Spring blooms into Dodger Blue
Campus Times
March 20, 1998
As the weather heats up and the flowers present their beautiful array
of colors, I can only sit back and welcome the dawning of spring.
For some, Christmas is their favorite time of year but not for me. Yeah,
I love to peel back the wrapping paper on Dec. 25, but what really gets
me excited is the opening of a new Major League Baseball season.
In less than two weeks, I will once again be on the roller coaster known
as Dodger baseball. And I will be sitting in the front of the ride, feeling
every up and down along the way.
Los Angeles currently has hit more home runs in the spring than any
other team in the majors. Its pitching has been up to Dodger standards,
and the rookies, Paul Konerko among others, have proved they can play in
"The Bigs."
But what makes this season different from the past years is a change
in the team's ownership. Team owner Peter O'Malley has decided to sell the
Blue Crew for $350 million. And to whom? Rupert Murdoch, multi-millionaire
and mastermind behind Fox/Liberty Sports.
Ted Turner, owner of the Atlanta Braves, said of his business rival
Murdoch, "I don't like him, don't respect him and don't trust him."
Should we be any different?
Anytime a change in ownership occurs, in baseball or any other business,
that business usually has to endure things it is not accustomed to. And
with the ideas, or should I say the money, Murdoch brings to the table,
plenty of renovations could effect the Dodgers.
This sale is good for the Dodgers in only one sense. Los Angeles will
be able to compete for big-name, high-priced players year in and year out.
One result which could arise from the sale is the contract Murdoch may give
all-star catcher Mike Piazza. However, the down side to a large payroll
is the luxury tax applied to the top five salaried teams, so Los Angeles
could add to its $40 million payroll and become the New York Yankees of
the west.
But aside from its payroll, Los Angeles will be without one of the greatest
families to ever be a part of baseball-the O'Malleys.
During my time spent at Dodger Stadium, I have not known anything other
than great experiences and exciting moments. Maybe it was the family atmosphere
or perhaps it was the winning tradition, but whatever it was, the O'Malleys
sure had the game covered.
What I am afraid will happen is a drastic change in atmosphere. Let
us suppose that once the sale is final, Murdoch takes full control. He then
purchases as much talent he can buy to make his team better. What does he
do to off set the extra cash he needs to pay the players? Raise the ticket
prices so the fans can pay for the players they want to see.
And if the star players are not enough to attract a large audience into
Dodger Stadium, Murdoch may more than likely use some of that large parking
area and turn it into a small carnival or some other Fox innovation.
Before we know it, the Dodgers will have traded in their blue uniforms
for rainbow wigs and red noses.
So Murdoch, you want to own the Dodgers? Here is some advice on how
to run our club. Do not bring your Fox ideas onto our field or into our
stadium. Do not change anything but the attitudes in the Dodger clubhouse.
And most of all, do not candy-coat a product that already sells. Do all
of those things, Murdoch, and Los Angeles and its fans will be grateful
and the team may even be a winner again.
Greg MacDonald, a sophomore journalism major, is sports editor of
the Campus Times. He can be reached by e-mail at gmacdona@ulv.edu.
