Wake-up Call: Al Davis, Dodgers, Angels, Kings

First things first: Seeing Al Davis give that news conference yesterday to announce he had fired Lane Kiffin -- well, it's an image burned into my mind. At some points, he rambled, particularly when he talked about some of the things that happened behind the scenes. At other times, he mumbled. Mostly, though, what Al did was vent. Yet then he was confused about who would introduce Tom Cable. Al, let someone else do these news conferences for you, if not the actual hiring and firing. But thanks for not wearing a white jumpsuit. And the hair looked good. One question, though: What's with the overhead projector? (shown above) Those went out 20 years ago. Here, for the memories, is Al Davis from 1987:

He's out for now: Kiffin will be hired somewhere before long. He is smart and ambitious. He even held his own news conference after Al's to make sure the last word was on his firing put him in a positive light. The letter he got from Al was sweet.

Talking about sweet: The Dodgers take on the Cubs at Wrigley, and I can't wait to see Manny Ramirez at bat. He looks so effortless at the plate. And smart. The telecast begins at 3:30 this afternoon on TBS. On the radio, it's on AM 710, AM 790 and AM 610. The Angels host the Boston Red Sox, and the Red Sox Nation will be up very late because the game starts at 7 p.m. That is 10 p.m. in Boston. Ouch. I know the Nation will stay up till the last out because that is how loyal and rabid they are. And I suspect the Angels crowd will be a sea of red. That telecast is also on TBS and on the radio, AM 710 and AM 830. Don't expect Vladimir Guerrero to lead the Angels' charge though since he has not been Mr. October. Yet I say maybe this time he will. How far will our two Southland teams go? Sorry Red Sox Nation, but Bill Plaschke says look for a Dodgers-Angels World Series. It could happen ...

Talking hockey: Helene Elliott's column this morning on 20-year-old Wayne Simmonds gives Kings fans some hope. And newly acquired defenseman Sean O'Donnell could help the Kings finish with a lot more than 71 points (last season's woeful finish) -- if he steps up and leads those young but talented blue liners. It could happen ...

-- Debbie Goffa

Photo: Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis reads a letter he wrote to former Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin during Tuesday's news conference. Credit: Paul Sakuma / AP

Comments

[Paul Rodgers]

Helene Elliott's column on Wayne Simmonds is good news, but why no front page photo? Wouldn't a picture of a successful, African-American hockey player attract more eyeballs, and isn't that the whole point? Tell me the last time you ran a feature column on page 1 without an accompanying photo there to pique the readers' interest. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for any hockey coverage at all in the Times. I just wish it were covered on par with the other sports instead of always blaming the readers for lack of interest. Sometimes it is incumbent on the staff there to draw the readers in, not the other way around.

As for Sean O'Donnell, he could help but remember he is on the downside of a long career so let's temper our enthusiasm. The price (potentially free) was certainly right for AEG, and as we all know, that's all that matters to them.