Local papers rip McCourt for pandering to religious, minority leaders

Frank McCourt is playing the role of martyr to keep the Dodgers, and something has induced local religious and minority leaders to play along with his act. A couple of newspaper bloggers weigh in on this matter.

Gene Maddaus of the LA Weekly:

If patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel, then religion is a close second. The much-loathed Dodger (co-?)owner, Frank McCourt, has already wrapped himself in the flag, trotting out "God Bless America" for the 7th inning stretch. That hasn't gotten people off his case, so now it's time to come to Jesus.

Steve Dilbeck of the LA Times:

Hard to believe these church leaders and minority organizations can be so out of touch with their own people. OK, no it’s not. McCourt has built 12 baseball fields in largely minority areas, which is commendable but hardly reason to be turned into a puppet . . . Stay tuned, though, there are still those who will claim to represent Asian, gay, short people, feminists, the elderly and Justin Bieber fans, yet to be heard from.

See Frank McCourt worship

I bet the twenty pastors never saw this coming.

Photo credit: irish

For more on Frank McCourt's spontaneous flirtation with faith, please click here.

Letter to Bud Selig on behalf of church representatives

A letter signed by twenty Los Angeles area pastors was sent to MLB Commissioner Bud Selig asking him to approve Frank McCourt's $3 billion deal with Fox Television.

"Frank McCourt is a man of conviction, courage and integrity," appeal the pastors. Ok, that's not supposed to make us laugh, is it?

And besides, shouldn't their prayers be directed toward a worthier cause, like the Dodger bullpen? Click here to read the entire letter.

McCourt shoots for divine intervention

Frank McCourt has found religion, but for reasons that are likely less than pure. 

CBS 2 News is reporting that McCourt has asked the faith community to go to bat for him with Bud Selig. At the time of this writing, the news station hasn't posted a link to this story. For the time being, you may enjoy this partial transcription:   

Anchorwoman Pat Harvey: Several local religious leaders have rallied behind McCourt and are sending a message to Major League Baseball. Twenty pastors have signed a 4-page letter asking Major League Baseball to approve the $3 billion TV deal McCourt brokered with Fox Television.

Of course, the pastors are only doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. Then it cuts to this one pastor, John J. Hunter of the First AME Church:

Hunter: We heard his story. Very, very transparent. His pain both personal and his challenges professional. We prayed with him. We're interested in moving the Dodgers and the community forward.

Does the pastor know that his prayers, if answered, would annul the prayers of the entire Dodger fan base? I would hope God's response would be something like this: "Hey Pastor, I hear your prayers and all but what about the million daily requests I get to run the bum out of town? By the way, is that a Rolex you're wearing?"

Not to say that this to date is McCourt's most desperate gimmick to retain ownership of the team, but it ranks up there. If the all-mighty Fox network couldn't persuade Selig to approve the television deal, then it's safe to say that the good pastors got no prayer.