Complain About Calls? Frankly, He Asked for It

It was late Thursday, shortly after Page 2 had been posted on The Times’ website and probably six hours before the paper would hit the Dodger Stadium front porch -- that is, if Frank McCourt can afford a subscription -- when Gary Miereanu, the Dodgers’ vice president of communications, called the sports department.

I wish all readers were this eager to read Page 2.

The PR guy was upset, like most Page 2 readers. He couldn’t believe I put the phone number for the Dodgers’ switchboard in the column to make it easier for people to call McCourt, although McCourt had told me earlier in the day, “Tell them to ask for Frank,” when they called.

Miereanu apparently did a lot of blubbering when he called, and this is the “professional” who replaced the smooth-talking Derrick Hall, which tells you the Dodgers are consistent both on and off the field when it comes to making strange personnel moves.

The PR guy said it was irresponsible to print the Dodgers’ phone number: “What’s next, starting to print home numbers?” he wanted to know, and that reminds me, I have McCourt’s cellphone number, and I should’ve published that to make it easier for everyone.

Miereanu wanted to know from our editor how the Dodgers were going to handle the extra workload and what it would cost the organization. (That’s how the editor knew the guy really worked for McCourt.)

Then the PR guy went Kevin Brown on the editor and delivered this threat: This could be the last interview Page 2 ever gets at Dodger Stadium.

(Yeah, I’d sure hate to miss the chance of having Jeff Kent snap at me.)

Miereanu asked for Sports Editor Bill Dwyre, figuring if there is anyone in the world who can’t stand me more than the Dodgers, it must be Dwyre. Dwyre was home in his PJs, of course, because it was after 7 p.m., but he told the editor there was nothing wrong with the column. (That had to just kill Dwyre).

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I CALLED (323) 224-1500 Friday and asked for Frank.

The receptionist took a message, and later I got a call inviting me to “join other Dodger fans on a conference call with Mr. McCourt Saturday afternoon.” Looking back now, that’s a fine way of Miereanu to treat a Dodger fan, threatening to ban him from Dodger Stadium.

A number of fans had e-mailed earlier to say they also had called the Dodgers asking for Frank. Some were put on an 11 a.m. conference call, others at noon, while I joined a group at 1 p.m.

When my turn came to call in, a fan who identified himself as Troy was saying something about “that knucklehead, T.J.,” and I just took for granted he was talking about Atlanta Falcon running back T.J. Duckett.

A short time later, McCourt came on and laid down the ground rules: “This conversation is between us and off the record.”

I volunteered to hang up, but the other callers -- 10 or so -- said it was OK if I participated. I thought that meant Miereanu wasn’t on the line, but after a while I began to suspect he was now going by the name of Troy, knowing I’d never suspect there’s anything wrong with Troy. (Someone please explain that to UCLA fans.)

Troy began the call by telling McCourt what a wonderful job he’s doing, and he went on and on until Eddie interrupted. Eddie told McCourt the Dodgers “dropped the ball” not re-signing Adrian Beltre, and with Kent at second and Jose Valentin at third, it probably won’t be the last time the Dodgers drop the ball this year.

Then a caller named John told McCourt, “The firing of Ross Porter was absolutely not OK with me. I’m furious.”

Caller Martha added: “That’s why I’m on the phone; I’m heartbroken.”

“You could’ve done the Ross Porter thing with more class,” John said, but then Troy butted in to say Porter had been losing it late in life, and if Troy isn’t currently working for the Dodgers then Lon Rosen will be making the offer soon.

McCourt said, “I don’t disagree that things could have been handled better,” but then added, “We didn’t fire him.”

The Dodgers didn’t pick up Porter’s contract, in essence firing the announcer, and so I told McCourt that’s why I have problems with his credibility at times. That didn’t go over very well with some of the Dodger fans on the line.

“Listen, we will honor Ross Porter at a game this year,” McCourt said, and then he asked for John’s number so he could call him and tell him when it will be. That seemed to please everyone -- except those who write for a living.

At some point during the 45-minute session, everyone, including Page 2, said how much they loved the Dodgers, and some even laughed at that. Most took turns telling McCourt how much they respected him. (I did not laugh, cough, gag or throw up.)

McCourt then told the callers that Kent is “a very good defensive second baseman,” and OK, I might’ve coughed.

He also reminded them, “What’s reported in the paper is not always accurate,” but didn’t say that’s because it’s usually coming from GM Paul DePodesta.

“We’re going to see the real Brad Penny this year,” McCourt said, and “ ... I don’t think you’ve seen the real Hee-Seop Choi.”

I just wonder if I got a real Troy or Miereanu’s disguised voice.

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I STILL don’t understand the Dodgers’ decision to let second baseman Alex Cora go. DePodesta said Cora would have filled a reserve role, and he wasn’t suited for it.

I said, “It’s not like Cora’s a malcontent,” and DePodesta remained silent, implying he disagreed.

Cora signed with the Indians, who let Milton Bradley go because he was a malcontent. Cora will fill a reserve role for Cleveland.

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TODAY’S LAST word comes in e-mail from Craig Rockhold:

“Last season you served up a constant barrage of negative comments directed toward UCLA Coach Ben Howland, calling it the ‘Ben Howland Error.’ He deserves a public apology from you.”

I’m sorry I missed the chance to write about the games against Stanford and Cal.

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Simers can be reached at t.j.simers@latimes.com. To read previous columns by Simers, go to latimes.com/simers.