Those who show for fan appreciation day boo Frank McCourt in Dodgers' season finale, a 3-1 win

What if they threw a fan appreciation day and nobody showed?

The Dodgers wrapped up their season Sunday, and on their fan appreciation day the empty seats outnumbered those filled.

Your neighbor and his uncle almost could have doubled the total. The Dodgers announced a crowd of 38,007, but that, of course, is tickets sold. Actual attendance is not released, but 20,000 might have been a high estimate.

Whether this was out of general fan unhappiness over the Dodgers’ season or all the ugliness that has spilled out during the divorce proceedings of owners Frank and Jamie McCourt is, naturally, subject to opinion. Take a wild guess what mine is.

The game itself was won by the Dodgers, 3-1, a game notable not for the final result but because it was the last for Joe Torre as a manager (that’s his story, and he’s sticking to it) and the last for Brad Ausmus as a player, and because Hong-Chih Kuo pitched a scoreless ninth to finish with the lowest earned-run average (1.20) in franchise history.

Ausmus, ending his 17-year career, went two for four with a double. When he singled in the eighth, he left for a pinch-runner and was given a nice standing ovation.

After the game, the team presented Torre with a commissioned painting by artist Opie Otterstad that showed Torre in a Dodgers uniform at Dodger Stadium.

Torre spoke briefly to the crowd, but when he thanked Frank McCourt the crowd reacted with embarrassing boos.

Sort of perfectly capturing the season.

"We’ve had some great magical moments," Torre told the crowd. "I can tell you one thing, I am leaving you and the players in good hands. Don Mattingly is very special."

The game itself featured Matt Kemp’s fifth home run in five days, Ted Lilly allowing one run in seven innings to finish 10-12 (7-4 as a Dodger) and Kuo edging Eric Gagne’s previous team ERA record (1.202) for a minimum of 50 innings pitched.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[crystalheuvo]

I have watched postings from the Dodger faithful transition this season from frustration to unbridled anger to mostly heartbreak and sadness. I would love like to say that I am thrilled that the despicable Frank McCourt got booed today...but alas...it is just plain sad.

[Terry]

Yeah, the boos for McCourt were classic, very obvious.

[alanw19]

Kuo replaces a cheater on our record books - I'm all for that. Great job by a wonderful pitcher.

Frank got booed - that is wonderful as well. If only he could understand the message.

And it's good to get a win. Going to be an interesting offseason. I'm keeping my expectations in check but am anxious for the 2011 season to get under way no matter what our situation.

Win or lose, thick or thin, the Dodgers are always my team.

[Blue Sangre]

I'm really hoping we get the news that not only does the judge order the team sold, but McCourt (calls it a career) as well. That dirty S_B needs to pay for his sins against us. Should be pelted with rotten vegetables each time he shows his face anywhere in L.A. Sad to see Joe leave under such bitter circumstances, but hey, thats the way it goes. Good luck Joe.

[danfromwestlakevillage]

Boo McCourt all you want (and he most definitely deserves it) but the real culprits in this debacle are Bud Selig, MLB and Fox. It was their choice to allow this (and in some cases encouraged this) to happen as it has. The divorce has simply exposed what took place for all to see.

[Grandpa]

You think the Dodgers have troubles now? Just wait until McCourt runs the team into bankruptcy. BOO!

[Rey]

@alanw19 "Win or lose, thick or thin, the Dodgers are always my team."

That's what Frank McCourt is counting on. You, me and everyone else that bleeds Dodger blue. He figures we'll keep showing up and filling his piggy bank year after year.

Well, I could look at it this way. We may have lost the division, but at least we won't lose to the Phillies again.

[Joe]

The Dodgers will not be getting to the WS if they even mak it there at all. First of all the Mccourt's are broke. Too much legal fees. The only hope I see for the Dodgers is that perhaps the Mccourts put the Dodgers up for sale. It is apparent that none of the fans like the owner. Once this step is taken, then the recovery process can begin.

[Since '58]

It was heartening to hear that Frank was booed today. But like alanw19 said, I doubt he would have gotten it, had he heard. Amoral sociopaths like Frank don't care what people think of them. If he lasts until opening day 2011, I hope the fans give it to him again ---- and with an opening day full house. Danfromwestlakevillage put it best when he laid the blame squarely at the feet of Bud Selig, MLB and Fox. They're crying all the way to the bank, for now. Wait until their west coast flagship jewel of a franchise begins to rot before their very eyes. Have a pleasant off season. Don't get too excited.

[Alina]

I was one of the faithful at the game today. It was strange to see the many empty seats which has become common during this season. I did not participate in the booing but I cannot blame those who did. It has been a frustrating season but I look at the positive of today.

Kemp went out with a bang and left us wanting more and reminded all of us of what he is capable of doing. We honored Ausmus and Torres on wonderful careers. Lilly won his final game of the season (hopefully not his last as a dodger) and was awesome. Kuo looked brilliant as always. Jansen continued on his path to being a great reliever. Ultimately, the dodgers won and I'm happy for that.

Although ultimately ticket sales put money in the owner's pocket, I go to cheer on the team, not the owners. I got to spend a few hours at a baseball game because I enjoy it. I will cheer them on no matter what. Until next year. Have a great off season boys.

[ArchtMig]

quote from the story: "...Hong-Chih Kuo pitched a scoreless ninth to finish with the lowest earned-run average (1.20) in franchise history."

I wonder what the Dodgers' season ending record would be if Kuo were the closer instead of that big farm boy Broxton. How many games back did the Dodgers finish the season at? How many games did they lose because Broxton blew the lead as closer? It's not too soon to form opinions on who we want to see come back next year. Broxton's not on my list.

[68elcamino427]

Boo!
Happy Haloween McCourt.
I'll be going to the Haloween party in a costume
(liar, thief, embezzler, perpetrator of fraud, tax cheat, narcisist).
Look for me,
I'll be the one in the Frank McCourt mask.

[k]

@alanw19 "Win or lose, thick or thin, the Dodgers are always my team."

Then...

@Rey "That's what Frank McCourt is counting on. You, me and everyone else that bleeds Dodger blue. He figures we'll keep showing up and filling his piggy bank year after year."

The Dodgers are always my team too, but I chose to stay home most of the 2010 season and root them on from my living room instead of lining McCourt's pockets. I'd much rather go to the stadium of course, but I don't have to to be a fan.

I'm also thinking of boycotting entirely for 2011, and may continue to until Frank McCourt sells the team to somebody who actually cares about winning.

Thrilled that Frank got booed today, although as somebody here pointed out, he probably doesn't give a squat what anybody thinks of him. That's how he's been able to make this mess.

[Bill]

Anyone notice how, at the end of the game broadcast, Vin said "and on behalf of everyone here in the booth, we wish you all a very sincere goodbye." He is still coming back, right? Wouldn't he have said "until next season" or something like that?

[s. gallegos]

a well deserved boos for Mccheap we won't win a ws until we have a new ownership. Wish the Best for the Dodgers Organization during the divorce trial. The Mccheaps can go back to hell. and never look back in L.A. Boston is where they belong.

[Ken]

As much as I love the Dodgers and baseball, I like my hard earned money more.
Listening to Vin isnt such a bad deal.

[Jack]

If the team was going to the playoffs , games would of been sold out forgetting how the McCourts are getting filthy rich and not paying taxes

[Fredyt123]

At least we finished with a win!!! On the other hand I knew it would be a challenging season when the McCourts announced their divorce and it became obvious why we could never acquire the type of talent needed to compete against the motely Giants, Padres or even Rockies. Manny fever had already worn thin...and with watching Torre and his continued BS praising games/players when not warranted and watching poor Broxton implode game after game, or even Tronscoso, Sherril, etc. you kinda wondered if Torre was trying to show them up??? Anyway looking forward to 2011 and hopefully the McCourts get a fresh infusion of cash...or We get new owners (please not the FOX type) and managers (aka Dusty Baker) who is not tied to previous mgmt but free to manage a team who is serious in rebuilding. Of perculiar note, even with below average performance, the Dodgers outsell the majority of franchising so I guess on the business side they are in the top tier but we want a winner for the fans, not more $$$ only for the owners.

[Manuel Alderete]

Sports fans are morons.

1) They are loyal to a team they don't own or profit from.
2) The players on those teams have no loyalty to the city...they are gone the minute they can get a bigger contract.
3) They riot and destroy their own neighborhoods, get arrested, and have nothing to show for it one year later during the next championship.

[Fred]

Wake up, Dodger fans! There is only 1 way to make McCourt sell the team fast: stop going to the games! When every year he can expect over 3 million attendance to feed his scams, why wouldn’t he continue to thump his nose at all of us? But imagine if the season ticket holders don’t renew their tickets and regular fans stop attending the games. And when Dodger Stadium has only a few hundred people to show for every game. You don’t think McCourt would try to get rid of this losing business in a hurry? Yes, he will still has his TV contract, endorsements, advertising, corporate sponsors, etc., but he would get the message very quickly. But unfortunately Dodger fans are too kind and too faithful to stick it to him. So we will just continue to suffer for a few more years.

[Roy]

Send Frank and Jamie McCourt a message and DO NOT renew your season tickets... It is clear that all they care about are the dollars... Hit 'em where it hurts and cancel your season tickets for the sake of the club and the heritage that they represent...

Next, trade Kemp, Broxton and Billingsley. ALL are overrated and need to move now.............

[aaron]

sell the team frank! attendance is decreasing, you are destroying a historic franchise. i'm tired of reading about the dodgers not being in the market for marquee players because of a limited budget. are you kidding, the tam with the best attendance having a limited budget?!?!?!? i'm disgusted by the %500 ticket price increase, the game day prices, the convenience fees, ticket surcharges, any way to squeeze a buck from fans who come by money the hard way, AFTER TAXES, which you know nothing about. and when you do spend money it's on washed up outfielders who you later pay to play for the whitesox, or washed up pitchers or brittle infielders, or ped users who conned you, gotta say you have not been very savvy running the team.

[Bernard]

Frank McCheap is the lowest piece of crap that could have ever owned this once great franchise. Bud Selig is the biggest idiot that could ever manage this great sport. Overall these douchbags are a disgrace to baseball and should be removed from having any kind of relation to baseball. I will always be a die hard Dodger fan but I am disgusted at the fact that McCheap has any kind of relation to the Dodgers. This is what happens when you let greedy and selfish money hungry people, that don't have any respect for this great game be part of this sport. I hope I see McCheap and Selig one day out in the street and I will give them what they deserve, for everybody that still has respect and love for this sport. I Hope You Read This McCourt And Selig, You Are Both A Disgrace To This Sport.

[Done AsAFanUntilMcCourtCollettiTorreRussellMartinAreGone]

Thank god 2010 is over. Nice that McCrook got boos. Not much else to say. What a disaster, and that doesn't seem to be changing any time soon.

[Dodger Tony]

Frank McCourt did something to me as a die hard Dodger fan that I thought no person living could do. They made me a Giant fan.

[Dr. Christopher Eaton]

Frank and Jamie,

Neither of you owns the Dodgers. The City of Angels does. As stewards of the team you've proven yourselves completely unworthy. You're fired. Adios. Sell the team. It doesn't belong to you anyway.

[SiRMarlon]

I love the Dodgers with all my heart and soul...this season has been a heart breaker. Especially after making it to the NLCS 2 years in a row. I put all the blame on the McCourts for our downfall this season...how can you win when you cut payroll and don't pursue quality players and pitching! I'm glad he got booed, maybe now he will realize we do not want him or his money hungry wife here anymore...

You don't deserve to own such a prestiges franchise!

[Bill Anderson]

What a relief that the Dodger ended with no playoff games. Now, we can hear real KABC 790 AM broadcasting without pre-emption. What a scam! The Dodgers - a private company - get millions of dollars of free advertising every year. People even PAY to buy crap that advertises the Dodgers, when it should work the other way. The Dodgers should go to some all-sports radio station in the L.A. market, starting next year. Buh-bye!

[whamo]

What a horrible year for Dodger fans this has been! First, the owner's divorce decimates the team finances. Second, the Dodgers post a losing record. And third, the Giants win the Division.

[Ebbets from Connecticut]

Almost imporraible to believe--and even harder to write:

I hate the McCourts more than Walter O'Malley. But never as much as that pig Robert Moses.

Sell the team. Go back to being a parking lot attendant.

[alanw19]

Just so we're clear, Rey, the McCourts never got one cent from me this year or any other year. I got my Dodgers gear seasons ago, hat, authentic jersey with Los Angeles script across the front and Ron Cey patch on the sleeve (the six-time all-star). Going to Dodger Stadium would be "an event" in my life, something I can't just up and do.

But being a fan, it requires me only to have the team chosen - which I have for decades - and to root for them to win. That's it. I don't even have to have the gear I do own.

And if anybody wants to place bets, bet on my loyalty to the Dodgers lasting far longer than McCourt. Only death can stop that guarantee.

I do think you're right that the Bah-stun idiot thinks Dodgers fans will keep showing up and patronizing the team. But he hasn't gotten the first coin from me, and he's not about to get any now.

And a hearty amen to all those assessing blame not only to McCourt but also Bud Selig, MLB, Bob DuPuy, and especially Fox. It lies at the feet of them all.

[HUGH ALLISON]

1) Fans who booed...no class and ungrateful

1) Frank and Jamie owners...has that been determined?

[Monica]

Alan and Rey, many of us know and feel what you do. We're TRUE BLUE, right? Yet, we know that baseball is only about the dollar now, and Frank McCourt is the perfect example of ownership greed. He wouldn't have the money if we didn't show up...and that is OUR problem. If we continue to give him money, he will continue to take it...makes perfect sense to me. But I'm learning...only went to two games this year and I'm no less a Dodger fan than I've always been. This season broke my heart, but I will hand it right back to the BOYS ON THE FIELD next year...and root for them from home! As someone else here said, you honestly can't beat hearing the game called by Vin Scully anyway...he's always the best part of a Dodger season!

[aaron]

i drop $1000 - $1500 every year at the stadium to go with family and friends. not this year. not this year cause ownership shows NO loyalty or appreciation to fans. they have unprofessional thugs working security, raise ticket prices %500, charge fees however and wherever they can. guess what, there are THOUSANDS of people just like me who are paying back ownership for turning their backs on us and using us. WE ARE BOYCOTTING AND YOU KNOW IT, IT'S HITTING YOUR POCKET BOOK McCROOK. i'd rather listen to vin anyway than be bombarded by the p.a. system and seizure inducing wrap around advertising screen. mc crook has turned our stadium into a whore. i record the games and fast forward through the commercials. most games i didn't even watch. sad : (

[rosales]

i think the booing spoke for all of us. haven't been to a dodger game since mccheap skate took over. like o'malley said they lost all credability with LA
hopefully next year, you will all be smart and boycott. only way to get message accross.

[Kenneth]

anyone who attended fan appreciation day, dinner for schmucks was playing at a theatre and didn't line the mccourts pockets.

[Jay]

McCourt wanted to play with the Big Boys. Too bad he didn't have a nickel to his name.... just other people's money. Now he has Dodger Stadium littered with lousy advertising, no pitching, no farm system candidates, irate fans, a confused and desperate GM (with no decision-making capabilities,) empty seats, half a billion dollars in the hole, no future, no hope, NOTHING!!

What a miserable mess.

[jason donald]

It is very good article.

jason donald
No Win No Fee Solicitors