LEADERS CHEER ON NEW DODGERS OWNERS MCCOURTS SET GOALS, PROMISE SUCCESS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Frank and Jamie McCourt introduced themselves to local officials Tuesday as the new owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers with ceremonies before the Los Angeles City Council and county Board of Supervisors.

Amid the promises of future world championships, the McCourts pledged to continue the family tradition of the team brought west by the O'Malleys that helped to define Los Angeles.

``Family ownership is back with the Los Angeles Dodgers,'' McCourt told the supervisors.

``I think most of you know what that means,'' McCourt said. ``To me, it means we have heart and soul again.''

At the City Council meeting, McCourt said he and his wife are not the owners of the Dodgers, but the stewards.

``We recognize the importance of the Dodgers to the city and are committed to continuing that tradition,'' McCourt said.

McCourt, a Boston real estate developer whose bid to buy the Dodgers was approved last week, said he was humbled by the ownership of the team and pledged to have it continue to play a role in civic matters.

``We are still figuring out what we will be involved in, but we will be part of this city's civic life,'' McCourt said.

As an example of areas he is looking at, McCourt cited the Boston Red Sox support of a cancer research fund where players became personally involved in meeting with patients and helping to raise money.

Jamie McCourt, who is vice chairwoman of the Dodgers, said she wanted to see a greater role by the team in education and promoting girls' interests in sports.

``Girls who are successful in sports succeed in education and succeed in life,'' she said.

The two received warm greetings from the City Council, where members related their own exploits in sports and with the Dodgers.

Councilwoman Wendy Greuel told of a Dodgers bonnet her parents bought her when she was a 4-year-old. Councilman Tom LaBonge listed the lineups of his favorite teams of years gone by.

Councilman Eric Garcetti said the McCourts' ownership of the team gave them ``Dodger Stadium, which is almost hallowed ground in Los Angeles.''

Staff Writer Troy Anderson contributed to this report.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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(ran in Glen/Bur edition only) New Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, with his wife Jamie, met with L.A. city and county leaders on Tuesday and told them the Dodgers ``have heart and soul again.''

Ann Johansson/Associated Press