Angels pay $1.2 million to ballpark employees

The Angels provided details on how they would pay Angel Stadium workers for lost games due to the coronavirus pandemic, as part of the MLB-wide pledge to support gameday employees around baseball.

MLB announced on March 17 that each team would contribute at least $1 million for stadium workers. The Angels’ payments would be 20 percent higher, per Bill Shaikin and Maria Torres at the Los Angeles Times:

The team said Sunday it would provide a one-time cash grant to more than 1,800 workers, regardless of whether they are employed by the Angels or a third party. The average payout would be $667 if the Angels provide $1.2 million.

MLB in late March agreed to abide by CDC guidelines of no gatherings of more than 50 people for eight weeks, which at a minimum would move opening day to May 10. Through then, the Angels would have had 15 regular season home games plus one Freeway Series exhibition game missed. If extended through the end of June, that total is 27 games.

Team spokesperson Marie Garvey told reporters Sunday details of the plan, per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register:

“We understand the important contribution that all ballpark workers play in creating a memorable experience at Angel Stadium and have invested over $1 million to provide financial resources during this unprecedented time,” Garvey said in a statement. “Our organization took an inclusive approach and Angels ballpark employees received a one-time distribution this week.”

Links

• Rhett Bollinger at MLB.com picks the greatest shortstop in Angels history between Erick Aybar, Jim Fregosi, and Andrelton Simmons.
• The players union said players salaries shouldn’t be cut for games in empty ballparks, per Ronald Blum of the Associated Press.
• Sports fans and concert goers alike are having difficulty getting refunds for events that haven’t happened, writes Jack Harris of the LA Times.