Magic Johnson brought five titles to the city of Los Angeles during his time with the Lakers. Eight days before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, Johnson wants everyone to know that it will be a disappointment if he does not bring them a sixth.
Last August, the Dodgers pulled off a blockbuster deal with the Red Sox, acquiring Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. Los Angeles also signed free-agent pitcher Zach Greinke to a six-year, $147 million dollar contract.
With a new ownership group and talented roster, Johnson has placed very high expectations on his team.
“We want to go to the World Series. If we don’t accomplish that, yes, it is not a good season for us,” Johnson told the Los Angeles Times. “Guys should be saying that. As the ownership group, that is what we are saying.”
This puts a large amount of pressure on Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. Mattingly’s contract expires at the end of the season and Johnson and his ownership group did not offer him a contract extension this past offseason.
“Don has been in this game,” Johnson said. “He understands how these things work.
“He knows, if he does his job, he will get rewarded.”
