O’Malley Indicates That He Isn’t Opposed to Giants’ Sale

Peter O’Malley, the Dodgers’ president, did not appear inclined to oppose the sale of the San Francisco Giants to Tampa Bay investors after offering words of sympathy for San Francisco Giant owner Bob Lurie on Saturday.

“I would like for the team to remain in San Francisco, but only if they can stop losing substantial amounts of money,” O’Malley said. “That doesn’t appear to be the case.”

O’Malley, reached upon his return from the Olympic Games in Barcelona, said he doesn’t think the rivalry between the franchises would suffer with a move.

“I remember back when both teams were in New York, everybody said that when we moved to different cities in California, it would not be the same,” O’Malley said. “But it became more than the same. There is so much tradition there, the rivalry continued and grew even stronger.

“I think enough intensity is there now that the rivalry will continue.”

Although opposition from four of the 14 National League owners would be required to block the sale, O’Malley has enough influence that his “no” vote could mean four votes. But he said he believes that Lurie “has done everything possible.”

O’Malley added: “I know Bob has done everything . . . to keep the Giants in San Francisco. His record on that is well established. I know Bob, and I know that he doesn’t want to leave if it isn’t necessary. But he has lost a lot of money over a large number of years.”