Mark Cuban to the rescue, Mark Cuban to the rescue … go Mark Cuban, go Mark Cuban!



Well, yes, his is a popular name among those counting the moments until Frank McCourt is shown the road and Major League Baseball puts the team up for sale.



It has even inspired its own website, Mark Cuban Save the Dodgers, which argues he is the best candidate to return the Dodgers to O’Malley family respectability.



Since Cuban’s Mavericks are in town kicking the Lakers’ little fannies around, The Times’ T.J. Simers quite naturally tried to hit him up for a comment on the Cuban-buys-the-Dodgers movement. Cuban, who has already swung and missed on purchasing the Cubs (also in town!) and the Rangers (their former president is in the building!), declined the interview request.



"Just make up something that you want me to say," Cuban said, "and then put my name to it."



Clearly, Cuban does not know Simers, who was more than willing to do just that.



" 'When I become owner of the Dodgers, fans will never again have to worry about the Dodgers having enough money to sign the best players,' said Cuban, although I made it up because that's what I would like the next owner of the Dodgers to say.



"I will spend so much money, Bud will consider fining me."



There’s much more, of course. I almost wish Cuban would buy the Dodgers, just to witness his give-and-take with Simers.



I doubt, however, when Simers asked to interview Cuban he would ever give the McCourt response of last spring: "In your ... dreams."



-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Mark Cuban. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / US Presswire