{"id":431,"date":"2023-10-05T18:44:16","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T18:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/podcasts\/?p=431"},"modified":"2023-10-05T18:45:16","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T18:45:16","slug":"former-dodgers-gm-ned-colletti-still-going-strong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/podcasts\/former-dodgers-gm-ned-colletti-still-going-strong\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti Still Going Strong"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Former<\/p>\n

Most people might remember Ned Colletti<\/strong> as the General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.<\/a> But this most accomplished veteran was also a PR director and contract negotiator for the Chicago Cubs,<\/strong> Assistant General Manager of the San Francisco Giants, analyst on Dodgers\u2019 TV, New Times best selling author, instructor at Pepperdine university and oh, did I mention a scout for the San Jose Sharks?<\/a><\/p>\n

Yes, Colletti is one of a handful of people who have worked professionally in two sports. \u201cFirst time in my life to think about ok, do I change a course, do I change a path?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Thanks to the consistent pestering from then GM Doug Wilson,<\/strong> a player he used to cheer for, when Wilson was a stellar defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks in the 80s, did Colletti finally said “yes” to.<\/p>\n

Colletti Started In Chicago<\/h2>\n

Colletti remembers when Andre Dawson<\/strong> came to Cubs camp as a free agent in 1987 and he and his agent gave GM Dallas Green a chance to sign the great star to a blank check. \u201cDallas wasn\u2019t happy about it. He was being put on the spot.\u201d<\/em> But they signed Dawson to a $500,000 deal plus incentives and all he did was win the National League\u2019s most valuable player award for a last place team!<\/p>\n

Colletti also dealt with the notorious Barry Bonds.<\/strong> \u201cI found him to be one of the most interesting people I\u2019ve ver been around. Very engaging when he wanted to be. There was a side of him the media never saw and he didn\u2019t care.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Colletti spends his time traveling, and a lot up and down the west coast and Las Vegas. Plus, there are his myriad classes he teaches at Pepperdine.\u201dI wasn\u2019t a very good student in high school. <\/em>Years later\u2026.I\u2019m giving the commencement speech at Pepperdine!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nearing 70, Colletti still loves what he does.\u201dI\u2019m on the back nine. I might be on 18, I might be on 17, I might be on 15 but I\u2019m definitely on the back nine of life.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Considering what Colletti continues to accomplish, I\u2019ll select hole 15 and eventually meet him on the 19th!<\/p>\n

Hear his fascinating stories by clicking play below,<\/a><\/p>\n