Jo Adell on Facing Angels After Trade to Guardians

Jo Adell spent the first nine years of his professional career with the Los Angeles Angels, and now he’s back in Anaheim, but this time as a member of the Cleveland Guardians.

Before the two teams met for a three-game set starting Monday evening, Adell took time to reflect on his tenure with the Angels and talked about how important the team will always be to him in his baseball journey.

“It's just kind of kind of crazy,” Adell said before Monday’s game. “I turned into a man and a big leager in the Angels organization and got a chance to come up and find who I was as a player.

“Really just a full circle moment to kind of be here and be on the other side and get to face them. But a lot of great memories here, and I became the player that I am today in this organization, so it's pretty surreal to be out here now.

Adell admitted it was “kind of weird” arriving at the stadium at first because he went in through a different entrance than he was used to.

Aug 24, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Jo Adell (7) acknowledges the crowd before hitting against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Whenever a player returns to a place they used to play, it’s always interesting to see what type of fan reception they’ll get.

Adell wasn’t exactly sure how the fans would receive him coming back to the stadium in the opposing team’s uniform.

“Hopefully, it's positive. Hopefully, I don't get booed for wearing uh different colors,” Adell said with a smile on his face.

“It'll be cool though to throw a couple balls up and to see some familiar faces out in the stands of people who show up here every day to support the Angels.”

Adell has no reason to worry, though, because the Angel faithful gave him a heart-warming ovation before his first at-bat. He accepted the applause with a tip of the hat to the crowd.

It appears that there’ll still be a large turnout when the Angels do their Jose Adell jersey and bobblehead giveaway later this season.

That said, if Adell continues to perform against his former team at the level he’s been playing at since being traded to the Guardians, there might be some Angels fans who are ready for him to leave town come Wednesday afternoon.