An Opening Day For The Record Books

Clayton Kershaw accomplished something on Opening Day that had not been accomplished since Bob Lemon of the New York Yankees in 1953. He pitched a shutout against the San Francisco Giants and hit the go ahead homerun in the bottom of the eight inning off San Francisco reliever George Kontos to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. It was a blast that cleared the Centerfield fence and was only his second extra base hit in 261 career at bats. The Dodgers added three more in the bottom of the eighth to win 4-0. Kershaw struck out 7, walked none, and threw a very economical 94 pitches. His curveball was off the charts. Is it to early for me to start campaigning for Kershaw for Cy Young/MVP of the National League? Carl Crawford and Mark Ellis led the way with two hits a piece and who needs a bullpen? Magic Johnson was a visible presence at the game and he is the face of the new Dodgers ownership. He was excited at Kershaw's homerun and was all over ESPN's highlights.

The Post All-Satar Break Blues

Losing 3 out of 4 games to start the second half of the season is not exactly how I pictured the Dodgers taking control of the National League West. The Dodgers have even created new and exciting, ESPN-worthy ways to lose. They gave up a stolen base in the ninth inning to tie a game they later lost and then they committed 5 errors the next day to lose again. And they lost to the Padres. The stinking San Diego Padres. Their offense needs help. Getting Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier back hasn't seemed to help. The two biggest internet rumors are going around are the Dodgers going after Ryan Dempster, starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, and Shortstop Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies. I believe they are out of the running for Dempster, the Red Sox have more prospects and a glut of outfielders to offer in a trade, and I can't see the Dodgers trading for Jimmy Rollins. I don't believe he would be a good fit for this team. He is a high salary, aging veteran who is not going to put the Dodgers over the top. That does however seem like Ned Colletti's kind of trade. I hope Magic Johnson has the power of veto.

A New Beginning

It is time for the 2012 season to begin and that is what this season is: A New Beginning. The Dodgers finally have new owners in place as a group headed by Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers for $2 Billion. That is hard to type much less say.

With the ownership question out of the way, I look for the Dodgers to be more active next off season in the free agent market. This years roster has already been set as it was announced the other day that relief pitcher Josh Lindblom and shortstop Justin Sellers nabbed the last two roster spots. Lindblom will probably be sent back to Albuquerque when Ted Lilly comes off the Disabled List on April 14th and the Dodgers need a fifth starter. My man Josh Fields did not make the roster has he really went in the tank the last two or three weeks of Spring Training and his batting average really took a nose dive. Justin Sellers had a solid spring and earned the last infield spot although I do believe Fields offered more versatility and more power off the bench.

Dodgers Potential Ownership Groups Part II

Magic Johnson- Magic Johnson is Los Angeles Sports. After his Hall of Fame Basketball career was cut short, he became an entrepreneur in the Southern California area and he may have the financial backing to pull it off. He would do what needs to be done as an owner to put a winner on the field.

Mark Cuban- He is the most intriguing possibility as an owner. As the owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, he is a fan's owner. He is a visible presence at all of the games, he is very passionate about his team, and he does what it takes to put a winner on the court. There is no doubt in my mind that he will do the same for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is also a visible presence in the Dallas community. I may not agree with everything he says or does but he is all about winning.