An L.A.-kind of dream: Separate reports have Peter O’Malley and Magic Johnson considering different ownership bids on Dodgers

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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. O’Malley, 73, sold the Dodgers to Fox in 1998 for $311 million, which actually started this whole messy, downward spiral. Fox sold to Frank and Jamie McCourt for $430 million in 2004.

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