The "tarps off" movement, a fan-led display of solidarity and protest, was prominently visible at Angel Stadium on Monday night as the Los Angeles Angels secured a dramatic 3-2 walk-off victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. Dozens of shirtless fans filled multiple sections in right field, their cheers echoing and seemingly contributing to the team snapping a 106-game losing streak when trailing in the ninth inning.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded. Cardinals pitcher Riley O’Brien hit Angels batter Jo Adell with a pitch, forcing in the winning run and sending the stadium into a frenzy. Zach Neto scored the game-ending run.
The "tarps off" movement originated on May 15 at Busch Stadium, where fans began removing their shirts and waving them during a Cardinals game. St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol reportedly expressed support for the initiative. However, Angels fans have since adopted and amplified the movement, using it as a platform for vocalizing frustration with the team's current state and owner Arte Moreno.
Fans have been gathering in the right field bleachers since May 19, not only cheering for the team but also chanting "Sell the team." Players like Mike Trout and Zach Neto, along with manager Kurt Suzuki, have acknowledged hearing the chants from the dugout.
The Angels are experiencing a prolonged period of underperformance, failing to reach the playoffs for 11 consecutive seasons and not achieving a winning record in the last decade. Despite the presence of stars such as Albert Pujols, Shohei Ohtani, and Mike Trout, the team is on pace for over 100 losses for the first time in franchise history. Entering Tuesday, they held last place in the American League West with a 40-61 record.
Amidst fan frustration, organizational changes have been occurring behind the scenes. Prior to the season, Molly Jolly was appointed president of baseball operations. On June 26, General Manager Perry Minasian was fired and replaced by John Mozeliak as interim general manager. Mozeliak has indicated the need for significant change within the organization and has emphasized patience, with the team drafting 17-year-old Jared Grindlinger, a departure from their previous strategy of drafting college players for immediate impact.
With the MLB Trade Deadline approaching, there are ongoing discussions about whether the franchise, historically reluctant to sell players, might consider trading assets this year. The "tarps off" movement, while seemingly boosting spirits on the field, continues to underscore the deep-seated dissatisfaction among the fanbase regarding the team's overall direction.