Mayor Snubbed, Never Reaches the Plate at Angels Fete

Just as the mayor of Anaheim has done every spring for the last 10 years, Don Roth was expecting to appear at the annual Chamber of Commerce “Angels Day” luncheon Tuesday, sit at the head table and read the city’s proclamation wishing the team well.

Instead, Roth got what Anaheim city officials called “a snub” from the home team as it opened the 1985 baseball season.

“The mayor was told that there wouldn’t be a place for him at the table and that Mr. Autry would not accept the city resolution,” Sheri Erlewine, the city’s public information officer, said.

“I feel it was kind of petty. I was really surprised and humiliated,” City Councilman Irv Pickler said. “I think it’s a snub to the city.”

Angels owner Gene Autry, who did attend the luncheon and sat at the head table, said he wasn’t aware of the call from Angels vice chairman Red Patterson to Roth. But Autry said it made more sense than accepting a proclamation from a city with which the Angels have been bitterly feuding for years.

“I can’t understand how the council can approve stuff like that (the proclamation)” when they do “little things to us all the time,” Autry said.

As an example, Autry pointed out that signs from Union 76, which sponsors the Dodgers, adorn Anaheim Stadium. Pointing out that Chevron Oil Co. sponsors the Angels, Autry said the city should reject advertising from Dodger sponsors and called the Union 76 signs “harassment.”

“I can’t see why this council has not enough guts to walk in there and tell whoever is responsible for that kind of nagging to cut it out,” Autry said.

In a speech at the event, Autry made it clear he is not displeased with the people of Anaheim.

“I love the people of Orange County,” Autry said. “Anaheim and Southern California as a whole is one of the greatest communities in the world.” In an interview after the speech, Autry said he plans to move from Hollywood to Anaheim, become a registered voter and “support those who support the Angels.”

Roth said he was surprised at the Angels’ response to what had become a routine proclamation during the past 10 years. About 900 Chamber of Commerce members and guests attending the luncheon at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday received a program that included Roth’s name and his presentation.

“I’m disappointed that they used a media event to bring more attention to the lawsuits,” said Roth, adding that he was not bitter. “I’m a mayor of a big city. I have to be above all this. If I were bitter, I’d go home and kick the cat.”

Several disputes between the Angels and the city have gone to court, including disagreements over the development of the Anaheim Stadium parking lot, television revenues and ticket sales.

” A lot of people don’t agree with what we’re doing, but you have to live with it,” council member Pickler said.

Roth said that the city wanted to wish the Angels luck Tuesday, the day of their season opener. Guests attending the luncheon, which featured the coaches and players, heard similar proclamations from the chamber and the county.

Chamber of Commerce Chairman Bob MacKinnon said the mayor agreed to withdraw his presentation and his seat at the head table to alleviate any awkwardness or embarrassment. Roth said he was not asked--but told.

“The mayor was told that there wouldn’t be a place for him on the table and that Mr. Autry would not accept the city resolution,” Erlewine said. She said the city had never before had a proclamation rejected.

“The thing is framed. I’ve got it in my car,” Erlewine said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with it. I don’t know. Maybe file it somewhere.”