The divorce of Frank and Jamie McCourt has decimated the Dodgers organization. The ownership situation in the country’s two biggest markets has to have Bud Selig very concerned. The New York Mets’ Fred Wilpon should take a look down the right field line at Citi Field and notice the advertisement for the Fox Business Network. Watching that once in a while might rid him of some of his financial woes.
The decline of the Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles (enjoying that in Anaheim?) has been precipitous. Frank Sinatra would be proud of this collapse because they are certainly doing it “all the way.” The crowds at Chavez Ravine have been a fraction of the past years. It must be due to all the sports fans in the area saving their money to see the NFL team that doesn’t exist in the town. Much like Wrigley Field, the marketing department is even offering discounts that they haven’t done in years past.
The most popular tube steak in all of sports (Dodger Dog) is only a dollar during certain dates while all non-alcoholic concessions are half price during others. This sad commentary on the state of supply and demand is necessary. If chicks really do dig the long ball, then the team is in some serious trouble. On Friday night the club took down regional rival Padres with one total run scored in the entire contest.
Two recent events are further evidence of the state of disarray that permeates the entire organization. Vin Scully, the voice of the Dodgers, has sued the team over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This is a fraction of his annual salary, but it’s the principle that is alarming. With friends like these, who needs enemies?
I guess that is how the brass treats an icon who has been with the squad for over fifty years. More recently, public relations consultant and former star Steve Garvey was provided a pink slip for his devious attempts to become part of the ownership picture. When your supposed face of the organization and World Series star from thirty years ago gets canned for conduct unbecoming to the brand, there is not much lower to go. Orel Hershiser is the only hope for the team, but it is unlikely that he would leave his lucrative position over at ESPN.
I haven’t even mentioned much that has transpired on the field lately. The line-up is a case of either extreme success or sub-par performances. The All Star selections of Andre Eithier, Matt Kemp, and Clayton Kershaw demonstrate that they do have some young and exciting talent. If James Loney could provide some more punch from the first base position, the problem of runners left on base would be rectified. The inadequacies lie with the remainder of the roster. Jonathan Broxton has been missing in action all season. Rafael Furcal is in the twilight of his career and Jamey Carroll is playing entirely too many games in the infield.
Aaron Miles is not the answer either.