Is Orioles' Owner Peter Angelos Really That Bad?

In both the cities of Washington and Baltimore, there’s one man who in the world of sports who is vilified like no other.

His name is Peter Angelos, majority owner of the Baltimore Orioles and highly successful trial lawyer.

The crescendo of the immense hatred towards him came about on September 21, 2006 when an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 fans walked out in the middle of an Orioles game in Baltimore against the Detroit Tigers to protest the way he has run the team. After the event, much was made of the protest in the local and national media.

He is disliked in Maryland because simply he owns the Baltimore Orioles who have had nine consecutive losing seasons. He’s hated in Washington perhaps with more vitriol as he opposed the Montreal Expos moving to Washington D.C. because he was afraid a second team in territory that his team served would severely harm the Orioles marketability and finances.

However, Peter Angelos was compensated for the move of the Expos into Washington D.C. by Major League setting a $375 million sale price for his team (he and his group paid $173 million) and a sports network was created for him in which and the Orioles would own a majority share. The network shows both Orioles and National games.

Almost on a weekly basis, via the media, chatting with fans, or on various boards on the internet, the criticism towards Peter Angelos is like a piñata that takes a constant beating with a bat.

In light of his tenure as owner of the Orioles, most people tend to forget the work Peter Angelos has accomplished as a trial lawyer and philanthropist, especially in the state of Maryland. For the past several years, he’s been a huge backer in the development of downtown Baltimore with the acquisition or real estate and creating new properties.

An old boss of mine used to say in the workplace, “People don’t remember when you do well; they remember when you screw up.”

This is the case with Peter Angelos. Before his days as a baseball owner, he was a lawyer and with one big case which gave him the purchasing power to own a team; he acquired power with both his wealth and his ownership of the Baltimore Orioles.

The reputation of him before he got into the business of baseball was being a champion for the “little guy” as he represented workers and consumers, in which went to litigation against corporate giants like Philip Morris and Motorola.

The turning point in Angelos’ legal career came about in the mid 1980’s as he worked with labor leaders in representing employees who were affected by asbestos. With his fees from the cases, and the high profile it gave him, he was able to expand his law firm to the point where it is one of biggest law firms in the state of Maryland. As well, with the proceeds from his legal victories, he was able to purchase the Baltimore Orioles.

More importantly, Peter Aneglos became a big time player in the world of Maryland politics, especially in donations to Democrats, legislation and the development of several areas in Baltimore.

Pam Smith of the Mother Jones, Smart Journalism website asserts:

“Angelos, who led a group of investors that purchased the Baltimore Orioles in 1993 for a then-record $173 million, wields considerable financial and political clout at home. When he wants something from state lawmakers, the measures he supports are referred to simply as "Angelos bills." The state assembly gave lawyers like Angelos more time to sue by extending the statute of limitations on asbestos cases; the measure was sponsored by state Senator Norman Stone Jr., who later accepted a position with Angelos' firm. The assembly also created more judgeships to speed asbestos cases along; the bill passed after Angelos brought Orioles' superstar Cal Ripken Jr. for a photo opp with state legislators. "The idea that one person could provide all this major legislation has been amazing," House Minority Leader Robert Flanagan (R) told the Baltimore City Paper”.

Well, as you can see, owning a major sports team and having great wealth translates into incredible power, and he has used it to his advantage.

In light of owning of the Orioles, he has also served on many board and involved himself in quite a few philanthropic ventures. Peter Angelos has served the community as a member of the Baltimore City Council & serves as a member on several boards with area universities, including the prestigious Johns Hopkins University. In addition, he also serves on the boards of the University of Maryland Foundation, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Saint Josephs Hospital and the Grant-A-Wish Foundation.*

What most people don’t realize is that the Baltimore Orioles is only but a good portion of his fortune.

He owns quite a bit of property in downtown Baltimore, including four office buildings along Charles Street, and also is spear-heading a creation of a Hotel right in the vicinity of Camden Yards.

Although he is consistently beaten up for the Orioles’ performance and dwindling attendance, Peter Angelos has for the most part been a positive influence in the shaping of downtown Baltimore and will be at it for the near future.

In the end, however, to fans of the Orioles and baseball in general, the business development he’s ushered to Baltimore and his good work are sadly irrelevant; it’s the state of the team along with wins and losses. For many, Peter Angelos and Baltimore are linked with Orioles, not a skyscraper, law firm or fancy real estate project, his legacy will be determined by what shape the Orioles are if the team is sold, or if he leaves.