The Los Angeles Dodgers confirmed the addition of two new members to the ownership group, with Robert L. Plummer and Alan Smolinisky purchasing a minority stake. They join Peter Gruber, Stan Kasten, Billie Jean King, Illana Kloss, Magic Johnson, Bobby Patton and Mark Walter.
Like when the Dodgers added King and Kloss last, Walter remains controlling owner of the Dodgers. Plummer is the chairmen and CEO of R.P. Lumber Co., Inc., a retail home center and building materials supplier with locations in Illinois and Missouri.
Plummer additionally operates and invests in real estate, hospitality, banking, agriculture and other industries.
“The two newest members are both civic-minded, accomplished businessmen and lifelong Dodger fans,” Walter said. “We are proud of having built a very strong ownership group, and Robert and Alan will certainly add to that strength. I look forward to having them join us for this exciting postseason run in October.”
One of Plummer’s successes ironically is the development of a real estate area inspired by Ebbets Field and located in Edwards, Ill., a suburb of St. Louis.
The land was purchased in 2004 but the area came into the spotlight when the Dodgers and Cardinals met in the 2013 National League Championship Series. Plummer explained the peculiar setup as representation of his longstanding passion for the Dodgers, which was reiterated with the team’s announcement
“I have been a fan of the Dodgers since my Little League days, and my involvement with the club is a dream come true,” Plummer said.
The Ebbets Field real estate development is an ode to the Dodgers’ home ballpark in Brooklyn. Street signs are named after the franchise’s former players and managers, and are painted in Dodger Blue.
The residents in Plummer’s development have enjoyed bragging rights since 2013. The Cardinals dispatched the Dodgers in six games that year, then eliminated them from the NL Division Series the following year.
That’s the last time the teams have played in October, though they could meet again this year. The Dodgers haven’t yet secured the top spot in the NL playoffs, which could lead to another first-round matchup with the Cardinals as they lead the Central.
However, if St. Louis wins their devision and L.A. secures the top record in the league, they would not meet unless both advance to the NLCS. While he did not specify how it would come to fruition, Jack Flaherty predicted the Cardinals would return to Dodger Stadium in October.
