Saturday, September 05, 2009

James Loney Needs A Raise

So I stopped by the Top of the Park store Friday over at Dodger Stadium, and I bumped into old friend and long-time SoSG hero James Loney. Dressed in an unassuming yet fashionable short-sleeved shirt, the other fans in the store barely even recognized the quiet Dodger first baseman.

My first thought was, I hope he at least gets a 10% employee discount on all merchandise (I've heard that was one of the clinching deal terms for Manny).

But then I thought, why is James Loney having to work a second job at the Top of the Park store just to make ends meet??? Clearly, $465K in salary doesn't go very far in Los Angeles, else Loney would not have to pick up another shift making sure the Top of the Park store shelves were appropriately stocked with t-shirts and jerseys.

Come on, Frank McCourt, Give James Loney A Raise!!! And, while you're at it, a contract extension.

In all seriousness, though I have had the honor of meeting Loney before, I continue to be impressed at how polite and articulate this young man is. He's a great ambassador for the Dodgers and I am proud to root for him as a fan and SoSG staffer. Thanks for the time you took for a quick conversation today, James, and we'll be looking forward to more back-breaking home runs this post-season.

21 comments:

PenosCabell said...

He sounds like a wonderful guy.

Can he start he hitting soon?

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

Nice shot of Bison jersey in the background. Where's the Loney gear?

Hope Loney can start channeling the nice guy mojo into improved slugging.

Gagne's lucky glasses said...

Cool sighting.

@Dusty - are you trying to battle me for the king of the inanimate objects around here?

Kyle Baker said...

That's where my toothpick is.

Steve Sax said...

Kemp's jersey is up there in the background, but so is Schmidt's...I'm guessing I'll be able to pick up one of these two options cheap around Christmas time.

Care to guess which one?

Anonymous said...
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Jimbo said...

Helen, is that you? I see you're a budding entrepreneur now.

berkowit28 said...

What's that ad doing here?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Eew, ads.

Eric Karros said...

Sax, Orel - let's be sure to discuss Ahemz Inc at our next shareholder meeting. I'm not sure we can afford to pass this one up.

Kyle Baker said...

Interesting take at True Blue LA:

http://www.truebluela.com/2009/9/5/1017228/true-blue-partcipation

Felix Pardalis said...

why is it I only see the word "articulate" used to describe African-Americans?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

@FP - Because our vice president can't shut up.

Unknown said...

The Dodgers need a raise in production from their first baseman.

Eric Karros said...

Is Helen African-American?

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Maybe McCourt is transitioning Loney to his true calling. Because he sure as hell isn't an MLB quality 1B'man.

Kyle Baker said...

Can't wait for the GT...

Orel said...

@Felix "why is it I only see the word 'articulate' used to describe African-Americans?"

To me it's more of a jock thing.

Kyle Baker said...

Exactly, Orel.

Usually jocks can't say their own name, so saying a ball player is articulate separates them from the usual drooling goon, whatever race/ethnicity they may be.

Bayareadfan said...

Wonder what Loney was doing there...do the players have to shop there like the rest of us schlubs?

I would really love Loney to return to 2007 form, it would be the ideal solution and a 4th .900 OPS guy in the lineup changes our team dramatically.

Oh, and he'll get a raise next season being arbitration eligible.

Bayareadfan said...

Great game by James tonight.

He clearly needs to spend more time at the Stadium store.