Banning cell phones in the locker room—old-school or genius?

Well, 72-year-old Ron Washington sure thinks it’s the right call. The Angels’ skipper just laid down a no-phone policy, and let’s be real, it’s turning some heads. Grown men, not college kids, being told to put their phones away? Some insiders aren’t sold on it, but Washington is standing firm.

So, why the rule in the first place? And could this old-school move actually help turn around the Angels after last season’s disaster?

Now the question is—will a strict restriction work for the players? “It is not punishment; I just want some focus,” Washington insisted. While he envisions a more engaged, interactive locker room, the move raises concerns about being outdated. MLB analyst Ben Verlander opined the same about how it might create a negative impact on the players. “To me, it felt a little bit childish,” Verlander quipped on his podcast Fantasy Baseball Guide. So, does the rule serve any real purpose?

“I was too long, saw too many guys on their cell phones till the last possible seconds. It does get frustrating,” Verlander further added. So, Washington’s decision isn’t without merit—it’s just the way it’s being implemented. Why? As per Verlander, “They don’t have to publicly announce that there’s a no cell phone at your locker.” In other words, it’s not the rule itself but the messaging that could cause a cultural divide in the clubhouse. Some may even see it as a lack of trust from their manager. But Washington isn’t new to this approach. He applied the same rule when leading the Rangers.

The Angels’ chance of a Rangers-like turnaround in 2025

For those unfamiliar, Washington enforced the same rule with the Rangers from 2007 to 2014, leading them to back-to-back AL pennants in 2010 and 2011. So, it’s too soon to dismiss its impact on the Angels. However, the Angels were still at the bottom of the league last year—even with Washington at the helm. Even if this new rule creates a better locker room atmosphere, talent remains the real key to success. This year, the Angels have a few new players, and Mike Trout is taking on a new role.

The Angels finished 63-99 last season, the lowest mark in the team’s history, that too under Ron Washington. The ray of hope is Trout is back to play in his first regular season game since April 2024. The Angels’ fortunes in 2025 will probably be more significantly impacted by Trout’s return and several off-season additions, including designated hitter/outfielder Jorge Soler, closer Kenley Jansen, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, and starting pitchers Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks. With these reinforcements and Washington’s leadership, the Angels are hoping to defy expectations.

Time will tell how the no cell phone policy impacts the Angels’ locker room. One thing’s for sure—Angels fans are desperate for a competitive season.

Do you think the no cell phone policy will bring a positive change?