MLB Wants Dodgers to be on Sale

September 29th, 2011

 

Uncertainty is plaguing the Los Angeles Dodgers now. MLB is now looking for the team to be on sale. This is a cumulative effect of many problems that the team owner Frank McCourt has been having on the financial front. The Major League Baseball’s attorneys asked the Delaware bankruptcy judge to make way for the teams sale. The League has put the blame on McCourts destructive tactics.

Team vs League

As everyone and their uncle know, Frank McCourt has encountered some financial problems and has taken some decisions without a consultation with the League. This could have serious effects on the team’s future and existence in the League.

It is alleged that he has used the team’s Chapter 11 case to lighten the burden of his financial problems. He has stripped the team of its revenue sources. The last nail on the coffin was when he sought to auction off the team’s television rights without the league’s approval. If this has gone ahead the team’s finances would have reached a dead-end. It would be topped off by a sure expulsion from the League.

The league’s Attorneys however put an end to the sale of television rights and came up with the solution of selling the team as this could solve many issues without affecting the team’s existence.  Frank McCourt could get a part of the sale and the team will have some benefits also.

However, the proposed sale could bring other problems in its wake. For instance, the contract between the Dodgers and Fox sports will be breached if the sale happens.

Now it has also become a clash between the Dodgers and the League regarding the television rights auction. The questions that need to be answered is whether is it possible to change the League’s constitution to deal with bankruptcy issues. Anyway, let us wait until Oct 12 for the hearing that is the crucial decider.

 

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Frank McCourt in even more trouble

September 22nd, 2011

Could it get any worse for baseball? And it definitely isn’t getting any better for Frank McCourt. The number of those who are backing Frank McCourt is fast dwindling. The first partner to back McCourt was Fox and possibly the last too. Fox had sold him Dodgers and financed almost half of the purchase. It also advanced him $25 million to bail him out of trouble, not to forget a $30 million personal loan and to top it all up, a $3 billion TV rights offer to help him keep the team.

And McCourt does not seem to be welling up in gratitude.

Look at this. Fox has the TV rights deal now and it runs for another 2 years. The contract that Fox has drawn up with McCourt also specifies a 45 day window next year to exclusively renegotiate the next contract. But McCourt wants money NOW and he has approached the court to void the Dodgers’ existing contract with Fox and also approve him to resell TV rights this fall. He also wants the rights to be auctioned off if he is unable to reach an agreement with Fox.

It doesn’t look like McCourt is going to have any partners to rely on in the future, looking at how he is shafting Fox, which had supported him through all the bleak years. But then McCourt is known for his financial blunders, this should not be too surprising.

This is a completely desperate move, there is no doubt about that. Fox aren’t going to sit tight, are they? They will sue for damages if Dodgers exit the contract prematurely.

Also it is not easy to feel sympathetic towards Fox which has foisted McCourt on Dodgers from the very beginning. But the days of mutual support by McCourt and Fox are over.

 

 

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Top 5 Baseball Players of All Time

September 15th, 2011

Baseball is the national pastime of America and it has always been that way since 1800 when the game started. Here is a list of some of the best ball players of all times.

1. Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth is No.1 on everyone’s list. He was not only the greatest hitter of all time, but he was also an excellent pitcher. Babe Ruth was all American and so was his baseball.

2. Ty Cobb

Ty Cobb is not as popular as Babe Ruth, but he is one of the best baseball players in the history of the game. Ty had once held the record for the most career stolen bases. Ty Cobb had a great attitude and was an outstanding hitter and runner. He was cocky and consistently earned the right to cockiness by sheer display of brilliance on the diamond.

3. Willie Mays

Willie Mays is a 24 time All Star and has hit more than 50 HR in 11 years consecutively, a record that no one else has ever accomplished. Mays has all the 5 necessary skills for baseball – high average, high power, great running, excellent throwing arm and outstanding defensive outfielding.

4. Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle is probably one of the greatest switch hitters of all time. Mantle still holds the career record for the most homeruns by a switch hitter. Mantle also had a great throwing arm and made diving catches.

5. Lou Gehrig

Lou was one of the best power hitters in the history of the game, hitting more than 500 home runs in his short career. He also rarely let a ball get past him at first base. Gehrig would have crossed the 600 homerun mark if he had not contracted the fatal disease that was named after him.

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Top 5 Child Friendly Major League Baseball Stadiums

September 8th, 2011

When you take kids to baseball, you have to consider many things such as availability of concession stands, entertainment in between innings, play areas and bathrooms. Based on reviews by fans and sports critics, these 5 are some of the best kid friendly baseball parks in America.

5) Texas Rangers: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington

You may be surprised to see this stadium in the kid-friendly list, but don’t be. Barring the recent tragic events that happened at the Texas Rangers Ballpark, it has one of the most family friendly environments of all MLB ballparks. With strategically place 20 men’s and 20 women’s restrooms throughout the stadium, parents do not have to worry about restroom breaks even in the middle of the game. The Texas Rangers Ballpark also has souvenir and food stands throughout the park.

4) Milwaukee Brewers: Miller Park

Milwaukee Brewers Miller Park has some serious entertainment on offer. Bernie the Brewer has Bernie’s clubhouse, Bernie’s dugout kid’s slides, fast pitch, hit a home run and race to first base entertainments. Miller Park also has several food and souvenir stands throughout the park. There are five family restrooms and also several men’s and women’s restrooms.

3) St. Louis Cardinals: Busch Stadium

The Family Pavilion at St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium has many features that are quite attractive to young kids and their parents. There are attractions such as a 2K Sports Zone, fast pitch and batting cages. And of course there are souvenir and food stands. Additionally, the Busch Stadium also has a Build-a-Bear shop which is a huge hit with the kids. There are 13 family restrooms scattered throughout the stadium.

2) Houston Astros: Minute Maid Park

The Houston Astros Minute Maid Park has a “Family Sundays” promotion on their schedule. The Family Sundays events include attractions for kids such as giant slides, inflatable games and sea of balls. Wii, MLB 2K Sports, wax hands, balloon artists and face painters are also seen during the Family Sundays. If your kids want a photograph with the Astros mascots, there is a provision for that too. Restrooms are scattered throughout the park, so you don’t have to wait in never-ending lines.

1) Los Angeles Angels: Angels Stadium

The Los Angeles Angels are owned by Disney, is it possible for Disney to not think about kids when they build a stadium? At the Los Angeles Angels stadium, kids have a kids’ area, Family Zone, Halo Toss and speed pitch for entertainment. Kiosks, souvenir shops and merchandise shops are spread throughout the stadium. Food is available aplenty and so are the restrooms.

So when you think about taking kids to baseball, get your tickets for any of these stadiums.

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Andre Ethier’s Grand Slam Wins the Game for Dodgers

September 1st, 2011

Andre Ethier, with his grand slam, sealed the San Diego Padres fate. Dodgers won 8-5. Ethier had been having some trouble with his right knee for a few days now, but one thing is clear, his knee still lets him drive the ball with the bases fully loaded. This win is the seventh one for Dodgers in eight games.

Ethier’s grand slam is even sweeter because since May last year, there has been a big controversy on whether he should continue playing on his injured knee. He was 3 for 4 consecutively for the second game on Tuesday night. The grand slam was on the first pitch from Anthony Bass, who was the reliever for Stauffer.

Overall, the Dodgers received 12 walks and it was the most since they had 14 walks in 1999 against the Atlanta Braves.

Kuroda gave a single to Jason Barlett, a double to Guzman, a three run home run to Blanks, and a home run to Orlando Hudson. Still, Kuroda has matched his major league season high that was set last year. Kuroda himself expressed some disappointment that he was not able to pitch as well as he ought to have, considering the kind of run support he had.

Kenley Jansen and Javy Guerra pitched scoreless innings. Jansen has now thrown 3 scoreless innings since he got out of the disabled list in August. Matt Kemp also played brilliantly in the 4th inning.

This season, the Dodgers have scored 520 runs. They also allowed 518. This is the first time that they have had a positive run differential since the second game of the season.

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