We live in a world where screens tend to dominate, but the Los Angeles Angels are choosing to unplug for good! A modern MLB clubhouse isn’t just a place for game prep, which ideally it should be. It’s now a battleground of distractions, with phones ringing off the hook or a flurry of alerts streaming in with a slew of notifications every minute or so. But this is no longer an option in the Angels’ locker room. And it has got everything buzzing on the Internet.
The Los Angeles Angels are under a new manager, Ron Washington, who recently implemented a new, strict no-cell-phone policy for the entire 2025 season. As a result, cell phones are completely restricted inside the clubhouse and in nearby hallways. With a $500 fine and player enforcement and personal accountability being introduced into the team’s culture, tongues have been wagging; critics are always quick to notice and assume. For many, this is being considered an old-school rule that was imposed by Washington. And now, catcher Logan O’Hoppe is setting the record straight.
In a podcast, O’Hoppe stepped up to make it clear that this wasn’t just Washington’s decision; it was a mutual decision of the team. The 25-year-old emphasized, “There was not one dude that was not on board with it.” According to him, players were in lockstep with Washington and the team agreed to the rule unanimously.
Logan O’Hoppe says the Angels cell phone policy was a group decision, and Ron Washington was just the one to deliver the message.
“There was not one dude that was not on board with it.” pic.twitter.com/Swrbjbef0O
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 24, 2025
The reasoning? It’s simply to build more focus and chemistry. The Angels have faced a decade-long postseason drought and lots of underwhelming performances. As a result, they are now hitting a reset button. Mike Trout and Kyle Hendricks have been appointed to take charge to enforce the rule. Washington himself won’t be exempted; he sarcastically says that in case he gets caught with his phone, he expects to be fined too, just like everybody else.
The Angels are off to build something stronger and they have chosen to do things their way. However, not everyone outside the clubhouse is convinced. Many are arguing that the no-cell policy won’t fix their struggles.
David Samson bashes Angels’ no-cell policy as “absurd”
David Samson, former Miami Marlins president, recently laid it all out on the Los Angeles’ no cell phone policy. On his recent podcast, he shared his brutal take on the policy and dismissed it as ineffective and even threw some sarcasm on the idea that players might have to seal their phones away like audience members at a stand-up comedy show.
Adding to that belief, he precisely said, “We don’t know yet whether or not there is going to be a bag like you find when you go to a comedy show.” He drew a comparison on Angels’ potential enforcement methods and restrictions at live performances. “You put your cell phone into a sealed bag, and you can’t touch it.” It’s pretty clear that he views this policy as unnecessary.
According to him, Washington and the team went all in. They could have simply opted for softer approaches like limitations on screen time. Interestingly, he didn’t stop there. He also added, “You get DTs during the show because 8 out of 10 times you’re bored out of your core.” He made an analogy suggesting that policy could backfire and players might start to feel restless rather than more focused. Samson was evidently skeptical that this policy will lead to better chemistry and on-field success or not.
He then shared his sharpest take: “Ron Washington is trying something that is so absurd that it is guaranteed to have exactly zero impact.” He believes that banning cell phones wouldn’t magically turn the Angels into strong contenders.
It seems like Washington is simply hoping to instill some discipline and unity. For now, the angels choose to stick to their plan collectively.
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