In Name Change, Devil Is in the Details

As The Times has reported, Anaheim Angels owner Arte Moreno is considering changing the team’s name to the Los Angeles Angels in order, he says, to broaden its appeal in the Southland. The city of Anaheim, however, maintains it will root, root, root against such a move -- in court, if necessary. I just want to know one thing: If the change does go through, will that Fox soap opera set in Newport Beach be renamed “The L.A.?”

Devilish Angels (cont.): Poor Anaheim, always being snubbed by the Angels. When the team first moved there from L.A., club officials named it the California Angels. When the team was really playing badly back then, one San Francisco columnist demanded that the “California” designation be dropped, saying the Bay Area didn’t want to be linked with the team.

Eventually, the team did grudgingly become the Anaheim Angels. But just this year, its uniforms were redesigned, with “Anaheim” being removed.

As for Moreno’s proposal, the city contends the lease for Angels Stadium (at one time Anaheim Stadium, by the way) requires the team to be called the Anaheim Angels. Of course, Moreno could get around that problem by moving the team -- back to Los Angeles.

Dept. of Redundancy Department: I always loved the concept of a team called the Los Angeles Angels because it translated as “the Angels Angels.” Sort of like that landmark “the the tar tar pits” (the La Brea Tar Pits).

Hot air: Elizabeth Johnston of Chatsworth bought a steam iron that contained a warning that can be ignored by mortuaries (see accompanying). Another prohibition was: “Never use while sleeping.”

Unclear on the concept: Terry Cobb sent along a shot that his son Casey snapped in Beijing (see photo). And you thought some of L.A.’s parking signs were confusing!

Another parking oddity: Ah, summer. Swimming pools filled with the happy sounds of ... cars? (See photo.) They weren’t amphibious either, says Barry Nackos. They were gathered for a car sale. Come on in! The bargains are fine!

More wonders: I guess if you can have a swimming pool full of automobiles, why not a closet that can saunter down the street (see photo). Edgar Small of Beverly Hills found one. Wonder if it’s supposed to be leashed?

miscelLAny: As for the Lakers’ interviews, Seattle Times columnist Dwight Perry mused: “First it’s [Mike] Krzyzewski, now [Rudy] Tomjanovich. Are the Lakers really looking for a basketball coach -- or simply a maximum Scrabble score?”

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Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LATimes, Ext. 77083, by fax at (213) 237-4712, by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012, and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.