An L.A.-kind of dream: Separate reports have Peter O'Malley and Magic Johnson considering different ownership bids on Dodgers
Letting go is so hard to do, continued …
Ah, the good ol' days. When were they exactly? Apparently the '80s, when the Dodgers last won a World Series and Magic Johnson and the Lakers first captivated Los Angeles.
The Dodgers then, of course, were owned by Peter O’Malley and his sister, Terry Seidler. They continued the tradition of the O'Malley family ownership, back when loyalty meant something and the front office wasn't turned over every other year.
And Magic's Lakers were truly special, about twice as entertaining to watch with their electric fast-break style than these current Kobe Bryant-led Lakers.
So do you want them back as owners of the Dodgers? Not together, just one or the other?
There were reports that left those possibilities open Thursday, though as of this moment the team is not actually for sale. Just under Major League Baseball control.
Last September, O'Malley called for McCourt to sell the team, saying "the current Dodger ownership has lost all credibility throughout the city." O'Malley said he was not interested in owning the team again but would be willing to temporarily helm the operation to ease the transition for new local owners.
Now, however, comes a brief report from David Vassegh, the veteran reporter/producer from KLAC-AM (570), that O'Malley has two big investors lined up to purchase the Dodgers, with the plan being for him to run the team. He said a "prominent Dodgers executive" was the source of his report.
Then came a different radio report, this one from SirusXM hosts Steve Covino and Rich Davis during an interview with Magic.
Asked whether he would have any interest in joining a group to purchase the Dodgers, Magic said: "You know, people here in L.A. want me to make a run for the Dodgers. I will sit back and see what happens, and if somebody approaches me and wants a partner or wants me to be involved, I'll take a look at it. 'Cause I love baseball. And I love the Dodgers.’’
Wow, that's a far cry from last October when he told flatly The Times' Broderick Turner: "No, I won't be buying the Dodgers."
That comment came after Magic had raised about $100 million by selling his minority share in the Lakers and his Starbucks franchises. Then he was considering joining a group to bring back the NFL to L.A.
Things can change, apparently. Particularly for those who long for the good ol' days. Not sure how practical either scenario ultimately would be, but I am sure either would be better than the current situation.
-- Steve Dilbeck
Photo: (left) Former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley in 2010. Credit: Reed Saxon / AP. (right) Magic Johnson at the 2011 BBVA All-Star Celebrity basketball game. Credit: Danny Moloshok / Reuters
An 85 year-old running the team? Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see this happen, but seems like he's a bit old for the job.
Posted by: vtadave | 04/29/2011 at 02:15 PM
Go ahead Magic, please step in and take control and let's get gack to winning time!!!!
Posted by: LA GREAT | 04/29/2011 at 02:27 PM
O'Malley is 73 not 85.
Posted by: Ken | 04/29/2011 at 02:34 PM
@ vtadave who 85. you cant be talking about O"malley because it clearly said he 73
Posted by: jeremy | 04/29/2011 at 02:39 PM
Peter O'Malley is not 85.
Posted by: elysian | 04/29/2011 at 03:08 PM
O'Malley is 73 years old, not 85.
Posted by: Caldodger | 04/29/2011 at 03:20 PM
Apart from the fact that O'Malley resembles Steve Reeves' Clark Kent, the guy isn't a financial Superman.
That's the reason he bowed-out to Fox, and it's the same reason he is incompetent to lead, now. There's simply no wind in this guy's cape.
He's a poor-boy, in a world of Sports Sugar-Daddies. By my reckoning, we need someone worth at least three billion or more, with ready access to about a billion to buy-out the McCourts.
Boycott.
Posted by: Striker | 04/29/2011 at 04:47 PM
Oh man, don't tease us like this Dilbeck. This better be true.
Posted by: Caldodger | 04/29/2011 at 05:05 PM
I think O'Malley would be great as a minority owner/advisor, but he has no business running the team.
The team needs an owner who will take very seriously what O'Malley has to say and leverage his trust with the community, but also being a little more modern and understand the realities and economics of baseball in 2012.
Posted by: derek | 04/29/2011 at 05:25 PM
Meant to say Mr. O'Malley isn't GEORGE Reeves's Superman.
Note the resemblance, and I'll throw in a Lois Lane at no extra charge:
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=actor%20george%20reeves%20as%20clark%20kent&view=detail&id=D88BD930F19CE2775710F2155464BF54646B98E6&first=61&FORM=IDFRIR
Posted by: Striker | 04/29/2011 at 06:05 PM
in 1998 o'malley sold for 311 million
in 2004 fox sold for 430 million, an increase in value over six years of 119 million, or 38 percent.
in 2011 the team is valued at 800 million, an increase in value over seven years of 370 million, or 86 percent.
i don't see how this is seen as destroying the franchise. personal attacks are nice, but at the end of the day, money talks.
Posted by: help me understand | 04/29/2011 at 06:26 PM
Like big joe mcdonnell used to say...."shut up vassegh"
Posted by: cover2 | 04/29/2011 at 06:55 PM
Is there ANY high profile job egomaniac Magic hasn't said he is interested in---and then NOT followed through?
.
Buying an NBA team...
.
Running for mayor of LA...
.
Coaching the Seattle Supersonics back in the day...
.
Buying a NFL team for LA...
.
Buying AND coaching the Pistons...
.
Run for California governor...
.
Going to dominate TV talk shows...
.
Coach the Lakers to a championship...
.
Serve as King if nominated...
.
The bigger question is why does LA and the media continue to kiss this guy's fanny?
Posted by: Fanny | 04/29/2011 at 07:04 PM
Magic YES....O'Malley NO NO NO NO. I lived through the Peter O'Malley years and while he was a source of stability, when he sold it was likely more because he had no idea how the money side of the game had changed than it was for those "family reasons". Ask any dedicated fan and I suspect you'll get a similar answer.
Now there is one HUGE thing about Magic...Magic is all about WINNING. Everything he has ever done was done with full intent of being the best and winning every play, every game and every title. He also gets how to build a winning team environment. He could teach DonnieBaseball a thing or 500 about that, not that DonnieB does not seem to be doing a nice job. I am actually impressed and do see a lot of the first Tommy Dodgers in this team. It has less talent but there seems to be a sense of team like the Tommy brought to the table.
Posted by: grumpy3b | 04/29/2011 at 09:02 PM
Anyone would be better than what we have now!
Posted by: McCourt blows | 04/30/2011 at 08:41 AM
Please, NO Peter O'Malley. He started this mess by hiring Fred Claire as general manager and then eventually sold the Dodgers to FOX. Need I say more?
Posted by: Since '58 | 04/30/2011 at 09:16 AM
As for risking being in the minority I am going to vote "No" to either. Magic is a basketball man, not baseball. O'Malley sold the Dodgers to FOX, should we trust him again?
The Dodgers need a fresh, new start - even it means new uniforms, new name, new location... (yes this is actually possible). This team needs a fresh start with someone new. Playing "new boss same as the old boss", it is mot going to work.
Posted by: E.W. | 05/01/2011 at 01:35 PM