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This has nothing to do with film, but I must confess that I am a huge Dodgers fan. I grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, a suburb outside of Los Angeles. My father and his father grew up in Pasadena as Dodgers fans.
As a result, I will be a Dodger fan until the day I die. Through thick and thin.
And even Frank McCourt.
I love my team, but Jesus Christ do I hate my team’s owner. For the past year–ever since the divorce proceedings got messy and then the bankruptcy hearings–I’ve wanted to write something on here about Frank McCourt and how much the sins he’s committed against this team make my blood boil.
I could never find the right words… Until this poll-result graphic from an ESPN-LA article inspired me to write this post:
Dear Bud Selig, We Think Frank McCourt is a dickslap. Love, Dodger Fans.
For the first time in four seasons, I didn’t go to a single Dodgers game this year. Even though I lived in Northern California for the past two and a half years, I still made the effort to make it to a game.
This year, though, was my first full season back in Los Angeles. You’d think I’d have gone to at least one game.
Trust me. I would’ve.
I would’ve gone to at least one of Clayton Kershaw’s stellar performances this year. And I would’ve gotten to see Matt Kemp try to win an MVP.
But instead, I decided to stay back and not go. Going to baseball games costs money, and that money would’ve gone straight into McCourt’s pockets. Every $15 dollar parking ticket, every $25 Reserve Level Ticket, every $12.50 beer and $5.50 hot dog I would’ve bought didn’t exist this season because I finally realized where my money was going.
I understand that going to a ball game costs money. I understand that baseball is a business first. But what I don’t understand is the ability for an owner who seems to have no love for the game–someone who doesn’t understand why we’re willing to spend so much goddamn money at a game.
It’s because we love it. And we’ll always love it. We understand that the money we put in will produce a greater work on the field (ostensibly… that’s another long argument, I suppose), not enhance the living conditions of the team’s owner.
It’s tragic, but it happens.
I’d like the next owner of the Dodgers to understand this concept. I’d like for him to understand that the money made isn’t to be spent on anything but the team and its needs–not because it’s personally gainful, but because of a love for the game.
