Do You Believe in Magic?
Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Times
by Seth Mumy | smumy@fieldofignorance.com |
After Earvin “Magic” Johnson sold his 4% ownership share of the Los Angeles Lakers to Patrick Soon-Shiong last October, and parted with his 105 Starbucks franchises, many speculated that he would attempt to purchase an NBA franchise of his own. Today we know that an NBA franchise is not Magic’s top priority.
It’s only a matter of time until an NFL franchise moves to Los Angeles, since AEG and Farmers are poised to make Farmers Field a reality sooner than later. Many businessmen have shown a great deal of interest in purchasing a Los Angeles-based NFL franchise, and Magic Johnson spoke out about his interest in brining a team back to the city. However, today we know that an NFL franchise is also not Magic’s top priority.
Read MoreAn Outlook on Chavez Ravine
AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes
by Seth Mumy | smumy@fieldofignorance.com |
Although most Dodgers fans, myself included, agree that signing a player like Prince Fielder would help resurrect the franchise immediately, it’s not going to happen. Of course if it did, season ticket sales would skyrocket and the team would finally have the big bat it’s missed since Manny was downing women’s fertility drugs. However, by the time the Dodgers are sold, the 2011 free agency bonanza will be over and any new owner will simply not be able to do anything about it. The only possible way for the Dodgers to land Prince Fielder is if Frank McCourt shrewdly decides that signing him would greatly increase the value of the franchise and its price tag in the upcoming auction, a move that could forever alter his legacy as the team’s owner.
With the Dodgers locking down runner up MVP Matt Kemp to the biggest contract in Dodger history (8 years/$160 million), they have secured the face of the franchise for nearly a decade. It’s scary to say that $20 million dollars a year seems to have come at a bit of a hometown discount. After all, last off-season the Washington Nationals signed Jason Werth to a ridiculous 7 year/126 million-dollar deal, which will pay Werth $21 million dollars guaranteed when he turns 38. $20 million for Matt Kemp, a player Jason Werth could never be, is beginning to look like a bargain. So the Dodgers can take a very quick sigh of relief and check Kemp off their long to-do list.
Read MoreImperfect Roads to Becoming a Baseball GM
Though it certainly doesn’t hurt, you don’t have to play pro ball or go to an Ivy League school to become a GM. Here are the ‘imperfect’ roads taken by the current class of *general managers, listed in reverse chronological order:
Dan Duquette, Baltimore Orioles
Amherst College, 1980
Played baseball as a catcher at Amherst College. Started his career with the Brewers as a scouting assistant. Served as General Manager of the Montreal Expos (1991-1994) and Boston Red Sox (1994-2002). Named General Manager of the Orioles in November 2011.
Read More