Bob Graziano

The shake-up of the Dodger front office apparently will continue. Multiple baseball sources said Monday that Bob Graziano is out as team president. Graziano, 46, Dodger president since 1998, was conspicuous by his absence from Monday's news conference to introduce Paul DePodesta as the team's new general manager. Asked about it, Dodger owner Frank McCourt said that Graziano "is the president of this organization" but "could not say" why he was not in attendance.

Bob Graziano for the first time Thursday revealed he has resigned as Dodger president, and new owners Frank and Jamie McCourt apparently have already selected a Boston Red Sox official to replace him.

It's almost as if Bob Graziano never left, except the Dodger president was fired last season in a move seemingly derived from a Fox situation comedy. The longtime Dodger official was dumped by someone who then bolted the organization, and rehired by the new chief executive. Of course, the guy who fired Graziano learned that the Dodgers had a new chief executive only shortly before that move was announced.

There was only one statement during Friday's Dodger news conference that rang absolutely true. There was one phrase that didn't make you shake your head in disagreement or disbelief. It came when Chairman Bob Daly said, "Certainly, it's a tough day for the Los Angeles Dodgers." Sure was. Pathetic, even. Was that really the general manager begging for forgiveness and asking for another chance?

Bill Plaschke and the Dodgers, in their zealous effort to be politically correct, missed the point ["Dodgers Don't Kiss This Off," Aug. 24]. Since when is French kissing a game-related celebration? I've kissed my grandmother goodbye hundreds of times without sticking my tongue down her throat. Duh, there is a difference! It doesn't matter if it's heterosexuals or homosexuals, French kissing in public is wrong, period. Sorry Plaschke and Bob Graziano, but it's you who are acting immature and narrow-minded.

To Bob Daly and Bob Graziano: I am writing to protest your use of the word "schmucks" in your ad in the L.A. Times [Feb. 27]. I have been a Dodger fan all of my life, going back to Brooklyn in the 1950s. I have attended hundreds of games, I've cheered through the good and not so good times, and my family and I have always enjoyed being Dodger fans. Until today. I could not believe your attempt at humor, using a Yiddish word that is so negative as to border on or actually be obscene.

The Dodgers made it official Thursday, rehiring Bob Graziano as president only two months after he was fired for a series of controversial moves. The announcement was expected for two reasons. First, the Fox executives who dumped Graziano are no longer involved in day-to-day operations. Second, Graziano is close to new Dodger Chairman Bob Daly. However, Daly said Graziano returns under slightly different circumstances.

Joining a still-growing list of scapegoats for the Dodgers' failure under Fox, it was announced Tuesday that President Bob Graziano has been fired, less than two years into his watch at the ballclub's helm. The 14-year Dodger employee was told of the long-rumored move Thursday by Rick Welts, recently hired as president of Fox Sports Enterprises. Welts declined to discuss specifics of the decision he said he made on his own.

Dodger President Bob Graziano watched his favorite team play on TV Sunday while relaxing at home. And with everything he has faced recently, he needed some quiet time. Graziano has been at the center of the season-long turmoil in the formerly harmonious Dodger Universe--and a target of fans longing for victories and stability. So Graziano enjoyed spending a few hours focusing only on runs, hits and errors.

Bob Graziano said he really enjoys his new job, but the Dodger president and chief executive didn't expect so much attention so soon. But such is life when your franchise player is unhappy, and is questioning the organization's credibility. The fallout from catcher Mike Piazza's recent comments have kept Graziano unexpectedly busy. So much for his adjustment period. "Well, yes, I have some things to deal with," Graziano said Thursday.

The baseball playoffs are being played elsewhere while the Bobsey Twins, Daly and Graziano, remain hunkered down at Dodger Central trying to determine if they should fire Davey Johnson. At least that's what they'd like us to believe. The guys have seemed a little slow, but I'm guessing the in-depth conversation has gone like this: "What do you think, Bob?" "I don't know, Bob, what do you think?"

Bill Plaschke and the Dodgers, in their zealous effort to be politically correct, missed the point ["Dodgers Don't Kiss This Off," Aug. 24]. Since when is French kissing a game-related celebration? I've kissed my grandmother goodbye hundreds of times without sticking my tongue down her throat. Duh, there is a difference! It doesn't matter if it's heterosexuals or homosexuals, French kissing in public is wrong, period. Sorry Plaschke and Bob Graziano, but it's you who are acting immature and narrow-minded.

It's almost as if Bob Graziano never left, except the Dodger president was fired last season in a move seemingly derived from a Fox situation comedy. The longtime Dodger official was dumped by someone who then bolted the organization, and rehired by the new chief executive. Of course, the guy who fired Graziano learned that the Dodgers had a new chief executive only shortly before that move was announced.

To Bob Daly and Bob Graziano: I am writing to protest your use of the word "schmucks" in your ad in the L.A. Times [Feb. 27]. I have been a Dodger fan all of my life, going back to Brooklyn in the 1950s. I have attended hundreds of games, I've cheered through the good and not so good times, and my family and I have always enjoyed being Dodger fans. Until today. I could not believe your attempt at humor, using a Yiddish word that is so negative as to border on or actually be obscene.

Another day, another longtime Dodger official is forced out. President Bob Graziano became the latest victim of Fox's corporate culture when his termination was announced Tuesday. The 14-year employee, in his second year as president, was informed his services were no longer needed Thursday by Rick Welts, President of Fox Sports Enterprises. Welts said the decision had nothing to do with the Dodgers' miserable on-field performance this season, but Dodger employees didn't accept the spin.

Joining a still-growing list of scapegoats for the Dodgers' failure under Fox, it was announced Tuesday that President Bob Graziano has been fired, less than two years into his watch at the ballclub's helm. The 14-year Dodger employee was told of the long-rumored move Thursday by Rick Welts, recently hired as president of Fox Sports Enterprises. Welts declined to discuss specifics of the decision he said he made on his own.

Team president Bob Graziano has been left holding the bag for the Dodgers' wasted season. He is being blamed for the club's problems. Frustrated fans are seemingly preparing to storm the gates, and their anger is directed at Graziano. But Fox Group officials aren't holding him responsible for the disaster. Moreover, they're counting on Graziano to right the ship. Graziano has strong ties to Chase Carey and Peter Chernin--co-chief operating officers of Fox Group's parent company, News Corp.