In 2020 I learned how to live without baseball. Ever since that year, baseball has been a little less interesting to me. I got used to not having it and when it came back and it didn't pique my interest as much. I still watch a ton of games and I definitely enjoyed watching Ohtani and I've always enjoyed watching Trout, but it really is just entertainment. My perspective has changed.
So much of what happens with the Angels is out of my control. I can't get worked up about it and I don't.
I also know that no matter what the Angels do from here on out it will not be as special as 2002. 2002 was special because Tim Salmon, Garret Anderson, Jarrod Washburn, John Lackey, Darin Erstad, Troy Glaus, Bengie Molina, Francisco Rodriguez and Troy Percival were all either drafted or signed by the Angels and developed by the Angels. It was truly a home grown team with others (like David Eckstein, Adam Kennedy, Scott Speizio, etc.) sprinkled in.
I look at the Dodgers and see their core of best players are now Betts, Freeman and Ohtani. They're hired guns. Sure, they're great and I'd love to have them on the Angles, but winning with players a team buys is different, IMO. That's true in all sports. The Warriors winning with Kevin Durant isn't the same as winning without him. Super teams are kind of boring.
It doesn't look like we'll ever get back to a team like 2002 with Arte Moreno as the owner. He doesn't seem interested or motivated in building a team through the draft and player development.
Again - that's out of my control.
So... I watch the Angels knowing they are who they are. It was a blast watching Ohtani. It really was. I'm glad I had six years of Sho-time. It was fun. Baseball is supposed to be fun.
Now, if given a choice - I'd actually rather go fishing than watch baseball.
I'll always be an Angels fan. I can't imagine cheering for another team, but I don't live for Angels baseball. Not by a long shot.