LA Dodgers Opening Day 2012: New Era of Magic Johnson Baseball

With the $2 billion price tag still on, the Los Angeles Dodgers are ready to begin a new, Magical era of baseball in Tinseltown. After a tumultuous couple of years with Frank McCourt, the Dodgers and their fans are ready to put it all behind them and begin writing a new chapter in this storied franchise’s history.

“Going in, I feel good about our club,” said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. “We’re capable if we play well. The guys have shown the way they’re playing that they want to win.”

With beloved Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of this team, the Dodgers would appear to have nowhere to go but up. Shortly after sealing the deal, the Lakers’ No.32 spoke about the significance in matching him to LA Dodgers baseball.

“It’s a great match because of the fact that, first of all I’m a baseball fan and a Dodgers fan,” he said. “I think that no one knows the Los Angeles community and Dodger fans better than myself. I know what they want and I’ve been a fan since I arrived in Los Angeles over 30 years ago.

“I am thrilled to be part of the historic Dodger franchise and intend to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Frank McCourt as we drive the Dodgers back to the front page of the sports section in our wonderful community of Los Angeles.”

The Dodgers will begin their 2012 season by welcoming a familiar foe, as the San Diego Padres travel to Chavez Ravine to take on the Dodgers tonight. Our starters for this evening will be, for the Padres, the well traveled, RHP Edinson Volquez against the sensational, LHP Clayton Kershaw.

“I gave up runs and hits, and usually that constitutes a bad outing,” said the reigning NL Cy Young winner. “I like to pitch better whenever I go out there. It’s no fun to pitch bad. It doesn’t count until April 5. I hope I got this out of my system.”