Anthony Rendon. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Latest comments from Angels 3B may infuriate fans

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 2/19/24

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon made comments to reporters on Monday that may add even more tension to his already dicey relationship with fans.

As spring training gets underway, Rendon discussed his future with the team and whether baseball ranks as a priority in his life.

Anthony Rendon on playing pro baseball:

"It’s never been a top priority for me. This is a job. I do this to make a living. My faith, my family come first before this job. So if those things come before it, I’m leaving."

Here's the full exchange: pic.twitter.com/xtgaywzNx9
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) February 19, 2024

The 33-year-old two-time Silver Slugger Award winner had a solid seven-year run with the Washington Nationals from 2013-19, making an NL All-Star team and finishing in the top 10 of the league's MVP voting three times. Rendon's best season of his career was in 2019 when he led the league in doubles (44) and RBI (126) while finishing third in the NL MVP voting and helping the Nationals win the World Series.

He cashed in with a seven-year, $245M deal with Los Angeles in the offseason entering the 2020 pandemic-shortened campaign. But his tenure out west has been brutal.

Rendon's battled numerous injuries and hasn't played more than 58 games in a season. During the 2021 campaign alone, Rendon had three stints on the injured list by July before the team announced in early August that he'd have season-ending hip surgery.

Following the Angels' 2023 Opening Day road loss against the Oakland Athletics, Rendon was involved in a heated altercation that ended with him grabbing and attempting to hit a fan. Rendon was suspended for four games and received a fine.

Even when on the field, Rendon has struggled to produce at the dish, recording just 22 home runs, 111 RBI and a .249/.359/.399 slash line over 720 at-bats covering 200 games with the Halos.

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