L.A. Times: Streeter: Pleading to the Big Dodger in the Sky (RR)

No, no…Lasorda didn’t die.

Now it is 2008 and Dodger Stadium is less a ballpark than a well-attended graveyard, haunted by the past. In days gone by we could rely on season after season of wonderful baseball. Now we are lucky to get greatness two games in a row.

The new manager? Torre the Yank, the one man everyone thought would be able to bring stability, is so far proving no better than last year’s manager, or the man who steered the Dodgers five years back, or the one who led the team 10 years ago.

Ownership? The McCourts of Boston are fine enough folks, but their moves are too often skittish and uncertain and they’ve yet to convince fans that they’re in this for a whole lot more than self-promotion. The McCourts need a sure hand. Their team needs redemption.

And so, Yahweh of the Sacrifice Fly, in the name of weary Dodgers fans everywhere, please hear this prayer. Please make our team fun to watch again. Give this team, once more, season upon season of line drives and Gold Gloves. Replace their sense of doom and churlishness with quiet calm.