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ix MLS games. He played a strong match, a
Topic Started: Oct 26 2012, 09:12 AM (14 Views)
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LOS ANGELES -- Although the Southern California sun stayed behind the clouds, everything else about the Los Angeles Dodgers introductory news conference for their new ownership group Wednesday signalled the dawn of a bright new era for a beloved franchise. Eric Weddle Jersey . Magic Johnson, Mark Walter and Stan Kasten stood on a stage in centre field at Dodger Stadium on what venerable broadcaster Vin Scully called "a soft day," pulling on white jerseys and blue Dodgers caps for the clubs third ownership change since 1998. The new owners vowed to restore the Dodgers dignity after Frank McCourts often-stormy and sometimes sleazy tenure. While outlining a long-term vision, they also offered an immediate carrot for their long-suffering fans: a $5 reduction in the $15 parking charges at the stadium. "What we want to do is bring the pride back to this city and this organization," said Johnson, his voice echoing off thousands of empty seats in the iconic stadium. "Its going to take some time to get this franchise back to where Mr. OMalley had it, but were going to work, and were going to do it. Were committed for the long haul. Were going to be owners for a long time." The new owners are aware their franchises prestige and fan support declined under McCourt, who sold the Dodgers for $2 billion to the group fronted by Johnson, headed by Walter and run by Kasten. Although they made the playoffs four times in McCourts eight years, the Dodgers havent won the World Series since 1988, before the OMalley familys sale of the club sent it into an increasingly unsettling series of ownership changes. Johnson, the former Lakers star, announced the parking changes along with extra access to batting practice and other future incentives for fans. The group is investigation a renovation to the notoriously cramped clubhouses, and Kasten plans to investigate Dodger Stadiums infamously epic lines for beer and refreshments. Johnson and Walter also answered numerous questions about the peripheral involvement of McCourt, who is widely reviled by Dodgers fans for his seemingly profligate lifestyle at the clubs expense before putting the club into bankruptcy last June. Walter confirmed McCourt still has an interest in potential future profits from development of the 300 acres in Chavez Ravine. But Walter claimed all revenues from the parking lots surrounding Dodger Stadium go to the team, and all decisions on future development will be made by the current ownership group, which also includes movie mogul and Golden State Warriors part-owner Peter Guber. "Frank McCourt is not involved in any shape and fashion," Johnson said. "Frank is not here. Hes not a part of the Dodgers any more. We should be clapping just for that." Walter also didnt flinch when asked about the enormous price his group paid for the Dodgers, the highest ever paid for a pro sports franchise and $500 million higher than the next bid. Walter acknowledges he has been asked by friends and partners why he paid so much. "I always say, why did the price get so high? Its the Dodgers," said Walter, who acknowledged being nervous during a brief speech off cue cards on the stage. "I viewed it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own one of the most successful franchises in sports. I believe if we build the franchise from the long point of view, the value of the investment will be apparent. This is a generational investment." The Dodgers themselves have already done much to restore the pride cited by their new owners, getting off to a first-place start in the NL West with a strong opening month while the ownership deal was finalized. The Dodgers are an exceptionally attractive property to Walter and Kasten for several reasons: Along with a brand recognized worldwide and a well-preserved stadium in the hills between downtown and Hollywood, the Dodgers also have NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw and slugger Matt Kemp. Kasten, the former president of the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals, gave a strong vote of confidence to general manager Ned Collettis work so far, with Kasten saying he expects the Dodgers payroll "moving forward will be north of where it is now." "You can expect us to be aggressive," said Kasten, wearing his Braves 1995 World Series championship ring. "Were going to be in on everything, but it has to fit for us. I certainly want to help Ned build on that. Were going to take advantage of any opportunity. Were not going to wait. If we can win now, today, thats our preference." Kasten and Johnson vowed to be near-daily presences at Dodger Stadium. Johnson doesnt plan to weigh in on personnel moves, but his business acumen, charisma and enormous popularity in Los Angeles will be assets. "I wrote a big check, so Im going to be involved on a daily basis," Johnson said. "Im a big control freak. ... Were going to outwork everybody. I cant wait until my office is done. Im going to check in on Monday." Kasten promised to be visible and available to fans on the concourses in the same way he ran the Braves, Hawks and Thrashers in his previous multi-tiered job in Atlanta. "Im just coming off a six-month gag order, so Ive got a lot to say," Kasten said. Walter is the Dodgers new chairman and the biggest money man in the deal. The son of a concrete-block factory worker from outside Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Walter runs the financial services firm Guggenheim Partners, which made another fortune buying distressed assets in the recent economic downturn, from his home in Chicago. But Walter will be getting comfortable in Los Angeles: He already spends one week a month in the area, where his wife graduated from high school, and he plans to buy a residence in the area soon. "This is not really about us," Walter said. "This is about the Dodgers, one of the most honoured and storied franchises in history. Were passionate about making this organization the best it can be in every respect." Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was the first speaker. Dodgers greats Don Newcombe, Tommy Davis, Maury Wills, Ron Cey, Bill Russell, Steve Garvey and Tommy Lasorda gathered for the announcement, most gamely donning Dodgers jerseys for photographs with the new owners -- including the 6-foot-9 Magic in his size 56 jersey. The 84-year-old Scully closed the celebration in his own inimitable style by remembering back to the first time the Dodgers changed leadership during his tenure with the club, when Walter OMalley took a controlling stake from Branch Rickey in Brooklyn in 1950, right after Scully went to work for the club. Scully then cited multiple changes since, including all four changes or minority sales in the past 14 years. "Im fed up," Scully said. "This is the last new ownership press conference I will ever attend." Antonio Gates Jersey .C., qualified for his first individual Olympic final on Tuesday, posting the sixth-fastest time of the mens 100-metre freestyle semi-final heats. Eric Weddle Womens Jersey . Canadian starter Nick Bucci had a solid outing and combined with three other pitchers for the shutout. "You look at our pool and there are two other undefeated teams (Panama and the Netherlands) so every win is important," said Canadian manager Ernie Whitt. http://www.sandiegochargersjerseyonsale.com/philip-rivers-jerseys?kids=19 . -- Zach Johnson already was a member of the board of directors of the John Deere Classic. Philip Rivers Jersey . The 28-year-old suffered the setback on November 10 in a game against the Winnipeg Jets, but the team said that he will not need surgery. Upshall had totaled just one goal and three points in 15 games this season, after Florida signed him to a four-year deal worth a reported $14 million. Philip Rivers Womens Jersey . The right-hander allowed only an unearned run in seven innings to remain unbeaten in 19 starts against Washington, and the Miami Marlins beat the Nationals 3-1 to break the franchise record for victories in a month. MONTREAL -- The Montreal Impact gained an important three points and perhaps some bragging rights with their 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Wednesday night. The win on a 68th minute goal from Sanna Nyassi was their seventh this season, one more than Toronto FC had as an expansion team in 2007 and the Vancouver Whitecaps got in their first Major League Soccer campaign in 2011. But its not an achievement to crow about for the Impact (7-12-3), who are convinced their record would be even better had they not let points slip away with sloppy defensive play this season. "We dont use the E-word," coach Jesse Marsch said of his expansion squad. "I think theres disappointment overall at the results because, within the group, theres a feeling that were a good team." Patrice Bernier opened the scoring on a 28th minute penalty kick for Montreal (7-12-3) and Lee Nguyen stunned the crowd of 15,615 at Saputo Stadium with the equalizer for New England one minute before the intermission. "Surprisingly, even though it was the last minute before half time, no one was feeling sorry for themselves or saying here we go again, " said captain Davy Arnaud. "We were confident in what we were going to do in the second half. "We got the goal and held onto it." The Impact leapfrogged New England (6-9-4) into sixth place in the standings, although the Revolution hold three games in hand. Montreal can gain more ground Saturday when they travel to fifth-place Houston. "We obviously are an expansion team but from day one weve said we dont want that to be what were about or to use that as any kind of excuse," added Arnaud, who lauded his clubs defensive effort. "We expect more from ourselves." New England, coming off a 1-0 loss to Toronto FC, has never won a game in Canada, going 0-1 in Vancouver and 0-2-4 in Toronto. "Its not a mental block, its how the cards play out sometimes," said New England defender Darius Barnes. "We get to come back here later in the season and its not something we think about." The Impact, now 6-3-2 at home, won for only the second time in their last six games, thanks to Nyassis strike. As play carried on after a free kick, Justin Mapp crossed the ball to the far post where Nyassi volleyed inside the near post for the game-winner.dddddddddddd It was his third of the season. The Impact got the early lead on Berniers penalty kick when Nyassi went down in the area after a light shove from Chris Tierney. Referee Fotis Bazakos made Bernier take the kick three times due to irregularlities. The Brossard, Que. native scored each time. "I just think of putting the ball in the back of the net, not the reasons why it was put back," said Bernier after his six goal of the season and fourth from the penalty spot. "You start to think too much you might change the way you shoot." New England equalized in the 44th minute on a wild goal, as Nguyens long blast beat goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, bounced off the crossbar and went in off Ricketts foot. It was originally ruled an own goal, but later the former Whitecap was credited with his fourth of the season. It was another frustrating match for the Impacts first designated player Marco Di Vaio, who has yet to score in six MLS games. He played a strong match, and Marsch called it his best defensive game to date, but didnt get the ball when he was open. Nyassi was back from serving a one-game suspension for yellow cards. His brother, Sainey Nyassi, started on the New England bench and went in as a substitute in the 79th minute for his first action of the season. It was the first time the Gambian brothers faced each other in MLS. "It feels great playing against my brother, especially tonight when we get the victory," said Sanna Nyassi. "Weve been looking forward to this. We hope to start together when we go to New England (on Aug. 11). New England started a three-game road trip that takes them to Kansas City on Saturday. Notes -- Montreal has seven penalty kick goals this season, four by Bernier and three by Bernardo Corradi, who is out for the season with a knee injury. . . . . . Recent signing Dennis Iapichino made his Impact debut at left back and played 70 minutes. . . Marsch said new signing Alessandro Nesta will make the trip to Houston on Saturday but is not likely to see any action. ' ' '
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