LOS ANGELES DODGERS CLIPS
FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2012
DODGERS.COM
Dodgers' under-the-radar moves paying off
Colletti's offseason acquisitions making significant contributions
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | 05/03/12 7:59 PM ET
CHICAGO -- With new owners in place back home, general manager Ned Colletti rejoined his first-place club Thursday with decisions
looming on making the Dodgers even better.
The signing of Bobby Abreu for the bench appears imminent, while reliever Ronald Belisario, who has served his 25-game suspension for
violating MLB's drug policy, was activated, replacing Mike MacDougal, who was designated for assignment.
Meanwhile, the decisions that Colletti made over the winter, for the most part, have worked out so far. Aside from extending Matt
Kemp and Clayton Kershaw, there was little fanfare for the signings of starting pitchers Chris Capunao and Aaron Harang, second
baseman Mark Ellis, role players like Jerry Hairston, Adam Kennedy and Matt Treanor, reliever Todd Coffey, the re-signing of Juan Rivera
or handing the starting catching job to out-of-options A.J. Ellis and the starting shortstop job to Dee Gordon.
For all the credit that obviously should go to Kemp, who was named the National League's Player of the Month on Wednesday, and RBI
machine Andre Ethier for the team's fast start, the pieces that were added have upgraded its supporting cast.
Rivera has been out a week with a slight left hamstring strain, the contributions of Kennedy, Treanor and Coffey have been limited while
Gordon has been brilliant at times but struggled at others.
Overall, working strategically with a slashed payroll, Colletti seems to have succeeded with his goals of signing two starting pitchers for
the price of one Hiroki Kuroda; of improving defense at second base; and the addition of a versatile right-handed bat in Hairston to
counter opposing left-handed pitching.
"I felt there were areas we needed to upgrade," said Colletti. "Mark Ellis has been really good for us, defensively and with key hits. A.J.
has been exactly what the staff said he'd be -- a hard worker, a handler of the pitchers, a guy with a great on-base percentage. His
diligence wasn't lost on us. And Hairston has given us defensively versatility. The pitchers have kept us in the game, which is what you
ask from the back end of the rotation, and they've really done that.
"We're going to need to be more balanced offensively. We can't leave everything at the feet of Matt and Andre. We're going to have to
pass it around."
Manager Don Mattingly has been especially impressed with the two Ellises.
Here's what he said about Mark Ellis, who is batting .276 and handling the unselfish role of No. 2 hitter ahead of Kemp:
"He's been great, better than I honestly thought he was. I didn't do enough research. He grows on you all the time. He's been
tremendous at second. But he's also a good hitter, he knows exactly what to do at the plate. He's given himself up six or seven times.
For me, I love him."
Mark Ellis isn't surprised by his manager's reaction.
"I'm just doing what I always do, this is who I am and I try to be the same guy," said the 11-year veteran. "I played most of my career in
Oakland, and not a lot of people see you on the West Coast, and the last couple years, we didn't have a very good team. I fly under the
radar, and that's fine. I get in trouble when I try to do too much. This team, I don't have to do that. I know what a good play is and what
a bad play is. I take pride in playing the game the right way."
Here's what Mattingly said about A.J. Ellis, who has a .306 average and .449 on-base percentage, third in the league:
"He's been really good, even better than I thought. The biggest area -- I'm not talking about his hits -- is the leadership, and you can just
see it. You can tell he's slowed the game down. He's taking charge. We had a first-and-third and I got busy with something and he was
waiting for a sign and he just put the play on himself. I looked up and he was already all over it. He's been everything we want. He
studies, he knows what he's calling. Everybody is trying to find offense, but A.J. has been that guy you want back there. He has such a
good feeling, you know he's studied and he knows where he's going to go."
Belisario activated off suspended list
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | 05/03/12 8:50 PM ET
CHICAGO -- The Dodgers activated reliever Ronald Belisario off the suspended list and designated reliever Mike MacDougal for
assignment on Thursday.
Belisario, 29, completed a 25-game suspension for testing positive for cocaine after missing the entire 2011 season on the restricted list
with reported drug issues that prevented the Venezuela native from obtaining a work visa.
He has been on a Minor League rehab assignment in preparation for his activation. Because he was out of options, Belisario had to be
activated or put through waivers -- with the risk that he could be claimed by another club -- before being sent to the Minor Leagues.
The Dodgers are obviously taking a chance with Belisario, whose career has been plagued by off-the-field problems. Now that he has
returned, they need to learn which Belisario shows up -- the one that was the most pleasant surprise of the 2009 season, or the one
that was an unreliable distraction in '10 and '11 while battling rumored addiction problems.
After wearing out his welcome as a Minor Leaguer with Florida and Pittsburgh -- he missed the 2005 season with Tommy John surgery
and 2006 with an unspecified suspension -- Belisario was signed out of the Venezuela Winter League in '09 as a free agent by thenDodgers scout Ron Rizzi.
Belisario reported that spring three weeks late with visa problems, was sent to Minor League camp after one Cactus League appearance,
only to pitch lights-out in Minor League camp to get a second look with the Major League team at the end of March and make the
Opening Day roster.
Belisario became a workhorse that year, making 69 appearances with a 2.03 ERA. He threw a fastball in the mid-90s with a diving sinker.
But he was five weeks late to Spring Training with more visa problems in 2010, his status complicated by a driving under the influence
charge in Pasadena in '09. A disastrous sophomore year followed, which included a month-long drug rehab and a whopping three-run
increase in his ERA. The domino effect resulted in the overuse of Ramon Troncoso, effectively costing the club two effective relievers.
General manager Ned Colletti decided not to rely on Belisario in 2011, but it came at a high cost -- the signing of setup man Matt
Guerrier to a three-year, $12 million contract. Guerrier had a somewhat disappointing first season with the Dodgers, as he went 4-3
with a 4.07 ERA in 70 appearances. Belisario never got out of Venezuela -- again with visa problems and rumors of more drug issues -and spent the entire season on the restricted list.
MacDougal, 35, was signed to a one-year, $1 million deal, with a 2013 option after being one of the most pleasant $500,000 surprises
last year.
After battling through injuries and a Minor League demotion by the Cardinals in 2010, the former closer with Kansas City and
Washington filled a key middle relief role for the Dodgers with 69 appearances and a 2.05 ERA (1.78 against division opponents). He had
two 11-game scoreless streaks and limited hitters to a .157 average with runners in scoring position.
In eight Cactus League outings this spring, MacDougal was 0-1 with a 7.88 and eight walks. In seven relief appearances this year, the
right-hander issued six walks and had a 7.94 ERA over 5 2/3 innings. After being stricken with the flu in April and losing weight, he
temporarily lost velocity, although it appeared to return when he pitched in Denver this week.
ESPN.COM
Kemp, Dodgers flex muscle
May, 4, 2012
By Dan Braunstein | ESPN Stats and Information
Kemp finishes historic April
Matt Kemp set a Dodgers record with 12 home runs in April and also set a Los Angeles Dodgers record with 30 career April homers. He
eclipsed Ron Cey, who had 29 career April homers for the Dodgers in 353 more plate appearances in the month. Kemp is three home
runs away from Duke Snider’s franchise record of 33 April home runs. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Kemp became the first
player in Dodgers history to have a .400 batting average, 12 home runs and 25 RBI in the same month.
Kemp’s career batting average in March/April is .343; he doesn’t have a .300 average in any other month. Since 1921, Kemp’s .343
average in March/April is fifth best among players with at least 500 PA in the months. Among active players, Kemp ranks first, 18 points
ahead of second-place Miguel Cabrera.
Another walk-off for Kemp
Kemp’s walk-off home run Saturday night was the fifth of his career and fourth in the last two seasons. He led the majors last year with
three game-ending homers. Since the start of 2011, no other player in baseball has more than two walk-off home runs. He’s hit five of
the Dodgers’ last six walk-off homers; before that, Andre Ethier hit six in a row.
1st inning dominance
The Dodgers’ 7-6 win in Colorado Tuesday highlighted a key reason for the team’s early success this season, as Los Angeles led 4-0 after
the first inning. For the season, the Dodgers have outscored opponents 26 to 6 in the first inning, averaging more than a run per game in
the opening frame. The 26 runs scored lead the league, and the six runs allowed are for fewest. The pitchers’ early success is nothing
new; the Dodgers allowed 52 first-inning runs last year, 11 fewer than any other team in the league.
1st Inning This Season
Dodgers Opponents
Runs 26
6
BA
.381
.157
HR
8
1
Winning the close ones
All four Dodgers wins during the week were by one or two runs, typical of the team’s season. Their 12 wins by one or two runs are two
more than any other team in baseball, and the Dodgers have lost only four such games. They’re 9-3 in one-run games; the nine wins are
more than any other team.
Gordon hits first career homer
Dee Gordon hit the first home run of his major-league career leading off Tuesday’s game in Colorado. It was the first leadoff home run
for the Dodgers since Rafael Furcal did it against the Angels and Jered Weaver on June 13, 2010. In between Furcal’s homer and
Gordon’s, every other team in the league had at least one leadoff homer.
The Dodgers have yet to have a home run from a second baseman, third baseman or left fielder. They’re one of only four teams without
a homer from three non-pitcher positions but the only one of those four teams with a homer from shortstop, thanks to Gordon’s homer
Tuesday.
Loney’s improbable hit
James Loney’s two-run single provided the only scoring in the Dodgers’ 2-0 win over the Nationals Sunday. The two RBI were Loney’s
first with two strikes this season and came on the first two-strike hit against Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez all season. Before Loney’s atbat, opponents had been 0 for 48 with 32 strikeouts in two-strike at-bats against Gonzalez.
Walking off
The Dodgers’ 8-5 loss to the Rockies Wednesday was the team’s third walk-off loss of the season, tied for the most in baseball. Six
Dodgers games have ended in walk-off fashion, also tied for the most in the league thus far.
Tough spot for Elbert
Scott Elbert entered Wednesday’s game with runners on second and third and one out and allowed a walk-off homer to the only hitter
he faced, Jason Giambi. Elbert became the first Dodgers pitcher since Mike Fetters to allow a walk-off homer to the only hitter he faced;
Fetters allowed a home run to Richard Hidalgo of the Astros leading off a tie game in the bottom of the ninth inning on June 1, 2001.
The last Dodgers pitcher before Elbert to enter a game with runners on base and immediately allow a walk-off homer was Rudy Seanez
on July 5, 1995, at Atlanta. Like Elbert, Seanez entered a tie game with two men on and allowed a game-ending homer. Seanez gave it
up to Chipper Jones, who coincidentally also hit a walk-off home run on Wednesday.
Rare trouble spot for Kemp
With the Dodgers trailing 5-2 in the 7th inning Monday night in Colorado, Matt Kemp struck out with the bases loaded and nobody out.
It’s a situation in which Kemp has not fared well over his career; he’s now 1 for 13 with five strikeouts with the bases full and no one
out.
After Kemp struck out, Andre Ethier did the same. According to Elias, it was the first time that Kemp and Ethier struck out back-to-back
with the bases loaded.
Belisario reinstated; MacDougal designated
May, 3, 2012
The Dodgers reinstated reliever Ronald Belisario from the Restricted List on Thursday after the right-hander finished serving a 25-game
suspension for failing to comply with baseball's drug policy.
Belisario will be eligible to pitch when the Dodgers begin a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday at Wrigley Field.
In February, Belisario, who is from Venezuela, admitted he had tested positive for cocaine and that had prevented him from obtaining
the neccessary paperwork for a visa to enter the United States, and also forced him to sit out all of last season.
To open a roster spot for Belisario, the Dodgers also announced they had desinated right-hander Mike MacDougal for assignment.
Belisario previously said he does not have a problem with any drugs and that his positive cocaine test was the result of "a one-time
thing."
During his 25-game suspension, Belisario, 29, made four appearances for Triple-A Albuqueque and Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
Belisario was a key member of the Dodgers' bullpen as a rookie in 2009, posting a 2.04 ERA in 69 appearances, before that figure
ballooned to 5.04 in 59 games in 2010.
MacDougal, 35, posted a 7.94 ERA in seven appearances this season.
.400 miles away for Matt Kemp
The greatest offensive April ever (perhaps) has observers thinking history
Updated: May 3, 2012, 12:59 PM ET
By Jon Weisman | Special to ESPNLosAngeles.com
When a ballplayer takes a .400 batting average into May, you're supposed to know not to ask whether he can take it through the end of
the season.
You know that no major leaguer has hit .400 over a season since Ted Williams in 1941. You know it's a barrier that has withstood Stan
Musial, Rod Carew, George Brett, Andres Galarraga, Tony Gwynn, Larry Walker, Nomar Garciaparra, Todd Helton, Barry Bonds and
Ichiro Suzuki -- all of whom have hit at least .375 since '41, but never .400.
What does Matt Kemp, now batting .411 on May 2, have that these guys didn't have? Probably nothing, or a figure approaching
nothing.
Last weekend, David Pinto of Baseball Musings ran some numbers. Kemp had just gone 2-for-4 in Friday's Los Angeles Dodgers victory
over Washington, raising his batting average to .452. Pinto found that Kemp's probability of hitting .400 this year was 0.0000016.
If he played a million baseball seasons, the odds say Kemp wouldn't hit .400 in two of them. And that was before his batting average fell
43 points in less than a week.
So what are we doing here?
Here are two reasons to keep having the conversation.
1. No cigar, but close
Though not a soul has hit .400 in the majors since before Pearl Harbor, they've certainly made it interesting. In the strike-shortened year
of 1994, Gwynn missed .400 by three hits in 110 games. In 1980, Brett missed by five hits in 117 games. Ichiro, who played in 161 games
in 2004, missed .400 by 20 hits -- not even an extra hit per week.
Obviously, .400 appears like a ceiling that major leaguers can no longer bust through, but this isn't like trying to be the first man to
Jupiter as much as it is like trying to be the next Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier. Or something like that. You get the idea. The
impossible, on some small level, seems doable.
2. The potential for mastery
There's something about the way Kemp has hit with such authority for the first month of the season -- while also striking out his typical
23 times in 24 games -- that might get you thinking. Yes, baseball is the most humbling of games, but what if, for all the many ways
Kemp has crushed the ball in 2012, he still improves as the season goes on. What if, at 27, amid his torrent of home runs, he figures
something out about the pitches that still fool him from time to time and he learns to make better contact.
Kemp batted .442 on balls in play through the end of April. That figure is kind of insane, but after hitting .380 on balls in play last year, it
can't help but make you wonder a little what he might do if he could cut down the strikeouts without sacrificing other parts of his game.
None of this makes me think the chances for Kemp to hit .400 are much better than two in a million, but let's put it this way: If October
arrives and Kemp has succeeded, these will be the reasons.
Even if he doesn't hit .400, nor come close to that 50-homer, 50-steal target he boldly set for himself, it's not as if Kemp doesn't have a
shot at one of baseball's hallowed marks. No player has won the Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967, and after winning two
categories last year and finishing third in another, Kemp truly has a realistic shot at that stunning achievement.
LA TIMES
Dodgers' Matt Kemp a right-thinking kind of slugger
The Dodgers slugger has shown striking opposite-field power, with seven of his 12 homers having gone to right field. The major league
home run leader hit four others to center.
By Dylan Hernandez
May 3, 2012, 6:27 p.m.
From the steps of the dugout, the balls Matt Kemp hits for home runs look different from those that other players hit over the stadium
fence.
"They take off like fly balls and they just get small quick," Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said. "You can tell when he gets them. They
get really small really quick."
So quickly that they don't even look like baseballs from the third base coach's box.
"It looks more like a golf ball," third base coach Tim Wallach said. "It really does. It's amazing. It keeps going. It's real small and it keeps
going."
What's even more surprising to Mattingly and Wallach is where these balls are landing.
Of Kemp's 12 home runs, which lead the major leagues, only one has been to left field. The right-handed-batting Kemp has hit four
home runs to center and seven to right.
Former manager Joe Torre, who was the first prominent baseball figure to point out similarities between Clayton Kershaw and Sandy
Koufax, recently noted that he was also the first to compare Kemp's power to that of another rare player.
"If you remember … I said he was a lot like Alex Rodriguez," said Torre, who managed Kemp with the Dodgers and Rodriguez with the
New York Yankees.
"The ability to hit it straightaway means you can wait this much longer without committing," Torre said, holding his index finger and
thumb a few inches apart to illustrate his point. "You're going to put the ball in play more."
Kemp leads the majors with a .411 batting average.
Torre isn't the only one comparing Kemp to Rodriguez. So is Mattingly, a former Yankees coach.
Of the way Kemp hits balls, Mattingly said, "A-Rod's like that too. He hits balls into right-center. You think it's a fly ball and it's like 20
rows up. Center field, the same way."
Kemp said he models himself after Frank Thomas, his childhood idol. Mattingly sees the resemblance to Thomas, who hit 521 home runs
over a 19-year career.
"Frank was a opposite-field power guy," Mattingly said.
Kemp makes a conscious effort not to hit the ball to left field.
"I'm thinking up the middle, not trying to pull the ball too much," he said. "If I start looking in there too much, I get off track, my bat
doesn't stay in the zone too long."
Kemp said that he isn't looking to hit home runs, and Mattingly believes him.
"Home runs just come out of his swing," Mattingly said.
Andre Ethier was once considered Kemp's equal, if not superior. But he recently laughed as he recalled how a heckler shouted at him
during a game: "You stink! Kemp's better!"
Ethier's reaction: "Well, duh."
Mattingly noted that Kemp has hit a number of home runs in such pitcher-friendly environments as Petco Park in San Diego and Dodger
Stadium at night. The ball is said not to travel as far at Dodger Stadium after sunset.
Kemp hit two home runs in the Dodgers' four games at Petco Park. He has hit six at Dodger Stadium, including five at night.
"Matt, he makes parks look small," Mattingly said. "Some of them we play in are small. But when you do it in San Diego and L.A. at
night, you have to hit them. You don't get cheap ones there."
Colorado Rockies Manager Jim Tracy saw Kemp hit an opposite-field home run against his team at Coors Field on Monday. Shaking his
head and laughing, he said Kemp hits the ball to right field "like a left-handed pull hitter hits them."
Tracy said the last player he saw exhibit that kind of power was Adrian Beltre, who hit 48 home runs in 2004. Tracy managed Beltre with
the Dodgers that season.
Tracy credited Beltre's home run explosion on learning to hit the other way. He said Beltre was a pull-oriented hitter until he started
working extensively with teammate Shawn Green and Wallach, who was the hitting coach at the time.
"Beltre had pretty good power the other way, but I think Matt's is even better," Wallach said.
That kind of power gets into the opposition's head.
"If you're on the defensive side and the pitcher says, 'I'm going to make him hit it to the big part of the ballpark,' that works with 98% of
the people," Torre said. "With Matt Kemp, it doesn't work. There is no bigger side of the ballpark because he's so strong. He uses the
middle of the field; it's a helpless feeling for the catcher back there."
Tracy knows the feeling.
"Where do you go?" he asked.
By the end of the series against the Dodgers, Tracy found an answer. In the series finale Wednesday, Tracy ordered his pitcher to
intentionally walk Kemp — twice.
Mattingly is considering measures to safeguard against that.
The intentional walks Wednesday were Kemp's first of the season, and they came when the left-handed-hitting Ethier was batting fifth
instead of fourth because the Dodgers were facing a left-handed starting pitcher in Drew Pomeranz.
Mattingly thinks opponents had previously avoided intentionally walking Kemp because Ethier was hitting behind him. Ethier, whose 27
runs batted in led the majors entering play Thursday, may now start hitting cleanup every day, regardless of who is on the mound.
Ethier is batting .294 against left-handers this season, a considerable improvement from past years.
Of Kemp, Mattingly said, "You can't pitch to him, but it's hard not to pitch to him when Andre's sitting there driving in more runs."
Dodgers' A.J. Ellis has potential to be an All-Star
The 31-year-old catcher, who is in his first season as a major league starter, entered Thursday ranked fourth in the majors among
catchers with an on-base percentage of .449.
By Dylan Hernandez
May 3, 2012, 9:45 p.m.
A.J. Ellis, an All-Star?
"Why not?" Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly asked.
Lost in the avalanche of home runs by Matt Kemp and Dodgers victories has been the play of Ellis, who, at 31, is in his first season as a
major league starting catcher.
Mattingly and General Manager Ned Colletti went into the season referring to catcher as a "defensive position" — a polite way of saying
they didn't expect Ellis to contribute much offensively.
But Ellis entered Thursday ranked fourth in the majors among catchers with an on-base percentage of .449. He has almost as many
walks (16) as he has hits (19) and sees an average of 4.84 pitches per plate appearances, the most in the majors.
Jokingly asked why he never swings the bat, Ellis laughed. "You sound like my wife," he said. "She likes it when I swing. She gets nervous
when the at-bats go long."
Ellis credits third base coach Tim Wallach for teaching him to be disciplined. When Wallach managed Ellis at triple-A Albuquerque, he
batted him eighth, which is where he hits now for the Dodgers.
Ellis learned the importance of turning over the lineup with two out — reaching base to ensure the pitcher wouldn't lead off the next
inning. He also learned to expand his strike zone with runners in scoring position, knowing the pitcher batting behind him was unlikely
to drive in the runner.
"It's knowing my role on the team," Ellis said.
Belisario returns
Ronald Belisario was reinstated from baseball's restricted list Thursday after serving a 25-game suspension for a positive cocaine test.
Reliever Mike MacDougal was designated for assignment to open a place on the roster for Belisario, a hard-throwing right-hander with a
mid-90s-mph sinker. MacDougal posted a 7.94 earned-run average in seven appearances this season. He walked six batters in 5 2/3
innings.
Belisario, 29, will be looking to revive a once-promising career that was derailed by a series of personal problems. He posted a 2.04 ERA
in 69 appearances as a rookie in 2009 but was arrested that year for suspicion of driving under the influence. He later pleaded guilty to a
lesser charge. In 2010, he left the team for more than a month to undergo substance-abuse treatment.
Short hops
The Dodgers are working on a deal to sign free-agent outfielder Bobby Abreu. … Infielder Ivan De Jesus Jr., who suffered a torn muscle
on his left side in spring training, started a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Albuquerque.
Dodgers reinstate Ronald Belisario, designate Mike MacDougal for assignment
By Dylan Hernandez
May 3, 2012, 5:01 p.m.
Ronald Belisario will pitch for the Dodgers again.
Belisario, who lost more than a season after testing positive for cocaine, was reinstated by the Dodgers from the restricted list and
placed on the active roster. Because of the positive test, the hard-throwing reliever was unable to enter the United States in 2011 and
was suspended by Major League Baseball for the first 25 games of this season.
Mike MacDougal was designated for assignment to open a place on the roster for Belisario.
Armed with a sinker in the mid-90s, Belisario posted a 2.04 earned-run average in 69 appearances as a rookie in 2009. But late that year
he was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.
In 2010, Belisario had to leave the team in the middle of the season to enter a substance-abuse program.
MacDougal, who suffered from erratic control, posted a 7.94 ERA in seven appearance this season. He walked six batters in 5 2/3
innings.
Dodgers won't operate with set payroll under Stan Kasten
By Steve Dilbeck
May 3, 2012, 3:17 p.m.
This is how it largely worked for Ned Colletti in recent years: Frank McCourt would give him a number, and then expect the general
manager to bring in the team payroll at or under that figure.
So maybe he loses a Hiroki Kuroda because he costs a tad too much, and then tries to make up for it by signing Aaron Harang and Chris
Capuano.
Those payroll juggling days, however, may be over for Colletti. At least in the fashion he’s grown accustomed to.
New team President Stan Kasten said Wednesday that’s not the way he operates. There will be no preset payroll figure; the Dodgers’
opening-day payroll this season was $91 million.
“I expect moving forward it’s going to be north of where it is now,” Kasten said. “But I have to tell you, I never focus on a target in
getting the 25 guys. Because as you know, there are some teams that are really good with very low payrolls, and you would rather have
those teams than a higher payroll team that’s not.
“So focus on the players that we get and don’t worry so much about the payroll. I don’t have a set number for you because we’re not
going to do it that way. We’re going to take every opportunity that we can. If that means increasing payroll, then that’s what’s going to
happen.”
Kasten also said Dodgers controlling partner Mark Walter has given him the authority to pursue whatever free agents he deems a
proper fit.
“You can expect us to be aggressive,” Kasten said. “We’re going to be in on everything, but it has to fit for us. It has to fit short term and
it has to fit long term. That’s a complicated question that I can’t answer with a yes or no, except to say we’re going to be aggressive and
seize on every opportunity.
“Mark has given me the authority, the autonomy and the resources to do exactly that.”
Other topics Kasten touched on after Wednesday’s press conference:
-- The organizational staff is too lean.
“I know we have some openings, people that we’re looking to hire right now. It occurs to me, we’re also understaffed in some areas. I
will certainly be working to fix those things as soon as possible.
“I think it’s a thin organization in a number of areas. There may be a good reason for that. I want to take time to learn that. I’m not
coming in with any preconceptions.”
Yeah, there’s a good reason. McCourt’s front-office carousel was a national embarrassment.
-- Some early priorities will be on the farm system, scouting and stadium infrastructure, but he’s trying not to operate under
preconceived ideas.
“We’re going to do all the things we need to. We’ve discussed a lot of things today that I want to do, but I don’t know enough to tell you
the answers. Like infrastructure, like entertainment, like amenities, like enhancements, and like payroll. I don’t know enough about
circumstances, but I can’t wait to get started and find out.”
-- He has already met with executives of Levy, the stadium concessionaire, observed the long lines, and made clear his priorities at the
refreshment stands – variety, quality, prices and service.
-- His interest in modernizing Dodger Stadium is not just about the structure itself.
“I do know this, I go to other stadiums and I see what’s available in terms of video and electronics at a higher level almost every place
we go. I want to understand why that is and what can be done about it, if anything. That would obviously impact the game
presentation. I want it to be the best it can be. Twenty-first century fans kind of expect that. And if they expect it, I want to deliver it.”
So who exactly now owns the Dodgers?
By Steve Dilbeck
May 3, 2012, 12:29 p.m.
Seems like a simple enough question. Seems like a pretty basic one. Like one the new owners would want to answer, what with the fans
having just been dragged through an ownership nightmare.
Alas, at their morning press conference Wednesday it wasn’t happening. Guggenheim Baseball Management is the new owner of the
Dodgers.
After that, it’s fill in the blanks. As if you could. At least for now.
Six individuals were introduced at the press conference, but exactly who owns how much of the team was left unanswered.
Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Capital, is the controlling partner. Magic Johnson, Stan Kasten, Peter Guber, Todd Boehly and Robert
Patton Jr. are the other partners. And then, of course, there is Guggenheim Capital itself. Anyway, I think so.
When you purchase something for $2.15 billion, no percentage is a small financial amount. Still, clearly some own a comparatively small
amount of the team. But who owns how much?
“I’m not going to get into that because Mark has 100 percent of the control of the votes, to the extent that there are votes,” Kasten
said. “That’s all you really need to know. Think of Mark, and think of 100 percent, and put them together. How’s that?”
Uh, completely unfulfilling. Somewhere the puck stops, or at least the bill. Only Magic was willing to discuss what percentage of the
team he purchased, even if he was less than precise.
“It will pencil out about 3, 4 percent. It doesn’t really matter,” Magic said.
“When you can write a $50-million check, whether it's two, one, four, five. ... The main thing is I had the ability to do it, to write it, and
then the main thing is that I'm going to be involved.”
Guber said Guggenheim owns the largest amount of the team, and Kasten suggested it didn’t own any at all.
Said Guber: “They have the biggest hunk, that’s for sure.”
Said Kasten: “This has nothing to do with the Guggenheim company. We used the Guggenheim name. It’s not related to the
Guggenheim company. These are Mark and his partners, many who are involved in the Guggenheim company.”
If true, that would at least mean if Walter were to somehow fall out of favor with Guggenheim and lose his job, it would not impact his
role with the Dodgers.
“That’s correct,” Kasten said.
It’s strange that the team’s ownership would be left so unspecified. Many fans are weary, beaten down and suspicious. They want to
have confidence in the new ownership group, and you’d think it would be doing everything it could to win that trust back. Like being
open about who owns what.
Steve Lopez: For Dodgers and Junior Seau, all about money
May 3, 2012 | 10:20 am
Here's a morning double-header, something on the Dodgers and something on San Diego Charger legend Junior Seau:
It was nice to see that the new Dodgers owners kicked Frank McCourt around Wednesday, promising he won't get a nickel from parking
revenues. And it was nice to hear the parking fee will be dropped from $15 to $10.
But if you polled the fans, I think they'd rather be able to buy a hot dog without missing half the game while standing in those ridiculous
lines. The new owners said they're working on that, too, but what's there to work on?
Fire Levy, which has the contract, if they don't come up with a better system immediately. You order your food, and the clerk has to
personally roam the concession box like it's an Easter egg hunt. Then begins the checkout.
Can we please have one clerk ring up the order and take the payment while backup staff gathers and delivers the food?
Now, as for Junior Seau, we don't know why he apparently shot himself in the chest, but we know another NFL retiree did the same and
left a note saying he wanted to preserve his brain for study to determine the long-term damage of all those nasty hits.
Well, guess what.
The NFL and its teams promote those hits.
The fans celebrate them.
The highlight reels are like demolition derbies.
And it's all about money, no surprise. Even the players have bought in, as the New Orleans Saints head-hunting scandal has proved.
If Seau's death has anything to do with depression or cognitive loss because of decades of head-bashing, it's one more reason to ban
and heavily penalize savage hits, improve the helmets, and quit celebrating and profiteering from the violence that reduces one-time
legends to sad, addled warriors, old and gone before their time.
Dodgers close to signing ex-Angel outfielder Bobby Abreu
By Dylan Hernandez
May 3, 2012, 9:41 a.m.
Get your arms around this one: The Los Angeles team with the best record in its league is about to pick up a reject from the Los Angeles
team in its division cellar.
That’s right, the Dodgers’ new owners are on the verge of acquiring their first player and it’s Bobby Abreu.
The team is closing in on a deal with the former Angels outfielder, according to multiple people who spoke on the condition of
anonymity because an agreement hasn’t been finalized.
Abreu, who was released by the Angels on Friday, in theory would provide a left-handed bat off the bench and an occasional starter in
left field, one source said. The 38-year-old could be in uniform as early as Friday for the start of the Dodgers’ series against the Chicago
Cubs in Wrigley Field, another indicated.
Because Abreu was released, the Dodgers are only obligated to pay him a prorated share of the major league minimum salary, which is
$480,000 annually. The remainder of his $9-million contract will have to be paid by the Angels. It's just like the old days.
The Dodgers could clear room on their roster by placing Juan Uribe on the disabled list. Uribe reinjured his troublesome left wrist
Tuesday. Otherwise, they’re in a roster squeeze.
Abreu hit 20 home runs as recently as 2010, but otherwise has been in the kind of decline you would expect from someone who is 38.
Abreu’s production slipped last season, when he hit .253 with eight home runs and 60 runs batted in for the Angels.
The Angels’ addition of Albert Pujols and return of Kendrys Morales relegated Abreu to a bit role this season, which left him disgruntled.
He played in eight games before being released to clear room for top prospect Mike Trout.
Abreu has made two All-Star teams over his 17-year career, which included stints with the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies and New
York Yankees.
The Venezuela native is only one of four players in major league history with at least 500 doubles, 250 home runs and 350 stolen bases.
The others: Barry Bonds, Rickey Henderson and Craig Biggio.
DAILY NEWS
Dodgers ship out MacDougal
By J.P. Hoornstra, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/03/2012 09:44:30 PM PDT
The Dodgers designated Mike MacDougal for assignment Thursday and activated Ronald Belisario from the inactive list. Belisario had
been serving a 25-game, league-mandated suspension for a positive drug test, and needed to be released, designated for assignment or
added to the major-league roster.
Since that inevitability had been lingering since the season began, MacDougal had to be feeling the heat after he allowed five runs (all
earned) in 5<MD+,%30,%55,%70>2/<MD-,%0,%55,%70>3 innings for a 7.94 ERA. The 35-year-old right-hander also walked six and struck
out four.
The Dodgers have 10 days to either add MacDougal to the 40-man roster, trade him, release him or place him on waivers.
MacDougal originally signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers as a free agent in January 2011 and re-signed in January of this year.
After posting a team-leading 2.05 ERA last season, his ineffectiveness began in spring training this year, when he posted a 7.88 ERA.
Belisario didn't have the best spring either, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) in 9<MD+,%30,%55,%70>2/<MD-,%0,%55,%70>3 innings for
a 7.45 ERA. But Thursday's move came as little surprise, as manager Don Mattingly often cited Belisario's track record - which includes a
3.36 ERA and .221 opponents' batting average in 128 major-league games.
The 29-year-old made four appearances with Triple-A Albuquerque and Single-A Rancho Cucamonga this season, including tossing
scoreless innings in his two appearances with the Isotopes. Belisario last pitched Wednesday, a scoreless inning against Oklahoma City.
Belisario said earlier this year that he believed the positive drug test came as a result of cocaine use.
Vincent Bonsignore: Magic appears back in his element
By Vincent Bonsignore, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/02/2012 09:38:12 PM PDT
Magic Johnson was fed up Wednesday morning, the anger on his face familiar to anyone who remembers his reaction when a Lakers
teammate missed a defensive assignment or lazily went up for a shot.
The misconception of Johnson is he smiled and laughed his way through all those NBA titles and MVP seasons with the Lakers. | See
photo gallery.
But for those who have had sat courtside at a Lakers game and heard him lay into a teammate who wasn't doing his job correctly, you
know exactly what I am talking about.
Amid the good feelings and positive vibes generating throughout Dodger Stadium on the day Johnson and The Guggenheim Baseball
Management Team officially assumed ownership of the franchise, someone asked what sort of monetary stake former owner Frank
McCourt still had in the team.
It was the third time the subject came up during Wednesday's news conference, much to Johnson's annoyance.
Johnson, sitting at a table alongside partners Stan Kasten and Mark Walter, looked sternly at Walter and, in a voice loud enough for
everyone to hear, told the Dodgers' new controlling partner to explain once and for all how McCourt no longer had any financial ties to
the day-to-day operations of the Dodgers. Walter is the main financial thrust behind the Guggenheim's $2.2 billion to buy the Dodgers.
In a seminal moment that put to rest any doubts about Johnson's role in the organization, Walter got up, walked to the podium and
explained McCourt no longer has a financial stake in the team.
It was Johnson directing the fastbreak all over again, waving Walter into the lane like he did so many times before with Kareem AbdulJabbar and telling him to post up hard and fast and with purpose.
Johnson then delivered Walter a perfect pass for an easy bucket.
If you had any worries Johnson would fade into some honorary position now that the sale was complete, that moment removed them.
As soon as his new office is ready to move into, Johnson will report to work, roll up his sleeves and begin the process of elevating the
Dodgers back to the stature they once enjoyed.
"I told my (staff), get your track shoes on because I'm a man who gets up early and gets in early," Johnson said. "And I'm going to work
all day and all night."
His role, like it was with the Lakers, will be widespread and far-reaching. It might be difficult to explain or classify, but the objective is
clear.
"The goal is to win," said Johnson, who won five NBA titles with the Lakers before embarking on a successful career in the business
world.
As a Laker, Johnson's brilliance was his ability to do whatever it took to get a victory. If you needed him to score 40 points, done. If you
needed a key rebound, force an important steal, dish out a crucial assist or hit the winning shot at the buzzer, he did it.
His role with the Dodgers will evolve into something similar. You might not be able to precisely define it, but his thumbprint will be on
everything the organization does.
"He has a drive and a passion and a competitiveness," Walter said. "He took it from sports. It was just a transition."
That's what Kasten was counting on when he lobbied Johnson to join him in his quest to buy the Dodgers.
Kasten, who helped build the Atlanta
Johnson declined, but Kasten told him not to be surprised if he one day circled back to him with an even more inviting opportunity.
Nearly two decades later Kasten made good on his pledge by offering a Johnson partnership role in the bid to buy the Dodgers.
In doing so, Kasten knew he'd get a major public relations push. But Kasten also learned he was adding someone whose goodwill
enabled him to glide in and out of every important office in town and someone who cares so much about the Dodgers he will do
whatever it takes to help push them back to the forefront.
"I gotta tell you, I underestimated him," Kasten said. "Even as a guy I love and respected and admire. I knew he'd be good for this group
knowing what he's now into."
As for Johnson's role, Kasten made it clear Johnson will make that call.
"What I told him was, `I would like you involved, Earvin,"' Kasten said. " `And here's how much I want you involved: you define for me
how much or little you want to do, and I'll be fine either way.' "
Johnson wasted little time showing how much he wants to be involved by addressing a group of Dodgers employees Wednesday and
reminding them of the team's pride and history.
Moving forward, Johnson's voice will ring loud and clear on the marketing side and as the club pursues new corporate sponsors. He will
have a prominent role in the improvements to Dodger Stadium and be the chief spokesman when the club reaches out into the public
through charity efforts.
When the team is slumping, don't be surprised if Johnson makes a surprise visit to the clubhouse for a pep talk.
When Kasten and Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti come to him with an idea on how to improve the on-field product, Johnson and
Walter will OK the financial expenditure.
He already has pledged as much to Kasten.
"And I'm the luckiest guy in the world that he's offered that kind of help and that kind of support for me," Kasten said. "And I intend to
take advantage of all of it."
As for Dodgers fans, you don't need me to tell you Magic Johnson has always been about one thing: winning. Don't underestimate his
insatiable desire to finish on top.
"The resources are there," Johnson said. "The fans need to know we have the money and that the resources are there."
Johnson has the ball again, he's charging up court on a fastbreak and is flanked by the baseball brilliance of Kasten to his left and the
financial wherewithal of Walter and three other investors to his right.
Does anyone doubt the Dodgers are going to convert the bucket?
Kevin Modesti: What Magic and the mayor have in common
Posted: 05/02/2012 10:29:01 AM PDT
By Kevin Modesti
The Dodgers' new owners might have grown impatient, waiting to speak at their introductory press conference this morning until Los
Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilman Ed Reyes finished speeches extolling the ballclub's importance to the
community. But the politicians' prominence at the news conference at Dodger Stadium was fitting. These days, sports owners have
more in common with office-holders than the owners, at least, might wish.
Much as elected officials try to convince constituents they're getting their tax money's worth in government services, team owners must
convince the public it's getting what it pays for when it buys pricier and pricier tickets.
And not only tickets. Also stadium parking, souvenir apparel, cable TV and all of the other investments expected from the modern sports
fan.
It didn't used to be this way, not as much. Tickets and parking were relatively cheap, watching games on TV was ostensibly free, and the
sports-merchandise industry had yet to persuade most fans they must drape themselves in team colors. If the team was a winner, it
added joy to fans' lives, but if it wasn't, well, there was always next year.
Now fans are conscious of how much money they hand over to the franchise they support, and they impatient for results. If they see
management spending that money unwisely, they have as much right to be angry as a taxpayer does when she sees dysfunction in
Washington or Sacramento
-- or Villaraigosa's City Hall.
There has been no more glaring example than outgoing Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, who raised ticket and parking prices and then
appeared to use the new revenue less to acquire star players and improve Dodger Stadium than to finance his and then-wife Jamie
McCourt's lavish lifestyle. With the help of league executives, L.A.'s baseball voters threw the bum out.
Amid today's optimism, the new ownership group headed by Mark Walter, Stan Kasten and Magic Johnson must remember that sports
fans can be just as unforgiving as the people who write letters to the editor beginning ominously, "As a taxpayer ..."
Maybe Vin Scully, the Dodgers' play-by-play broadcaster and press-conference emcee, was alluding to the limits of optimism when he
began to talk about what the new owners were promising by saying: "Not hope and change -- that's been used."
Johnson offered fans something concrete: "(The price of) general parking is going to go down ... from 15 (dollars) to 10."
Think of it as a rare tax cut.
TRUE BLUE LA
Dodgers 5/3/12 Minor League Report - Isotopes Bust Out, Quakes Walk-Off
by Brandon Lennox on May 3, 2012 11:39 PM PDT in Los Angeles Dodgers Minor League Report
Minor League Player of the Day – Michael Pericht - 2 for 4, 2 HR's, 2 RBI's, 2 Runs - Pericht's stats might not have been as gaudy as some
of the batters in the Isotopes game, but anytime you hit the game tying and game winning homer in the same contest that will get the
you minor league player of the day in my book. The big catcher had been off to a slow start, but he has a ton of raw power and
hopefully this game will start him on a hot streak.
AAA – The Isotopes crushed the RedHawks (Astros) 15 to 5 on Thursday behind a 24 hit assault. The offensive barrage was a well
balanced attack as every batter in the Albuquerque lineup had at least one hit, including starting pitcher Will Savage who actually
connected on a two-run homer. Scott Van Slyke cranked a pair of bombs out of the park and collected 4 RBI's, while Jerry Sands went 3
for 5 with two triples. The other big hit days came from Elian Herrera and Matt Angle who both had 4 base knocks and drove in a run
each. Pitcher/slugger Savage didn't have a great outing, but he went the required 5 to record his 5th win of the season. Derrick Loop
and Wil Ledezma were solid in relief, while Ramon Troncoso gave up an unearned run.
AA – Allen Webster had another subpar outing, but his bullpen and offense picked him up as the Lookouts doubled up the Stars
(Brewers) 10 to 5. Webster allowed 5 runs on 8 hits over 5 frames and saw his ERA balloon to above 6, and left his team in a 5 - 1 hole.
Luckily the Chattanooga bats got going in the 6th inning and scored 9 unanswered run to pull out the win. Jake Lemmerman boosted his
average above .300 for the first time this season with a 3 hits, including a double and a solo homer, and scored 3 runs. Blake Smith also
took one deep and singled while JT Wise went 2 for 5 with a double and a RBI. As mentioned above the Lookout relievers were great as
they finished the game with 4 scoreless innings. Shawn Tolleson was again called upon in a tight situation and got out of the jam, while
Blake Johnson and Geison Aguasviva ended the game with a pair of hitless frames.
HiA – The Quakes were down early, but Michael Pericht single handedly brought his team back as Rancho defeated the 66ers (Angels) 4
to 3 in dramatic fashion. While Pericht came into the game homerless, the big catcher hit a game tying tater in the 7th then won the
game with a walk-off bomb in the 9th. Brian Cavazos-Galvez also drove in a run with a double, while Joc Pederson had his first solid
game since joining the Quakes as he went 2 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base. Chris Reed was originally scheduled to start this game,
but he was late scratch due to a sore left shoulder so Jon Michael Redding got the nod and he allowed 3 runs on 6 hits. No word on the
extent of his shoulder soreness and what it might mean for him, but hopefully Reed will be fine in a few days. Steve Smith was
outstanding in relief as he gave up just 1 hit over 3 frames, then Scott McGough recorded the win with two shutout innings that
included 4 K's.
LoA – The Lugnuts (Blue Jays) spoiled the starting debut of Ryan O'Sullivan as Lansing dropped the Loons 6 to 5. O'Sullivan had an
interesting line as he allowed just 2 hits over 4 innings, but he also walked 3, allowed 2 runs (1 earned), and didn't strike anyone out.
Juan Noriega, riding a 30 inning scoreless, broke down in a big way as he gave up 5 hits over 2.1 frames which resulted in 4 runs.
Michael Thomas and Yimi Garcia ended the game with 2.2 hitless innings and 5 K's, but the Great Lakes offense just wasn't able to make
up the difference. The only highlight at the plate came from Scott Schebler as he went 2 for 4 with a triple and 3 RBI's. Justin Boudreaux
had the only other extra base hit, a double, while Noel Cuevas had the only other RBI.
Coming up – Garrett Gould will try to continue his strikeout barrage of the California League as he is the scheduled starter for the
Quakes on Friday. It looks like Ethan Martin will get the nod for the Lookouts, while Stephen Fife will try and build off his last start for
the Isotopes. Finally Matt Laney will toe the rubber in an early morning game for the Loons in the final game of their home stand.
Minor League Transactions – LoA: The Loons got some good and bad news on Thursday as O'Koyea Dickson was finally added to the
roster, but it was at the expense of James Baldwin who was placed on the DL with a strained oblique. AAA: Speaking of obliques, Ivan De
Jesus was finally assigned to the Isotopes roster after dealing with a strained side himself.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)
Great Lakes Loons Box Score (LoA)
http://firstinning.com/daily/la
Ronald Belisario Activated, Mike MacDougal Designated For Assignment
by Eric Stephen on May 3, 2012 4:32 PM PDT in Los Angeles Dodgers Roster
The Dodgers on Thursday activated Ronald Belisario from the restricted list now that his 25-game suspension has been served. Belisario,
who missed all of last season after failing to get a work visa, last pitched in the major leagues on October 1, 2010.
Belisario is out of options and has already been outrighted once in his career, meaning he would have to approve any assignment to the
minor leagues.
To make room for Belisario on the active roster, the Dodgers designated Mike MacDougal for assignment. MacDougal, who won a roster
spot on a minor league deal last season, signed a major league deal worth a guaranteed $1 million this season but has struggled to
throw strikes pretty much since the beginning of spring training, even more so than his career mark of 4.8 walks per nine innings would
imply.
MacDougal had a 7.94 ERA in 7 games this season, with six walks and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
Belisario pitched in four games during his rehab assignment, allowing four runs in two games April 25 and April 28 with Class A Rancho
Cucamonga, then he pitched on back-to-back nights with Triple A Albuquerque on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday night, Belisario
allowed a pair of unearned runs and last night Belisario allowed a leadoff single but finished with three groundouts for his first scoreless
outing during the rehab assignment.
That Belisario gave up runs during his rehab assignment (six runs in 4 2/3 innings, with two walks and a strikeout) isn't a huge concern.
Those games were literally just to get Belisario some game reps before rejoining the Dodgers.
Whatever evaluation was made of Belisario was made both during spring training and in the ensuing time in extended spring training in
Glendale, Arizona during his suspension, not just during a week's worth of minor league games designed to get Belisario ready for big
league action.
"His velocity was up, and like before you saw sink," manager Don Mattingly said of Belisario's spring training work last week. "We didn't
see consistency. His stuff was still good, but he just wasn't getting the ball where he needed to get it."
Obviously the Dodgers felt confident enough in Belisario's stuff that they were willing to give him another chance. "Beli's stuff never
really been in question. It's always been good," Mattingly said.
With Belisario, it is the other stuff that seems to get in the way. From his DUI arrest in 2009, to showing up five weeks late to spring
training in 2010, to being placed on the restricted list for a month during the 2010 season while reportedly undergoing substance abuse
treatment, to missing an entire season in 2011 because he was unable to secure a work visa, to getting suspended for 25 games for
cocaine use, a drug Belisario says he tried just once, Belisario has never been someone to be counted on.
But the fact that Belisario showed up very early this year - he showed up in Arizona on January 23, nearly a month before his reporting
date - went a long way in proving his commitment. Now he just has to prove he can get major league hitters out. The Dodgers are
betting he can.
Now that the Dodgers have added one Venezuelan to their roster in Belisario, will they add another in Bobby Abreu? The 40-man roster
has 39 players, so there is room for Abreu.
Aprils To Remember: Matt Kemp & Ron Cey
by Eric Stephen on May 3, 2012 11:23 AM PDT in Dodgers History & Records
Matt Kemp had himself an April to remember, quite possibly the greatest single month in Dodgers history. Kemp hit .417/.490/.893 with
12 home runs, 25 RBI, and 24 runs scored. Kemp led MLB in just about everything and was unanimously voted the National League
Player of the Month.
Kemp set a new Dodgers April record with those 12 home runs, but he couldn't quite surpass the franchise April records for batting
average and RBI.
Those belong to the mustachioed Ron Cey, who began the 1977 season on fire. Thanks to the season starting on April 7, Cey played just
20 games in April 1977, three fewer than Kemp 35 years later, but set then-MLB records with nine home runs and 29 RBI.
Cey did most of his April damage on a 12-game road trip that saw him hit .452 with seven home runs and 19 RBI, with a whopping .571
on-base percentage. The Dodgers went 11-1 on that road trip through San Francisco, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and San Diego.
Cey hit .425/.543/.890 in April and like Kemp won the National League Player of the Month Award. Cey helped the Dodgers to a 17-3
start and an early 7½-game lead over the two-time defending World Series champion Big Red Machine.
Cey had at least one hit in 18 of 20 games in April, and in the other two games he walked once. He drove in at least one run in each of
the first seven games of the year, and had an RBI in 16 of 20 April games. It was quite a month.
It was a lead the Dodgers never would relinquish, as they won 98 games in Tommy Lasorda's first year as manager and advanced to the
World Series. Cey would hit just .214/.315/.385 the rest of the season, but fueled by his hot start would finish with 30 home runs and
110 RBI, making Cey one of the first quartet of teammates to hit 30 home runs in a season.
YAHOO.COM
New Dodger faces Mark Walter, Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten may or may not be strong owners
By Tim Brown | Yahoo! Sports – Wed, May 2, 2012 9:03 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES – Mark Walter is just some guy who walked in.
Nice job. Nice suit. Nice family. Nice smile.
It's Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. He's introduced as the new owner.
A television guy, right in the middle of an interview, brushed a stray bug out of Walter's hair. Just reached out and touched the man, like
they'd been pals forever, and Walter didn't recoil or alert security or, for that matter, summon his on-call hairdresser.
He just kept talking, presumably thankful there was no longer a bug in his hair.
An hour earlier, during the formal presentation of the new owner and his partners, the contentious subject of former owner Frank
McCourt and his vague affiliation with the current administration arose. After Magic Johnson addressed the topic, and Stan Kasten
addressed it, and Magic addressed it again, the questions kept coming. Magic then ordered Walter to the big microphone at the front of
the stage.
"Be direct with these people, please," Magic told him.
And Walter sprung from his chair to go be direct with these people.
He got close to a full explanation, but not close enough for Magic, who concluded, "Frank's not here. He's not a part of the Dodgers
anymore. We should be clapping just for that."
From his seat beside Magic, Walter nodded.
Look, there's no way of knowing what kind of franchise owner Mark Walter will be. That he's not Frank McCourt will mollify most people
for long enough. That he discounted the cost of a parking spot at Dodger Stadium – from $15 to $10 – will placate plenty. That his team
is in first place, something he inherited from the guy whose absence we were supposed to applaud, will buy some time, too.
That's all fine.
But when it comes to its baseball owner, Los Angeles has had it with nice suits. The place has been lousy with empty ones for too long.
L.A. wants someone it can trust. After Fox, after McCourt, L.A. wants some dignity. Someone it can talk to. A man it can relate to.
Someone whose true bottom line might be found in a box score.
Dodgers fans can love Magic Johnson all they want, but it's the guy next to him, the other guy in the suit, who really matters.
Mark Walter grew up outside Cedar Rapids, Iowa, playing catch in the front yard with his dad, Ed, a laborer for the town's concrete
block manufacturer. Not having a big-league team nearby to call his own, Walter was dragged along in fandom by whoever was on the
radio. Some nights that was the Minnesota Twins, others the Chicago Cubs, maybe the St. Louis Cardinals. The Baltimore Orioles were
good, so he pulled for Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Paul Blair and all the pitching Earl Weaver had. He settled finally on the Cubs
when he was working for a law firm in Chicago, and routinely takes his only child – a daughter – to Wrigley Field.
That's all quite romantic. Still doesn't make Walter, now chief executive of investment firm Guggenheim Partners, a good owner. L.A.
has had enough of the stories, enough of the promises.
On a riser in center field, under a gray sky, Johnson spoke with great fervor and smiled humbly. His laughter carried to the canyons. He
choked with emotion when reminded he was following Jackie Robinson into the organization. He lauded Clayton Kershaw and Matt
Kemp, and shouted, "Let's give it up for that!"
At the same podium, Walter spoke softly. He thanked his mother and father, his wife and daughter. He mentioned his roots. "Not far
from the Field of Dreams," he said.
His voice trembled in spots.
"I was nervous," he admitted.
He said he hadn't done many interviews with the press, ever.
"This is the second," he said.
He wore his new Dodger cap pushed back on his head. It was a little crooked. (The cap, not the head.) He held his hands behind his back
when he spoke, unclasping them to turn the page on his notes, then re-clasping them.
"This is really not about us," he said. "This is about the Dodgers."
And that's a start.
They threw more than $2 billion at this thing, at a roster and a stadium and some land, at a brand and the people who love it. Now I
can't go anywhere without someone telling me the Guggenheim gang overpaid, and won't have anything left for operating capital, these
being the same someones who gladly go to the ballpark and overpay for parking, hot dogs and Coors Lights.
All they have left to trust is Magic's promises, and Kasten's baseball background, and this stranger named Mark Walter who says he has
plenty of money. Pardon Dodgers fans for feeling a bit squishy about things. The last guy made a lot of promises, too.
"There's part of him that's a mystery," said Peter Guber, chairman of Mandalay Entertainment, a partner of Guggenheim Baseball
Management and an investor in the team, "because he does things with elegance. He uses the least amount of force to get the
maximum result.
"He's tough, but he's not mean. He's generous, empathetic and very genial. If you're going to be killed by him, you'd drop dead three
weeks later from unknown causes."
Good to know. And what does Mark Walter hate?
"People that are disingenuous," Guber said. "He doesn't like people who are inauthentic. He looks at their feet, their heart, their head
and their wallet and sees if they're all going in the same direction. That's why I like him. More, why I trust him."
After Magic met once or twice with Walter, he knew Walter reminded him of someone, but couldn't place the name or face. There was
a way about him, an avoidance of attention, a gentleness that hid ferocity, and a brilliance in business matters that ran common sense
with fresh ideas.
The name and face came to him weeks later.
"I'd met a guy just like Jerry Buss," Magic said. "He is so into his family. He didn't want to be out front. He has a great passion for
winning. He doesn't care if people know who he is. This is Dr. Buss all over again."
The Dodgers, of course, haven't won a championship in a generation. So that's what they'll all go to work on come Monday. Walter had
a flight to catch Wednesday afternoon, and he'll be in Chicago this weekend when the Dodgers play what formerly was his favorite
team. Then he'll return to L.A., where he's often spent a week of every month on Guggenheim business.
Soon, Walter said, he'd buy a home in L.A., so he can be nearer the Dodgers.
One?
"There's only three of us," he said, counting his wife, daughter and himself. "We just need one."
FOX SPORTS WEST
Dodgers Kemp, Ethier can’t do it on their own
Tracy Ringolsby
May 3, 2012
Matt Kemp's April explosion sparked Triple Crown conversations, he and the rest of the Los Angeles Dodgers are dealing more in reality
than dreams. They have enjoyed a best-in-the-National League beginning to 2012, but have not lost sight of the six-month challenge of a
baseball season.
Reality check: With a 17-7 start, the Dodgers' magic number to clinch the NL West remained 135 games.
And, oh by the way, the Colorado Rockies rocked baseball in April a year ago, opening the season by winning 17 of their first 25 games.
They went 56-83 the rest of the way, and by the All-Star break were fading into oblivion.
"It is too early to think anything other than we got off to a good start," said manager Don Mattingly.
Nobody is more aware of that than Rockies manager Jim Tracy. Colorado's skipper rallied the Rockies to the NL wild-card back in a 2009
season that began so poorly he was promoted from bench coach to manager in late May after manager Clint Hurdle was fired.
He also can remember a 2010 season in which the Rockies were one game out of first place in the NL West with 14 games to play, and
lost 13 of the remaining 14 games, finishing nine games out.
And then there was that false start of a year ago.
"Over the course of 162 games, all 30 teams will step into a pothole," Tracy said. "Every single one of them at some point in time will go
through something like that. The teams that figure out quicker than others how to get the hell out of the pothole that they stepped in,
that will go a long way in determining what your season will look like."
The Dodgers have built their early success off a strong-armed rotation -- 11-3 with a 2.86 earned-run average in the first 24 games -- and
the explosive starts of Kemp and Andre Ethier, their 3-4 hitters. While Kemp has been the focus of what's gone right -- he joined Tony
Perez and Larry Walker as the only players in history to hit .400 with 10 home runs and 25 RBI in April -- Ethier has been every bit as
significant.
With three RBI in the Dodgers' 7-6 victory at Colorado on Tuesday night, Ethier took the major league lead in RBI with 27, two more
than Kemp.
The combined 18 home runs of Kemp (12 HR, 25 RBI to go with a .409 average) and Ethier in the first 24 games of the season are more
than eight major-league teams. And that's an uncomfortable overload on a single team.
The rest of the Dodgers have combined for only five home runs and 47 RBI, five fewer than Kemp and Ethier combined.
"History says it isn't likely they will continue at that pace," said Dodgers coach Davey Lopes. "When you look, it takes four or five guys
having big years for a team to have success. Rarely do you see a team depend on two guys. It's happened a time or two, but the history
of the game says the odds are against you having success without balance."
That 2010 Rockies teams is a great piece of evidence for what Lopes says. The Rockies hung on for an 82-80 finish despite seasons that
made MVP candidates out of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who won a Gold Glove while hitting .315 with 27 home runs and 95 RBI, and
outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who hit .336 with 34 home runs, 117 RBI and 26 stolen bases.
Nobody else on the team hit .270 or drove in 65 runs.
"We are fortunate right now that (Kemp) and Ethier have carried us so far," said third base coach Tim Wallach. "You expect at some
point they are not going to continue the pace they have set, but at the same time history says we have other guys who are capable, and
during the long grind of the season you look for them to pick the team up at some point.
"We have some professional hitters who have a track record and I think that bodes well for us."
Nobody has stumbled more than James Loney, who went into Wednesday hitting .230 with one home run and six RBI. He has a career
.286 average, and in his five full big-league seasons has averaged 12 home runs and 80 RBI per season. And he had what observers felt
could be a breakthrough moment in the final two months last season, hitting .357 with eight home runs and 32 RBI.
"When we went to spring training we had reason to feel James could do what he did at the end of last year, but we have a lot of guys
not doing what they are capable of, not just James," said Lopes.
Dee Gordon, the base-stealing phenom, has 10 stolen bases, but it has been hard for him to add to his total. He hit the first home run of
his career Tuesday, a blast off the right field façade at Coors Field to open the 7-6 victory against Jhoulys Chacin. But it was just his third
hit in his last 29 at-bats as his average has fallen to .209.
Left fielder Juan Rivera, slowed by a sore hamstring lately, is hitting .250 with one home run and nine RBI. Juan Uribe is hitting .267,
driving in just seven runs and yet to hit his first home run.
"We are not clicking on all cylinders, but we are in a good position," said Lopes. "We feel the other guys are fully capable of
(rebounding)."
And the Dodgers, their fast start notwithstanding, know they will need those "other guys" to rebound if the Dodgers are to maintain.
GRANTLAND
What's Going On With Matt Kemp?
By Jonah Keri on May 2, 2012 5:00 PM ET
It's a quiet Dodgers clubhouse on a Tuesday afternoon at Coors Field. A few high-numbered pitchers sit by their lockers, earbuds in,
zoning out. A smattering of players gaze idly at the TV. Even by the standards of baseball-player downtime, the place is a library.
Then, the superstar lopes into the room. Makes a beeline for the sound system. His finger hovers over the play button. A second later,
Drake's "HYFR" starts blaring. "All my exes live in Texas like I'm George Strait," spits the Degrassi alum. Our man breaks into a dance, the
#BamSucka hashtag on the back of his T-shirt crumpling as he gestures around the room. Not 10 seconds later, the TV tuned to MLB
Network starts a fresh highlight reel. On the screen, no. 27 is hitting tape-measure homers, followed by shiny graphics pointing to his
league lead in nearly every conceivable offensive category.
At that moment, you have two choices: Watch Matt Kemp, or watch Matt Kemp.
Sometime between Opening Day 2011 and now, Kemp became the guy who makes you put your life on hold four times a night for fear
you'll miss something extraordinary. Scenes like this and this are almost expected, his ridiculous talent and joie de vivre constantly on
display. He's now the best baseball player on the planet. And no one's exactly sure how or why that happened.
Let's start with the numbers. Last year, Kemp hit .324/.399/.586, setting career highs in homers, on-base percentage, slugging average,
and various roto categories. According to Baseball-Reference.com, he was worth 10 Wins Above Replacement in 2011. That's the first
time any player netted double-digit WAR in a season since Barry Bonds's preposterous '04 campaign.
So far this year, he's annihilating that pace. Through 24 games, Kemp's hitting .409/.485/.864. Those are not typos. He hit more home
runs than any Cub or Padre in April. Wait, sorry, that's a typo — he hit more home runs than all Cubs or Padres combined in April.
Statistically, Kemp's first month of the season ranks among the top eight (or top two, depending on your interpretation) of the past four
decades. At that pace (or even close to that pace), Kemp would deliver the most valuable season since Babe Ruth's 1923 masterpiece.
Not quite Old Hoss Radbourn territory, but about as close as a postwar player could ever come to that impossible standard.
It seems he wasn't supposed to be this good. At least not at first. Far from the can't-miss pedigree of childhood idol (and first-round
pick) Frank Thomas, Kemp lasted until the sixth round before the Dodgers plucked him out of Oklahoma's Midwest City High School.
So what changed? How did we get from Matt Kemp, Pretty Good Player, to Matt Kemp, @%@$^$~%!!! To (hopefully) find some
answers, we went to the source.
Matt, has your routine changed at all over the years, or at least since you started destroying the league?
I follow the same routine all the time. Doesn't matter how good I'm doing or if I'm not doing good at the time.
There's this whole idea you're supposed to try to hit line drives all the time. Seems like you're swinging for the fences a bit now, no?
No, no. I'm actually not that good of a hitter when I try to hit the ball out of the ballpark. I'm not really good at swinging real hard. If you
watch video, most of the time when I do drive the ball out of the ballpark, it's not one of those crazy, hard swings. It's just nice and easy.
Well, it's gotta be something.
You just try and get better and better every year, that's the plan. Being a student of the game, studying the game more than I've ever
studied the game before. I watch a lot of videos. I've always watched them. But now I sit there and break down certain things. A person
who really brought that to my attention was Davey Lopes. Davey Lopes was a guy who told me I needed to be more of a student of the
game. Another guy who told me I needed to be more of a student of the game was Jerry Manuel. I listened to those guys and kind of
took my game to another level.
OK, now we're getting somewhere. What specifically are you studying more closely?
Every day is different. The game plan always changes. As a hitter you have to adjust to whatever the pitcher's doing, just like as a
pitcher, if they're hitting your inside pitch, you have to figure something else out. Just kind of … peep it out and see whatever it is
they're trying to do to you. Then you adjust.
Hmmm … well that's something. Let's see what his skipper has to say. Hey, Don Mattingly, what's Kemp doing that makes him so terrific
now? Something about his approach, something that's subtle or different? And please don't tell me he's seeing the ball good.
I don't know!
[Pause]
I think he's seeing the ball good …
All right, I had that coming. After his best comedic performance since the Sideburns Incident, Mattingly pointed to Kemp's 2011 season,
noting that his center fielder put up MVP-caliber numbers then, so it's not like Kemp's April outburst came completely out of nowhere.
Third-base coach Tim Wallach cited Kemp's improved feel for the strike zone. His plate-discipline numbers took a forward leap last year,
and they've improved again in this, his fifth full season in the big leagues. Kemp sports a career-best 13.6 walk rate and lower-thanpersonal-average 22.3 percent strikeout rate this season. Developing a better batting eye, Wallach said, waiting for pitches to drive and
laying off those you can't, can be as simple as simply banking more at-bats.
Wallach was on to something. Go back and look at Kemp's numbers, from his minor league days to present day, and a pattern emerges:
Virtually every progression in Kemp's game can be explained by gaining experience and banking those at-bats, dating all the way back to
the day he was drafted.
As prospect maven John Sickels explained in 2008, even in high school Kemp already owned many of the tools that could make him a
special baseball player. Problem was, he was better known as a star basketball player, an athlete who split his time between multiple
sports and thus left some doubt as to how exactly much upside he could offer in each one.
Once he committed to baseball, his abilities started to shine through. As a 19-year-old, Kemp hit .293/.337/.504, starting the year in the
South Atlantic League and ending it as one of the very few teenagers in high Single-A ball. In 2005, Kemp went back to Single-A and
broke out, hitting .306/.349/.569 with 27 homers in the very pitcher-friendly Florida State League. For his efforts, Baseball America
awarded him a modest no. 96 ranking among the top prospects in baseball. He went nuts the next year, hitting .346/.414/.543 as a 21year-old in Double-A and Triple-A. But during that season, Kemp made his big league debut, his 52 games with the Dodgers just enough
to burn through his rookie status and prevent him from a high prospect ranking the next year that might've attracted more national
attention. It was happenstance, not lack of star-level ability, that made Kemp a relatively quiet commodity at the start of his major
league career.
Here's where Kemp went from there:
KEMP BY THE NUMBERS
Year Age AVG/OBP/SLG WAR (Baseball-Reference)
2006 21 .253/.289/.448 -0.6
2007 22 .342/.373/.521 1.3
Year Age AVG/OBP/SLG WAR (Baseball-Reference)
2008 23 .290/.340/.459 3.0
2009 24 .297/.352/.490 5.7
Big batting average spike in '07 due to an inordinately high batting average on balls in play. Other than that, this is as steady a
progression for a player entering his mid-20s as you'll ever find. The fact that Kemp was nearly a six-win player at age 24 tells you that
he was actually a strong candidate to become the world beater that he is today.
Then, 2010 happened. Kemp began dating Rihanna. At the same time, his performance slumped badly. He hit a career-low .249 with a
lower OBP (.310) and SLG (.450) than at any time since his rookie year. More than that, he made constant, arguably preventable
mistakes. He took terrible routes to fly balls, made fatal mistakes on the base paths and generally seemed to lose track of fundamentals.
Joe Torre, the Dodgers' manager at the time, tried to discipline Kemp for his shortcomings (and for snapping at his manager). That tack
failed, to the point where tensions boiled over and Kemp's agent, Dave Stewart, implied that maybe the team should consider trading
its young center fielder. The Dodgers wisely stayed further away from trading Kemp than the rumors implied, instead accepting Torre's
resignation and replacing the coaching staff at year's end. It was a miserable time for all involved, and remains a sore spot today for an
otherwise-content Kemp.
"I don't even talk about 2010 no more, man," he said Tuesday. "I guess you can call it growing pains. Something I learned from, a
learning experience. I've turned the page from that. I don't want to talk about that."
We know what happened next. Kemp exploded in 2011, and has been even better in 2012. Check out his career numbers again, this
time including the lost 2010 season and his breakout since.
KEMP BY THE NUMBERS, 2.0
Year Age AVG/OBP/SLG WAR (Baseball-Reference)
2006 21 .253/.289/.448 -0.6
2007 22 .342/.373/.521 1.3
2008 23 .290/.340/.459 3.0
2009 24 .297/.352/.490 5.7
2010 25 .249/.310/.450 2.3
2011 26 .324/.399/.586 10.0
2012 27 .409/.485/.864 14.9*
*On pace, based on FanGraphs' year-to-date mark of 2.2 WAR.
You might say that 2010 season sticks out like a sore thumb, but it was really more of a diseased, gangrenous thumb. It's a gigantic
statistical outlier that may well have been caused by non-baseball factors, with variables that no projection system in the universe
could've anticipated. There's no reliable database of player divorces and other off-field issues and their effect on performance, but that
doesn't mean such effects don't exist. Even Kemp's hero Frank Thomas slogged through the worst performance of his career the year
that he got divorced and his father died (though a triceps injury that caused him to miss 142 games played a much bigger role). His time
with Rihanna notwithstanding, the timing of Kemp's subsequent age-26 breakout makes perfect sense too: Bill James long posited that
baseball players tend to peak in their mid-to-late 20s. The Big Hurt himself also enjoyed the best season of his superlative career at age
26.
It seems, then, that most of the confusion surrounding Kemp stems from a nasty, one-year interruption in an otherwise nearly perfect,
left-side-of-bell-curve ascent. In retrospect, it would have been possible to see superstardom coming, or at least the chance of
superstardom. "ZiPS always saw that there was a chance that Kemp would turn out to be an MVP candidate," albeit a pretty small one,
said ESPN writer and ZiPS projection system creator Dan Szymborski.
So maybe it all makes sense … except for one little thing: How do we explain Kemp now having a season that would challenge the best
entry in the Babe Freaking Ruth catalog? Luck. Or random variance, or any other term you want to use for "shit happens." Kemp sports a
career .354 batting average on balls in play, perennially ranking among the league leaders in that category. He's at .444 this season,
some 150 points above league average, 90 points above Kemp's own career mark, and well above even the most extreme outliers in a
given season. That's not the craziest stat on Kemp's 2012 ledger either. For his career, Kemp has registered home runs on 17 percent of
the flyballs he's hit. Even during last season's big breakout, he hit homers at a frequent but hardly crazy 21.4 percent rate. This season?
Sixty percent. Imagine going to a baseball game and knowing that six out of every 10 balls in the air that leave the infield are going to
leave the park. You'd get knocked out from whiplash by the third inning.
There is no way, no possible way, that Kemp won't see those numbers fall back to earth. When they do, the rest of his stats will start to
normalize too, even though they may well remain at or near MVP levels. As phenomenal as Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols have been
over the course of their careers, each has had just one 10-win season. Kemp has a shot at two. In a row.
So if you want to tell the tale of Matt Kemp's career, just boil it down to this: Good player, became a great player, lost his head for a
year, then became the best player in the world. His rise didn't come out of nowhere. We just never should've taken our eyes off him in
the first place.
CNN INTERNATIONAL
L.A. Dodgers usher in new era of ownership
From Stan Wilson, CNN
May 3, 2012 -- Updated 1930 GMT (0330 HKT)
Los Angeles (CNN) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the most successful franchises in Major League Baseball, ushered in a new era of
ownership Wednesday while ending a dismal chapter of ownership under Frank McCourt, who baseball's commissioner described as
"looting" the club of $190 million to fund an extravagant lifestyle.
At a news conference, a consortium of investors, including Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson, delivered a message to fans: "We
are out to win. We are out to win for the fans. It's a new day in Dodger Town."
On Tuesday, Guggenheim Baseball Management officially closed its $2.3 billion purchase of the club and Dodger Stadium from McCourt.
Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners, which manages more than $125 billion in assets, will be the controlling partner with sports
executive Stan Kasten as president and CEO. The investor group includes Mandalay Entertainment Chairman Peter Guber, Guggenheim
Partners President Todd Boehly and Texas energy investor Bobby Patton.
Johnson, 52, broke into tears when asked what it meant being part of the franchise that broke the color barrier in baseball with the
signing of Jackie Robinson (in 1947, when the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn).
"I can't even put into words how it is," he said. "I would not be here if it wasn't for Jackie Robinson."
Under the new ownership, the Dodgers face a formidable challenge of restoring a brand that once nurtured greats like Duke Snider,
Sandy Koufax, Fernando Valenzuela and longtime manager Tommy Lasorda.
Kasten, former president of the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals, said he is not expecting to make any changes to team
operations immediately.
"We are first committed to a culture of winning and making the experience at Dodger stadium clean, safe, affordable and entertaining,"
Kasten said.
The sale of the team followed the most tumultuous off-the-field period in the franchise's history.
After McCourt acquired the team in 2004, the Dodgers reached the postseason four times, on the heels of a decade-long drought. But
just after the home opener in 2011, a San Francisco Giants fan was beaten nearly to death in the Dodger Stadium parking lot. The
assault on Bryan Stow left an indelible sense of concern over safety, in spite of increased security.
And Frank and Jamie McCourt's bitter divorce became a cloud over the franchise. Attendance declined dramatically; whole sections of
one of the game's most picturesque ballparks were completely empty on many game days.
Eventually, McCourt's financial turmoil led MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to take over day-to-day operations while the league conducted
an investigation into McCourt's finances.
Last June, when Selig declined to approve a $3 billion agreement between Fox and the Dodgers to extend television broadcast rights,
McCourt filed for bankruptcy. McCourt became embroiled in so much debt that he needed to borrow millions just to meet a monthly
player payroll.
Near the end of the two-year divorce battle, court documents revealed that the McCourts used team revenue to purchase estates in
Holmby Hills and Malibu, California, traveled around the world in private jets, and spent lavishly on hair and makeup.
During bankruptcy proceedings, McCourt finally agreed to sell the team under a bidding process that granted him authority to approve
the new owner.
In March, Guggenheim was selected from a list of three finalists. Based on a settlement with MLB and overseen by the bankruptcy
court, McCourt had until Monday to close the sale. The settlement also required McCourt to pay his former wife a $131 million divorce
settlement by April 30.
As part of the sale, Guggenheim paid an additional $150 million for a 50% interest in the property surrounding Chavez Ravine and the
Dodger Stadium parking lots, in a joint venture with McCourt.
In the end, McCourt is expected to make a $1 billion profit.
On Wednesday, Walter, the Guggenheim CEO, was dismissive about McCourt's role in future Dodger operations.
"Every aspect of the operation in Chavez Ravine that relates to baseball, parking, everything, is controlled and managed by us and all of
those revenues go to this organization."
Johnson was more emphatic about any future role of McCourt.
"Frank's not here, he's not a part of the Dodgers anymore. We should be clapping for just that," he said.
The Dodgers have started this season as one of the hottest teams in the majors and are vying for an opportunity to win a seventh World
Series (their last was in 1988).
But the cost of rebuilding a franchise, with a staggering $2.3 billion investment and future renovations expected, leaves big questions
about generating revenue.
Johnson sought to ease concerns Wednesday about the prospect of higher ticket prices.
"We're not here to price-gouge the fans just because we paid a nice sum for this franchise," he said, noting that parking rates will be
reduced from $15 to $10.
Despite any peripheral future role for the former owner in the development of the parking facilities, Selig sought to put the McCourt
saga behind.
"After a long and difficult road, the sale of the Dodgers is now complete, and I am pleased that the club can have the fresh start it
deserves under new ownership," said Selig in a statement.
Walter echoed that sentiment: "We'll focus on making this the finest organization possible, make this a place that everyone wants to be,
that it accessible to a really broad range of people."
Surrounded by former Dodgers Don Newcombe, Maury Wills, Ron Cey, Steve Garvey and Eric Karros, Johnson reflected on his successful
basketball career, saying he is now solely focused on bringing his winning ways to baseball.
"We were able to accomplish great things with the Lakers," Johnson said, "and I think we are going to accomplish great things with the
Dodgers -- I can promise you."
CBS LA
Kemp Settles Into Productive Groove At The Plate
May 3, 2012 12:49 PM
DENVER (AP) – Matt Kemp strolled over to the stereo system, plugged in his iPod and shuffled through an array of songs.
Settling on a selection from rapper Lil Wayne, the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger gave the volume a big boost as he began singing and
bounding along.
All right, so maybe he’s not the world’s best singer. And maybe he won’t be appearing on the stage of “American Idol” anytime soon.
But once he steps into the batter’s box, he’s in perfect harmony as he’s steadily become one of the game’s top hitters.
Kemp is crushing pitchers again this season, leading the majors in hitting (.411) and homers (12), along with ranking second in RBIs (25).
He’s simply picking up right where he left off in 2011, when he made a bona fide run at a Triple Crown.
His secret?
Easy: study, study, study.
Kemp has been watching more video than ever to learn the tendencies of opposing pitchers. The revelation came after a tip from coach
Davey Lopes, who basically told Kemp that he could go from All-Star to elite by just spending more time looking at footage.
Boy, was Lopes ever right.
“I listened,” said Kemp, who has the Dodgers off to a torrid start as they get set to open a three-game series in Chicago against the Cubs
on Friday. “I became more of a student of the game and took my game to another level.”
Kemp turned in an opening month that put him in the Dodgers record books. His 12 homers in April set a new team mark, as did his
total bases (75) and slugging percentage (.893).
For all of that — surprise, surprise — he was picked the NL player of the month.
“He’s gone to that next level, of being a superstar ballplayer,” infielder Mark Ellis said.
This year, the contrast is even more dramatic because of the star slugger playing a bit down the freeway. Three-time NL MVP Albert
Pujols did not hit a single home run in April during his first month with the Los Angeles Angels.
Pujols attracts attention wherever he goes, and there were billboards featuring him around his new home.
Kemp, meanwhile, is far less recognized outside of LA.
On the road, Kemp can easily float in and out of restaurants without fans so much as batting an eye. Maybe there’s a little hint of
recognition, but not enough to approach him and say, “Hey, you’re Matt Kemp.”
“I like to walk on the street and just have my moment to myself where nobody knows who I am,” the 27-year-old said.
Once he settles in at the plate, he’s hard to miss.
All it took was getting accustomed to some lofty expectations. After a prodigious career in the minors, Kemp was regarded as the next
big thing for the Dodgers.
He was off to a stellar start in his career, but in 2010 took a step back and hit only .249. Sure, he showed his power potential —
launching 28 homers — but his average and 170 strikeouts were concerns.
Turns out, there really was nothing to fear.
Last season, he was back in rhythm at the plate and led the NL in homers (39) and RBIs (126). He also wound up third in hitting (.324) as
he finished second in the NL MVP voting behind Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun.
This year, he’s only gotten better, which begs this question: So what exactly happened in 2010?
“I don’t even talk about 2010 no more,” Kemp said. “I guess you call it growing pains — something I learned from. I turned the page
from that. We don’t even need to talk about that.
“As long as I’m hitting the ball good and having good at bats, I’m going to be successful.”
Kemp is a creature of habit, following the same basic routine each day. He begins with some light stretching, then rides the stationary
bike. A quick round of weights, some swings in the cage, a sneak peek at video and he’s ready to face any ace of any staff.
“You’re going to know Matt,” manager Don Mattingly said of his outfielder’s burgeoning star status. “It’s going to keep growing.
“A lot of guys have had good seasons. You start to put them together over a long period of time is when it really turns into a great
career. You can’t go, `I’m going to put a year together.’ You’ve just got to put a day together. If he continues like that, the sky’s the limit.
You’ll end up seeing this guy somewhere special.”
This may come as a little bit of a surprise, but Kemp patterns his game in part after former Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas.
Although they have different body types, Thomas was Kemp’s boyhood hero, along with Gary Sheffield and Ken Griffey Jr.
“Not a bad list to try to be like when you’re growing up playing baseball,” chuckled Kemp, who’s from Oklahoma and was actually
recruited by the Sooners to play hoops.
Watch Kemp carefully and this is clear: He takes bits and pieces from all three of his idols:
– From Thomas, he took patience at the plate.
– From Sheffield, he learned how to be aggressive.
– From Griffey, he saw how to be a complete player.
“Ballers,” Kemp explained. “To be a power hitter and hit for average and to be successful in this game, you have to learn to be patient at
the plate.”
It doesn’t hurt to have Andre Ethier hitting behind him, either.
With Ethier protecting him, teams can’t afford to walk Kemp. Until Wednesday, Kemp hadn’t been issued an intentional pass all season,
because Ethier is hitting .287 and has knocked in a league-leading 27 runs.
“There’s no doubt Andre swinging the bat the way he has been is helping Matt,” Mattingly said. “It seems like every run that Matt hasn’t
driven in, Andre has.”
About the only thing missing from Kemp’s repertoire this season are stolen bases. He had 40 of them last season, but has been held in
check.
So far — and maybe it’s because he’s hitting so many homers — he has just two this season.
Kemp drew some raised eyebrows before the season when he claimed he could be a 50 homer and 50 stolen base caliber of player.
Still have those aspirations?
“I have my aspirations set on making it to the playoffs and winning a World Series,” Kemp said. “That’s my main goal. That’s what I’m
focused on.”