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Magic's group in charge of Dodgers

 
Published May 2, 2012

LOS ANGELES — The $2 billion sale of the Dodgers was finalized Tuesday, ending the tumultuous era under former owner Frank McCourt, who took the team into bankruptcy and made his private life public through a nasty divorce battle with his ex-wife.

The closure of the deal was announced in a terse statement. The Dodgers were sold to Guggenheim Baseball Management, a group that includes former Lakers star Magic Johnson.

Mark Walter, CEO of the financial services firm Guggenheim Partners, will become the controlling owner, and the team will be run by former Braves president Stan Kasten. They plan to hold a news conference today at Dodger Stadium.

McCourt met with Dodgers employees Tuesday, expressing his appreciation and introduced Walter, said Howard Sunkin, a spokesman for McCourt.

BRAUN RIPS THREE: Reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun had his first three-homer game and added a two-run triple to tie his career high with six RBIs, leading the Brewers to an 8-3 win at San Diego late Monday.

"It's definitely special," Braun said. "It's an extremely challenging game we play. You're going to deal with a lot of failure, a lot of adversity, and when you have a special night like that you try to enjoy it, and it's that much more fun and enjoyable when your team wins the game. It was definitely a pretty cool night."

PUJOLS UPSET WITH COACH: Angels 1B Albert Pujols wasn't happy to learn that hitting coach Mickey Hatcher shared details of a players-only meeting with the media.

Pujols spoke to his teammates before Monday's game. Hatcher told Angels beat writers that Pujols promised he and the team would eventually break out of their slumps.

"Mickey should have never told you guys that," Pujols said, adding that he intended to speak with Hatcher. "That stuff needs to be private. He should have never told the media."

HONOR FOR LA RUSSA: The Cardinals are wasting no time honoring Tampa native Tony La Russa, announcing they will retire their former manager's No. 10 on May 11.

DAMON REPORTS: Former Ray Johnny Damon joined the Indians, and manager Manny Acta said he plans to put his new outfielder in the starting lineup today.

CLEMENS Trial: Yankees LHP Andy Pettitte testified that he used human growth hormone and that friend and teammate Roger Clemens told him he had as well. Pettitte took the witness stand on the third day of testimony in a surprise move by the government during Clemens' federal perjury trial.

BRAVES: RF Jason Heyward missed a second game with an oblique injury and is likely to sit out at least until Thursday.

CARDINALS: Reserve OF Allen Craig was activated from the 15-day disabled list.

GIANTS: LH reliever Jeremy Affeldt went on the disabled list with a sprained right knee.

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ORIOLES: LF Nolan Reimold will miss the final two games of the series against the Yankees with a bulging disc in his back.

RED SOX: With 3B Kevin Youkilis hobbled by a sore back, SS Jose Iglesias was recalled from Triple A. Youkilis was out of the starting lineup for a third straight game. RHP Junichi Tazawa was demoted to Pawtucket.

TWINS: C Drew Butera was recalled from the minors to add depth behind banged-up starter Joe Mauer.