The Trolley Dodger

SALE OF LOS ANGELES DODGERS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED

LOS ANGELES, May 1, 2012 – The Los Angeles Dodgers, Guggenheim Baseball Management LLC (“GBM”) and Frank McCourt today announced the completion of the sale of the Dodgers to GBM for $2 billion. As previously reported, the Dodgers’ new ownership includes Mark Walter as control person, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Stan Kasten as CEO of the organization.

The Los Angeles Dodgers stated, “The Dodgers emerge from the Chapter 11 reorganization process having achieved its objective of maximizing the value of the Dodgers through a successful Plan of Reorganization, under which all claims will be paid. The Dodgers move forward with confidence – in a strong financial position; as a premier Major League Baseball franchise; and as an integral part of and representative of the Los Angeles community.”

I would dearly love to do something like this.

NY Times: “Ride to Ballgame on Vintage Train Transports Fans to Another Era”

A subway train came and went. And another, and a few more. But the crowd gathered on an uptown platform in Grand Central Station on Friday morning was not budging.

Then, a few minutes after noon, the mystery was explained, even if the fuss was not completely understood: a vintage train arrived, looking its period best, with fatigue-green sides; large, easy-to-open windows; and ads plastered to its walls saying, “Thoughtful mothers bake and fry with Crisco.”

Anthony Castrovince, MLB.com: “Kemp first 50-50 player? It could happen”

Now, it would be pretty silly to assume Kemp will be the first member of the 50-50 club. History tells us he’s due to be derailed on that quest, particularly if he keeps up a pace that would result in 97 home runs. (Hey, how’s a guy supposed to swipe 50 bags if the majority of his action on the bases involves trotting around them?)

And no, Kemp won’t continue to hit .487 with a 1.548 OPS. He won’t have a .538 ISO (isolated power, or the percentage of his at-bats that have resulted in extra bases). He won’t win NL Player of the Week honors every single week of the season. And come to think of it, he probably won’t sustain that 97-homer pace, either.

But something was awoken inside of Kemp last year — a year in which he finally had the energy and enthusiasm to match his potential, with the results to show for it — and his hunger to drive himself and his team to greatness was only made all the more strong by that MVP snub.

From the Shorpy Historical Photo Archive:

August 29, 1924. “Crowd at Washington Star scoreboard for A.L. Pennant game, Nationals-New York.” The Nats beat the Yankees 5-1. A vivid demonstration of the 1920s mania for baseball (and the straw boater), at just about the time radio was making mechanical scoreboards obsolete. National Photo Co. View full size.

Last night, MLB Network ran a short feature on the history of Dodger Stadium, including interviews with former Dodgers Tim Belcher, Wes Parker, Dave Roberts, Mike Scioscia, Joe Torre, Robin Ventura, and Maury Wills, as well as Bill Plaschke. It’s now available online here: “Showcasing Dodgers Stadium”.

MLB Network looks at the memories, top moments and overall stature of Dodgers Stadium as it turns 50 years old

Sometimes as a fan, I regret not having been around for those famous historical moments of yesteryear. But as I watch this tribute, I smile at having been at Dodger Stadium for some of the moments of the recent past — the 4+1 game, Steve Finley’s walkoff, others — that will enter into the mythology for Dodger fans of future generations.