Ward recalls 'good times' ahead of first game as visitor at Angel Stadium
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ANAHEIM -- Taylor Ward has played 348 games at Angel Stadium, but on Monday he did something he had never needed to do before -- enter the visiting clubhouse.
It didn't seem to distract Ward -- now a member of the Orioles -- too much, as he gave his former club a rude welcome in his first at-bat of the Angels' series opener against Baltimore with a leadoff home run.
Ward spent the first eight seasons of his Major League career with the Angels after they selected him in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He was the second-longest tenured Angel when he was traded to the Orioles in November in exchange for pitcher Grayson Rodriguez.
“I haven’t been out there yet, but I’m sure once I get out there it’s going to bring back so many memories of everything I did here and the time I had here,” Ward said before Monday’s game. “It was great. It should be fun tonight.”
Last season, Ward led the Angels in RBIs (103) and was second in home runs (36) to Jo Adell (37). He had a franchise-record 10 consecutive games with an extra-base hit in May of 2025.
Ward’s favorite memories of his time as an Angel were the moments in the clubhouse with his lockermate Mike Trout and the rest of the team.
“I just think of all the good times I had with the guys,” Ward said. “There are a lot of good memories here over the years.”
He is having a similarly positive experience with his Orioles teammates.
“I was really excited to report to Spring Training, meet the guys and help this team win over here,” Ward said. “The guys have been just as great as the guys [with the Angels]. It’s a tight group here.”
Ward was in the leadoff spot on Monday against the Angels, and he received a tribute video from his former club.
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Rodriguez, who has been on the injured list with lower back inflammation, was excited to see his former team come to town, even though he won’t be able to pitch.
He played two Major League seasons for the Orioles after being selected in the first round of the 2018 Draft. Rodriguez started Game 2 of the Orioles’ 2023 AL Wild Card Series against the Rangers.
“It’s obviously good to see those guys that are over there. Some of them are still my good friends,” Rodriguez said. “It’s going to be cool to play against them. I wish I was pitching this series.”
Rodriguez threw off a mound on Saturday for the first time since going on the IL and is expected to throw a bullpen on Tuesday.