SPORTS 2004: DODGERS DEFIED ODDS TO WIN WEST FANS REJOICED AS NEW OWNER, TEAM FINALLY TURNED IT AROUND.

Byline: Tony Jackson  Staff Writer

When he completed his long-anticipated purchase of the Dodgers in late January, Boston real estate developer Frank McCourt didn't receive a particularly warm welcome to Los Angeles. He was vilified in the media, partly because he was perceived to lack the cash necessary to keep the club in contention and partly because of a slew of resignations that came in the first weeks after the sale became official.

Almost a year later, McCourt has become the toast of Chavez Ravine, if not all of Los Angeles.

The Dodgers, aided by an unusually weak field in the National League West, brought home the division title for the first time in nine seasons. Third baseman Adrian Beltre, who had frustrated club officials for years by failing to reach his vast potential, finally did, tying the all-time, single-season home run record at his position just in time for the free-agent jackpot that awaited him over the winter.

Before any of that, though, McCourt endured a harrowing baptism, some of it of his own making. One of his first moves was to announce that he would hire a new general manager, and although McCourt dubiously said existing General Manager Dan Evans would be allowed to interview for his own job, it was clear Evans was out. That became official a few days later when McCourt hired Oakland Assistant General Manager Paul DePodesta, a 31-year-old rising star, and gave him a five-year contract. DePodesta's hiring came so close to spring training that he had no time to build his own staff, choosing instead to stick with Evans' people and see how it went. He quickly developed strong working relationships with Assistant General Manager Kim Ng and manager Jim Tracy.

Ng was so impressed with DePodesta during spring training that she pulled out of consideration for a similar job with the New York Mets, even though she had grown up across the river in New Jersey. Tracy managed the season without a contract for 2005, but DePodesta made it clear in September that he wanted Tracy back, and after a protracted negotiation, Tracy signed a two-year extension the day before Thanksgiving.

DePodesta proved his boldness by acquiring troubled outfielder Milton Bradley from Cleveland the day before the opener, adding power to a lineup that had been hopelessly devoid of it the previous season. After an ugly loss to San Diego on opening day, the Dodgers won nine of their next 11. By April 9, they were alone in first place. After a horrendous May in which they lost eight in a row and 12 of 14 over one stretch, they regained sole possession of first place on July 8 and held onto it the rest of the way.

There were two pivotal points.

The first came during a forgettable series in San Francisco in late June. Although the Dodgers lost all four games, it was during that series that Tracy finally moved the slumping Shawn Green out of the cleanup spot and replaced him with the sizzling Beltre, who only got hotter from there. A week later, the Dodgers began a stretch that would see them win 27 of 35 games.

The second came on Aug. 1 at San Diego, when Robin Ventura's pinch-hit homer in the 12th inning gave the Dodgers a 2-1 victory in an epic rubber match of a critical three-game series. The Padres had nipped at the Dodgers' heels all season, but that game seemed to crush their spirits, leaving only the Giants to make a late push that ultimately fell short.

The Dodgers clinched with a seven-run ninth inning against the Giants on Oct. 2, the game ending on a grand slam by Steve Finley to set off a wild celebration at sold-out Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers went quietly from there, losing a first-round playoff series with St. Louis in four games.

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Photo:

(1 -- 2) The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate at home plate after defeating the San Francisco Giants to win the National League West Division title. At left, Robin Ventura lets the champagne flow.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer