O’Malley: Magic won’t let Dodgers fans down

Former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley, who made an unsuccessful bid to buy back the franchise his family ran for nearly half a century, said Wednesday he was delighted that a group fronted by Lakers legend Magic Johnson would become the new owner of the Dodgers.

“I’ve always said I want it in the right hands,” O’Malley said. “It doesn’t have to be my hands.”

O’Malley had publicly faulted outgoing owner Frank McCourt for tarnishing the Dodgers’ name in the community.

“What I really like about Magic’s involvement is that Magic is so popular here in Los Angeles,” O’Malley said. “He’s not going to do anything at all to let down or disappoint the fans. His commitment to living here and working here is important.”

O’Malley also saluted Stan Kasten, the incoming president of the Dodgers and the former president of the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals.

“Kasten is a first-class sports executive,” O’Malley said. “His reputation is well-known. If he’s going to be the president, the club is in very good hands.

“I’m going to help the Magic-Kasten group in any way I can. I’m not looking for something to do. I will support them in any way I can, and I want to urge everyone in the community to support them.”