Gene Autry is the greatest Angel owner - hands down

by SC81 on Jan 5, 2009 10:51 AM PST Comment 43 comments

1: The Angels wouldn't exist without Gene Autry.

2: Gene Autry moved the Angels to Anaheim, and built Anaheim Stadium.

3: Gene Autry put his money where his mouth was in getting Joe Rudy, Bobby Grich and Don Baylor in the first big free agent class turning the Angels from second class to a contender overnight.

4: Gene Autry was the Angels for over 30 years.

Anyone who is voting any other way must be under 30, or has forgotten all that Gene Autry did to make the California Angels.

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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not so much

Arte has taken the Angels to a whole new level.

there’s no end to the appreciation and love for Gene Autry, but I think Arte has taken the team to a level Autry never could.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Jan 5, 2009 11:00 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Two Words

Jackie Autry

You are what you type.

by rjcicc on Jan 5, 2009 11:06 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

She's the exception to the Trophy Wife Rule

Call the cops, Martha ... Something's amiss over at Room 52 at the Ivanhoe Motel on Katella.

by PieceOfAase on Jan 5, 2009 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs

If Jackie's the trophy, I'll take second place.

I don't know...I'm makin' this up as I go.

by ArkAngel on Jan 5, 2009 11:29 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs

Three Words....

Study the facts!! Idiot comments from a person that knows nothing of this person, are just that, idiotic.

"......and you can kiss it GOODBYE"

by Hapyorange on Jan 5, 2009 11:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This is confusing

I’m an idiot because I didn’t study the facts? All I said was “two words…” followed by, two words: “Jackie Autry” That’s about as close as you’ll get to a fact.

You are what you type.

by rjcicc on Jan 5, 2009 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Common Thoughts

Like the two responces generated to your original comment, the Inference you made was taken in a very negative way. If I’m wrong, so be it, but I think we both know what you ment.

"......and you can kiss it GOODBYE"

by Hapyorange on Jan 5, 2009 12:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No, you were right

my comments carried with them the intent to disparage. F Jackie.

You are what you type.

by rjcicc on Jan 5, 2009 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not a big Jackie fan, either. But, I love the Singing Cowboy. Wish he could have seen the title in ’02.

by Downing Rules on Jan 5, 2009 1:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you on that

Seemed like a fun loving guy who wasn’t afraid to spend money on the team either.

All this addition to the Cowboy Code

1 The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.
2 He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.
3 He must always tell the truth.
4 He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.
5 He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.
6 He must help people in distress.
7 He must be a good worker.
8 He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and personal habits.
9 He must respect women, parents, and his nation’s laws.
10 The Cowboy is a patriot

You are what you type.

by rjcicc on Jan 5, 2009 1:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Two words:

Terrell Owens.

by Stirrups on Jan 5, 2009 2:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm 44.

I love Gene Autry. My dad adored the Singin’ Cowboy. I have incredibly fond memories of all of his teams.

Arte is the better owner.

I don't know...I'm makin' this up as I go.

by ArkAngel on Jan 5, 2009 11:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Subtract four, and you've got me

by mattwelch on Jan 5, 2009 2:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I love Arte <3

by Chzburger Jones on Jan 5, 2009 11:31 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Arte the Better Owner

Those of you on this site that know of my love for Gene, will be surprized that I Choose Arte. The Cowboy was not only a personal friend of my family, but also a hero of mine. Arte however, has not only treated my family with respect, but has also managed a team in much more difficult times. Arte is shrewd and kind, where The Cowboy was just a Great person to learn from. Arte will lead us to a ring very soon.

P.S. Jackie has contributed to more causes that we all can think of. Lets not bash a a “lady.”

"......and you can kiss it GOODBYE"

by Hapyorange on Jan 5, 2009 11:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

P.P.S. Don't know her personally, so I wont pretend to.

My problem with her was contribution to the St. Louis football society.

You are what you type.

by rjcicc on Jan 5, 2009 11:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Huh? Help me out on this one. Did I miss something?

by Downing Rules on Jan 5, 2009 12:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know either

I was referring to her taking the Rams to St. Louis. The joke was supposed to be something like: hapyornge: “I love Jackie because she contributes to poor people and the blue dress society, be nice to her!”
rjcicc: " I hate her because the only thing she’s contributed to is football in St. Louis"

Get it?

You are what you type.

by rjcicc on Jan 5, 2009 12:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That was Georgia Frontier/Rosenbloom.

Jackie was never associated with the Lambs.

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Jan 5, 2009 12:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Son of a bitch

So, where do we go from here? I apologize Jackie. You’re not Geargia Frontier. However you do sell the team to a Mouse.

On another note, anyone watch “Summer Heights High?”. Funniest show on television.

You are what you type.

by rjcicc on Jan 5, 2009 12:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Georgia was a dancer, and Jackie IIRC was a bank teller or something like that? I heard about Jackie during the Duke and Singing Cowboy 100th Birthday celebration concert at the Hollywood Bowl last year or the year before….

by Downing Rules on Jan 5, 2009 1:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We should make a deal...

let’s never speak of Ms. Frontiere again.

by BruinHalo on Jan 5, 2009 6:11 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs

A Little confused???

"......and you can kiss it GOODBYE"

by Hapyorange on Jan 5, 2009 12:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Is EVERYONE on this thread still drunk from New Years partying?

by Rev Halofan on Jan 5, 2009 1:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I consumed too much Martinelli’s apple cider.

by Downing Rules on Jan 5, 2009 1:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just got off a confrence call and someone asked me the same thing.

You are what you type.

by rjcicc on Jan 5, 2009 2:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I am 51.

I met Gene (the afternoon I watched a game from Red Patterson’s box), which was easy to do when you are one of his only 8500 loyal fans back then. Gene was a great guy. Holds a monumental place in franchise history. Never to be dismissed.

But Arte is the better owner. Good, solid, management skills. Maintains a strong organization and knows how to let that organization run the franchise while still holding the right to get directly involved for the sake of the fans and/or the sake of the proper opportunity (long term or short term). Doesn’t squander resources, as Gene did at times. Doesn’t hoard profits, as other owners do now. Delivers a great product on the field, a solid pipeline to maintain that product, and one of the best total game experiences in baseball without cheapening the event. If he would just break down and stock the joint with In’N’Out stands, he would be perfect.

by Stirrups on Jan 5, 2009 2:39 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

"1: The Angels wouldn't exist without Gene Autry."

That is a false statement, the original person was supposed to purchase the team, but he backed out and someone convinced Gene Autry to buy it.

The team was going to exist no matter what.

by lackey41 on Jan 5, 2009 6:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Especially after the Dodgers shipped the minor league LA Angels team up to Spokane a few years earlier.

by Downing Rules on Jan 5, 2009 6:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually that is NOT how I have heard it told

I was under the impression – and if you have backup for your claims I am all for accepting it – Gene went to he Winter meetings to get a team to be broadcast on his 710 AM station as the Dodgers had left after the 1960 seaosn. The owners saw the saddlebags of money and went to work. He came home iwht a client for his station all right,,, his own team!

by Rev Halofan on Jan 5, 2009 9:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Snipit from Wikipedia

Not sure if this is 100% correct.

“Gene Autry, former movie cowboy, singer, actor and owner of Golden West Broadcasters (including Los Angeles’ KMPC radio and KTLA television), attended the Major League Owners’ meeting in St. Louis in 1960 in hopes of winning broadcasting rights for the new team’s games. Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg was initially on the fast track to be the team’s first owner, with Bill Veeck as a partner. However, when O’Malley got word of Veeck’s involvement, he invoked his exclusive right to operate a major league team in Southern California. In truth, O’Malley wasn’t about to compete with Veeck, who was known as a master promoter. After it became obvious that O’Malley would never sign off on the deal as long as Veeck was a part-owner, Greenberg was forced to bow out. After another bid by Chicago insurance executive and future A’s owner Charlie Finley failed, Autry was persuaded to make a bid himself. Autry (who had been a minority stockholder in the Angels’ PCL rival, the Hollywood Stars) agreed, and purchased the franchise.”

by lackey41 on Jan 5, 2009 10:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course it's true

It was on the internet.

I don't know...I'm makin' this up as I go.

by ArkAngel on Jan 5, 2009 10:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

okay that makes sense

as there was also a Washington Senators expansion team that season – makes sense that they would want two teams entering the league.

by Rev Halofan on Jan 5, 2009 10:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Arte Moreno

is a good owner, no doubt. But, he has not had to build a franchise, he has merely needed to not screw it up, and so far, so good.

He has switched over his GM in that time, and kept the manager who he inherited. His main claim to fame is his fight with the City of Anaheim over the name of the team, and his increased marketing into LA, particularly the Hispanic community.

For better or worse, he has demonstrated an unwillingness to compete with the big boys when it comes to signing high dollar players with his last major free agent signing being Vlad Guerrero leaving the team consistently one bat short of winning it all.

The difference between being a great owner and a good owner is being willing to do whatever it takes to win. When the Angels traded Casey Kotchmann for Teixeira, they knew his agent was Scott Boras, and they knew they’s have to break the bank or else they would have effectively traded Kotch for draft picks. They chose to walk away, no further in the playoffs, and a worse team as a result. Ultimately when it came time to decide to pony up to win a World Series, Arte folded.

Arte Moreno is a good owner, but Gene Autry would have written the check. He is the better owner.

by SC81 on Jan 6, 2009 8:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Mayor Pringle, is that you?

My take is that Moreno has put some serious directives into the front office to make sure that this team is vying for the division title EVERY YEAR. Prior to 2002, winning the division was not a priority.

“A worse team as a result….” — well, that same team, in principal had a huge lead in the AL West prior to acquiring Teixeira. Getting Teixeira shows that the front office is willing to roll the dice, as well.

Last major free agent signing? GMJ, while not a great signing, was a major deal, Torii Hunter’s was a major deal. Brian Fuentes can be considered a major FA signing.

Autry spent blindly and in the wrong direction. He would have never survived this era of baseball.

I tip my cap and bow to Autry for starting the Angels. We would be nothing without him. But, Moreno is putting his time and money into a consistent year-in, year-out winning team. He is the better owner.

by Downing Rules on Jan 6, 2009 8:48 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Not screw it up?

Because the franchise was oozing with “win” when he bought it?

This is the worst offseason in years. But hey we got Colorado's closer!

by hauldog on Jan 6, 2009 9:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"...but Gene Autry would have written the check."

Someone introduce this guy to one Nolan Ryan.

by Stirrups on Jan 6, 2009 9:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

he might have written the check, but Jackie ate it.

by Downing Rules on Jan 7, 2009 5:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Aren't they the same guy?

Both spend money.
Both want to win.
Both are cool to the fans.
Both were owners of the Angels.

since 1961

by Chompo on Jan 6, 2009 10:08 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think they're completely different

Arte is the better businessman, Gene was the better fan. It seems to me that Arte wants to win because he knows it’ll improve the bottom line…and that’s not a bad thing. I’m not saying he isn’t a fan of the game and this team, I’m sure he is, but I don’t think winning means the same thing to him as it did to Autry.

The impression I had when the Angels won under Autry was him saying “Look what we did!” I get the feeling with Arte it’s “Look what I’ve done.”

I’ve never met either gentleman, so I could be completely wrong about either/both.

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Jan 6, 2009 10:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

From Personal Experiance with Both....

It was “Family” and growing a proud family with Gene. With Arte, it’s really all business. He is a gentle man on the surface, and a shark in the water. Just my observation while being with both.

"......and you can kiss it GOODBYE"

by Hapyorange on Jan 6, 2009 4:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs