subject: Mlb Tickets- Dodgers Thrive With New Ownership [print this page] The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the most storied franchises in the history of Major League Baseball. When it comes to measuring the success of current franchises in Major League Baseball, only four teams have won the World Series more than the Dodgers' five all-time wins. The New York Yankees have won 27 World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals have won it 11 times, the Boston Red Sox have seven wins to their credit, and the Pittsburgh Pirates have won it all five times. Even though the Dodgers' last World Series win was in 1988, the level of success that the franchise has held ensures that they continue to sell plenty of MLB tickets every season.
Unfortunately, the last few years were more like a Major League soap opera instead of baseball. The level of failure of the now-former Frank McCourt regime turned the franchise into a laughingstock, and talk of the team was about the behind-the-scenes gossip, rather than the team's play on the field. With McCourt's lengthy and costly divorce, it was impacting his investment with the team, leading to him filing for bankruptcy protection of his assets. The team was still able to make their payroll, but it was evident to fans and analysts that McCourt had to go.
On March 28th, 2012, that era was finally over as Frank McCourt agreed to sell the Los Angeles Dodgers to a group led by Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson and baseball executive Stan Kasten for a record-breaking amount of $2 billion. With Johnson's rumored influence in the Dodgers with his statement that he "will be heavily involved" with the Dodgers, it was a breath of fresh air for Dodgers' fans. After all, if things had changed years ago, McCourt would have ended up purchasing the Red Sox instead of the Dodgers. As a real estate executive from Massachusetts, McCourt's failed bid for the Red Sox ended up with John Henry's group purchasing the team and McCourt setting his sights on Los Angeles. No team's fans like to think they were the "second option" for a team owner, and with Johnson being a fixture in Los Angeles, the team has a bright future once again.
The level of talent that exists on the Dodgers' roster ensures that the hands-on support from the front office will translate just as well on the field. The Dodgers signed superstar outfielder Matt Kemp to a long-term contract last offseason, ensuring that the almost-MVP will be spending the next decade wearing Dodger Blue. On top of that, the pitching staff is led by one of the best starting pitchers in baseball. Clayton Kershaw's awards in 2011 are mind-boggling. Not only was he an All-Star for the Dodgers, but he won the National League Cy Young Award, his first Gold Glove Award, the National League (pitching) Triple Crown, leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA.
With Kemp and Kershaw leading the franchise on the field, the Dodgers have two great players they hope will help them win their sixth World Series for the team's fans.
