Frank
McCourt has met payroll this month. So, it appears we have to go through more torture before the end. As you would expect, via
ESPN, we find out that
McCourt will mortgage the future potential revenue of the
ballclub for the short term gain of staying in the game.
Since McCourt has been unable to secure traditional loans to fund the cash-strapped Dodgers, front office executives in charge of revenue were charged with finding more creative ways to help float the troubled franchise for two more weeks.
Current team sponsors were contacted and offered discounts on their annual bills and luxury box stadium seats in exchange for cash up front, according to two sources. It is not known which sponsors took the offer, or the depth of discount they were given.
I had no doubt that
McCourt would fight til the very end. He will sacrifice everything, trading in the health and well-being of the Dodgers, to prove that he belongs. He wants to prove to
MLB and the City of Los Angeles that he can be a good steward of the team. I have my doubts, of course, but this had me thinking.
Is there a situation that would cause me to take a second look at the man. Would I be willing to change my view of him and his past ownership of the team?
After a lot of thought, I came up with one scenario that might suffice.
If
McCourt were willing to sell a sizable portion of the franchise (not even a controlling stake) to an investor group who would naturally act as an interested outside constituency, then I can see myself singing a different tune.
It kills two birds with one stone. The team would generate the necessary cash to continue operating without mortgaging the future while showing to me his willingness to be accountable to someone other than his own whims. It would show to me that he would allow himself to be regulated by a outside body- a investor group with a desire to maintain and uphold fiduciary management of the club.
Yes, I can forgive and forget, but it won't come without strings. If you show a willingness to be accountable, then I'm willing to compromise on my utter disdain for you.
I have to admit, I hated the 1987 Topps design. I don't really know why, but I guess it had to be the wood style borders or the bad centering I always encountered. I dunno. Anyway, here is a 2004 Topps Originals autographed card of Orel Hershiser of a 1987 Topps card numbered 31 out of 218.
OK. I totally get that there is a unofficial boycott in town, but don't blame the players on the field. I have no doubt they are doing the best they can, and, with a little luck, they may still pull out a surprising finish this season. So, in support of the "Boys in Blue" please cast your All-Star ballot in their favor. Both Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are All-Star worthy, and they deserve your support. Heck, vote Blue all the way across. After all, you have to have some sympathy for them. Who hasn't had to continue doing the best job you can while under the nose of a horrible boss. From the Dodgers press machine: 
How rare is this? It's a game-used home run Baseball from 1886. Written on the ball are the words, "St. Louis 1886 Champions of the World Tip O'Neill Home Run Ball." It originally came from the family of former St. Louis Browns outfielder Tip O'Neill. It sold for $2,032.00 during Legendary Auctions recently closed offering.
Pedro Guerrero was one of my favorite sluggers as a kid. He would wave that bat like he was swatting a fly behind his head. Then, with the ease of a Masters golfer he would unleash his furry with a mighty swing that, if it connected, would cause the ball to travel to the stars. He was definitely feared at the plate, and as Bill James said, Guerrero was 
eBay proves once again why eBay is such a great resource for collectors. It always seems to unearth collectibles the hobby may have forgotten about. In fact, this Baseball bank sponsored by United Cerebral Palsy is new to me. It features a facsimile autograph from Pee Wee Reese and a screw bottom base with a slit for coins. This bank sold for $85.01.
