Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Matt Kemp is fired up about the change in Dodgers ownership ... telling TMZ he's "very happy" that Magic Johnson is taking over the team.
Kemp was leaving Philippe Chow (great noodles) in L.A. this weekend ... when he told us, "Magic's the man" ... and noted it's "World Series time."
Kemp isn't the only Dodger fired up about the post-McCourt regime ... Andre Ethier and pitcher Clayton Kershaw have both expressed excitement about the change as well.
When we asked Kemp if Magic was gonna bring a little of the old "Showtime" flair to the Blue Crew ... Matt told us, "I hope so man."
Charlie Sheen tells TMZ, he's rich ... but he ain't Dodgers-buying rich -- and that's the ONLY reason he didn't throw down to acquire the struggling L.A. franchise.
Charlie was out in NYC yesterday -- telling us, it's "pretty cool" Magic Johnson and his investment team have agreed to purchase the Dodgers for $2 billion.
But when we ask why Charlie -- a notorious baseball fanatic -- wasn't buying the team instead of Magic, he replies, "I didn't have any money at the time."
Magic Johnson is in as part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers -- and Frank McCourt is out -- after the NBA legend's investment group sealed a TWO BILLION dollar deal to purchase the team ... and the crowd went wild!
Magic and McCourt announced the deal late Tuesday night ... which should unite LA's most storied sports franchise with its most beloved athlete by the end of April.
Magic was the face of the investment group -- Guggenheim Partners -- which closed the $2 billion deal that still has to be approved in federal bankruptcy court. The controlling partner of the team would actually be Mark Walter, CEO of GP.
As part of the deal McCourt would get to buy the land around Dodger Stadium -- mainly the overpriced parking lots -- for around $150 million. Face it Dodger fans ... he's never leaving.
But hey, "In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened" ... we got Magic!
TMZ has obtained the 911 call placed moments after L.A. Dodgers first baseman James Loney crashed his Maserati into multiple cars last month -- and according to the caller, Loney tried to flee the scene.
When asked how many cars were involved -- the caller responds, "Possibly up to seven" ... though police claim the accident only involved four, including Loney's Mas.
The caller claims Loney had "passed out" moments before the accident ... and that's what caused the initial collision. According to the caller, Loney then woke up and attempted to "flee the scene," accidentally crashing into another car. Thankfully, no one appeared injured.
As we first reported, cops believe Loney was drugged up during the November 14th accident -- so they handcuffed him and transported him to a nearby hospital where the baseball star allegedly refused a breathalyzer ... spitting the mouthpiece back at cops.
Cops say they obtained a blood sample to test for drugs -- but it came back negative.
Attempts to reach Loney for comment were unsuccessful.
Los Angeles Dodgers star James Loney was arrested while being hospitalized in L.A. last month ... after allegedly smashing his Maserati into THREE other cars ... and then spitting at a cop ... this according to a police report obtained by TMZ.
Loney -- who plays 1st base for the Dodgers -- was arrested on November 14th ... because cops say he appeared to be under the influence of drugs after he swerved into a Toyota around 6pm ... and then careened into a Mercedes and a Mini.
According to the report, when cops first arrived to the scene ... Loney told one of the officers, "The bitch hit me from behind."
Cops say Loney appeared to be "restless, unsteady, aggressive and irritable" ... and he "exhibited eyelid tremors and his shirt was soiled and moist from perspiration, from his armpits down to his waistline."
Cops say when officers asked Loney what day it was ... he replied, "7/15 and Saturday" -- when in fact, it was 11/14 and Monday.
The hits just keep on coming for Dodgers owner Frank McCourt -- who just announced he's selling the team!
"The Los Angeles Dodgers and Major League Baseball announced that they have agreed today to a court-supervised process to sell the team and its attendant media rights in a manner designed to realize maximum value for the Dodgers and their owner, Frank McCourt," read a joint statement from Frank and the MLB.
The Blackstone Group LP will manage the sale process.
There are rumors that Frank will fetch as much as $1 billion for the team -- but so far, that number is still unconfirmed.
The news of the sale comes a few months after the team filed for bankruptcy -- and one month after Frank's $130 million divorce settlement with ex-wife Jamie.
Frankand Jamie McCourthave reached a divorce settlement which will secure Jamie as a very rich woman, but at a price ... she's relinquishing all claims to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Under the settlement, which must still be approved by the judge, Jamie will snag $130 million ... this according to a report. The judge rejected an earlier settlement proposal, partly because of an unorthodox TV deal that fronted money to Frank. The TV deal is not part of this settlement.
So on the surface -- when it comes to the Dodgers -- it's a big victory for Frank. But insiders say far from a victory, Frank is probably going to lose the team, because at the end of the month a bankruptcy judge will decide if the Dodgers will go on the auction block.
Insiders think the judge will force the sale -- which should produce anywhere from $700 million to a billion bucks for the team.
12:17 PM: Frank and Jamie just released a joint statement ... Jamie will no longer stand between Frank and his TV deal -- claiming, "Jamie will be withdrawing her opposition to the Dodgers proposed sale of media rights and instead will be filing papers in support of the process."
San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow has finally been released from the hospital -- more than 6 months after he was beaten within an inch of his life in the Dodgers Stadium parking lot.
Stow has been making tremendous progress in his recovery -- recently talking with family members and friends.
Doctors say Stow will continue his treatment at an undisclosed long-term rehabilitation facility. Stow's doctor says his recovery will take years.
The 42-year-old paramedic's family released a statement -- saying, "We feel immense relief today, knowing that Bryan is ready to start the next chapter of his story."
Stow suffered severe brain injuries on March 31 after the Dodger's regular season opener against the Giants.
Two suspects have been charged in the beating -- both have plead not guilty.
Manny Ramirez -- former star of the L.A. Dodgers and Boston Red Sox -- has been formally charged by the Broward State Attorney's Office with misdemeanor domestic violence and battery.
Ramirez was arrested in Florida earlier this month after allegedly slapping his wife in her face, which caused her to hit her head on the headboard.
Ex-Dodger Milton Bradley was busted for felony assault -- after allegedly swinging a baseball bat at his wife yesterday.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ -- Bradley's wife called 911 yesterday around 2pm from their home in Los Angeles -- and told police Milton was chasing her and swinging at her ... batting cage
style.
We're told police showed up and took Milton into custody -- and booked him for assault with a deadly weapon. His wife was not injured.
The former outfielder was released from jail last night on $30,000 bail.
33-year-old Bradley was also arrested back in January for another domestic incident.
Los Angeles Dodgers season ticket holders want to make sure Frank McCourt isn't screwing them over in the team's bankruptcy proceedings -- and they've filed a motion to make sure they're protected.
Attorneys representing a handful of season ticket holders filed docs with the bankruptcy court in Delaware ...seeking to establish a formal committee of more than 17,000 season ticket holders.
According to the docs, the committee's goal is to make sure Dodger funds are going to what they consider the most important part of the "fan experience" -- such as acquiring new players, meeting payroll, renovating the stadium, and operating concessions.
The motion also specifically mentions the need for "security" at the stadium -- which has been a hot button issue since the Opening Day beating of Giants fan Bryan Stow.
According to the docs, the season ticket holders have collectively poured "hundreds of millions of dollars" into the storied franchise -- and some individuals pay up to $150,000 per season.
The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy back in June. If the fans' motion is approved they could have a voice in future decisions about the team -- such as whether it's sold and to whom.
Before Justin Bieber went toe-to-toe with a photographer -- sparking a police investigation -- he trained with "Iron" Mike Tyson! Wondering how they ended up together? Well, we got Tyson on the phone ... and you won't believe his excuse for kicking it with Biebs. Plus,…