Rams legend Eric Dickerson speaks on Los Angeles Angels sale, says new owner Stan Kroenke 'likes winning'
Rams legend Eric Dickerson throws first pitch as Stan Kroenke takes over Angels
Anaheim, CA – In a night that felt more like a sports‑industry handshake than a routine baseball game, former Los Angeles Rams star Eric Dickerson stepped onto the mound at Angel Stadium on Wednesday to toss the ceremonial first pitch for the Los Angeles Angels’ matchup against the New York Yankees. The gesture came days after the Angels’ long‑time owner, Arte Moreno, agreed to sell the club to Stan Kroenke, the billionaire businessman who also owns the Rams.
Dickerson, who now serves as an ambassador for the Rams, was quick to praise his new co‑owner during a pre‑game interview with MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger. “Kind of quiet but a really good businessman as you can tell. But Stan likes winning. I can tell you that right now. He likes winning,” he said. The former running back then added with a grin, “When I saw it, I was like, ‘I’m supposed to throw the first pitch out,’” referring to his unexpected trip to Anaheim.
Kroenke’s purchase of a controlling interest in the Angels was announced on Tuesday, with the deal valued at a reported $4 billion. The transaction, pending approval from Major League Baseball, is expected to close in early 2027. It will end Moreno’s 23‑year tenure as owner, a period that began in 2003 when he bought the franchise from Disney for $184 million after the team’s first World Series triumph.
Under Moreno, the Angels enjoyed early success but have struggled for more than a decade. The club has endured 11 consecutive losing seasons, has not made the postseason since 2014, and has not won a playoff game since 2009. Their fan base, long known for its frustration, has become one of the sport’s most long‑suffering followings.
Kroenke, meanwhile, brings a winning pedigree to the table. His sports empire boasts a Super Bowl title with the Rams, an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets, a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche, and a Premier League crown with Arsenal. In the words of the Angels’ former owner, the new leadership promises “change is coming.”
As the first pitch was thrown, fans in the stands—many of whom had been chanting “sell the team” for years—were treated to a new refrain: “Goodbye, Arte.” With a proven winner at the helm, the Angels’ future now looks considerably brighter to their loyal, if weary, supporters.