How Covering the Angels Shaped Beat Writer Sam Blum

This blog post digs into Sam Blum’s departure from The Athletic as the Angels beat reporter. He’s shifting to a national baseball writer role, and his five-year investigation into the Los Angeles Angels says a lot about the franchise, its ties to the city, and the people in it.

It also pokes at what Blum’s move means for readers, fans, and a franchise that’s long battled a reputation for missteps—even when the talent and on-paper potential should’ve made things easier.

Blum’s transition to a national stage

Sam Blum is leaving his beat at The Athletic to become a national baseball writer. He’ll still live in Long Beach and occasionally cover the Angels.

This puts his famous line of inquiry—“On paper, the Angels should win. So why do they always lose?”—on a bigger stage. Over five years, Blum built a narrative around the gaps between the Angels’ roster potential and what actually happened, using the city as a kind of barometer for the franchise’s health.

He admits the specialized beat is exhausting and sees the value in a wider lens. Blum says he still wants to dig for the unspoken reasons behind a franchise’s struggles, but he doesn’t forget the good people who make the team and sport work.

His decision hints at a broader conversation about accountability, culture, and how public franchises and fans connect (or don’t).

The beat that defined his mission

Blum chased a simple, stubborn question: if the Angels have the talent, what explains the results and the weird organizational dynamics? His work documented a range of issues, from farm system problems to choices that shaped how fans saw the team.

• Minor-league conditions and development pipelines that never quite matched up with big-league success.
• No Spanish-language broadcasting, which kept the franchise from connecting with a bigger fan base.
• Economic and roster decisions that often looked frugal or, honestly, just shortsighted.
• Late start times and accountability gaps that hit both players and staff.

What Blum’s criticisms reveal about the Angels

Blum says the organization has mishandled relationships—with the city, with its biggest superstar, and with fans. Sometimes, he thinks, they treated people inside and outside the team poorly.

Critics called his reporting “too negative,” but Blum insists he based his skepticism on careful observation and real patterns. He’s quick to add that skepticism doesn’t erase the hope fans have for a playoff team or a well-run franchise.

Even as he pointed out the negatives, Blum kept saying it’s important to recognize the positives and the folks who actually helped the Angels’ story. He tried to balance scrutiny with a fair picture of those working hard to keep the team competitive.

Elements of a critical yet constructive critique

Blum’s coverage spotlighted specific areas where the Angels could do better. He also named individuals and departments he respected for their professionalism and responsiveness.

• The public-relations staff—thoughtful, credible, and able to handle crises with care.
• Local reporters and broadcasters who earned his respect for their dedication and integrity.
• Players, coaches, and staff who put up with constant scrutiny while pushing for more accountability.
• And a bigger call for transparency and a steadier relationship with Southern California’s city and fans.

Looking ahead: Blum’s legacy and the road to future coverage

Blum’s Angels beat assignment might be ending, but he’s not stepping away from storytelling. He’s determined to shine a light on stories that usually slip through the cracks.

He still wants to tackle the big question: why does this franchise, with all its potential, keep finding ways to frustrate fans? Now, though, he’s aiming to broaden his focus and reach a national audience.

Readers can look forward to coverage that digs into the deeper issues behind the team’s struggles. But he won’t forget the people who bring something good to the organization, either.

Someday, Angel Stadium will host a playoff game. Blum says he’ll be there, notebook in hand, ready to cover it.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Sam Blum: The Angels may have stunk, but covering them sure didn’t