ANAHEIM \u2014 If Molly Jolly had any question about the challenges of the job she was about to undertake, they were answered emphatically just before the Angels\u2019 home opener on Friday.<\/p>\n
John Carpino, who officially handed over the reins as the Angels\u2019 president on Monday, was introduced to throw out the first pitch.<\/a><\/p>\n Fans booed loudly.<\/p>\n Carpino, who retired after more than 16 years in the job, became so closely associated with owner Arte Moreno that frustrated fans took the opportunity to let him know how they felt about the club\u2019s direction for the past decade.<\/p>\n A few minutes after Carpino received his negative reception, Jolly was introduced and she was greeted with cheers. They seemed to be willing to give her a clean slate.<\/p>\n Jolly, who had been the senior vice president in charge of finance and administration, knows she is stepping into an environment in which the customers want change. She\u2019s ready for it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile I\u2019ve been here for 25 years, really the first thing I want to do is listen and learn, because I have kind of a fresh lens, in that I\u2019m in a different role,\u201d Jolly said. \u201cFrom there, we\u2019ll start to see some changes, or refinements.\u201d<\/p>\n Jolly, the first woman to hold the president title with the Angels, said it\u2019s too early to say what those changes might be, but her ultimate goal is to \u201celevate the brand, elevate how we operate.\u201d<\/p>\n That would start, of course, with winning.<\/p>\n The Angels have not made the postseason since 2014<\/a>, and they haven\u2019t had a winning season since 2015.<\/p>\n Many of the baseball decisions that led to this decade of disappointment can be traced back to Moreno<\/a>. Those around and within the organization aren\u2019t expecting any change in the way Moreno operates, regardless of who has the title of club president.<\/p>\n Moreno is still expected to involve himself in decisions that owners of other teams would leave to their baseball operations people.<\/p>\n So the big question facing Jolly \u2013 one that was likely difficult for her to answer, practically and politically \u2013 is whether she can improve that process as an intermediary.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve worked for Arte for a number of years,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had a lot of conversations, and he has said that this is the team for me. I\u2019m the president of the team, and I feel empowered to lead accordingly, and he has the trust in me, so I do feel confident that I have that capacity, ability and authority.\u201d<\/p>\n Jolly\u2019s job description in the media guide makes no mention of baseball operations. Carpino\u2019s didn\u2019t either.<\/p>\n \u201cIn her role, she will oversee the day-to-day operations of the club, including strategic direction, marketing, communications, administration, facility management, revenue, and overall business strategy,\u201d according to the media guide.<\/p>\n There is at least one significant way, though, that she can impact the product on the field. She can drive revenue.<\/p>\n In an interview in February, Moreno made no secret of the fact that the recent reductions in payroll were related to the changing television landscape<\/a>. Their payroll is at least $50 million less than it was last year, leaving a roster that is again projected to finish in last place in the five-team American League West.<\/p>\n The Angels now make significantly less money from television than they did a few years ago. The organization recently purchased a portion of the regional sports network that had been airing its games<\/a>. By running the network themselves, they have a new business model. They can generate money directly from subscribers and advertisers, rather than relying on the rights fee from a third party.<\/p>\n Jolly said she\u2019s not sure if the lost revenue can be replaced under the new system.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a great question,\u201d she said. \u201cI think the eyeballs are still there. There\u2019s still viewership in the marketplace, but the traditional methods of delivery have changed. I think all sports teams are going through that process of figuring out how it gets reconstructed. And that\u2019s why having control of the RSN is valuable for us, because we\u2019ll be in a position to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Another hot-button topic for fans that will fall under Jolly\u2019s job description is the ballpark. Angel Stadium is now the fourth-oldest park in the majors. The Angels currently have a lease with the city of Anaheim to remain there through at least 2032<\/a>.<\/p>\n The team has put millions into cosmetic renovations \u2013 like painting, the Diamond Club and the parking lots \u2013 but more cooperation with the city will be necessary to fund any major renovations or even a new stadium.<\/p>\n Jolly said she has had a good relationship for years with Anaheim mayor Ashleigh Aitken.<\/p>\n \u201cWe love Anaheim,\u201d Jolly said. \u201cWe partner literally every day with the city of Anaheim.\u201d<\/p>\n