Anaheim Considering an Appeal of Name Case

The Anaheim City Council appears to be strongly considering an appeal of the city’s defeat in its lawsuit against the Angels, raising the possibility that the fight over the team’s name could return to court during the season.

The city is believed to be willing to forgo an appeal if the Angels are willing to forgo the chance to recoup their legal costs. After an Orange County Superior Court jury found the Angels’ addition of Los Angeles to their name did not violate their stadium lease, team owner Arte Moreno said he would ask the court to order the city to repay the approximately $7 million he spent on the Angels’ defense.

The two law firms representing Anaheim have billed the city for $3.6 million through March 27. Mayor Curt Pringle said the firms have offered to cap bills for an appeal at $150,000.

“I think it’s a smart move for us to move forward,� Councilman Richard Chavez said. “I believe we still have a good case. Based on the cost of an appeal, it would be worth the effort.�

The council voted unanimously to file the lawsuit. Councilman Harry Sidhu said he would vote against an appeal.

“The jury has spoken,� Sidhu said. “The $150,000 we would spend on appealing would be a waste of taxpayers’ money. I think we should move on and work with the Angels.�

The deadline for the city to appeal -- and for the Angels to file the petition for reimbursement -- is June 5.

The City Council is not expected to decide on an appeal until after a May 12 court hearing, in which city attorneys will ask for revisions in the formal language that accompanied the verdict. The city claims the team could interpret portions of that language as a legal blessing to drop “of Anaheim� and sell themselves as the Los Angeles Angels.

*

Hector Carrasco will make his third start in place of the injured Bartolo Colon on Monday, with no guarantee of a fourth. “We’re going to evaluate it every start,� Manager Mike Scioscia said.

The Angels have options in Kevin Gregg (2-0, 0.44 earned-run average between the Angels and triple-A Salt Lake), Jered Weaver (2-1, 3.91 at Salt Lake) and Joe Saunders (2-1, 3.99 at Salt Lake), who gave up one hit and struck out nine over seven innings in his last start.

Jason Bulger, the reliever acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in spring training for infielder Alberto Callaspo, has an ERA of 0.77. In 11 2/3 innings, he has given up five hits, walked five and struck out 17.

*

With Jose Mota joining the FSN West telecasts this weekend, Spanish play-by-play announcer Ivan Lara needed a fill-in analyst. He found two in the clubhouse, with Scioscia permitting the injured Maicer Izturis and Juan Rivera to join Lara on air.