Josh Rawitch to leave Dodgers, ship sinks lower
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We fought almost every day, over issues new and old, developments big and small. One day’s battle could just roll over into the next.
I won every single argument. Not that it was a level playing field. I had logic on my side. Josh Rawitch had Frank McCourt.
I exaggerate, of course. Pretty sure I conceded one disagreement in 2009, but the memory has grown hazy.
The amazing thing about it, though, is for all the eye rolling as we looked at each other, stunned that the clarity of the moment seemed so completely lost on the other, it was never truly heated. At least not to the point of affecting our professional and personal relationships.
Which tells you a lot about the kind of person Josh Rawitch is, and why the Arizona Diamondbacks sought him out.
Rawitch, vice president of communications for the Dodgers, gave notice on Monday. At season’s end, he will become the senior vice president of communications for the Diamondbacks. The addition of the word “senior” to a title might not mean much to you or me, but apparently it has some significance in the corporate world.
Still, the immediate reaction is they’re going to run out of rats to jump off the McCourt ship. In the past seven years, McCourt has gone through more PR types and “image makers” than anyone in the history of mankind. Make that anyone in the history of the universe. I’ll stat check later.
Rawitch, though, survived. Forever carried the team banner. Never pretended not to be biased, that he worked for the Dodgers. He was unapologetic about it. Wrote ESPN/LA’s Tony Jackson: “He was unfailingly loyal to McCourt, even as an entire city seemed ready to torch the castle, and he relentlessly defended McCourt against all critics.”
That’s a lot of defending. The Battle of Britain didn’t require taking so many hits. But it was his task to defend McCourt, and he did it about as well as humanly possible.
Of course, we argued about McCourt. We argued about news dissemination, player availability, use of social media, team coverage in The Times, lack of a roster in the media guide. I don’t think we argued for the sport of it, but after awhile it may have become hard to tell.
We never had a beer together. I don’t think we ever shared a meal. Still, it felt like we had. I think McCourt understands he is losing a valuable member, though apparently not so much to do enough to keep him.
Rawitch leaves for a better position, at a better and certainly more stable organization. Albeit one in the middle of a desert sauna that melts scorpions. Really, under normal conditions, who would leave the Dodgers to take a job with the Diamondbacks in Phoenix?
Rawitch, naturally, denied the turmoil surrounding the Dodgers was a factor in his decision, good soldier till the end. It’s such a lousy job market, I suppose the Dodgers will find someone to replace him in his near-impossible position. Although, I could argue that.
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-- Steve Dilbeck