Hey All-
A fellow writer has fallen on some hard times as the holidays have approached. He's a talented guy and I stumbled across this at ArmchairGM.com this morning. If anyone has any possible way to contribute, even if it is re posting this message where someone who could possibly help would see it; that gesture would be greatly apperciated. This is the day where we reflect on what we have to be thankful for, let's give Andrew something to be thankful for today by doing something small in our lives, that my be large in his:
Notice Yesterday we were served with an eviction notice with 48 hours to pay or move out of our apartment. Just in case we can't come up with the money I wanted to let the readers know what happened if there are no more posts forthcoming from Baseball Etcetera.
If we cannot come up with the money by tomorrow we may be forced to move out with only the barest necessities. If there are no more posts I want to thank everyone for reading Baseball Etcetera which started in May of 2004.
May God bless each reader if we are unable to write again. There is still a slim chance of not being evicted but as of today the future looks very bleak.
Thank you for understanding,
Andrew
It is my belief that a purpose of ArmchairGM was to help nurture and cultivate new writers with the hopes and aspirations of one day becoming a professional journalist.
For some of us, including myself, that is not a reality. However, Andrew Godfrey has an ability to concisely articulate the current sports' scene (especially towards baseball) with statistical supporting evidence along with drawing upon a lifetime of experience.
In his time here at ArmchairGM, Andrew has been an invaluable member to our community. He needs our help now. Yes, it is Thanksgiving and perhaps not the most convenient timing for our own personal family celebrations and holiday festivities. But take a moment and just imagine yourself in his position right now facing a 48 hour eviction notice just received the day before Thanksgiving.
We can help.
The following link provides all of Andrew's work here at the 'Chair: http://www.armchairgm.com/Category:Opinions_by_User_Niteowl049
As you can well see, it is quite impressive in quantity and quality. Andrew would be an asset for any sports blog looking for a columnist to provide its readership an accurate recap of the previous day's sporting activities along with insightful commentary.
For those curious about his past, please read the following:
Served in Hawaii and Vietnam with the 25th Administration Company of the 25th Infantry Division from June 1963 till May 1966 as a postal clerk. Retired newspaper production worker having worked 36 years for Alexandria, Louisiana Town Talk. Have been fortunate enough to see Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Ted Williams in baseball games in Kansas City back in the 60's.Also have seen Elvis Presley, Beach Boys,Righteous Brothers, Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn,Merle Haggard, Buck Owens,Johnny Cash and seen Julie Newmar, Stefanie Powers and Sue Thompson in person. Enjoy southern gospel music especially the Dove Brothers Quartet. Like listening to old time radio shows from the 30's, 40's and 50's and like easy listening music by Diana Krall and Frank Sinatra. Emails can be sent to Niteowl049@msn.com
When his country called upon him, Andrew gladly served his country. For some of the younger readers here at the ArmchairGM (and Cyberspace in general), that may or may not be fully appreciated. However to some of us older folks, that selfless act of courage and bravery will never be forgotten nor unappreciated. Plain and simple, Mr. Godfrey deserves a shot. If you are reading this message (because many of us here at the 'Chair are hopeful that this message will reach several message boards, sports blogs and websites) and are in a position to make a difference for a person overdue for an opportunity, Andrew is your man.
In the following comment section below, please post why Andrew Godfrey (aka Niteowl049) deserves his moment to shine. Think carefully before you type. Your words will have a dramatic impact upon a reader deciding whether or not to provide Andrew his rightful opportunity. And be fully aware that this is not a trite matter of fulfilling some personal quest. The man is in need of emergency assistance of real life financial difficulties with a consequence of not even having a roof over his head tonight.
Think about it. And do the right thing.
-Tyrone Briggs, (Tyrone is the Jaythejoke.blogspot.com creator and all around cynic and Jay Mariotti bloodhound.)
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Don’t Look Now: Clippers 5-2 and ready to explode.
By: Nate Gordon
(Los Angeles, Ca) – I stood with you all at the wake, black suit, bow tie, clean hair cut and fresh black Nikes to lay at the memorial. It was August 5 when I wrote this obituary on Elton Brand, and therefore the Clippers 2007-2008 season: “It's difficult to imagine, much less believe, that after all these seasons of almost iron man like service that Elton Brand would succumb to an Achilles injury. Mr. 20-10 as I like to call him, Brand has been a faithful servant to the Clipper fan base for the last several years and before that was the clear superstar on a horrid Chicago Bulls team… It is very possible that Brand will only be a shell of his once dominating presence on the boards and his mid-range jumper and first step will most likely be off. With all those inhibitions stated I can only hope that Brand will come back 100% and I wish him a speedy and full recovery. ” I also mentioned the Willie Mays like break down of Sam Cassell’s body and that Shawn Livingston was still out indefinitely. But did the Clippers listen to me or anyone else writing them off as a top 10 lottery team this season? Not at all, they’ve instead looked towards role players who are finally stepping up as big time performers and have the Clips at 5-2. I submit to you 3 players who if they continue to produce at this level will likely keep the Clippers in the playoff race all the way through April.
Cuttino Mobley: Mobley has been unconscious to start this season shooting 59% from the field and 43% from behind the 3 point line. Averaging 16.6 ppg and 3 assist a night in only 27 minutes of floor time, the man is being efficient also contributing 3.6 boards a night. If Mobley can stay healthy and contribute at this rate all the way through the season he can help tip a few extra wins in their direction.
Chris Kaman: There is solid contribution, and then there is the slack that Kaman is picking up where the Brand Void is. Kaman is a career 9 point, 7 rebound a game guy, he can contribute, but he’s not going to change any games. However Kaman has been an absolute force in the middle for the Clips to start the season. Chris is averaging 18 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks a game. He’s being a dominating presence on both ends of the court and with only 3 fouls a game he’s able to go 37-40 minutes a night. (Only 10 more minutes a night then his career average, so he’s also being efficient with his minutes.)
Tim Thomas: Because of Brand’s injury, Thomas has had an expanded role this season and his numbers improving with his extra minutes, shows that he’s starting to earn his paycheck. The Tony Yayo of Basketball (because he does that stupid crap with his hands) is going for 13 points and 6 rebounds a night, up from his 11 and 5 respective numbers from last season. However this season will ride on if Thomas can improve his numbers into the 15/8 range or if he regresses as the season drags on to lower numbers when the team needs him the most.
Bonus Reason: The Schedule: So far the Clippers are 5-2 currently and are only behind Phoenix in the Pacific Division, tonight they play at the 0-6 Warriors followed by 1-6 Chicago tomorrow night at home. So the Clips can build up to 7-2 before the schedule hits a rough patch of: Denver, at Phoenix, New Orleans, Houston and at Denver. Splitting the Denver games and taking 1 of the 3 others leaves the club at a respectable 9-5 before the schedule gets really sweet, at home vs. below .500 Indiana and Milwaukee before going to 1-8 Seattle and 2-6 Sacramento. Then it’s Miami, New Jersey and Charlotte. Can you remember the last time the Clippers had a realistic chance to start 15-6? Yeah, I don’t either.
Am I saying that the Clippers are for real, or that they will be in the final 4 teams come June? No way, what I am saying is watch out because at some point this team will get Elton Brand back and if they can build on a fast start, the sky is the limit for the other team in Los Angeles.
e-mail: LASportsblog@gmail.com
(Los Angeles, Ca) – I stood with you all at the wake, black suit, bow tie, clean hair cut and fresh black Nikes to lay at the memorial. It was August 5 when I wrote this obituary on Elton Brand, and therefore the Clippers 2007-2008 season: “It's difficult to imagine, much less believe, that after all these seasons of almost iron man like service that Elton Brand would succumb to an Achilles injury. Mr. 20-10 as I like to call him, Brand has been a faithful servant to the Clipper fan base for the last several years and before that was the clear superstar on a horrid Chicago Bulls team… It is very possible that Brand will only be a shell of his once dominating presence on the boards and his mid-range jumper and first step will most likely be off. With all those inhibitions stated I can only hope that Brand will come back 100% and I wish him a speedy and full recovery. ” I also mentioned the Willie Mays like break down of Sam Cassell’s body and that Shawn Livingston was still out indefinitely. But did the Clippers listen to me or anyone else writing them off as a top 10 lottery team this season? Not at all, they’ve instead looked towards role players who are finally stepping up as big time performers and have the Clips at 5-2. I submit to you 3 players who if they continue to produce at this level will likely keep the Clippers in the playoff race all the way through April.
Cuttino Mobley: Mobley has been unconscious to start this season shooting 59% from the field and 43% from behind the 3 point line. Averaging 16.6 ppg and 3 assist a night in only 27 minutes of floor time, the man is being efficient also contributing 3.6 boards a night. If Mobley can stay healthy and contribute at this rate all the way through the season he can help tip a few extra wins in their direction.
Chris Kaman: There is solid contribution, and then there is the slack that Kaman is picking up where the Brand Void is. Kaman is a career 9 point, 7 rebound a game guy, he can contribute, but he’s not going to change any games. However Kaman has been an absolute force in the middle for the Clips to start the season. Chris is averaging 18 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks a game. He’s being a dominating presence on both ends of the court and with only 3 fouls a game he’s able to go 37-40 minutes a night. (Only 10 more minutes a night then his career average, so he’s also being efficient with his minutes.)
Tim Thomas: Because of Brand’s injury, Thomas has had an expanded role this season and his numbers improving with his extra minutes, shows that he’s starting to earn his paycheck. The Tony Yayo of Basketball (because he does that stupid crap with his hands) is going for 13 points and 6 rebounds a night, up from his 11 and 5 respective numbers from last season. However this season will ride on if Thomas can improve his numbers into the 15/8 range or if he regresses as the season drags on to lower numbers when the team needs him the most.
Bonus Reason: The Schedule: So far the Clippers are 5-2 currently and are only behind Phoenix in the Pacific Division, tonight they play at the 0-6 Warriors followed by 1-6 Chicago tomorrow night at home. So the Clips can build up to 7-2 before the schedule hits a rough patch of: Denver, at Phoenix, New Orleans, Houston and at Denver. Splitting the Denver games and taking 1 of the 3 others leaves the club at a respectable 9-5 before the schedule gets really sweet, at home vs. below .500 Indiana and Milwaukee before going to 1-8 Seattle and 2-6 Sacramento. Then it’s Miami, New Jersey and Charlotte. Can you remember the last time the Clippers had a realistic chance to start 15-6? Yeah, I don’t either.
Am I saying that the Clippers are for real, or that they will be in the final 4 teams come June? No way, what I am saying is watch out because at some point this team will get Elton Brand back and if they can build on a fast start, the sky is the limit for the other team in Los Angeles.
e-mail: LASportsblog@gmail.com
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Why Trade Kobe Whe Other Options Aren't Exhausted?
By: Nate Gordon
Since the NBA Finals the only story in the Association bigger then the referee betting scandal are the trade rumors surrounding one Kobe Bean Bryant aka Black Mamba. Pundits have flip flopped non stop for nearly 5 months telling the world first that Kobe is untradable, then he is the only player every team in the league has to make a move for, and again he isn't worth trading for. This week Chad Ford of ESPN.com explored the idea that Kobe isn't the most desirable or talented player in the league. In the article, Ford uses John Hollinger's PER system, as well as another websites plus/minus stats breakdown to support his point. While I appreciate and respect Chad Ford's opinion, I must purpose a caveat, Kobe Bryant is not only the most desirable player in the league, trading him is both impossible and preposterous and the Lakers are not only at fault, but should of been focusing on getting Kobe help all along.
Kobe Bryant posses the Associations only no-trade clause, the most powerful contract weapon a player can have in their business arsenal. If the pieces aren't in place with another team, Kobe would rather stay in Los Angeles where his family is happy. Would it make any sense for him to uproot his whole life to move into the same situation he is currently in while playing for the Lakers? The Lakers brain trust (if you can all these incompetent men that) led by the Owners son, Jim Buss require any other teams major pieces in a trade for Kobe Bryant. Obviously they don't want to repeat the nightmare that was the Shaq trade (Lamar Odom, Curon Butler and Briant Grant for Shaq, the literal .75 cents on the dollar.) However any trade in which that much talent leaves a team that Kobe goes to in return will be vetoed by the Black Mamba. So what should the Lakers do? What they have done all along, make a public announcement that Kobe is going no where until '09 when he can opt out of his contract, and do everything they can to help Kobe win.
Some people will argue that Kobe is too much of a distraction to keep around, I would strongly disagree. When Kobe re-signed before the '04 season Jerry Buss promised him that he would surround Kobe with enough talent to win another championship. In 2004 the Lakers started Chucky Atkins, Bryant, Butler, Odom and Chris Mhim. You would believe that Atkins and Mhim don't play defense because it is against their faith, Butler needed another year to develop and the bench depth was as frail as the starting depth on the court. In 05 and 06 the Lakers rolled out Smush Parker (the first downgrade a team has suffered after starting Atkins) Bryant, Luke Walton, Odom and Kwame Brown (who they traded Butler for in the off season.) Kwame's hands are smaller then mine, and I'm a foot smaller then him, making him next to useless offensively, the young Andrew Bynum and Ronny Turiaf are young, under developed big men and the questions remained at the Point. Bryant is looking around through 3 seasons and realizing that management have actually regressed, not progressed the squad around him. Frustrated by feelings of losing and betrayal Kobe made his move, he spoke out and demanded that if the team wasn't going to hold up their end of the bargain, then maybe it was time for the relationship to end.
Naturally everyone ignored the feelings of betrayal and lies that the Buss family had fed Bryant 3 years before, focusing on the endgame trade demand. Kobe didn't turn around and start complaining after 1 season, he gave them 3, 3 full seasons to show him that they were committed to the promise they made him and they should no good will in that effort. Kobe spoke up and finally the management began to respond. Instead of letting Derek Fisher go to New York or the Clippers, the Lakers took advantage of Fish's family situation (one we hope is resolved and Tatum Fisher returns to full health) to bring Fisher back home to Staples Center. With the point guard depth and leadership solved you would expect the team to try and fix the issues in the front court; instead they focused on trading Kobe.
The rumors and talking radio shows finally got to Jerry Buss, he was sick of being painted as the bad guy in Los Angeles. He's Dr. Jerry Buss, he's brought countless championships to Los Angeles and he is going to have his ego and ability challenge by 1 player? Hardly. Dr. Buss let his ego get the best of him and decided that the situation was all about Kobe leaving, naturally Dr. Buss again missed the point. So what is the point, and what should the Lakers do instead of this dance of death with the leagues most feared talent? Use what they have to get Kobe the on-court help he desires.
Kwame Brown is in a contract year in which his salary is about 8.8 million dollars. As the trade deadline nears, and with the Lakers crowded in the front court, it would make sense to use Brown's expiring contract and Luke Walton's deal to get Josh Smith from Atlanta, a highly talented defender and team player. Atlanta doesn't want to pay Smith what he will be worth when his contract is up and getting the cap space from Browns contract can be appealing. Smith could seriously upgrade the Lakers at the 3 spot and give Bryant the "Scottie Pippen" he desires. With Odom and Turriaf at the 4 and Bynum's improved play backed up by Mhim at the 5, I see this as an improvement. It may not be an ideal option but it's the first step in the right direction, the direction the Lakers should of headed down in June.
e-mail: LASportsblog@gmail.com for more visit www.ArmchairGM.com search user: LASportsblog or www.RootZoo.com search LASportsblog
Since the NBA Finals the only story in the Association bigger then the referee betting scandal are the trade rumors surrounding one Kobe Bean Bryant aka Black Mamba. Pundits have flip flopped non stop for nearly 5 months telling the world first that Kobe is untradable, then he is the only player every team in the league has to make a move for, and again he isn't worth trading for. This week Chad Ford of ESPN.com explored the idea that Kobe isn't the most desirable or talented player in the league. In the article, Ford uses John Hollinger's PER system, as well as another websites plus/minus stats breakdown to support his point. While I appreciate and respect Chad Ford's opinion, I must purpose a caveat, Kobe Bryant is not only the most desirable player in the league, trading him is both impossible and preposterous and the Lakers are not only at fault, but should of been focusing on getting Kobe help all along.
Kobe Bryant posses the Associations only no-trade clause, the most powerful contract weapon a player can have in their business arsenal. If the pieces aren't in place with another team, Kobe would rather stay in Los Angeles where his family is happy. Would it make any sense for him to uproot his whole life to move into the same situation he is currently in while playing for the Lakers? The Lakers brain trust (if you can all these incompetent men that) led by the Owners son, Jim Buss require any other teams major pieces in a trade for Kobe Bryant. Obviously they don't want to repeat the nightmare that was the Shaq trade (Lamar Odom, Curon Butler and Briant Grant for Shaq, the literal .75 cents on the dollar.) However any trade in which that much talent leaves a team that Kobe goes to in return will be vetoed by the Black Mamba. So what should the Lakers do? What they have done all along, make a public announcement that Kobe is going no where until '09 when he can opt out of his contract, and do everything they can to help Kobe win.
Some people will argue that Kobe is too much of a distraction to keep around, I would strongly disagree. When Kobe re-signed before the '04 season Jerry Buss promised him that he would surround Kobe with enough talent to win another championship. In 2004 the Lakers started Chucky Atkins, Bryant, Butler, Odom and Chris Mhim. You would believe that Atkins and Mhim don't play defense because it is against their faith, Butler needed another year to develop and the bench depth was as frail as the starting depth on the court. In 05 and 06 the Lakers rolled out Smush Parker (the first downgrade a team has suffered after starting Atkins) Bryant, Luke Walton, Odom and Kwame Brown (who they traded Butler for in the off season.) Kwame's hands are smaller then mine, and I'm a foot smaller then him, making him next to useless offensively, the young Andrew Bynum and Ronny Turiaf are young, under developed big men and the questions remained at the Point. Bryant is looking around through 3 seasons and realizing that management have actually regressed, not progressed the squad around him. Frustrated by feelings of losing and betrayal Kobe made his move, he spoke out and demanded that if the team wasn't going to hold up their end of the bargain, then maybe it was time for the relationship to end.
Naturally everyone ignored the feelings of betrayal and lies that the Buss family had fed Bryant 3 years before, focusing on the endgame trade demand. Kobe didn't turn around and start complaining after 1 season, he gave them 3, 3 full seasons to show him that they were committed to the promise they made him and they should no good will in that effort. Kobe spoke up and finally the management began to respond. Instead of letting Derek Fisher go to New York or the Clippers, the Lakers took advantage of Fish's family situation (one we hope is resolved and Tatum Fisher returns to full health) to bring Fisher back home to Staples Center. With the point guard depth and leadership solved you would expect the team to try and fix the issues in the front court; instead they focused on trading Kobe.
The rumors and talking radio shows finally got to Jerry Buss, he was sick of being painted as the bad guy in Los Angeles. He's Dr. Jerry Buss, he's brought countless championships to Los Angeles and he is going to have his ego and ability challenge by 1 player? Hardly. Dr. Buss let his ego get the best of him and decided that the situation was all about Kobe leaving, naturally Dr. Buss again missed the point. So what is the point, and what should the Lakers do instead of this dance of death with the leagues most feared talent? Use what they have to get Kobe the on-court help he desires.
Kwame Brown is in a contract year in which his salary is about 8.8 million dollars. As the trade deadline nears, and with the Lakers crowded in the front court, it would make sense to use Brown's expiring contract and Luke Walton's deal to get Josh Smith from Atlanta, a highly talented defender and team player. Atlanta doesn't want to pay Smith what he will be worth when his contract is up and getting the cap space from Browns contract can be appealing. Smith could seriously upgrade the Lakers at the 3 spot and give Bryant the "Scottie Pippen" he desires. With Odom and Turriaf at the 4 and Bynum's improved play backed up by Mhim at the 5, I see this as an improvement. It may not be an ideal option but it's the first step in the right direction, the direction the Lakers should of headed down in June.
e-mail: LASportsblog@gmail.com for more visit www.ArmchairGM.com search user: LASportsblog or www.RootZoo.com search LASportsblog
Brooklyn Born ~ Joe Torre press Conference, Mattingly and Bowa also in.
By: Nate Gordon
(Los Angeles, CA) - I was disappointed Sunday night when I received news that Joe Torre's Dodger Stadium press conference was set for 10 am PST. There would be no way I could be at the stadium to cover the press conference and get to work on time, wasn't going to happen. Lucky for me ESPNews is covering the press conference so I can bring you a running journal of it. So I'll cut the crap and get to the cream:
10:10- Vin Scully opens the press conference with a few statements about Torre:
"...5 times and All Star, Gold Glove winner, MVP and as we all know as a manager 12 consecutive seasons in the playoffs and 4 World Series. So we firmly believe that his day will come when he goes to that pretty little town in Northern New York, called Cooperstown - that'll happen. He embodies all of the values that define the Dodgers at their best, and as someone that has known him for many many years I can't tell you how happy, delighted I am that he'll finally wear the Dodger uniform. It's only right since the roots of the franchise's roots are also his roots, the borough of churches, the borough of Brooklyn So right now to introduce to you a man who's organization has made this bold move and dedicated it really, to the millions and millions of Dodgers fans out there waiting to win again, the Owner and Chairman of the Dodgers, Mr. Frank McCourt."
10:15- McCourt comes to the podium and promises the fans Championships won the Dodger way for years to come and all the other stuff owners say. McCourt is a good owner, a competitive Boston Real Estate developer with deep pockets. My fondness towards McCourt just goes to show contrary to some misconceptions I don't dislike everything Boston, and never have. But I can't do anything about people who are busy being insulted. After gushing over Joe for a couple of minutes McCourt finally introduces him.
Joe - "Wow, this has been wild here, the last two weeks have been a whirlwind for my wife Ally and myself. You say goodbye to one prestigious organization and say hello to another prestigious organization. Growing up in Brooklyn as Vinny was talking about, I might as well get this out real quick okay. I grew up with, 4 brothers and sisters, we had the Giants the Dodgers and the Yankees, we were pretty spoiled in the East. I have managed the Yankees and now I get to manage the Dodgers and I was a Giants fan, and I want to apologize for that now, I want to get that out real quick."
Cute Joe. Get it out of the way like anyone really cares that you were a Giants fan as a kid. Your a Yankee and we would hold that against you first, but your also a winner so that is clearly more important. Torre continued:
10:20 - "...This is one of a handful of organizations that you automatically say yes to or are interested in going to, and I'm not just saying that obviously because we are sitting here today in center field where Willie Davies use to catch everything I hit. Although I did hit one out over there (pointing towards left-center) off of (Don) Sutton one time. So it was okay, yeah. But the fact that when I think of the Dodgers I think of pride, I think of efficiency I think of measuring stick. I've been fortunate as a manager over my years to have a number of ex-Dodgers I had Rube Walker... 8 years with Don Zimmer that I wouldn't wish on anybody. But Zimmer and every single one of them would talk about their Dodger days. Jackie (Robinson) and Pee Wee (Resse) and Duke (Synder) and Gil (Hodges) of course Sandy (Kofax) and Don (Drysdale). It was just ingrained what the Los Angeles Dodgers, previously the Brooklyn Dodgers meant to the game of baseball. You always measured yourself by what the Dodgers did because they did everything right. They dealt with a lot of class that you use to look up to."
Joe continues to talk about how special he thinks the organization is. Telling a story about Tommy Lasorda and another about Vin Scully, both which were amusing, we can thank Torre for making them both short. The press conference rolled along pretty standard from there. Torre talked about getting to know his new team and focusing on putting together a championship product.
Then Torre and 10:30 said something important.
10:30 - "We do have two coaches already in the fold. Larry Bowa and Don Mattingly who follow me from New York We're gonna work hard folks, we're gonna work hard... it's great being here thank you."
Torre then put on the Hat and #6 Dodger jersey that looks slightly awkward at the moment, but will be more then comfortable in short order. Colletti of course appears on the scene for the photo opp. It was a good press conference, a fairly short press conference and the Torre Era has officially begun in Los Angeles.
E-Mail: LASportsblog@gmail.com for more L.A. Sports Blog: www.Armchairgm.com search user: LASportsblog
(Los Angeles, CA) - I was disappointed Sunday night when I received news that Joe Torre's Dodger Stadium press conference was set for 10 am PST. There would be no way I could be at the stadium to cover the press conference and get to work on time, wasn't going to happen. Lucky for me ESPNews is covering the press conference so I can bring you a running journal of it. So I'll cut the crap and get to the cream:
10:10- Vin Scully opens the press conference with a few statements about Torre:
"...5 times and All Star, Gold Glove winner, MVP and as we all know as a manager 12 consecutive seasons in the playoffs and 4 World Series. So we firmly believe that his day will come when he goes to that pretty little town in Northern New York, called Cooperstown - that'll happen. He embodies all of the values that define the Dodgers at their best, and as someone that has known him for many many years I can't tell you how happy, delighted I am that he'll finally wear the Dodger uniform. It's only right since the roots of the franchise's roots are also his roots, the borough of churches, the borough of Brooklyn So right now to introduce to you a man who's organization has made this bold move and dedicated it really, to the millions and millions of Dodgers fans out there waiting to win again, the Owner and Chairman of the Dodgers, Mr. Frank McCourt."
10:15- McCourt comes to the podium and promises the fans Championships won the Dodger way for years to come and all the other stuff owners say. McCourt is a good owner, a competitive Boston Real Estate developer with deep pockets. My fondness towards McCourt just goes to show contrary to some misconceptions I don't dislike everything Boston, and never have. But I can't do anything about people who are busy being insulted. After gushing over Joe for a couple of minutes McCourt finally introduces him.
Joe - "Wow, this has been wild here, the last two weeks have been a whirlwind for my wife Ally and myself. You say goodbye to one prestigious organization and say hello to another prestigious organization. Growing up in Brooklyn as Vinny was talking about, I might as well get this out real quick okay. I grew up with, 4 brothers and sisters, we had the Giants the Dodgers and the Yankees, we were pretty spoiled in the East. I have managed the Yankees and now I get to manage the Dodgers and I was a Giants fan, and I want to apologize for that now, I want to get that out real quick."
Cute Joe. Get it out of the way like anyone really cares that you were a Giants fan as a kid. Your a Yankee and we would hold that against you first, but your also a winner so that is clearly more important. Torre continued:
10:20 - "...This is one of a handful of organizations that you automatically say yes to or are interested in going to, and I'm not just saying that obviously because we are sitting here today in center field where Willie Davies use to catch everything I hit. Although I did hit one out over there (pointing towards left-center) off of (Don) Sutton one time. So it was okay, yeah. But the fact that when I think of the Dodgers I think of pride, I think of efficiency I think of measuring stick. I've been fortunate as a manager over my years to have a number of ex-Dodgers I had Rube Walker... 8 years with Don Zimmer that I wouldn't wish on anybody. But Zimmer and every single one of them would talk about their Dodger days. Jackie (Robinson) and Pee Wee (Resse) and Duke (Synder) and Gil (Hodges) of course Sandy (Kofax) and Don (Drysdale). It was just ingrained what the Los Angeles Dodgers, previously the Brooklyn Dodgers meant to the game of baseball. You always measured yourself by what the Dodgers did because they did everything right. They dealt with a lot of class that you use to look up to."
Joe continues to talk about how special he thinks the organization is. Telling a story about Tommy Lasorda and another about Vin Scully, both which were amusing, we can thank Torre for making them both short. The press conference rolled along pretty standard from there. Torre talked about getting to know his new team and focusing on putting together a championship product.
Then Torre and 10:30 said something important.
10:30 - "We do have two coaches already in the fold. Larry Bowa and Don Mattingly who follow me from New York We're gonna work hard folks, we're gonna work hard... it's great being here thank you."
Torre then put on the Hat and #6 Dodger jersey that looks slightly awkward at the moment, but will be more then comfortable in short order. Colletti of course appears on the scene for the photo opp. It was a good press conference, a fairly short press conference and the Torre Era has officially begun in Los Angeles.
E-Mail: LASportsblog@gmail.com for more L.A. Sports Blog: www.Armchairgm.com search user: LASportsblog
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