L.A. PASTORS PUNK M.L.B.

Last Friday Contra Costa Times revealed “prominent Los Angeles religious leaders,” took the opportunity to hold a press conference to express their “sincere displeasure” and “lack of equity that has been afforded the Los Angeles Dodgers and owner, Frank McCourt.”

Summoning the press conference was the senior pastor of the First A.M.E. Church of Los Angeles – Rev. Dr. John J. Hunter. Hunter expressed, according to Los Angeles Times, “McCourt did not make any promise to donate to the churches, nor did he offer any personal benefits to the ministers.” However, Hunter acknowledges that “McCourt’s ‘inner circle’ reached out to the pastors.”

Coverage of the press conference indicates there was no expression by the outraged Pastors of any concern for Brian Stowe (SF Giant fan who was brutally beaten and left for dead after the opening game versus the Dodgers). Nor was there concern regarding the family of Oscar Grant III (Unarmed Black college-aged father who was gunned down on a transit platform by a transit police officer). Neither was there any concern of civil unrest in wake of the release of ex-BART officer Johannes Mehserle (Convicted murderer of Oscar Grant III whose trial was moved to Los Angeles and eleven months later, released from a Los Angeles Jail).

However, what was of utmost concern was Major League Baseball’s Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig and his decision to have the Dodgers monitored because of “deep concerns regarding finances and operations.

The pastors are demanding Commissioner Selig give McCourt relief from media attacks and create equity for the Los Angeles Dodgers to ensure financial stability. McCourt’s financial stability has been linked to a nasty divorce with his current wife, Jamie McCourt – who is noted by KABC-TV as believing “the best course for the team is to find a new owner.”

No reports have been made whether the “prominent pastors” have consulted with Jamie or have offered marital counseling services to the McCourt family.

According to news sources, “another demand of the “prominent pastors” was for Major League Baseball Commissioner Selig to approve a $3 Billion television deal between McCourt and Fox.

What is also unclear is whether any of the “prominent pastors” are season ticket holders of the LA Dodgers or have attended any games this year. What is clear is the public outrage over the pastors coming together to support McCourt while ignoring weightier matters affecting Los Angeles residents.

Stay tuned – more to come regarding this subject.