NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is taking the extraordinary step of assuming control of the Dodgers, a team increasingly paralyzed by its owners’ bitter divorce.
Once among baseball’s glamour franchises, the Dodgers have been consumed by infighting since Jamie McCourt filed for divorce after 30 years of marriage in October 2009, one week after her husband fired her as the team’s chief executive. Frank McCourt accused Jamie of having an affair with her bodyguard/driver and performing poorly at work.
MLB commissioner Bud Selig told Frank McCourt on Wednesday he will appoint a trustee to oversee all aspects of the business and the day-to-day operations of the club. At the same time, Frank McCourt was preparing to sue MLB.
Selig said he will appoint his representative within a few days. Former Braves and Nationals executive Stan Kasten is a possible candidate, as is MLB executive vice president and former Rockies executive John McHale Jr. Selig also might choose to force a sale.
“As the 50 percent owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, I welcome and support the commissioner’s actions to provide the necessary transparency, guidance and direction for the franchise and for Dodgers fans everywhere,” Jamie McCourt said.
Footnotes.
Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes said he felt good after throwing a 30-pitch bullpen session, his first time on the mound since going on the disabled list because of what the team called a “dead arm.”
• Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen has been allowed to leave the team while tending to a personal matter.
• Mets reliever Bobby Parnell has a circulatory problem in the middle finger of his pitching hand and will have further tests to determine if a blood clot is causing the numbness.
• The Rangers recalled right- hander Brett Tomko, who is back in the majors for the first time since 2009, and plan to use him as a long reliever.
