Thanks to a reminder from Cardboard Junkie I get to dance to the tunes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers as they play "Magic Johnson."
Video Link:
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
It's Official. Magic Shoots and Scores!
The news is out! The group headed by Magic Johnson has been chosen as the winner of the Dodgers sweepstakes.
Below is the press release with some of my brief comments:
LOS ANGELES, March 27, 2012 - The Los Angeles Dodgers and Frank McCourt today announced an agreement under which Guggenheim Baseball Management LLC (“GBM”) will acquire the Los Angeles Dodgers for $2 billion upon completion of the closing process. The purchasing group includes Mark R. Walter as its controlling partner, as well as Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Peter Guber, Stan Kasten, Bobby Patton and Todd Boehly. Mr. McCourt and certain affiliates of the purchasers will also be forming a joint venture, which will acquire the Chavez Ravine property for an additional $150 million.What a price. $2Billion was mentioned as a possible price several weeks ago, but appeared out of reach as numerous reports over the past week pegged the actual sales value at about $1.5Billion. Now, seeing that number in print has me astonished, but not wholly unprepared.
The other key point here is that a Mark R. Walter is the Controlling Partner. Who is he? Walter is the CEO of Guggenheim Partners who are headquartered in Chicago and New York. They are a financial services firm involved in over $100Billion in investments. As controlling partner he has final say in the partnership. Essentially, he is the boss, and probably fulfills the investment management part of the job. I would consider the other names mentioned as investors who hold a certain percentage of shares in the investment group.
There's another kicker here worth mentioning. The price is actually more than $2Billion. It is $2Billion for the team and stadium plus a future joint venture between McCourt and the new ownership group. Assuming it will be a 50/50 split means that the true value is at $2.3Billion with McCourt owning a very small piece related to just the parking lots.
The Los Angeles Dodgers stated, “This transaction underscores the Debtors’ objective to maximize the value of their estate and to emerge from Chapter 11 under a successful Plan of Reorganization, under which all creditors are paid in full.”Based on Ken Gurnick's report the deal must close by April 30th.
Frank McCourt stated, “This agreement with Guggenheim reflects both the strength and future potential of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and assures that the Dodgers will have new ownership with deep local roots, which bodes well for the Dodgers, its fans and the Los Angeles community. We are delighted that this group will continue the important work we have started in the community, fulfilling our commitment to building 50 Dream Fields and helping with the effort to cure cancer.”
Earvin "Magic" Johnson stated, "I am thrilled to be part of the historic Dodger franchise and intend to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Frank McCourt as we drive the Dodgers back to the front page of the sports section in our wonderful community of Los Angeles."I'm not entirely thrilled with the idea that McCourt will still benefit from the Dodgers. He is a stain on the organization and his continued association with the franchise is disconcerting. I guess the devil's in the details, though. I would be very interested in knowing what the joint venture is all about.
UPDATE:
Bill Shakin reports on twitter that the joint venture for ownership of the parking lots will be controlled by Magic's group.
UPDATE II:For further clarification from Bill Shaikin.
This news goes from good to worse. All the first tweet told us was that McCourt couldn't interfere with the parking lots for games, but is likely to have some control when it comes to redevelopment of the land. This could mean a sizable ownership stake if a Dodgers entertainment complex is built there, or a grand conspiracy to move the Dodgers to downtown by using McCourt as a future scapegoat. I know... I know. My conspiratorial mind is taking over.
eBay: Pity Poor Dodgers In Bleak Florida
Here is another great press photo I ran into on eBay. It pokes a little fun at the unseasonably cold weather Florida had received that Spring.
Original 1st Generation, Type 1, "International News" Press Photo from original negative with descriptor, dated Mar 2, 1946. The descriptor reads: PITY POOR DODGERS IN BLEAK FLORIDA. Daytona Beach, Fla.......It's all right for the fortunate people up North. They can warm be shoveling snow. But the poor Brooklyn Dodgers, who are spring training down in Daytona Beach have to light a fire to get the chill out of their bones. Billy Herman is playing fireman here to get a blaze going for Vic Lombardi, Hal Gregg and Lew Riggs. Cold weather caused postponement of practice called for yesterday."
Blog Kiosk: 3/27/2012
I just noticed the above 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor autographed card of Clayton Kershaw. It is a "1 of 1" card and is probably the rarest and most desired of all Kershaw rookie cards. Superfractor rookie cards like these of superstar players have been known to sell for thousands of dollars. This one was listed at $17,500 but did not sell, but I bet a strong offer would get it.- RIP, Bert Sugar. Bert may be better known in the boxing world as a Boxing Hall of Fame journalist, but he was also well regarded as being a pioneer in the sports memorabilia hobby. He put together the Sports Collectors Bible in the 70's and was an important promoter of anything collectible. A great writeup by Keith Olbermann on his life can be found at the Baseball Nerd.
- And then there were three. Via LA Times, the Dodgers buyers have been whittled down to three- Steve Cohen, Stan Kroenke & Stan Kasten/ Magic Johnson.
- LA Observed takes a close look at these three buyers, as well.
- GQ interviews Matt Kemp in their newest issue, linked here:
Zen Out with Phil Jackson"I wasn't much of a beach guy when I first moved to town, but I think the older I get, the more I like being on the beach—Malibu, Manhattan Beach. It's really peaceful. I remember one time I was out on the beach, and I saw Phil Jackson just chillin', and I was like, 'This is where I need to be, man....' Nobody was bothering him; everybody was just chillin' and relaxing and just doing whatever they feel like doing. And Phil's all Zenned out. I even thought about buying a house on the beach, but I haven't found anything yet." - This is hilarious. Jason Werth hit a monster home run this past Sunday, and as luck would have it, he hit his own car, via Hall of Very Good.
"It just left a hole in the Earth where my truck used to be," Werth said of the estimated 492-foot moonshot that ricocheted off the front bumper of his pickup.
- Wow! A Mars Attacks comic book is set to be released in July. It will follow-up on the original 1962 Topps set of the same name, via IDW Publishing. A new card set is also due to come out. (Hat Tip: Heartbreaking Cards...)
- Here is a interesting wedding idea- how about getting married at the Baseball Hall of Fame, via Cooperstown Chatter.
- Is the card hobby dead? CBS seems to think so. The problems with reports like this is that they will always compare the hobby to its heyday in the 90's, and I think everybody realizes those days are over. Nevertheless, there are numerous segments still on the rise and I think this report discredits the internets impact on collectors who buy and trade solely online.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Game 24
Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.Chicago White Sox (10-12) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (11-8-4)
Monday, March 26, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Camelback Ranch - Glendale
LHP John Danks vs. RHP Chad Billingsley
Spring Game 24/Home Game 12
Todays Starting Lineup:
Dodgers:Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:@skinnyswag9 SS, M Ellis 2B,@TheRealMattKemp CF, Rivera 1B, Ethier RF, Sands LF, Uribe 3B, Treanor C, Billingsley P
White Sox: De Aza cf, Morel 3b, Rios rf, Konerko 1b, Dunn dh, Ramirez ss, Flowers c, Viciedo lf, Beckham 2b, Danks 1
ONE-UP THE NEIGHBORS: The Dodgers will square off with the Chicago White Sox for the fourth time this spring and, so far, it has been all Dodgers. Los Angeles is 3-0 against Chicago this spring, including Friday’s 17-4 victory in Tucson. The Dodgers will play the White Sox for the final time this March on Thursday, but the two squads will meet again during the regular season from June 15-17 at Dodger Stadium.
SPRING WORKHORSE: Dodger starter Chad Billingsley will make his team-leading fifth start of the Cactus League slate this afternoon and thus far owns a record of 0-0 and a 4.97 ERA (7 ER/12.2 IP). The Ohio native’s last outing was Tuesday, March 20 against the Brewers, when he gave up three runs over 4.2 innings. All five of Billingsley’s starts have been at Camelback Ranch. He’ll be followed to the mound by:
● LHP Scott Elbert has allowed runs in two consecutive outings, which has ballooned his spring ERA to 5.40 (3 ER/5.0 IP). Today will mark his sixth appearance this month. Last year, Elbert limited lefthanders to a .191 batting average (13-for-68) and no home runs.
● RHP Javy Guerra will make his first appearance since firing a scoreless inning on Friday in Surprise. Guerra has allowed just one run (a solo homer) in five outings this spring (1.93 ERA). The Texas native has held the opposition to a .188 (3-for-16) batting average this spring.
● RHP Ronald Belisario was reinstated from the restricted list and placed back on the 40-man roster Thursday. The native of Venezuela has allowed three runs in 4.0 innings this spring, but tossed a scoreless inning in his last Cactus League outing on March 17.
● RHP Jamey Wright will tie Josh Lindblom this afternoon for the most games by a pitcher this spring with seven. The 17-year veteran hurler and non-roster invitee has posted a 2.25 ERA (2 ER/8.0 IP) and last pitched on Saturday vs. Cleveland, when he recorded the save with a perfect ninth inning.
(Los Angeles Dodgers Tim Wallach and Dave Hansen pose with ex-Dodgers now Milwaukee Brewers John Shelby and Ron Roenicke Sunday, March 25, 2012 in Maryvale,Arizona. © Jon SooHoo/ Los Angeles Dodgers)
NOT-SO MARYVALE: Yesterday, the Dodgers were held to three hits and fell to the Brewers in Maryvale, 7-1. Dodger starter Clayton Kershaw took the loss, dropping his spring record to 2-2. The left-hander allowed just two runs over 6.0 innings and his Cactus League ERA is now 1.47. At the plate, Cory Sullivan went 1-for-1 and Jerry Hairston Jr. was 2-for-3, raising his spring average to .357.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Dodger outfielder Andre Ethier has seven doubles on the spring season, tying him with Pittsburgh’s Josh Harrison and Cincinnati’s Zack Cozart for the National League lead. His 30 total bases are tied for eighth among National Leaguers and his 10 RBI lead the team and are tied for 10th in the NL.
- HAPPY HAPPY: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to Special Assistant, Baseball Operations Jose Vizcaino. “Vizzy” turns 44 today and is beginning his fifth season in the Dodger front office, following an 18-year playing career that started when he was signed by the Dodgers at 17. Vizcaino’s game-winning single for the Yankees in the 12th inning of the 2000 World Series, ended the then longest World Series game in history.
(Clayton Kershaw, pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)
- SPEE-DEE: Dee Gordon went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday’s win for his fourth consecutive multi-hit game. After getting the day off yesterday, Gordon will be back atop the Dodger lineup today and ranks among the National League leaders in batting average (.415, 3rd), runs scored (12, T-1st), steals (8, 2nd) and on-base percentage (.489, 3rd) in 15 games this spring.
GETTING OFFENSIVE: The Dodgers are 11-8-4 this spring, which is the fifth-best record in the Cactus League, and have been one of the National League’s best offensive teams despite their three-hit attack at Maryvale yesterday. Among National League squads, Los Angeles ranks fifth in team batting average (.282), third in on-base percentage (.353) and has posted the fifth-highest slugging percentage (.439). The Dodgers have also fared well on the mound with their 3.59 team ERA ranking fourth in the NL.
ON THE BACK FIELDS: Dodger reliever Matt Guerrier will toss an inning in a minor league contest vs. the Reds’ minor leaguers this afternoon. Guerrier has been hampered with a back injury and last pitched on March 11 vs. the Cubs. The Ohio native has made two appearances this spring without allowing a run or hit.
Joe Judge: He's A Dodger Now
I love having a chance to gaze at vintage press photos of Brooklyn Dodgers. They provide a great connection to the past while often informing us of a history that has long since past us by. At the time many of these recorded events were relevant, but after 70 years they proved to be easily forgotten.
For instance, check out the below two press photos heralding the return of cherished son and Brooklyn born first baseman Joe Judge. After a 18 year career as a dependable and consistent player for Washington he can now go home. As the press photo type says; "He's a Dodger now."
At 39 years old (his age at the time of these photos), Joe Judge came to the Dodgers with the hoopla of a lost son.
For instance, check out the below two press photos heralding the return of cherished son and Brooklyn born first baseman Joe Judge. After a 18 year career as a dependable and consistent player for Washington he can now go home. As the press photo type says; "He's a Dodger now."
Original 1st Generation, Type 1, "Associated Press" Press Photo with descriptor dated Jan 27, 1933. The descriptor reads: "HE'S A DODGER NOW. Joe Judge, veteran first baseman for the Washington Senators, shown in a Dodger uniform covering his old bag at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, N.Y.. Recently given his release by the Senators, Joe was taken up by the Dodgers and will appear with the Brooklyn team this spring. He signed his contract in New York, Jan. 27."He was well past his prime, so it's doubtful much was really expected of the veteran.
At 39 years old (his age at the time of these photos), Joe Judge came to the Dodgers with the hoopla of a lost son.
Original 1st Generation, Type 1, "Associated Press" Press Photo with descriptor dated Jan 27, 1933. The descriptor reads: "HE'S A DODGER NOW. Joe Judge, veteran first baseman for the Washington Senators, shown in a Dodger uniform covering his old bag at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, N.Y.. Recently given his release by the Senators, Joe was taken up by the Dodgers and will appear with the Brooklyn team this spring. He signed his contract in New York, Jan. 27."Unfortunately, Joe wouldn't last a full season in Brooklyn. He had the worst year of his career with us; hitting just .214 in 112 at-bats. Soon he was released mid-season and signed on with the Boston Red Sox. While in Boston Judge showed that he still had something left the tank and finished his career batting .301 for them.
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