Last week’s letter was spot on. I had to mute the audio and watch the game in silence due to the constant banter between the occupants of the Dodgers’ broadcast booth. Sometimes the topic isn’t even a game in progress and they’ve been known to have missed a play or two. I understand that every commentator has their own style. Those of us who grew up watching Vin Scully address each of us as if he were sitting next to us in the living room feel the pain of being ignored while commentators talk to each other.
richard rolex
apple valley
::
I completely agree with Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser’s talk show antics, which fall far short of the incredibly high standards set by Vin Scully. But fans with similar views will feel that the Dodgers’ leadership, both individually and collectively, is not responding to their calls for change. Over the years, I’ve written to everyone from members of the Guggenheim Group to Stan Kasten, and I’ve never received anything more than an apology. The only time fans pay attention is when the Dodgers press corps takes a negative turn, like in recent games. [Shohei] Ohtani’s home run disaster.
bill waxman
Simi Valley
::
Maybe it’s hopelessly old school to say it, but… Vin Scully never laughed. Don Drysdale and Ross Porter never laughed. Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser are a little zany, but they keep things balanced with the game at hand. While watching this week’s Dodgers vs. Nationals game, Steven Nelson and Jessica Mendoza may be nice people, but they were distractingly giggling throughout the game. You might be looking for a sports bar party atmosphere, but that doesn’t have to be the case. The show takes place on the field, not in the press box.
mark garber
encino
::
On Wednesday, I splurged on Dodgers tickets to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Parking, tickets, and concessions together cost about $500 for an average seat and a 2-0 loss to the Nationals. That seems expensive, but when you consider that you have the option of staying home and watching a Dodgers telecast that consists of slow-motion replays of “Freddy Dance” and three hours of laughter from Jessica Mendoza, it’s twice as expensive. I feel that the price was a bargain.
Craig Poletti
San Dimas
::
Did last week’s letter complain about Joe and Aurel? What did you think of the players in Sunday’s game on ESPN? I couldn’t stand it and turned it off. You have to be careful what you wish for.
Les Cannon
camarillo
What’s wrong, Doctor?
The Dodgers won despite Dave Roberts. Michael Grove pitches well, but the Dodgers will play a bullpen game and will start the rookie vs. Washington game. James Outman got off to a slow start, but then he seemed to hit the ground running. Roberts assigns him to platoon roles and pinch hitters, but he does not assign him to Andy Pages or Gavin Lux. He does his best in the bullpen and is obsessed with right-handed versus left-handed matchups. Let the players play!
Lance Oedekerke
palm desert
::
Once again, Dodgers fans go wild with unrealistic expectations, only to be disappointed when the team doesn’t win all of their first 21 games. Considering they are in first place with such an injured pitching staff, their record of 12 wins and 9 losses is not that bad. Dodgers fans should relax and watch Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman hit hard for a few more weeks while the pitching staff recovers. A 100-win season is still within reach!
Marty Zweben
Palos Verdes Estates
Goodbye, Karl
I have been lucky enough to go to the Dodgers Adult Fantasy Camp several times. At every camp I was in the presence of some of the biggest names in baseball, and one of the most beautiful people I ever met was Carl Erskine.
Yes, he was a baseball legend, one of the almost mythical “Boys of Summer.” However, he seemed to be a very sincere and sincere person who enjoyed the joy of others. I was a weekend warrior pitching in a senior baseball league. Carl took the time to teach me things like finger pressure, hand angles, and how to put more spin on the ball. When I had some success with his method, Carl seemed more excited about it than I was (and I was pretty excited). Thank you, Carl…I have a lump in his throat as I write this, but he was a very special person and will be sorely missed.
Gary Turner
santa ana
Wipe out the Nuggets!
Lakers, this is your chance to shock the world! Don’t just beat the Nuggets, wipe them out.
Tape your best matches against them and everyone else. Now just play as is without losing anything.
You’ve done it, we’ve seen it, let’s show everyone how it’s done one game at a time.
Gary Linquist
Morro Bay
::
Now that the Lakers have clinched a playoff berth with an exciting play-in round victory, it’s time to move the in-season tournament banner to the El Segundo training facility.
Ken Feldman
tarzana
hot rod
I’m no Arte Moreno apologist, and like everyone else, I know the Angels would be much better off if he was sold, but Rod Carew is The Angels seem to think that his interests should be their top priority. Carew’s Hall of Fame shield doesn’t even have Angels written on it. Maybe they hold it over his head, just as he seems to ignore all of their disdain.
greg wagner
huntington beach
predictable reaction
Congratulations to Bill Plaschke on winning the Red Smith Award. Bill is a great sportswriter, but he’s not that great of a prophet.
Vaughn Hardenberg
westwood
::
It’s a good thing Bill Plaschke didn’t expect to win the Red Smith Award.
jim fredrick
manhattan beach
::
The Los Angeles Times welcomes all expressions of opinion. Letters must be brief and become the property of The Times. May be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and phone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.
Email: sports@latimes.com
Sign up for the LA Times’ Southern California High School Sports Newsletter for scores, articles and the secrets to prep sports favorites.
This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
