Anyone who is anyone is at the MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego this week. Of course, that brings Los Angeles Dodgers’ president Stan Kasten out to the party.
Therefore, Kasten went on MLB Network with Chris Russo to discuss things like Dodger Stadium renovations; and more important matters. While you can view the entire conversation below, we parse the video for the high spots for you.
Indeed, Russo gets right to it after some chatter about the Dodger Stadium renovations. He asks Kasten to talk about the excruciating postseason exits the Dodgers have faced in recent years.
“Getting knocked out like that, it happened so quick and unexpectedly is just brutal. Those of us in this business are the only ones that can really relate. Surely fans feel it, but it’s nothing compared to how we feel. You know you work all year to get somewhere – and to be knocked out unexpectedly like that? Your first thought is ‘oh my God we have to start all the way back at square-one next year’. Then you think ‘maybe we will get here next year’, but that’s never a given. It’s excruciating.”
Next, Russo presses Kasten on the Andrew Friedman contract negotiations; to which Kasten says he does not discuss contracts for executives. Notably, Kasten is emphatic that nothing is official in stone as of yet with the president of baseball operations.
“You might have read it happened [Friedman extension], but I can promise you it’s never been announced.”
Finally, Russo asks Kasten if 1988 being the last World Series win is a dark cloud over the Dodgers’ franchise.
“I think it’s brought up because a lot of fans who are older talk about it a lot, the media talks of it a lot. I have to tell you – I’ve been here seven years – I can’t take any responsibility for what happened before. Also I don’t know how to build a team differently whether we won last year or 15 years ago. We haven’t gotten our goal yet which is to win a World Championship, and that’s what we are trying to do.”
Without a doubt, this was an interesting listen from one of the Dodgers’ leading figures. What do you think about his comments; including a playoff exit being the toughest on those who work in the game over fans? Do you agree or disagree? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
