McCourt: ‘Change Takes Time, Patience’

VERO BEACH, Fla. — New co-owner Frank McCourt wrote an open letter to Dodger employees last week, preaching patience, hard work and unity.

McCourt moved to allay concerns among employees’ seeking information about high-level front-office resignations and critical comments about the organization by his wife and co-owner, Jamie, forwarding a letter Friday about his family’s commitment to the Dodgers and belief in the staff to everyone at Dodger Stadium and Dodgertown.

“With the first 30 days of stewardship now under my belt, I wanted to take this opportunity to discuss with you our continuing efforts to reinvigorate this team, restate our objectives and vision, and give you all an update on our progress to date,” Frank McCourt wrote in the letter, copies of which were obtained by The Times. “While we have already effected some positive changes, real change takes time, perseverance, hard work and, above all, patience.

“The hiring of [General Manager] Paul DePodesta was a start and there will be other new appointments to the management team in the coming weeks. My family has only just begun to demonstrate our commitment to this organization and address what it needs to become the best franchise in Major League Baseball.”

Many within the organization were alarmed by Jamie McCourt’s comments in Tuesday’s editions of The Times in response to questions about the resignations of Bob Graziano, team president; Kris Rone, executive vice president of business; and Derrick Hall, senior vice president of communications.

She stressed the need to “try to change the culture of the Dodgers” while criticizing the club’s marketing efforts and charitable unit, the Dream Foundation.

Jamie McCourt pushed the bar higher for the Dodgers, saying it was “crazy” for the team to miss the playoffs the last seven seasons.

“Change can sometimes be difficult, but change presents opportunity for us all,” Frank McCourt continued in the letter. “While some have decided to go in a different direction, I respect their decisions and wish them well. There is no doubt that I will be a different owner than my predecessor and will bring about fundamental change to the organization -- both on and off the field.

“As a hands-on owner, I will continue to work hard and demand a lot of myself. I ask that you, too, work to shape this organization into one that defines success and excellence. The work will be hard, but it will also be fun. We need people who believe in excellence and who are prepared to make a long-term commitment to the Dodgers.”

As for Graziano, Rone and Hall, Frank McCourt acknowledged some in the organization “may be feeling uncertain about losing familiar faces at the top,” adding, “it is unfortunate that these resignations came while we were at spring training and unable to be together.”

McCourt praised Graziano for his “professionalism and continued leadership during this time,” and reaffirmed his family’s “great reverence for the Dodger tradition, and great respect for the dedication of all the people who make the trains run on time at Dodger Stadium and throughout the organization.”

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Left-hander Greg Miller, the club’s minor league pitcher of the year in 2003, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder Friday. The Dodgers said Miller would be sidelined at least four to six weeks before beginning rehabilitation. He might return to the mound late this season.... The Dodgers had 17 hits in routing the New York Mets, 15-3, Saturday night at Port St. Lucie in a game delayed an hour because of a power failure. Adrian Beltre drove in six runs and hit a three-run home run. Kazuhisa Ishii was effective in four innings.