A Daly Dose for Dodgers

Vowing to restore Dodger tradition and bolster the organization’s sagging morale after two tumultuous seasons under Fox, former entertainment executive Robert Daly formally took control of the franchise Thursday.

Daly, 62, was introduced as the new Dodger chairman and chief executive officer during a morning news conference at Staples Center, completing a whirlwind process that also will make the longtime Dodger fan a minority owner. That part of the deal must be approved by major league baseball, but a high-ranking baseball official said Daly’s 5% ownership request, with an opportunity to increase it to 10%--at a price of $15 million to $31 million--will be granted soon.

Rehiring former team president Bob Graziano, fired by Fox officials Sept. 28, tops Daly’s to-do list.

Graziano is expected to become Daly’s senior business-side executive. They will meet next week to work out the terms of Graziano’s return.

Previously a top decision maker at Warner Bros., Daly assumes control of day-to-day operations. Fox remains the majority owner, and Fox officials will be consulted on major moves.

Daly moved to allay concerns, saying that General Manager Kevin Malone and Manager Davey Johnson will return in 2000. Moreover, Daly said the Dodgers will not undergo a payroll purge.

He has already met with Malone about team personnel, and will meet with Johnson this week. Daly wants to be up to speed regarding baseball operations when the general managers’ meetings begin in two weeks at Laguna Niguel.

“I insist on communication,” said Daly, formerly Warner Bros. chairman and co-chief executive. “I will probably have a weekly lunch or meeting with Kevin and Davey together. That’s the way I ran Warner Bros. I like an open thing. I will not do anybody’s job. I will not make trades or do anything like that. I won’t tell Davey who to play, or at what position, but I’ll tell you what I will do.

“I will basically watch it very closely and ask a lot of questions. But I will never tell them what to do. I just want to find out what’s going on, and make sure that communication with them is good and communication with the medical staff is good. I intend to be there. I will never undermine Kevin Malone or Davey Johnson, but I will take a very active interest in what is going on, and I will challenge them.”

Fox essentially becomes a silent partner--not a moment too soon for frustrated fans.

The high-profile team has been a laughingstock since joining Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Group. Fans have bemoaned the seeming disregard for the franchise’s rich history, and expressed distrust about the corporate owners because of controversial moves.

The Dodgers have been a mess on the field, despite their high-priced talent, finishing a distant third in the National League West this season.

The recent upheaval, however, didn’t deter Daly from joining his favorite team.

The Brooklyn native has been hooked on the Dodgers since attending his first game at Ebbets Field when he was 6 years old, and the opportunity to polish their tarnished image was enticing.

However, Daly stressed that his passion for Dodger Blue won’t color his outlook on the task at hand.

The Dodgers have problems that must be addressed, and the new hands-on boss expects his management team to provide long-term answers. Fox gladly moved aside because Daly pushed to become the front man.

Now, Daly tries to get the Dodgers on their feet again.

“One of the most important things is that the people at Dodger Stadium, and the people who work with the Dodgers, feel good about their surroundings, the team and everything else,” Daly said. “I learned a long time ago that it’s very important, when you show up for work, to have a great feeling about where you are and who you work for. I will spend every day at Dodger Stadium, and I did this when I was at Warner Bros. I knew everybody at Warner Bros., the gardeners, the guards at the gate, because I walk around a lot and get to know people.

“First, we have to bring an attitude back that this is a group effort. Every time we win, I want the ushers and guards and everybody that works there to have a good feeling. I think everybody has to know that there’s going to be every effort made, on the part of everyone, to do a better job. I hope that will help instill a feeling that the Dodgers belong back where they were, as one of the best franchises in major league baseball.”

That feeling has been absent at Chavez Ravine under Fox.

Though Fox officials disagree, Daly’s emergence has been viewed throughout baseball as Fox waving a white flag. Peter Chernin and Chase Carey--Murdoch’s top lieutenants--apparently are sensitive about constant criticism regarding the Dodgers’ recent missteps.

Chernin took exception to questions focusing on Fox’s diminishing role with the Dodgers after two stormy seasons at the helm. Surprisingly, Chernin, president of Fox Group parent company News Corp., tried to convince reporters that Graziano had not been fired.

The awkward encounter only reinforced the perception that Fox officials were eager to close a door.

“I don’t think this is Fox trying to retreat at all,” Chernin said. “The success of a team is a long-term phenomenon, and what we’ve tried to do, in the brief time we’ve owned the team, is provide the resources and help the leadership. I think this is Fox having an opportunity to get someone we think is one of the top business executives in this city, a man who is deeply committed to both this city and this team.

“This was a unique opportunity, as opposed to, in any sense whatsoever, either a retreat or feeling of defeat. We’re not happy with the performance of the team, but I don’t think any of us went into this with the illusions you snap your fingers and everything happens.”

Daly steadily helped bolster Warner Bros., leaving Oct. 4 after 20 years as a studio and music executive.

He approached Murdoch and Chernin about joining the Dodgers, once his commitment to Warner Bros. ended, triggering the fast-paced events that led to the unexpected arrangement.

Daly has strong ties to the Dodgers beyond being a fan.

Former owner Peter O’Malley, Senior Vice President Tom Lasorda and Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully are among Daly’s closest friends. Daly had been a frequent guest at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla., during spring training.

“It’s a big day and a great day for the Dodgers,” Lasorda said. “We’ve got a leader now who not only loves the Dodgers, he’s also brilliant. This guy was a mogul who ran an empire.

“After the disastrous year we had, this guy was sent from heaven. He’s exactly the guy we need to put the pride back in the organization.”

Players agreed.

“I’m excited about having a guy like this come in just because he’s someone who understands the Dodger tradition,” first baseman Eric Karros said. “He has experienced it in Brooklyn and L.A., and it’s something you just don’t teach. It definitely takes time, and you have to have an understanding of the history of this organization.

“I definitely think in the last year or two, we’ve gotten away from that a little bit. But what’s also important is that, although he’s someone who places importance in tradition, I don’t think that supersedes winning for him.”

Gary Sheffield said Daly’s arrival should finally provide much needed stability.

“You’re always happy when good people come to the organization,” said the all-star left fielder, contacted while rehabilitating a shoulder injury in Florida. “It seems like all people have been saying about us lately is about money and negativity, and you can’t keep having that all the time.

“You just can’t keep trying to fix every little problem that comes up. You need to have the stability from the top. The reason I came to the Dodgers is because of the stability and the tradition, and I’m just glad the stability is starting to return to the organization.”