Kole Calhoun has no hard feelings toward Angels

Kole Calhoun faced the Los Angeles Angels for the first time since signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and despite the Angels letting him walk, he says there is no hard feelings.

Angels fans tuning in to watch the Angels Spring Training game against the Diamondbacks on Saturday were exposed to a strange sight: Kole Calhoun wearing Sedona red.

After spending his entire big league career in Anaheim, the sure-handed right fielder had his $14 million option declined by the Angels, paving the way for him to sign with Arizona. For the Angels, the decision was both economical and roster smart. The team believed they could spend $13 million (net $1 million from the buyout) more efficiently on other positions of need, and with super-prospect Jo Adell close to making his major league debut, they were ready to clear the way for him to eventually roam right field.

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Calhoun talked to the Los Angeles media before lining up against his former team on Saturday. He said the Angels never really made an effort to bring him back. However, the Arizona native expressed excitement to play for his hometown team. He also made clear that there is no hard feelings toward the organization who let him walk away this offseason:

"Like I said before I left, right field in the Angels organization is in pretty good hands with what they got coming … It’s all good. It was a heck of a run and I had a great time being an Angel."

Calhoun played 966 games for the Halos. He is best known for his defensive prowess, winning a gold glove in 2015, and routinely leading the defensive metric categories for outfielders. He finished his time in Anaheim with 140 career home runs and 451 RBIs.

Playing in his first game against his former team, albeit Spring Training, Calhoun earned a walk, scored a run, and hit a sacrifice fly.