Interesting Tidbits

Written by: Brandon Wahl on 20th March 2009

Interesting Tidbits | read this item

Check out this stupidity, originally posted by Rob at 6-4-2…

Manny Ramirez’s presence will be felt long after his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers ends. The slugger’s recent signing has inspired the club to institute a so-called “Ramirez provision” in all of its future contracts.

Players signing with the team will be required to donate a portion of their salary to the Dodgers Dream Foundation, team owner Frank McCourt said Thursday.

“Every future Dodger will be asked to fill in a blank line,” he said in remarks to Town Hall Los Angeles. “They’re making a lot of money, these players. We won’t tell them how much to contribute, that wouldn’t be right.”

It’s not right to TELL them to do it either, Frank. Several players are already heavily involved in their own charities (Matt Kemp, for example with Talk About Curing Autism) and shouldn’t feel obligated to extend themselves any further. The Dodgers are asking for a player’s full-fledged commitment to the organization, yet not committing fully to that player themselves. Whatever amount the player donates to the Dodgers Dream Foundation, the Dodgers should the donate the same amount to said player’s charity as well. That’s a full-fledged commitment.

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Frank McCourt has decided not to help fund the Dodger Trolley for the 2009 season. From Bill Shaikin…

The Dodgers will not cover the cost of shuttle service from Union Station to Dodger Stadium, team owner Frank McCourt said Thursday, portraying the issue as a small part of a public transit puzzle McCourt expects local government to solve.

The Dodgers and the City of Los Angeles launched a pilot shuttle program during the second half of last season, with the so-called “Dodger Trolley” attracting an average of 704 riders per game, according to city documents. The city covered the $150,000 cost, enabling fans to ride at no charge.

Let’s do the math…

$150,000 Trolley Operating Cost

$364,500 Parking Revenue Lost in 2009 (roughly 300 cars @ $15 per car for 81 games)

TOTAL: $514,500 the Dodgers would have to cover for the Trolley to operate in 2009.

Clearly Frank McCourt won’t cover that cost. After all, he’s got Andruw Jones’ 2015 salary to pay.

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And speaking of full-fledged commitments, check out Hiroki Kuroda’s recent comments on skipping the WBC…

“I’m a Dodger. I’m not a member of the Japan team…my soul and body is for the Dodgers.”

Amen, brother. Me too.

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Val says:

March 20, 2009 at 4:41 pm

I wish we have an owner is very passionate with the team: Dodgers, not baseball itself…
The MC says:

March 20, 2009 at 6:09 pm

Wow…I agree with this post VERBATIM.