ATLANTA — The Dodgers have the Magic this October even if they don’t have the cash to sign Robinson Cano.
Magic Johnson stepped on the field for only the second time as a Dodgers owner Thursday night at Turner Field and weighed in on a variety of topics — everything from the Dodgers not having enough money to sign Cano because they plan on signing Clayton Kershaw to a long-term contract this winter, to his dream of winning a World Series trophy, something he thinks his Dodgers can do this year, to manager Don Mattingly’s future in Los Angeles.
“We want to win it all,’’ Johnson said. “It would mean the world to me. I love this game and to come from another sport and to deliver to the fans and the players would be so special. I want it for them and I want it for Don and the city of L.A. I would probably start crying.’’
Mattingly has never been to a World Series, so this could be a dream season for the Dodgers skipper and former Yankee as his team kicked off October against the Braves at Turner Field.
Asked specifically about Cano by The Post, Magic said: “You can’t have two guys, I mean, come on man, anybody who knows numbers. A year from now, two, here comes Hanley [Ramirez]. We’ve got guys we need to keep. When it is all said and done the numbers probably don’t add up.’’
Which means one less big-market suitor for Cano.
Johnson has a dream of seeing the Dodgers playing the Yankees in the World Series again.
“We want to be like the Yankees,’’ Johnson said.
He offered this warning to the rest of baseball: “We are always going to be competitive. If we see somebody we want, we are going to do whatever we have to do to get him.’’
Cano appears to be too much for their tastes because of luxury-tax concerns.
Johnson said he is a Mattingly fan, but there will be no contract talk with Donnie Baseball until after the postseason, and then the team will be more than fair.
“Don has done an amazing job,’’ Johnson said. “It could have went a lot of ways when we were in last place. He kept pushing and they all came together. They became a team. And Don made great moves and is pushing the right buttons, the guys love him and they all say the same thing, he’s the nicest, sweetest guy and then when the game starts he turns into like I am.
“I love you up until the game starts, then I’ll tear your heart out.’’
The Dodgers’ payroll is at $234.5 million. Johnson was quick to point to the fact president and CEO Stan Kasten has a great grasp on all things Dodgers and also praised general manager Ned Colletti.
Johnson brings a winning touch and personality to the Dodgers and so much more. He is one of the most fascinating and talented people I have ever covered over the last 36 years.
“When I was with the Lakers it was all about winning the championship or it wasn’t a great season,’’ Johnson said. “Am I trying to put that pressure on my team? No, that’s how I feel. To win a championship everything has to come together. No. 1, everybody has to buy in and your stars have to play like stars. When you get to this time, they have to (produce). That’s why they are the superstars.’’
Johnson is a fan of Yasiel Puig and said Puig reminds him of a certain young athlete from years ago — a guy named Magic. He said he does not get into his players’ space, that’s why he rarely goes onto the field.
“I had my moment,’’ he said.
If the Dodgers win the championship, he will come down to hold the trophy, briefly, and slide it over to the players.
“Most of all I want the players to have fun,’’ he said.
Playing for Magic is as good as it gets.