Latino Groups Support Frank McCourt In Dodger Drama

By Michael Lopez

Los Angeles Dodger fans have had to endure quite a few hardships this season. Not only was there that brutal beating that occurred on opening day, there is also internal turmoil between team owner Frank McCourt and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. And in regards to that particular controversy, McCourt seems to have plenty of high-profile minority groups on his side.

Antonio Gonzalez, president of the William C. Velasquez Institute, has spoken out very loudly in McCourt's defense. Gonzalez' organization happens to be a powerful political advocacy group for Latinos and he feels that Frank has done quite a bit for the Hispanic community.

"Bud Selig, get your foot off Frank McCourt's throat," Antonio recently stated. "[The McCourt family has] been good to us. Better than Fox was. And way better than the O'Malleys, who couldn't identify a Mexican if they stepped on him."

In case you're wondering, Fox and the O'Malley family were the two previous owners of the team. McCourt, who took control of the Dodgers in 2004, built his fortune in real estate and has a long history of partnering with the Hispanic community. His company spent millions refurbishing inner-city sandlots within Latino-centric neighborhoods.

Of course if you ask Selig, Frank should have been putting those millions into the team. In the last several years, McCourt has been caught up in unflattering financial deals, a distracting divorce, and some questionable decisions about the operations of the franchise. And worst of all, attendance at Dodger Stadium has plummeted.

As Selig put it when he seized control of the team in April,

"I have taken this action because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers and to protect the best interests of the Club."

But according to Yahoo News, Gonzalez and several minority organizations are fighting back on Frank's behalf. Recently, Los Angeles Latino leaders, along with several prominent African-Americans, sent a letter to Selig in support of McCourt.

Do you think Bud Selig was right to take control of the Dodgers? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Antonio Gonzalez, Baseball, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Bud Selig, Chisme, Dodgers, Frank McCourt, MLB, Sports