Friday, May 18, 2012

Kershaw Takes Lead Role Demonstrating Dodgers' Family Values

Really cool snippet from Buster Olney on that whole episode involving new Dodgers owner Stan Kasten, and how he delivered Magic Johnson-signed jerseys to each player's locker to underline the value of autographs to fans. Turns out, when he then came back Sunday to enlist volunteers, Clayton Kershaw stepped up on his own (link insider only):

Dodgers players have exercised gallows humor in recent years, as former owner Frank McCourt's ugly financial situation manifested itself in organizational cutbacks. "I don't write any checks," one player said privately last summer, "until I know for sure that my paycheck has cleared."

But times have changed quickly. The Los Angeles Dodgers have new ownership, they are in first place, and this is a time of renewed commitment -- the organization to the players and vice versa.

The family room at Dodger Stadium has already been renovated, and there are more changes to come to make the players more comfortable.

Stan Kasten, the new team president, met with the players recently and provided each of them with two jerseys signed by Magic Johnson -- one personalized to the player, and the other to be used for the player's favorite charity. And Kasten told the players that the Dodgers needed them to be part of the organization's effort to touch the community.

What Kasten said, in so many words, was this: A few minutes ago, your faces lit up when I gave you that autographed Magic Johnson jersey -- and that's exactly the reaction that our fans have when they get something from each of you.

On Sunday, Kasten asked four members of the team to go to a gate at Dodger Stadium as fans came through the turnstiles; a fifth player, Clayton Kershaw, also volunteered. After they finished, pitcher Aaron Harang approached Kasten and told him how much he enjoyed it and how he had thought about what Kasten had said about their possible impact on fans.

The response to this new era in the Dodgers' history, Kasten said, "has been phenomenal."

I didn't know that part of the story. If Olney's account is true, both for Kershaw as well as Harang, that's super-cool. Nice to see Kasten breeding chemistry and camaraderie.

10 comments:

Fred's Brim said...

Good stuff! Keep it up, Blue!

Dusty Baker said...

That's our Clay!

MeanieBreanie said...

Love the positive upswing on many different levels.

DodgersKingsoftheGalaxy said...

Don't you guys ever sleep!?

Dusty Baker said...

No sleep til Brooklyn!

Franklin Stubbs said...

Sleep is for the weak.

MR.F said...

Yay!

Alex Cora said...

That is awesome. Great job Stan the Man!

ubragg said...

That is a great story. It really makes me feel proud to be a Dodgers fan, and even more excited about the future of the team and its new ownership. Thanks for sharing, Sax!

Dusty Baker said...

Well said UB. Completely agree.

Cc: Dodgers front office