A Dodger Fan Betrayed: Love, Hate And Divorce (Mc)Court

I received a lovely comment from Dodger fan Deborah Gaynor, who took exception to my whining about the current state of the Dodgers. The following is her comment along with my response.

Wow Phil. I don't know what to say about your article. Oops, yes, I do know what to say. I believe that you are located right where you are supposed to be, and I believe you bleed a color, but it's not Blue—not 'True Blue.' Granted, we are in transition, and I'll give you the points that True Blue fans feel like collateral damage of an ugly divorce; but a True Blue Fan would not give in to such acrimony as you are posting—but certainly a non-Dodger fan would. We do have a serious issue with our offense, and our bullpen is overworked and perhaps not made of tempered steel as in years past, but we still have an few trump cards that nobody else in the NL West has—first and foremost—Joe Torre. And for the True Blue Fan, "Don't Stop Believin" becomes the battlecry, to become the 10th man, to rally their team who is tired, bewildered, and frustrated—to help them turn the tide. So you can keep your broom for this last series; give the victor his due—have a good crow. We have two series left and the series is tied 6-6. We'll see who the "True Victor" is on Sept. 16. And please refrain from writing what is in the heart of a "True Dodger Fan."

 

My response: Deborah, First, let me thank you for your insightful comment in regard to my little article. It's nice to hear from someone who truly loves the Dodgers. But, please allow me to respectfully take issue with your assessment of my "fandom". 

I would suggest that only one who truly loves the team could write about the betrayal they feel with any entitlement. I wouldn't accept such comments from a Giants fan about Our Bums. But, it's family, and I need to vent. 

As a little history, I attended my first game, as so many American kids do, with my Dad at the Los Angeles Coliseum. I sat in the spanking-new Dodger Stadium and chanted, "Go! Go! Go!" when Maury Wills got on base. I am a card-carrying member of the "Tom Paciorek Marching and Chowder Society." I've watched players from Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale to Fernando, Garvey, and Mike Piazza. I went to sleep on summer nights with a transistor radio under my pillow so I could hear Vinnie calling that evening's game. I've been a fan for as long as Tommy Lasorda's been bleeding. I've lived and breathed this team for fifty years. And, unfortunately, I know when we're being hosed. And the McCourts are hosing us. 

It's admirable that you believe that good will win out and that the Dodgers will get it together and make it to the playoffs. But, for the reasons you've stated yourself (serious issues with the offense, etc.), there's a lot to feel cynical about. 

It's difficult to watch this proud franchise hamstrung by a petty marital squabble. Over the course of the past year, while knowing all along that we desperately needed starting pitching, we've watched Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Roy Oswalt go to teams willing to do what it takes to contend. The Texas Rangers are in bankruptcy and THEY made meaningful moves over the past few weeks. The Dodgers, with a long tradition of stringing together seasons of three million-plus in attendance and residing in the second largest TV market in the country with the most populous region to draw from are outspent by the Minnesota Twins. 

It's enough to make a true Dodger fan feel let down. 

I hope you end up being right. I hope Ethier, Kemp, Loney, and Martin hit the hide off the ball the rest of the way. I hope Ted Lilly hangs nothing but zeroes on the scoreboard all the way through the playoffs. If that happens, and I really hope it does, it won't be because of McCourt's efforts or desire to win. It will be in spite of him.