Dodgers Brand Slammed

By Daniel Guss

@TheGussReport on Twitter - The Azul is singing the blues these days as it discovers capitalism isn't always a home run.

Dodger Stadium - Photo: California by Choice

Until a few weeks ago, few institutions in Southern California had a stronger brand than the Los Angeles Dodgers, except perhaps the late legend himself, Vin Scully.

But make no mistake, this emotional embrace of the boys in blue is pure one-sided capitalism.  If the Dodgers could get you to buy oxygen, they would.

San Francisco pitcher Juan Marichal (27) swings a bat at Dodgers catcher John Roseboro as Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax, right, tries to break it up on Aug. 22, 1965. (Robert H. Houston / Associated Press)

Yet its brand recently took it on the cabeza like John Roseboro took it from Juan Marichal in '65.

I explain in my latest free column on DanielGuss.Substack.com.   

HOT Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles (and Beyond) Political Machine for Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers Icon (and former National Football League Announcer) Vin Scully gracefully waded into the Controversy over NFL National Anthem Protests during a Pasadena Speaking Engagement ............, and declares that he will NEVER watch another NFL Game, due to the disrespect of our Men and Women in Uniform. 

Video of Vin Scully's news-making response to question regarding NFL National Anthem Protests. 

** Blogger's Notes: For the 59 years that Los Angeles was blessed to have Vin Scully as the VOICE of the Dodgers, RARE was their a moment when the Baseball Hall of Fame Announcer (inducted in 1982), would engage in espousing a viewpoint on a contentious issue, especially political. 

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Generous pensions given for years to public employees by politicians bought and paid for by their unions are at the heart of the fiscal problems local cities and states are having now. For quite some time this issue flew under the radar but taxpayers are getting aware of the near fleecing of public treasuries as we have seen locally in the City of Bell.  Many states are getting tough on these pensions but as noted by the Daily News the City of LA has only taken token steps.  If the Mayor wants to solve the problem, he will have to grow some major cojones.




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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Wednesday

Who needs a week to read a 14 page document? Apparently members of the Los Angeles City Council.  A vote scheduled for Tuesday on legislation regulating medical marijuana dispensaries has been postponed until next week so that Clowncilmembers can study the document prepared by the City Attorney's office.

A  City Council panel led by CM Tony Cardenas says that Mayor Villaraigosa should not control the City's anti-gang programs.  Cardenas points to a lack of transparency from within the Mayor's office and laments the Council having no oversight authority over the programs.  The Mayor's staff denies the charges however Cardenas is suggesting the programs be moved to a new agency independent of the Mayor.

No wonder Brian D'Arcy and the IBEW is pulling out all stops to elect Chris Essel.  A city audit shows that massive pay increases given to DWP employees could bankrupt the utility's pension plan.  With news like that D'Arcy needs every vote he can get to continue to rob the DWP blind.

If Chris Essel is elected to the Clowncil she will find a chilly reception from the District's Neighborhood Council leaders.  Two of them, Lisa Sarkin and Judy Price, respond to and refute several claims Essel made during recent candidate forums.

Big three way race to assume the mantle of Speaker Karen Bass in the State Assembly. Among those jockeying include Kevin DeLeon, Felipe Fuentes and Mayoral primo John Perez.  If chosen, Perez would be the first openly gay member to serve in the leadership role.  The winner will be Perez.

And finally some good news about one of the last class acts remaining in Los Angeles.  The Dodgers announced that Vin Scully will be back for a record 61st season annoucing Dodger games on radio and television.  82 year old Scully - who has already been in the Hall of Fame for thirty years - said in a statement quoted in the LA Times that he was "very excited and optimistic"about next season.