Los Angeles' Ashes by Frank McCourt

The remnants of a great organization left to smoulder for an offseason and two of the worst people on the planet preparing to do bloody battle over their riches. The McCourts deserve each other. Jaimie is a uniquely horrible woman. I liken her to Eva Braun, Sarah Palin and Lizzy Borden. Frank is even worse. He's sickeningly rich but constantly cries poor, even before the divorce. I detest that kind of man, forget that kind of owner. I'm talking about his character. For the last two years all the Narcissist needed to do to get his team into a World Series for the first time in over 20 years was to acquire a starting pitcher worthy of being called an ace. He had his opportunities. He simply chose not to spend the money. Now, he has the divorce as a convenient excuse to grip his wallet even tighter. Let's face it. The 2 consecutive NLCS appearances are Frank McCourt's World Series. He cares only about his profits asnd nothing about the 3.6 million who flock to his ballpark like loyal lemmings every season. Meanwhile, he lobbies - yes, lobbies - for philanthropic recognition. All the while, rumors and testimony abound about his trying to pick up on women in the Dugout Club. In my friend's case, he hit on his wife while my friend was standing right there! He's the quintessential outoftowner LA jerk. The best thing that could happen for Dodger fans is if he loses the sole ownership battle and is forced to sell the team to someone who actually wants to win. Even the talking heads on the MLB Network are not so quietly wondering why the Dodger owner did NOTHING to replace the departed Randy Wolf in their rotation and did NOTHING to acquire a corner infielder with pop. Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News have also chimed in with their predictions of Dodger doom in 2010. This year, the year the Dodgers should be rising to the top with their young talent supossedly reaching their potential, will be a throw away year. So will next year. And McCourt and his cronies will cite their NLCS appearances in '08 and '09 as huge victories while the Phillies and other organizations continue to improve and catch and pass the Dodgers. It makes me sick.

So, where will the Dodgers finish in 2010? So many ifs have to go right for this team to repeat as Western Division Champs. In my opinion, all of these ifs MUST become reality:

1) IF Clayton Kershaw becomes the bona fide ace he's supposed to become and has a Cy Young type of year.
2) IF Chad Billingsley becomes the bona fide ace hes supposed to become and has a Cy Young type of year.
3) IF Vicente Padilla can have a solid full season and win 15 games
4) IF Manny Ramirez can regain most of his 2008 form.
5) IF Andre Ethier can repeat or improve on the great year he had in '09.
6) IF Matt Kemp emerges as the superstar he's supoosed to become
7) IF James Loney can get his head out of his butt and focus, improve his average and hit some damn home runs
8) IF Rafael Furcal can make the damn plays and get on base. (Not looking too good thus far in the Cactus League. Look for Dee Gordon or Ivan De Jesus to get an early call-up)
9) IF Russell Martin can drive the ball again, hit to all fields, keep his head in the game and not stink
10) IF Jonathan Broxton can overcome his deer in the headlights mentality and go after people, like, for instance Matt Stairs?
11) IF their bullpen can repeat last year's performance
12) IF they can remain virtually injury-free
13) IF their cheapskate owner will get the arm or arms they need by the trade deadline.

Look, the Dodgers didn't win last year and they have essentially the same team. There's no reason to believe, as other teams improved, that they can do BETTER than in previous years. That would be assuming way too much about the players they have. I think they'll falter right from the gate. I think, as the season unfolds, Manny will be a distraction and, his skills diminished, will be gone by 7/31 for warmer climes in the AL DH market. The Rockies have excellent starting pitching, more resolve and a strong lineup. The Giants have Lincecum and Cain and a much improved lineup. The D Backs have Edwin Jackson and Connor Jackson back. If Brandon Webb can pitch again along with fulls seasons from Miguel Montero and a scary Justin Upton, I think they can also be a force. I just don't think the Dodgers will have the pitching necessary to stay in contention. So, here it is:

1) Rockies
2) Giants
3) D Backs
4) Dodgers
5) Padres

Thanks a lot, Frank. You're a real civic treasure.