Dodgers can ignore economy as long as fans keep pouring in

December 4, 2008

The Team Marketing Report, which tracks the costs of attending baseball games with information provided by most teams, says it cost a family of four last season $229.14 to attend a Dodgers game.

Recent columns

• Sun never sets on Tom Lasorda's empire

  December 3, 2008

  The mother-in-law died a few days ago, the funeral in Chicago and lots of snow.

• Kevin Craft shows painful perseverance for UCLA

  November 29, 2008

  He just turned 23 a month ago, and so maybe he's not a kid, but this is still a college experience.

• Giving thanks for Miranda, heaven's newest soccer star

  November 26, 2008

  We've got Thanksgiving this week, but no big deal, I give thanks every day of my life that I don't live in Angryville.

• Dodgers are perfecting the art of raking in cash

  November 25, 2008

  Two weeks' vacation, and I'm in Vegas at one point, winning 10 free spins in the Elephant Graveyard, almost as good as it gets on the one-cent slots at the Monte Carlo, raking in $26.24 to double my 401(k) at the paper.

• Dodgers would make Barnum proud on so Manny levels

  November 9, 2008

  There's a sucker born every minute, and Frank McCourt is counting on that so he can continue to fill Dodger Stadium.

• When it comes to class, Garret Anderson could teach Jeff Kent

  November 6, 2008

  I spent four years trying to understand Jeff Kent, so many trying and aggravating chats before making a breakthrough here and there.

• With Clippers and Bruins, you have no choice but to believe

  November 4, 2008

  Preacher Rick, UCLA's football cheerleader, said Monday, and frankly I'm shocked, that Oregon State's Mike Riley out coached Uncle Pete earlier this season.

• For ex-USC tailback Anthony Davis, it is now cash-and-carry

  November 2, 2008

  Here I am, wondering why I'm at this pig roast, USC about to slaughter the worst team in the nation, and it's not Stanford, so nothing can go wrong.

• Gap between the Lakers and Clippers keeps widening

  October 30, 2008

  The Champs versus the chumps.

• Just give the Lakers the title now

  October 29, 2008

  I just watched the Lakers play and I'm already worried about next season's opening night.

• When it comes to horsing around, Joe Torre's kid beats pops

  October 26, 2008

  I'm sure the kid goes to school, and it was a Saturday, but as good a horse racing handicapper as 12-year-old Andrea Torre proved to be, they might be breaking ground today on a new wing at Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA.

• Joe Torre has the magic touch in Breeders' Cup

  October 25, 2008

  I was having this discussion with Abby Cadabby, and frankly, it wasn't going well.

• Joe Torre couldn't help Dodgers' kids, but can help these kids

  October 24, 2008

  Breeders' Cup Charities wants to give the kids on the cancer ward at Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA $50,000 this weekend, so long as Dodger Manager Joe Torre knows what he's doing.

• Clippers are final downer on a washout of a day

  October 22, 2008

  I find myself at a Clippers game. A preseason Clippers game after spending six wasted hours at Santa Anita with Dwyre, the day absolutely perfect if only the Kings had a morning skate or the wife needed company while shopping for new towels.

• Bruins not coming up roses, but a flower may be in their future

  October 19, 2008

  Just think, if Joe Torre doesn't over-manage, I'm sitting in Angryville on Saturday for Game 7 wearing a disguise instead of being in the Rose Bowl to witness UCLA's bold bid to play in the Poinsettia Bowl.

• Manny Ramirez made the Dodgers important again

  October 16, 2008

  The Dodgers are finished two weeks ago, Jose Lima still standing as the team's postseason hero over the last 20 years, if it isn't for Manny Ramirez.

• Second-guessing of Joe Torre begins

  October 14, 2008

  At times like these, it's hard not to sound like a Steinbrenner.

• Manny Ramirez a team leader? It's not such a despicable thought

  October 13, 2008

  It's just despicable what Manny Ramirez is doing to baseball.

• Dodgers will still give it their best shot

  October 11, 2008

  PHILADELPHIA -- If it felt like an eternity Friday hanging in there with the Dodgers through yet another playoff loss, what must it have been like for Sandy Koufax, who was sitting beside the Screaming Meanie the whole time?

• Phillies could ruin must-see TV if this keeps up

  October 10, 2008

  PHILADELPHIA -- If this keeps up, it's going to ruin must-see TV, nobody other than the mopes who live here hanging in there for another round of "Frank TV" commercials -- if it's not the Red Sox and Dodgers.

• Phillies fans: 10,000 reasons to be bitter

  October 8, 2008

  You spend any time in this dingy city and around these folks, and pit bulls running wild come to mind.

• Manny Ramirez is still the life of the party

  October 7, 2008

  MANNYWOOD -- He tapes a message from a fortune cookie above his Dodgers locker: "Don't look back -- Always look ahead."

• Win with Joe Torre; wait with Mike Scioscia

  October 5, 2008

  Good thing Mike Scioscia isn't managing the Dodgers as they bathe again in champagne -- hopefully careful not to wash away any of the magic dust.

• The Cubs are coming apart like a cheap book

  October 3, 2008

  The fans here sat quietly through Game 1, as if posing for a painting in Wrigley Field, while the Cubs played dead.

• Derek Lowe's win is monumental

  October 2, 2008

  He wins the game, enhancing his reputation as a big-game pitcher and setting himself up for a big contract as a free agent, and the first thing out of Derek Lowe's mouth: "I want a statue like Lima.

• Belushi isn't a Dodger blue brother

  October 1, 2008

  CHICAGO -- I'm waiting for luggage at O'Hare with Jim Belushi. We're both going to be at Wrigley Field tonight.

• Bad in Boston, Manny Ramirez has been no Dodger dog

  September 28, 2008

  SAN FRANCISCO -- For the last two months he has been the difference maker for the playoff-bound Dodgers as both hitter and clubhouse goof.

• Dodgers hope Derek Lowe will be Mr. October

  September 27, 2008

  SAN FRANCISCO -- Derek Lowe!

• Dodgers' Joe Torre finally is able to let emotions take over

  September 26, 2008

  Coming out of the mouth of the unflappable one, it just sounds so funny. "I'm a mess," Joe Torre says.

• Manny Ramirez is MVP: most valuable pledger

  September 25, 2008

  He's not only made an incredible impact on the Dodgers, getting MVP consideration after only 50 games, but consider what Manny Ramirez has meant to the kids at Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA.

• True-blue Dodgers fan still going strong

  September 24, 2008

  Frank & Jamie McCourt like to talk about Dodgers fans like they really know them, and yet they've never met Mrs. Williams, as corny as it is, the heart and soul of what the Dodgers experience is all about.

• UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel fails his most important test of the season

  September 23, 2008

  Tough times at UCLA these days. The way the school has it set up, the sports information director can see the media arriving from his window, and so spotting Page 2 on Monday he got up and closed his door.

• Rescuing the Dodgers even on wounded knee

  September 21, 2008

  I mention to Jeff Kent that I'm going to have knee surgery, and next thing I know he's having knee surgery. Sympathy surgery -- I had no idea we were that close.

• From opposite ends, a tale of two city teams

  September 14, 2008

  What's the first thing that crossed your mind after watching the way USC manhandled Ohio State?

• Dodgers are spooked by bold prediction

  September 11, 2008

  SAN DIEGO -- As a columnist, most of the time you've got everyone telling you how negative you are.

• Dodgers' golden voice deserves a bronze statue

  September 10, 2008

  The idea came in an e-mail, then became Tuesday's Last Word, someone asking, why not a statue of Vin Scully at Dodger Stadium?

• San Diego is a town filled with losers

  September 9, 2008

  DINKY TOWN DOWN SOUTH -- What a treat for the small-town losers in San Diego, the local yokels saddled with bad football and baseball teams again, but catching a break finally and getting a glimpse of the Los Angeles Dodgers as they move toward yet another World Series title.

• Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez is serious when he has to be

  September 7, 2008

  Manny Ramirez holds up his glove before the game. "It's illegal," he says.

• This win is simply par for the course

  September 6, 2008

  Big, big series, and they certainly don't have those around here very often.

• It's a no-brainer, Dodgers' Ned Colletti is baseball's best general manager

  September 3, 2008

  Sat down with Ned Colletti before Tuesday's Dodgers game to discuss the details of his acceptance speech once he's officially named Major League Baseball's executive of the year.

• There won't be a party if this is Jeff Kent's farewell

  September 2, 2008

  Jeff Kent is scheduled to undergo surgery on his left knee this morning and spend the next few weeks listening to Scully.

• USC's Pete Carroll teaches another lesson

  August 31, 2008

  CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- I'm here in the Commonwealth with Uncle Pete, and right from the start it's obvious this isn't going to be a fair fight.

• The joke is on Dodgers' owners Frank and Jamie McCourt

  August 29, 2008

  The letter to all Dodgers season-ticket holders is signed by well-known comedians Frank & Jamie McCourtFrank & Jamie McCourt.

• Jose Lima should inspire the Dodgers

  August 27, 2008

  They have these marble statues of saints in the Vatican, and the folks who visit like to kiss their feet.

• The gag's on Dodgers if they don't make playoffs

  August 26, 2008

  PHILADELPHIA -- I'm worried about Joe Torre.

• USC's Pete Carroll really sticks to it

  August 24, 2008

  Sorry to report things went so poorly at USC's practice Saturday.

• There continue to be surprises from Dodgers' Manny Ramirez

  August 21, 2008

  Can't shake the guy.

• Jeff Kent tries to remove foot from his cheek

  August 20, 2008

  I apologize.

• This is one fight Jeff Kent isn't going to win

  August 17, 2008

  He's been cantankerous all week -- like that's different than any other week, but he's really been Jeff Kent ornery and then some -- peeved at anyone who might suggest he's doing better because Manny Ramirez is hitting behind him in the lineup.

• These could be the unkindest cuts of all for Dodgers

  August 12, 2008

  Twenty-two home games remaining, the Phillies are in town, and these are hairy times for the Dodgers.

• Dodgers can't even handle the Giants, which doesn't bode well

  August 11, 2008

  SAN FRANCISCO -- Bow-wow.

• Some Dodgers news to help Mike get well

  August 10, 2008

  Just got word that Mike Yoshizaki, an avid Dodgers fan, which already suggests he has problems, is in the USC University Hospital.

• Ramirez is a big hit with his generosity

  August 9, 2008

  Another home run, and the guy is amazing. He makes every play, and the Dodgers are so much better with him on the field.

• The fund's just getting started with Dodgers

  August 8, 2008

  ST. LOUIS -- It's Thursday, and Manny Ramirez hasn't gone near a barber, Joe Torre already asking Page 2 to write down the address of Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA so he will know where to send his donation once Monday's haircut deadline has passed.

• In a sorry season, Dodgers' Jones is sorry for things he said

  August 7, 2008

  ST. LOUIS -- Ah, just like the good old days with Kobe taking all the shots, everyone else a bum and the Lakers losing.

• Giving the masses what they want: Lakers hype

  February 27, 2008

  The last few days much of the e-mail has been the same, but written the best in concise exasperation by Dustin Knackstedt: "The Lakers are No. 1 in the Western Conference and you are writing about NASCAR?"

• The Party's Already Over for an Old School Buddy

  November 17, 2005

  Here's what we know so far about the new Dodger general manager.