McCourts - Lori Shepler - LA Times.com

Malachi 2:16   “I hate Divorce,” says the Lord God of Israel….

I won’t always be quoting scripture, but in this case, it just seems appropriate.  If God hates divorce, it’s no wonder we cringe everytime we hear about it.  As always, it’s the kids who seem to get hurt the worst.

If you haven’t heard about the divorce between Frank and Jaime McCourt, the owner’s of the Dodgers, you’ve been out of the country for the last 2 months.  Even then, you may have heard about it.  For some reason, those two decided to make this a very public split, and thanks to the media, most fans are pretty informed, and yet biased based on which story they heard first.

At this point it’s really a he-said, she-said battle, and now no one will every know the real truth because both sides are giving “no comment,” and “taking the high road.” 

Here’s a quick synopsis of what we do know and then I’ll dig deeper. 

• First stories of the divorce.
• Frank fires his wife who is currently #2 of the Dodgers for such reasons as insabordination.
• He then also blames the firing on her having a fling in France with a separate Dodger Employee.
• Jaime McCourt claims she really has control of the team and wants to be re-instated.
• The legal courts side with Frank, and she’s still out of a job.

Now, it’s just sloppy.

I credit TJ Simers of the LA Times for a very good interview with Jaime McCourt (Click Here).  He says it straight, but he did a great job trying to give the facts.  As always, there’s two sides.  The part that still makes me shake my head is that she says, she never cheated until the marriage was over…now the divorce wasn’t finalized, but obviously in her mind, the marriage was over, so she could move on.  With all the fervor that Frank McCourt dragged her through the mud of the details…he obviously disagreed with the quickness of her choice, given their 29 and 10/12’s months of marriage.

All right, so we the kids..aka the fans, are dragged through all this, really wondering what will happen to the team and what happened to the good old days of one family ownership who really cared about the team.  Actually, let’s be straight, the true fans are just wondering if there will still be enough money in the kitty to get two good starting pitchers so that the Dodgers can actually get to the World Series.  We care about the people involved…but given that divorce is common in America, the want is to move on and focus again on baseball.  

Ok – so here’s where I want to dig deeper.  I think divorce is tragic and as mentioned by Jaime McCourt, I do think their kids are getting the shaft on this whole thing.  What I keep thinking about is where it started?  There are pictures of a much more happy couple when the Dodgers were first purchased.  Somehow between then and now, the marriage fell apart. 

Based on TJ’s article, it seems that there was some difference of opinion on direction of the Dodgers, all real estate and money, versus taking care of the community and the fans.  Even more, look at when things finally fell apart.  It would appear the worst happened this last baseball season.  Of course divorce doesn’t happen over night, so things have built up to this, but still things obviously accelerated this year.

Here’s some ideas, keep in mind purely speculation.  First – money.  As often in divorces, money plays into it.  We know the Dodgers felt the pinch last year, so perhaps the mount of debt played into many discussions.  Similarly, if Frank was caught up in this and not taking care of his wife, or not on the same page with her, then perhaps things eroded more quickly.

But here’s another question – how much did Manny play into this?  (If Manny reads this please know I mean no disrespect), but it’s an interesting question.  Manny divided Dodger fans, let alone the owners.  Everyone knows Frank McCourt and Scott Boras didn’t get along, but Manny won.  Frank held out in some ways, but Manny got his money.  If the couple wasn’t united on this, that’s a major blow. 

Then, oh yes, then, Manny gets busted.  The timing is just before things really went down hill with the McCourts.  I’m sure it wasn’t the main thing, but if they were divided on it, no you have a real riff.  There’s less money coming in and there’s the decision on how to discipline him or what to do with Mannywood..  Frank eats his decision and so does she with the public, and you have a potential final straw.

Did Manny cause the divorce?  I’m sure not, but the timing of the circumstances does make me wonder.

My sincere condolances to the McCourts on this trial.  I do hope they can resolve and take care of their kids.  Not only their real ones, but the fans who want things put back together for the team.

So what do you think?  What do you think contributed to the last straw?  I’m curious on your thoughts.

I have to admit I was pretty disappointed when I found out that Manny Ramirez still has a really good chance to make the All-Star game this year.  I know he will have the month of June to make his case, and he is definitely popular, but I believe that anyone who gets suspended for steriods for 50 games shouldn’t get to play in the All-Star game.  It just isn’t right.  It is an honor, and most of the time a pay raise for a lot of guys to be in that game, and to keep someone else from going for a guy who cheated just isn’t right.  It sounds like Joe Torre is on the same page, but it certainly didn’t seem that way from the Dodgers owner Frank McCourt.  He said it would be an “honor” for Manny to play.  That still seems like a bad quote from a guy who’s number 1 player just got busted for cheating.

I actually don’t vote for the All-Stars a lot any more (I used to love pushing out the tabs at the ball-game), but this year, I’m going to vote for three players.   These guys have been all-stars in every part of the word and should get their shot.

Juan Pierre - Fox Sports.com

First, Juan Pierre.  Manny’s replacement doesn’t hit homeruns, but he steals bases, is hitting like crazy and is doing everything possible to help the team.  Just look at his stats the last few games:

The hits alone is crazy.

Casey Blake - Fox Sports.com

Second, Casey Blake.  Where would the Dodgers be without him this year?  He is just clutch and has a lot more homeruns than Manny.  He can be streaky, but he drove in the winning run again two nights ago and was involved last night.  He was a good pickup and will definitely provide stability at third for the next few years.

Jonathan Broxton - Fox Sports.com

Finally, Jonathan Broxton.  Who would have thought that we wouldn’t be missing Saito.  Broxton has shored up his game, and as long as they keep him out against the Giants, he can definitely pitch.

Honorable mention to Chad Billingsley.  He really has become the ace this year.  The Dodgers are now 9.5 games ahead in the West.  I read today that they haven’t been that far out in front since 1988 when they won the World Series.  Too early to predict the World Series, but they are a very good team.  

Go Blue.

Furcal - Alex Gallardo - La Times

I have to admit that being born and raised on the West Coast, that when the Dodgers play the Mets, it just doesn’t have the same draw for me than say a West Coast team. I’m sure most fans are partial to division play, but I just don’t have a real draw to the Mets. I’d still much rather see the Yankees play than the Mets. Having said that, any time the Dodgers sweep any team, it’s a good thing.

The Dodgers just keep rolling. Their pitching is good enough and reclamation project Jeff Weaver is finding his way back to being a strong pitcher. Randy Wolf is lights out right now, so hopefully his body can hold up.

I had to laugh last nigth at the Dodger highlights.  At one point the lone highlight of the game on ESPN was Livan Hernandez striking out Juan Pierre. I wondered if Pierre was sliding back to normalcy. Ahh no. Pierre went two for four and scored the first of only two runs. He truly is on a roll right now.

Russell Martin still makes me scratch my head. He is obviosly great behind the plate with the pitchers, but something is off with his power stroke. He’s driving guys in when he needs to, but not quite with the power he used to. It makes you wonder if he was just hot when he came up, is finding it’s harder to sustain, and hasn’t found his true groove yet. Here’s hoping he can find it. He’s a solid catcher but really has the chance to be one of the Dodger greats.

Sports Illustrated recently did a cover story on what really went down with Manny. Here are two highlights:
1.  The things they really found in Manny are scary. If he was playing with female hormones to increase testosterone to combat previous steroid use…he’s really mucking up his body. Yikes. He’ll have his money, but given 20 more years, it will be real interesting to see what happens with all these athletes who took steriods.
2.  Also, Manny knew for almost 3 weeks that he could get suspended without even telling the Dodgers. Even more, he asked out of the game and quickly left the clubhouse hours before the Dodgers even found out. Shady. Real Shady.

Apparently owner Frank McCourt was furious about the whole incident. Manny may get his money this year and next, but I doubt McCourt will be real quick to sign him. Frank McCourt wanted a role model and class act for the fans and he now has a lot of mud on his face that isn’t going to go away. Manny needs to hit really well, and spend a lot of time helping kids to try and get back on McCourt’s good side.

But, ironically, there’s not a lot of need to keep talking about Manny. The Dodgers are doing fine and their “little engine that could Pierre” keeps running and scoring runs.

What do you think Manny should do to try and save face?

Manny Ramirez - LA Times - Kirby Lee/Image of Sport/US Presswire

I was gone this week at a training in San Diego, and thankfully, the Dodgers just kept on rolling.  Two from the Phillies is pretty good.  The offense is still strong…but the pitching is still suspect.  Even without Manny, they will need to solve pitching.

Apparently Manny stopped by to apologize to the team the other day.  I’m glad Frank McCourt made him do it.  Manny screwed up.  Living in secrets only leads to more assumptions.  At least the players could see how he reacted and make their decision on their own on his sincerity.  From the reports he was definitely sincere.  I don’t agree with what he did, but I think this is more of a baseball problem now than just a Manny problem.  Baseball has turned its head to this for a long time, so Manny is just another one in the crowd. You can throw him under the bus, which people have done, but baseball hasn’t.  The fan money coming in is still too strong for superstars.  Until there are lifetime bans, or at least 3-5 year bans, this will continue and more will fall.

I personally believe that Manny really does regret how this has affected the fans in L.A.  Despite the off-season contract hold-out, I believe he really wanted to be in L.A., and wants to say here for a little bit.  I’ve read a lot of articles for this site, and I have been able to read between the lines.  He is definitely disappointed he got caught more than anything, but Manny does live for being the hero everyone loves.   He was the hero in L.A., and he now knows how much people did adore him…before.  He will be loved again, but he knows not in the same way.  A lot of fans have crossed to the other side.  Who knows how much damage he did to his body, but the damage will be forever done in the minds of the fans.

On a side note, I had a Giants fan tell me the other day that the best part of Manny being caught is that he is still in my picture at the top of this website.  I’m not sure what I’m going to do with that now.  I love that picture, but it is kind of silly to have that picture up there when he is suspended.  What do you think?  Change the picture, or leave it?  Leave your comment below.  If anyone has a picture of Pierre from SF, I’ll definitely consider that.  He’s on-fire right now.

Manny Ramirez - Tim Defrisco - SI

Today is one of those days when being a Dodgerfan in Giants territory takes a new twist.  Manny gets suspended and suddenly people are stopping to tell me about it in the hallways, and then my e-mail and phone texts start to light up.   Who’s contacting me?  Not Dodgerfans…but by Giants fans. Giants fans who want to rub it in that the Dodgers star, the guy they all wanted to sign and wished they had, now screwed up and the Dodgers have to deal with it.  I seriously had more than one Giants fan come up to gloat about Manny being caught, and in fact I first heard the story from a Giants fan.

This one is hard because I just have to swallow it.  According to an SI article (click here) apparently it is not a steroid, but rather a Therapeutic Use Exception he got from his Doctor that he didn’t clear with baseball first, and thus has to pay the fine.  I credit him for just taking the penalty, but this opens up a can of worms and definitely won’t help his public relations this year.  In a year where he was supposed to fix his reputation to let him opt out and get bigger money next near…now that second year with the Dodgers is looking pretty good.  Even more this will open up the standard questions of how long was he doing it, has he done it for years, and how many records are tainted. This is not a good day for Frank McCourt, and those $99 seats in Mannywood probably won’t sell as fast.

It will pass, and the fans will re-love him because he explained it well, but the damage is done.  Losing Manny until July will hurt the Dodgers.  Their offense is good, but that will hurt.  Thankfully Manny doesn’t get paid while serving his time, so this little mistake cost him 7.7 million dollars.

There’s only one guy quietly smiling in all this.  Do you know who?  That would be Juan Pierre.  The backup outfielder forced to the bench by Manny, but still making over 10mil a year.  Finally he gets a chance to play everyday…for 50 games.  I like the guy, so I’m glad he can play.

I’ll keep you posted on the flak I’m getting up here.  I bet the talk shows are feasting on this.  Have you got any flak for Manny?  Leave a comment and we can commiserate.