May 8th, 2012 at 10:47 am 
by Ron Cervenka Much has already been written about the Dodgers 9-1 pounding of the San Francisco Giants on Monday night at Dodger Stadium so there is no need to rehash that, but having been at the Ravine for the game, I was blessed to have witnessed first-hand the changing of the guard from the disgraceful McCourt era to the new and energetic Guggenheim Baseball Management (GBM) group era.
Just as he vowed to do at last week’s press conference, new Dodger president and CEO Stan Kasten was ‘on the concourse’ to greet fans entering the stadium at the Left Field Level entrance. The very first thing that I noticed about Kasten (aside from his 1995 World Series ring) is that he is very approachable and that he loves to talk baseball. He was also very receptive to my suggestion that he needs a new World Series ring.
It was an honor and a pleasure to meet new Dodger president and CEO Stan Kasten, who greeted fans as they entered Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Jon SooHoo)
During batting practice and leading up to the much anticipate pre-game ceremonies, I couldn’t help but notice that there was an electricity in the air; something that has been missing from Dodger Stadium for quite some time. Adding to this excitement was an occasional glimpse of the new Dodger hierarchy mingling about the stadium. But the true excitement came with a short video clip on the Dodger Stadium jumbotron of baseball legend Jackie Robinson and his impact on the game and on the world itself. The moment culminated when new Dodger managing partner Earvin “Magic” Johnson escorted Rachel Robinson and Jackie’s former teammate Don Newcombe to the Dodger Stadium mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, which was caught by Dodger center fielder (and Newcombe’s close friend) Matt Kemp.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Rachel Robinson - No comment needed for this one. (Photo by Jon SooHoo)
As I noted, the Dodgers went on to beat the Giants (badly) and in spite of some sloppy play by both teams (3 errors each), the web gem of the night went to first baseman James Loney, who came on in relief to play first base due to the Giants having started left-hander Barry Zito. With two men on base and two outs in the top half of the 8th inning, Loney (who was also celebrating his 28th birthday) made an impossible diving stop of a hot grounder off the bat of Giants catcher Hector Sanchez. Had the ball gotten past Loney, two runs would have scored and the tying run would have been in scoring position. After gloving the ball and while still sitting on the ground, Loney tossed the ball to Dodger reliever Josh Lindblom covering first place for the game-changing third out.
James Loney makes a diving stop of a hot grounder off the bat of Giants catcher hector Sanchez...
While still on the ground, Loney makes the throw to pitcher Josh Lindblom rushing over to cover first...
Lindblom completes the play to prevent two runs from scoring and putting the potential tying run in scoring position. (Video capture courtesy of KCAL 9 Sports)
While Loney’s dazzling play brought a load cheer from the 43,713 in attendance, it wasn’t the loudest roar of the night – that honor came even before the 8th inning started when, to the tune of the 1965 hit song “Do You Believe in Magic” by the Lovin’ Spoonful, Magic Johnson was shown on the Dodger Stadium jumbotron with fans chanting “Ma-gic… Ma-gic… Ma-gic.”
Magic Johnson acknowledges the chanting Dodger Stadium crowd (Photo by Jon SooHoo)
Did the electricity of the crowd have an impact the Dodger players?
“You felt it. The energy was big, especially when you hear Magic Johnson’s name announced,” said Dodger pitcher and eventual game winner Ted Lilly. “A lot of happy people in L.A. right now.”
“The fans were excited,” Matt Kemp said. “We talked in the clubhouse about how crowded it was for a Monday night game. It really was great to see.”
Don’t think for one second that this changing of the guard isn’t a big deal, it most certainly is. It has given Southern California a new Magic Kingdom.
Posted in 
Cut it out Ron. I have work to do outside and I can’t do it through misty eyes. An extraordinarily well presented post. I can feel the electricity from here.
Do you suppose Rachel made a lasting Dodger impression on Magic when she touched his cheek? Do you suppose Magic had a tear or two in his eyes. There will never be anything more Dodger in this world than Jackie Robinson.
The way to win the fans’ hearts is to be a fan, be accessible, laugh with the fans, shed a tear when they do. Fans will wait for a winner a ways down the road if they feel they are appreciated. Happy fans produce happy players. A happy place produces winners.
Thank you Bluenose Dodger, your comments means a great deal to me. This article felt a bit awkward as I wrote it… so much emotion, so much warmth, so much to say, but I didn’t want to overdo it. But you really nailed it – this was truly a remarkable moment in Dodger history, more than just passing the baton. This was a Resurrection of sorts; it is the re-birth of the Dodger Way, something that we have been painfully without for many years. And at age 90, we may soon lose our closest connection to the great Jackie Robinson through Rachel.
This new owner group just feels right, it feels sincere; and at this stage of our lives, there is a genuine feeling that for the first time in decades, we may very well see another World Series title before… well… you know.
Although the article title is, of course, a play on words from the Disneyland motto, Dodger Stadium could very well once again become “the happiest place on earth” – at least for us life-long Dodger fans.
Thanks again for the kind words.
It was a great night for the team and I couldn’t be happier about our new ownership. I know Earvin wants more than anything to bring back the magic Dodgers of yesteryear. Back to the time when they ruled the N.L. and made frequent visits to the World Series.
Although the team has been doing well in recent years it’s been a long time since we went all the way.
Stan Kasten did well with the Braves not to long ago and I’m hoping his magic rubs off on us.
Ron, great article! I too felt the magic and the electricity through the TV. They did show most of the pregame ceremony, but went to commercial after Don Newcombe threw out the first pitch. Did Rachel Robinson also throw out a first pitch?
I was very happy Rachel Robinson was there. She connects Brooklyn to LA and reminds us of Jackie’s nine treasured values: courage, excellence, persistence, justice, teamwork, commitment, citizenship, determination and integrity. For me that’s what the Dodger way means. I am really very ecstatic when I think about the direction this new ownership can take the Dodgers. I feel we can go to heights we never achieved before, maybe even surpassing what the O’Malley’s accomplished.
Great article, 53!! As I pointed out on the forum, I think you made the LA Times… again.
It was cool to see Jackie honored last night and to have Rachel close by. Newcombe looked great. It was amazing to see the place electrified again with the sounds of hopeful Dodger fans.
Keep up the great work, 53!
P.S. That play by Loney was unreal. Wish he’d start hitting.