Former Dodger announcer Ross Porter, who hasn’t been part of the franchise since the McCourt regime sent him on his way after the 2004 season, said he will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch before Saturday’s game at Dodger Stadium.
While taking on other broadcasting duties, Porter has focused his post-Dodger career on his website, Real Sports Heroes. He was an early friend of Dodger Thoughts, and it’ll be great for him back at the ballpark.
Dodger Thoughts/August 18, 2004: Next Stop, Porterville
dalegribel
This is really great news. I realize that there may be way too much water under the bridge, but would love to see Ross brought back into the announcing fold, if only on a fill-in basis.
Bob_in_Vegas
Yes!
WBBsAs
He’s undoubtedly better than Collins, Lyons and Steiner, though we could argue that’s not setting the bar very high.
Remy
Ditto. Can anyone explain why Ross was sidelined in the first place? Did he incur the wrath of McCourt for some stray comment? I never quite understood what happened. Even in Vin’s shadow, he was a marvelous announcer that has been sorely, sorely missed
btimmer
If you multiply the mercurial nature of radio show sponsors by the erratic nature of the McCourts, you will find an answer.
Militant Angeleno
Everyone agrees Vin Scully is an institution, so no matter who owns the team, Vinny gets what he wants.
But when it came time to extend Ross Porter’s contract, McC*urt basically told him, “Um, sorry, you ain’t worth $X million,” and Ross Porter was like, “Oh yeah? Well F all y’all!” and McC*rt hired the more affordable Charley Steiner to replace him.
The Guggenheim Crew brought back the Cool-A-Coo. There is nothing they can’t do.
KT
Our road record is the same as out home record 38-27 (the best in the MLB), too bad our home record isn’t also the best in the MLB
Bob_Hendley
Yep, too bad we aren’t 85-45.
RBI
Happy to hear this.
twaseverthus
This is fantastic. I was thinking about him just yesterday, in fact. His firing was an absolute travesty. Bring him back!
scooplew
This is another example of how the new ownership does the right thing. I always felt that Ross was a class act. I particularly remember how kind and gentle he was to callers on the post-game talk show even if some of their comments were odd, e.g. someone asking something like, in 2000, why don’t the Dodgers trade Chris Donnels and Luke Prokopec for Vladimir Guerrero? A cousin of mine used to live across the street from the Porters in the West Valley and said they were fine people….I hope that the Dodgers offer Porter the opportunity to return to the fold.
Bob_in_Vegas
Part of the whole new Blue! Speaking of class act, wasn’t Vinny the only person affiliated with the Dodgers who attended a ceremony honoring Ross? . . . We all know what it’s like to give our all to an organization . . . it’s nice when that is at least appreciated, if not reciprocated.
Spence
I saw a baseball documentary the other night that showed Vlad Guerrero in the DR. He was talking about how none of the scouts that came to see him thought he’d ever be a baseball player.That if he wasnt playing baseball, he would have been a goat herder. They showed walking thru his old neighborhood to his mansion that he build. It had this huge fence around it but once you got inside it was like a resort. Now I’m no scout, but I cant believe that the Dodgers could have looked at Wilton and then Vlad, and concluded Wilton was worthy of a contract and Vlad wasnt even worthy of $1,000. I think Vlad ended up signing for around $5,000.
Jon Weisman
Chad Billingsley’s last start of 2012: August 24. Matt Harvey’s last start of 2013: August 24.
KT
Coincidence??? ^_^
DXMachina
It sounds as though they are going to wait a little to see if it will respond to treatment other than Tommy John surgery, so it’s similar to Billingsley in that regard, too.
Just awful news.
KT
Dodger lineup:
Crawford LF
Puig RF
Gonzalez 1B
Ramirez SS
Ethier CF
AJ Ellis C
M Ellis 2B
Punto 3B
Greinke P
scooplew
Wow! I hope Gonzalez doesn’t run up Puig’s back.
John_from_Aus
Better than holding up traffic in front of him
SaMoDodger
This should be the default lineup, with Uribe taking the place of Punto more often than not. Even when Kemp returns, he should just slide into Ethier’s spot.
I especially like hitting Uribe 8th, so he is encouraged to take pitches and walk more often to clear the pitcher.
And I like batting Greinke in the pitcher’s spot every day. :-)
package206
Glad to see Ross back!
NoahUCLA
The Harvey news is really a shame. It does make Kershaw even more of a lock for Cy Young and to be the strikeout leader, but it is not the way we would want that too happen.
dalegribel
Agreed. I’m no Mets fan, but you hate to see a young man this talented get injuried.
Bumsrap
My favorite Ross Porter was when he did sports with Tom Snider’s news show. Tom would ask Ross if he had some scores and Ross would reply yes. Then go on to say 3, 2, 7, 4, and 9. Then they would both giggle.
btimmer
The Mariners have designated Aaron Harang for assignment. Is it the end of the line? Or does he get one more chance?
WBBsAs
Don’t tell Ned…
KT
Love this exchange:
http://imgur.com/YeKMUXg
scooplew
Bill Plaschke’s column from October 2004 when the Dodgers booted Porter:
http://articles.latimes.com/2004/oct/23/sports/sp-plaschke23
Bob_in_Vegas
Reading that and thinking about the McCourt Era vs. Today makes me appreciate the New Blue! . . . They truly seem to care for the fans.
twaseverthus
Worth noting that the man largely responsible for Porter’s unceremonious dismissal is Magic Johnson’s former agent and longtime “most trusted advisor,” Lon Rosen. Ahem.
http://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/magic-johnson-dodgers/
Spence
Kershaw never having arm trouble is really phenomenal given how many innings he’s thrown at his age. To not only be the best in the game, but also one of the most healthy is really amazing.
KT
Bill Plunkett @billplunkettocr3m
Mattingly said plan is for Matt Kemp to take today off from workouts, run bases Tuesday to test ankle. Do it at least once more before rehab
scooplew
Kemp has played in 11 games since May 29 and one since July 5. His last game was on July 21, when he had the 9th inning baserunning issues and twisted his ankle at home plate.
Bob_Hendley
With a July OPS of 1.323 (21 PA) and 3 dingers!
ASW1
Without a doubt – in a season with few things to complain about at this point – Kemp’s constant injuries the most disappointing aspect of the season.
KT
4-0 reds
ASW1
Big series for Cincy – only 2 1/2 out of 1st, but also only 5-5 in last 10 games – will be interesting to see if they can put a good run together – the NL Central looking to be a fun division to follow all the way to the end.
Bob_in_Vegas
Let’s hope the NL West remains a snooze-fest!
KT
I think I would rather have the Reds and Bucs from that division because of what the cards pulled the last few seasons…but right now I would like the extra breathing room between the Dodgers and those who are tied or right behind
ASW1
The Reds always remind me of Charlie Sheen – apparently he’s a big fan – when he was married to Denise Richards I remember him spouting off about his wife always asking him to help with the baby during a crucial spot in a game. “Why is it always in the late innings with the score tied and the Reds at bat when she wants me to help dry the baby off….” or some such thing he was complaining about.
Was hilarious when I first heard it.
scooplew
So who should we be rooting for when the Reds play the Cardinals? I found it all-but-impossible to root for the Giants to beat the Pirates over the weekend.
ASW1
I’m rooting for the Redlegs in this series – they seem the less dangerous of the two at this point. Now, if the Reds suddenly peel off 10 in a row or something (highly unlikely) things might change, but I agree with KT – Cards still kinda scary.
KT
we are rooting for them (NL central) to beat up on each other. Since the Reds are 2.5 back of the cards and bucs we are rooting for them temporarily until they get tied or try to pass one or the a fore mentioned teams
KT
NPUT