Mickey Mouse - World Series Champion

By Heferito

Doesn't anyone else find it interesting that the Disney owned Anaheim angels won the pennant just after announcing that they are looking into selling the team? As usual corporate America seems to be running the show, even when the show is America's past-time.

Are you thinking that I am a crazy whack-job who watches too many late-night episodes of the X-Files? I may be a bit on the twisted side, but just remember this - After the Angels won the World Series and while Micheal Eisner was being interviewed, he referred to the Angel's players as "cast members." Cast Members is the term that Disney uses to describe the employees at their theme parks. I wonder how they felt about being grouped together with a high school kid who sells ponchos on Main Street USA for 7 bucks a pop.

I have always been less than impressed with the way that Disney runs their business. They seem to spread to every corner of the world like an evil plague. Shameless self-promotion is their number one talent. Take "Angels in the Outfield" and "The Mighty Ducks I & II" as examples of this. Talk about embarrassing a sports team! I am also sure that production of "The Rally Monkey" has kept Disney's sweat shop workers busy earning their 5 cents per hour. Only in the land of Disney would a 
professional sports team have a stuffed animal as their mascot. I heard a report that next year the world series will be an animated feature. The voice of Bud Selig will be played by Anthony Hopkins, and the soundtrack is being performed by Bruce Springsteen.

Still not convinced? Here's another example of the Disney-fication of professional sports- I was recently tuned in to watch "Pardon the Interruption" on ESPN and I can't even believe that I had to sit through a discussion about "Lilo & Stich," the latest full-length animated movie from Disney. I realize that ESPN is owned by Disney, but give me a break! There is a reason that the Disney channel exists, so please try to avoid such pathetic cross-promotion, especially to a group that is so far from your target market!

When the World Series MVP Troy Glaus was being interviewed by ESPN after the game they asked him, "What are you going to do now?" His answer? "I'm going to Disneyland." This means that we have a Disney "cast member" being interviewed by another "cast member" from ESPN talking about Disney. I think I am going to blow chunks.  People have always said that "you can't buy that kind of advertising", but apparently you can now.

Disney hosted a parade for the team as well as a chance to meet some of the players at their theme park.  Disney characters carrying ThunderStix and other paraphernalia took to the streets to rally the crowd.  Unfortunately, you were required to pay the outrageous entry fee to the entire theme park in order to take part in these festivities.  That's sure a wonderful "thank you" to all of the fans who supported the team all season.  I can't recall a single victory parade that required an admission fee.  That is just plain dirty business.

So as it turns out, after winning the World Series the value of the Anaheim Angels organization "could be worth $200 million" (ESPN.com, 10/28/2002). Coincidence? I think not. 

Don't get me wrong, The Angels played all year like a team who deserves to win. When the game was on the line, they got the job done! I just couldn't pass up a chance to highlight how the world is being taken over by Disney and even our thinking in sports is now being influenced by them.

Archived News of The Day