-get-to arena located conveniently in Downtown L.A. The Staples Center is fine in guess - IF YOU LIKE $12 BEERS!
Simers Says
Buss knows how to pick them, young girls and superstar players.
Dwyre Says
The whole city is in a tizzy over them and will be distraught if they fall short.
Verdict
If you want to be like everyone else in Los Angeles, you can support the Lakers. Yes, you're jumping on a bandwagon. But you're supporting a winning team with a very strong history and tradition. You are also joining the Lakers at a very exciting time in their organization. Kobe is playing his best basketball, Pau is taking the Lakers to a whole different level, and Andrew Bynum is coming into his own. Did I mention this guy is acutally an athlete, and sometimes he even gets to play?
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