Arturo Moreno is a successful businessman and the owner of the Los Angeles Angels baseball team. He was born in Tucson, Arizona, in 1946 and grew up in a family of Mexican immigrants. Moreno attended the University of Arizona and earned a degree in marketing.
Moreno's interest in baseball began when he was a child, and he played the sport in high school and college. After graduation, he worked in advertising and marketing for various companies, including the outdoor advertising company Outdoor Systems, which he eventually bought and sold for a profit.
In 2003, Moreno became the first Hispanic owner of a Major League Baseball team when he purchased the Anaheim Angels (now the Los Angeles Angels) for $184 million. Under his ownership, the team has had mixed success on the field, but Moreno has been praised for his efforts to improve the fan experience at the stadium and for his philanthropic work in the community.
One of Moreno's most notable accomplishments as owner of the Angels was the signing of superstar outfielder Albert Pujols to a 10-year, $240 million contract in 2011. While Pujols has not lived up to his lofty expectations on the field, the signing was seen as a major coup for the Angels and helped to raise the team's profile.
Moreno has also been involved in several controversies during his tenure as owner of the Angels. In 2005, he changed the team's name from the Anaheim Angels to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, a move that was widely criticized by fans and local officials. Moreno defended the decision, saying that it was necessary to increase the team's visibility and appeal to a wider audience.
In 2019, Moreno was sued by former Angels employee Brian Harkins, who alleged that he was fired from his job as a clubhouse attendant after Moreno learned that he was providing illegal substances to pitchers. Moreno denied the allegations and the case is still ongoing.
Despite these controversies, Moreno remains a respected figure in the baseball world and a beloved owner among Angels fans. He has been praised for his commitment to improving the team and the stadium, and for his efforts to give back to the community through charitable donations and outreach programs.
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