FSN's Dodgers cup runneth over with praise

Embarrassing is the only word to describe the Dodgers postgame show on FSN Thursday night. While the Dodgers enjoyed a celebration in their clubhouse after the clinching of the NL West earlier in the day, broadcasters Jim Watson, Kevin Kennedy and Steve Lyons did plenty of celebrating of their own from their broadcast perch.

With Lyons wearing a cap proclaiming the team's status as division champs, he and his co-hosts filled up their cups from the bottle in front of them -- they kept stressing it was apple cider, not alcohol -- and toasted the Dodgers several times, acting every bit as much a part of the team as the players themselves.

Now we are supposed to believe they are objectively analyzing the club, pointing out its weaknesses as well as its strengths, giving us an accurate assessment of the team?

So much for credibility.

Watson went even further, ripping other media types who had the nerve to point out the Dodgers were in trouble on August 30 when they trailed the Arizona Diamondbacks by 4 1/2 games.

"I know who you are," he said. "I know the radio hacks in this town, the scribes ... already moving on to Laker media day and all. I remember who you were, talking about SC football ... I'm tired of you guys. Quit."

Quit for talking about the Lakers and Trojans?

I think we know who the hacks are.

-- Steve Springer

Photo: Manny Ramirez pours champagne after playing the San Diego Padres on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times