Los Angeles Baseball Wars: Nike Takes Pot Shot at Los Angeles Angels?

It’s truly amazing to see the lengths that advertisers go to when trying to play games of one-upmanship.

Nike has unveiled and is marketing a t-shirt that reads: “The Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles.”

Now, I know that NOBODY ever calls the Dodgers by that name, so it is obviously an attempt to rile the citizens of Anaheim, in reference to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

However, is it really a good marketing ploy for Nike? I mean really, who is going to wear that shirt? While the shirt is a nice Dodger blue color, no Dodger fan in their right mind would be caught dead wearing that shirt if they are in fact a loyal Dodger fan.

The t-shirt may get some play during interleague games, but it may be the only thing Dodger fans have to boast about this season, considering the disastrous circumstances caused by the ongoing McCourt divorce case.

The Angels, who have been called the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim since 2005, have always been considered second class citizens behind the Dodgers in the City of Angels, and this latest marketing ploy by Nike will only serve as fodder for Dodger fans who really have nothing else to gloat about for the foreseeable future.

Sad, really, that the Los Angeles Dodgers are relying on a silly marketing campaign to prove their dominance in the Los Angeles area.

Dodger manager Don Mattingly and company have a lot more to worry about this season than trying to use Nike to rile Angels fans.

For continuing coverage of the Los Angeles Angels, follow Doug on Twitter @Sports_A_Holic.