Dear Future Mr. (Misters) Dodger Owner,

Welcome to the fold. Can I speak candidly for a second?

Please don’t mess this up. You have been given a gift. Albeit a very expensive gift, but a gift nonetheless.

As a Dodger fan, I know that my fellow fans are rooting for you. We’re wishin’, hopin’ and prayin’ that you do good by us. We’ve suffered through plenty, and we’ve waited long enough. Lead us back into the glory days. We’re ready.

I’ve compiled a quick laundry list of things that will quickly get you on the right track:

1. Preserve Dodger Stadium. Bring Chavez Ravine to its modern potential. I don’t want a new stadium. I don’t want anything fancy. Just a beautifully restored ballpark where a game can truly be enjoyed.

2. Embrace the fans. We’re a good bunch, and if you truly love and embrace us, we’ll adore you and keep your pockets full.

3. Make Dodger Stadium a safe place again.

4. Cherish our history. The Dodgers have a long and storied history. Embrace it. Don’t try to weave your way into it. Let’s make our own history together as owner, team and fans.

5. Keep Clayton Kershaw for years to come. Enough said.

6. Commit to winning. I don’t expect you to be an outrageous spender. I do expect you, however, to be a smart spender who knows the value of a good player and the value of a winning franchise.

And that’s it. Not too tough, right?

We’re counting on you, sir. Please don’t let us down.

Thanks in advance,
A True Blue Fan

It’s been a happy last couple months in Dodgertown. Matt Kemp is signed for years to come, Clayton Kershaw will hopefully follow suit in the near future, and He Who Must Not Be Named has agreed to sell the team. Everything is blue skies, bubble gum and joy.

But not so fast Dodger fans. Your happiness could be short-lived.

Guess who might be lurking around Dodger Stadium for years to come, creeping in the shadows of our parking lots waiting to take your money. None other than the man who has made your baseball-loving lives miserable for the last few years. Mr. I Pretend to Love Los Angeles When All I Really Love is Myself McCourt.

According to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times, McCourt can sell the lots to one of the prospective bidders, or he can keep the land to try to develop it.

In my humble (hopeful) opinion, I think McCourt is planning to use the lots to get as much money out of bidders as possible. He knows that no one wants him involved in anything Dodgers-related ever again, and will use that to his advantage.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed. We’ve all seen just how ugly things can get when McCourt is involved.

Well, folks. It seems as if the last hurdle has been cleared. The Dodgers have settled their lawsuit with Fox, getting rid of the last big issue in the way of selling the team.

In a statement from the Dodgers posted on ESPNLA:

“This agreement is a significant step towards a successful sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers,” the team said in a statement. “It resolves all of the parties’ differences relating to the telecast rights agreement with Fox. This consensual resolution of all disputes between the Debtors and Fox will enable the sale of the Dodgers to proceed forward, free of any uncertainty relating to the various issues under dispute, with the continued objective of maximizing value for the Debtors and their estates.”

I can’t believe it’s really happening. McCourt is almost gone, and the real journey of healing this franchise can begin. It sure has been a rough ride.

Joe Torre wants to be back in Los Angeles. And can you blame the man?

He has officially resigned from his position with MLB to pursue ownership of the Dodgers, along with Los Angeles-based real estate developer Rick Caruso.

I, previously was not a huge fan of Caruso owning the team (please no shopping malls at Dodger Stadium), but with Torre added to the mix, I could come around to the idea.

Torre does know baseball, arguably better than most, and Caruso does have some pretty deep pockets, to the tune of upwards of $1.7 billion. Maybe these guys could make a good team…

… Or maybe they’ll just be added to the pile of SIXTEEN publicly known groups vying for ownership of this Dodgers franchise.

The big news on the Dodgers horizon today is that billionaire Steven Cohen is interested in purchasing the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cohen had previously attempted to purchase a share of the Mets, but has now set his sites on full ownership of the Dodgers.

Cohen is an East Coast hedge fund executive. I’m loving the idea of his deep pockets, but not the whole East Coast financial executive thing. I’m still on Team Magic Johnson.

For more information on Cohen and his potential bid, click here.

Dear Santa,

I need a favor. I know you’re a bit busy with the billions of children in the world and all, but I could use your help. Rather, my team could use your help this holiday season.

You see, the Dodgers need another bat in their lineup. Matt Kemp is one of the best hitters in the game, but he’s not a miracle worker (Not like you are, Santa). And with the way this Dodgers franchise has been headed the last few years, we need a miracle.

Can you help us, Santa? The miracle I had in mind comes in the form of a 5’11” 275 lb. first basemen named Prince. Yes, the Prince who hit 38 homeruns last season and came in third in the National League MVP race. Not only would Fielder fit in well with the Dodgers lineup, he could help Matt Kemp carry this Dodgers franchise into the playoffs and beyond for years to come. His price tag is way over what the Dodgers can afford… but that’s where you come in.

So what do you say, Santa? Can you look deep down in your Christmas Sack and pull out a Christmas miracle for us Dodger fans? Despite all that red you wear, I know you bleed Dodge Blue.

Thanks in advance,

Clare

Dodgers first basemen James Loney was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after an accident on the 101 Freeway November 14th. He allegedly passed out at the scene after side swiping three cars. I have a hard time believing this. For the whole story check out ESPNLosAngeles.

I want Magic Johnson to be a part of the Dodgers. Call me a bleary-eyed believer. Call me delusional. Call me whatever. But I believe he could be just what this franchise needs to return to glory.

I get it… he’s considered a basketball guy who doesn’t know baseball. But he’s also a savvy businessman, a long-time resident of Los Angeles, and arguably the most beloved athlete this city has ever called its own.

And guess what, folks? Magic Johnson wants to be a part of the Dodgers. A big part. Ownership big.

What this Dodgers Franchise really needs is someone who cares about the city, has deep pockets, knows baseball, and knows how to win. Magic covers two of those bases better than anyone. The other two will be covered by Stan Kasten, former president of the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals, and Mark Walter – moneybags to the tune of $125 billion. ESPN

Can you imagine free agents being recruited by THE Magic Johnson? Is there anyone better in the world to sell people on the city of Angels and the lifestyle it provides for athletes? No. There honestly isn’t. And now imagine Magic backed by a deep pocket book and a baseball mind. This dream scenario could be in our near-future as Dodger fans.

I believe in this Dodgers franchise. And I believe that Magic Johnson is the perfect man to help restore our storied franchise to its former glory.

The Baseball Writers of America got it wrong. It was announced this afternoon that Ryan Braun won the National League MVP award, receiving 20 of 32 first place votes.

While Braun had a great season, I would argue that his impact on his team was far less impressive than that of Kemp’s.

Ah well, Dodger fans will always have Kemp’s spectacular 2011 season to remind them of just how special he really is.

Congrats to Clayton Kershaw for winning the National League Cy Young Award!

From the Dodgers:

“The 23-year-old is the second-youngest Dodger to be honored with a Cy Young Award behind Fernando Valenzuela (20, 1981) and the youngest National Leaguer to win since Dwight Gooden, who won the award in 1985 at the age of 20 with the Mets.

“I’m extremely thankful and humbled by this award,” said Kershaw. “The company that I’m in now… just to be mentioned with some of those guys. I’m just in awe. I never thought I’d be here.

Kershaw is the eighth different Dodger pitcher to win the Cy Young Award and a Dodger has now won the award 10 times, both of which are the most among Major League teams. He becomes the first Los Angeles pitcher to win the award since Eric Gagné in 2003 and the first Dodger starter to take home the Cy Young since Orel Hershiser in 1988. The Dodgers’ previous Cy Young Award winners were Valenzuela (1981), Mike Marshall (1974), Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965, 1966), Don Drysdale (1962) and Don Newcombe, who won the inaugural award in 1956.

Kershaw has already been recognized this offseason by earning the Players Choice Award as the National League’s Outstanding Pitcher, capturing a Rawlings Gold Glove Award, being selected as a Sporting News NL All-Star and winning the Warren Spahn Award as the game’s best left-handed pitcher. Kershaw was also a finalist for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet for his charitable work off the field.

In 2011, the Dallas native became just the 16th National League pitcher to win the league’s Triple Crown since 1900. Kershaw led the Majors with a 2.28 ERA, tied with Arizona’s Ian Kennedy for the N.L. lead with 21 wins and ranked first in the league with 248 strikeouts. He became just the third different Dodger pitcher to achieve the feat, joining Dazzy Vance (1924) and Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965 and 1966). The last National League pitcher to capture the Triple Crown was Jake Peavy in 2007.”

So much to look forward to from this young lefty! Congrats, Kershaw!