MLB Commissioner Bud Selig's decision to assume control of the Dodgers was a "move that was as stunning as it was necessary, a franchise that was once baseball's model of ownership stability being stripped of its ownership because baseball no longer trusts" Frank McCourt, according to Bill Plaschke of the L.A. TIMES. Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire said, "Given the history of the Dodger organization, this is absolutely shocking." Dodgers coach Davey Lopes, who played for the team from '72-81, said, "You would never think that something like this would happen here" (L.A. TIMES, 4/21). ESPN L.A.'s Ramona Shelburne writes, "It's hard to fully explain how the public contempt for the McCourts reached such a low point, how and why the feelings became so personal and raw. In the past few years, everything negative seemed to stick to Frank McCourt." As the details of Frank and Jamie McCourt's "extravagant lifestyle" were revealed in their contentious divorce trial, the couple "became synonymous with arrogance, greed and corporate excess in the minds of many Los Angeles residents." The "damage they did to the reputation of a proud Dodgers franchise was something many fans could not forgive" (ESPNLA.com, 4/21). ESPN L.A.'s Jon Weisman wrote Dodgers fans "have been wandering through a desert of uncertainty and dismay for well more than a year since the McCourts' marital strife put control of the team in limbo." The attack on a Giants fan in the Dodger Stadium parking lot on Opening Day amplified the "fear that with McCourt in charge, there might be no bottom" (ESPNLA.com, 4/20). In Boston, Nick Cafardo writes, "All in all, it was one of the saddest days in Dodgers history. The McCourts moved to Hollywood from Boston to pursue their dream of owning one of the most recognized sports teams in the world. But Hollywood was the worst thing that ever happened to the McCourts" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/21).
SHOCKED BY DECISION: ESPN's Tim Kurkjian said he was "shocked" by Selig's decision, saying, "Everyone in baseball knew what a mess the Dodgers are in and this shows it even more." Kurkjian: "But when Major League Baseball has to come in and say, 'We are taking over your franchise,' it speaks to just how poorly this team has been run by Frank McCourt and how devastating the McCourt divorce was on the running of this team" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 4/20). ESPN's Mike Greenberg said, "One of the proudest franchises in all of American sports is now a complete embarrassment. No other way to put it -- a complete laughingstock, a disaster from a financial perspective of overwhelming proportion" ("Mike & Mike in the Morning," ESPN Radio, 4/21). SI's Jon Heyman said, "The evidence is pretty clear that he cannot afford the team on his own. I think MLB is hoping that it becomes clear to him, that he runs out of money, that people stop lending him money and he just goes away. I think that would be the easiest route" ("The Dan Patrick Show," 4/21).
POSITIVE REACTION: In California, Jim Alexander notes Selig's decision yesterday was "wildly popular with a fan base that lit up talk shows and kept Twitter buzzing all day" (Riverside PRESS-ENTERPRISE, 4/21). Also in California, Earl Bloom wrote, "About the only way this news could be better to me would be if Peter O'Malley had regained ownership" (OCREGISTER.com, 4/20). SPORTING NEWS' Anthony Witrado writes under the header, "Selig Did Right Thing In Pulling Plug On McCourt" (SPORTING NEWS TODAY, 4/21). CBSSPORTS.com's Scott Miller wrote under the header, "McCourt's Ouster Can't Come Soon Enough" (CBSSPORTS.com, 4/20).
UNPRECEDENTED STEP: In L.A., Wharton & Shaikin note MLB is "not accustomed to the commissioner taking such bold action against one of its owners." Even the "controversial Marge Schott, accused of making racially and ethnically offensive statements when she owned the Cincinnati Reds through the 1990s, was able to retain ownership after negotiating a one-year ban and a $25,000 fine" (L.A. TIMES, 4/21). ESPN.com's David Schoenfield wrote, "This situation -- along with the Mets crisis with the Wilpons -- will be one of the defining legacies of Selig's tenure as commissioner" (ESPN.com, 4/20). The GLOBE & MAIL's Jeff Blair writes under the header, "Dodgers' Fate A New Challenge To Bud Selig's Legacy" (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/21).
