Frank McCourt to the Los Angeles Dodgers "I Drink Your Milkshake!"

It was reported last night that 'Magic' Johnson a Hall of Fame Basketball Player with the Los Angeles Lakers, a studio  analyst for ESPN, and a business mogul. Now in the portfolio of one Magic Johnson is countless Fat Burgers, Starbucks, and Movie Theaters, are the Los Angeles Dodgers.  

Very happy to Dodger fans everywhere as now they have an owner to be proud of and an owner who ultimately help the Dodgers to become relevant (by relevant, I mean competitive) in baseball.  Major League Baseball is better when the Dodgers are relevant.  However, it has to be a bittersweet day for Dodger fans. Because yes... the bad man Frank McCourt can't hurt you anymore... but... he definitely got over on  you.

McCourt paid $430 million in 2004 to buy the team, Dodger Stadium and 250 acres of land that include the parking lots, from the Fox division of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., a sale that left the team with about $50 million in cash at the time. The team's debt stood at $579 million as of January, according to a court filing, so McCourt stands to make hundreds of millions of dollars even after a $131 million divorce payment to former wife Jamie, taxes and legal and banking fees.

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McCourt bought the Dodgers, used them as an ATM Machine, financed a wealthier lifestyle than his previous Boston Based Parking Garage would have ever allowed him, gave his kids jobs earning millions for nothing.  Basically he treated your beloved franchise like a woman of the night, without so much as leaving a tissue paper to clean up the mess.  He didn't spend to keep your team competitive, he put your safety in jeopardy, he really hurt the credibility of the Dodgers.  Magic really does have his a lot of work to do to help restore the image.  Plunking down 2 Billion Dollars is just the beginning.  But where McCourt gets over is, he will walk away a richer man for pissing on the heritage of the Dodgers than he did before he purchased the team.  And he'll continue to get paid for you Dodger fans when you frequent the shopping centers, or the parking lot. 

Frank McCourt says to you Dodgers, the City of Los Angeles, and more importantly Dodgerfans... "I drink your Milkshake, I drink it up!!!"

Dodger Fans hate you Albert Pujols

In another forum, I was recently baited by a True Blue Dodger Fan. First and foremost, you never feed the trolls. Haters are going to hate. And Dodger Fans aren't a very happy bunch. The biggest 2 acquisitions the Dodgers made this off-season outside of extending Matt Kemp and signing Chris Capuano. Now the Dodgers for all they have been through aren't an awful team and with a few minor tweaks could be very competitive next year, but I had to share this hate.

That Albert Pujols signing was awful. LOL@those of you who think signing a guy with declining stats to a $200+million contract for 10 years is something to be happy about. I always thought/still think that Frank McCourt is an idiot, but Arte Moreno is an even bigger idiot for shelling out all that cash for a guy in his mid-30's (you're tripping if you think he's younger than 33).

Dodger fans, are you honestly telling me that you'd prefer James Loney and his paltry contract to Albert Pujols?  Are you also telling me that you wouldn't want an owner like Moreno over McCourt?  Lets see a guy who continues to spend, increasing pay roll, keeping concessions lower, parking reasonable, and over all one of the best sporting experiences in the country, or a guy who charges you $20 to park to sit at a dinosaur of a ball park and watch a sub-par baseball team?  When was the last time the Dodgers were in the playoffs?  When was the last time they won a World Series?  When was the last time Los Angeles Dodgers were relevant?

...but that doesn't matter and the fact remains that Albert isn't going to help the Angels win, his numbers will continue to decline (and when they do, attendance will decline too) and he's still going to be owed tons of money for a number of years. It's a terrible investment because that means less money for other free agents, international signings, and less money to spend on top draft picks.

Not only that, but the appeal of Albert is going to die once the Dodgers get new owners who will be willing to spend money on talent to go along with Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp (the real NL MVP, fuck Ryan Braun).

Pujols isn't going to help this team win?  I'm not saying the Angels are favorites to win the World Series, or even the West, but that has to be the stupidest comment with regards to this signing I have ever read.  I'm really starting to doubt this fans credibility.  My only response to this was this picture...

I'm not mad. I'm just wondering why people think that all this money invested in an aging veteran who was an obvious steroid user is such a great thing? I'm happy with having Matt Kemp, a guy who hasn't even reached his prime and is still young, and Clayton Kershaw (when he gets his contract) become the next Sandy K.

I won't lie, I like the CJ Wilson signing, but the Angels have fucked themselves.

Here's how I replied: 
"Obvious Steroid User" You are trying to hard. You are aware that that "idiot" Arte signed a big boy television contract, right? 3 Billion Dollars. And season ticket sells are through the roof.

What's gonna happen in 2-3 years when Albert is batting .250 and hitting 15 homeruns a year? Will season ticket sales still go through the roof?

It's cool though. Arte spent a lot of money on a player who is past his prime and won't help the Angels. I guess he and his fans are more concerned about image and what massive world record publicity stunt they can pull off at that rat infested stadium.

The Moral of the Story, don't feed the trolls.  Just enjoy their frustrations as they implode.  No MLB World Series was won in December.  Or January.  But Certainly, the Angels have addressed a lot of the question marks they had at the end of the season.  They needed an upgrade behind the plate.  Iannetta is an upgrade over Mathis.  They needed additional bullpen depth, Hawkins adds depth.  They needed to added another bat in the line up and Pujols is the most prolific hitter in our era.  

The Battle for Los Angeles Means Nothing!

The rivalry is dead. And major league baseball killed it. Or maybe The Dodgers killed it. Regardless it was evident last night, that Dodger fans just don't feel as strongly about their ballclub as they used too. The true test will be how packed The Big A is tonight.

When I was a kid, the Freeway Series was a big deal. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who spent their springs in Dodger Town Florida, and the California Angels who spent their springs in Palm Springs, California, would meet for three games prior to the start of the Season. Because we all knew the liklihood of the Halos making it past the ALCS were slim and none, those games were meaningful, how often would the Angels play the Dodgers. How often could LA/OC Sports fans point and say "Shut up! My Team is better and that spring training W proves it!"

But long gone are the days when the Halos were entrenched in the basement. And in the past ten years, the Halos have played in more meaningful games in September than their BLUE counterparts. Yet, the Freeway Series means very little.

Inter-league baseball made the match-up a common thing, ain't so special now is it. We get six games through out the year, when we have our line ups set and a 25 man roster. Three games at home, three away. Although it means something for the ole Win Loss record, it doesn't have the same meaning as a guy wearing #99 hit the game winning single to crush an entire fan base.

Secondly, the Dodgers chose to move from their longtime home in Florida to Arizona, leaving the Grapefruit League to the Cactus League. Which again made the Pre-Season match up a more common occurrence. What's so special about the Freeway Series when it happens a handful of times in Tempe, Arizona and now the teams split an exhibition game before the season starts.

The next time the Freeway Series means something, it'll be in October for the Worlds Series, until then... You Killed It. Its dead. It means nothing.

Angels become active in the trade market.

Yesterday I started to write about whom I thought would be moved and what trades I could guess would be coming our way.  I wasn't really expecting to hear the Angels wanted Alberto Callaspo, let alone made the trade for him.  Now truth be told, 3rd base was probably our biggest liability in the infield.  The Brandon Wood Experiment didn't exactly pan out.  Kevin Frandsen had looked really good at third, but has slowed down as of late.  And then the often injured Maicer Izturis, who is off the DL this week it just too much of a health risk to expect everyday production from.  Alberto Callaspo expected to debut for Halos tonight, was traded to the Angels for SOS, Sean O'Sullivan and Will Smith, not the Fresh Prince.  Smith is a minor leaguer who didn't look to contribute to the teams success this season, however SOS just pitched a gem of a game in New York earlier this week and looked to be starting in lieu of the injured Scott Kazmir.  

Callaspo certainly won't single handily win the World Series for the Angels, but he does bring some stability at third.  He hit 73 RBI and 11 Home Runs last year.  And has already hit 8 HR thus far.  Callaspo is no stranger to the Angels as he was originally drafted by the team.  
 

The true question is which piece falls next.  With Napoli's hot bat, I doubt 1st base is an area Tony Reagins is focusing on.  And with the way the Halo Bullpen has looked this season, maybe that will be the next area the might Reagins will improve on.  Needles to say, the trade deadline is rapidly approaching.  Will this be the year that Reagins doesn't make a big name trade or has Reagins mastered the persona of a Ninja just waiting to make his next move surprising the most hardcore Angels Fan.  

Go Halos

The Battle of Los Angeles 2010 Interleague Play Begins

Regardless of whether or not you enjoy interleague Baseball, you can't dispute the fun of rivalry games.  Some cities don't have cross town rivals.  The Yankees have the Mets (The Subway Series), The As have the Giants (The Battle of the Bay), The White Sox and the Cubs (I don't know if they have a clever name) and the Angels have the Dodgers (The Freeway Series.)  The key differences between those other cities ans Los Angeles is that the Dodgers and the Angels have never faced each other in a World Series Games, but not for a lack of trying.

The Dodgers although handcuffed with the McCourt divorce and lets be frank the Dodgers haven't been real big spenders during the McCourt era have managed to make the playoffs the last few years.  They have been in the mix for the NLDS Four of the last Six years and are currently ranked #1.  The last time the Dodgers have won a World Series was 1988.  

The Angels similarly have been very successful in the American League West the past few years, winning the American League West Title Five of the past Six years.  The last time the Angels won a World Series was their first win, 2002.  

The two teams aren't only battling for respect, but to keep pace in their own division and market share.  In 2005 Angels owner Arte Moreno re-introduced the Angels as a Los Angeles brand.  Complete with a marketing campaign in the inner cities of Los Angeles.  Although the Angels play in Anaheim which is in Orange County.  The Angels have often fought over baseball free agents as well.  Vladimir Guerrero was expected to sign with the Dodgers, before donning his Halo.  And before the Angels signed Gary Matthews Jr., it was rumored the Dodgers wanted him.  And most recently, the Angels signed Torii Hunter before the Dodgers had an opportunity to pick him up.  

All the magic will happen on the field tonight.  Game 1 of a 3 Game Series from Chavez Ravine.  The Dodgers return the favor in a few weeks.  But Round 1 starts tonight!  We'll see how the Angel Dodger Rivalry translates in 2010.  And see what impact, if any the wins and losses will have on the respective clubs drive to the post season.

Down in the basement, three games into the Season!

Three Posts in Three Days!  I must really be in love with this ball club.  I don't think I can do this all year, but wouldn't it be awesome if I could?  I missed the beginning of the game due to Job #2.  But was listening in on the drive home.  Heard Brandon Wood strike out with the bases loaded.  I'm not willing to give up on Wood after 159 Game, but I'm starting to worry about the guy.  As I said I was at the game last night and the theme music Wood picked (or was it picked for him?) repeated the line "I made it!"  Well honestly with Wood the jury is still out.  Izturis is looking for at bats anywhere he can get them.  And even on the Sports Lodge, peoples are calling in left and right.  I'm all for sticking with Wood, but the question is, how long can the Angels let him swing and a miss.  

Everyone during the game was talking about Santana's stuff.  And sure games in March mean a hell of a lot less than games in August.  But His Stuff surrendered 4 runs.  After having a quiet bat Opening day Morneau and Mauer wake up, when the 1st Baseman cashed in on a 2 run Home Run.  Later J.J. Hardy goes deep, again.  And finally Denard cashed in an RBI on a sac fly.  Rivera and Napoli both scored RBI too, but the Angels again looking a little weak against the Twins.  The Angels offense made Pavano look like a Cy Young candidate.  Santana went six innings giving up 4 runs on 5 hits.  He also had 4 strike outs.  Maybe Santana's numbers will look better in August.  Or maybe the Angels offense will split the series and get their offense going tonight.  Any way you look at it...Angels are tied for last with Seattle. 

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I Be The Angels Can get 100000 Fans Before The Dodgers

Its not that I hate the Dodgers or anything like that. Their are some really good/nice True Blue Dodger Fans. Probably as many as real Red Die-Hard Angel Fans. What gets me are the fringe fans. If you have to make a choice, why would you chose the Dodgers. No, they aren't horrible... but the Angels are superior to the Dodgers. Its not just opinion, its fact!