Dodgers fans finally rock vote
The television blackout has been a complete abomination for Dodgers fans in Los Angeles, as were the McCourt years, but it took a comment by Kenley Jansen to really unite the millions of fans in Southern California who felt they had no voice. The players speaking directly to the fans via social media, management putting on one of the greatest fan experiences in Dodger history and a humble, homegrown player telling anyone who would listen how much of an honor it would be to represent the Dodgers at the All-Star game have ignited this fan base in a way that hasn’t been seen since 1988. Rich Hardt
Long Beach
Someone named Kenley Jansen is irate that Corey Seager and Justin Turner have not been voted into the starting lineup of the National League All-Star team. Who are these people? I’ve never heard of any of them. Are they on TV anywhere? David Hawkins
Anaheim Hills ::
Kenley Jansen blaming fans for not submitting enough All-Star votes is like a theater actor publicly complaining the audience didn’t clap hard enough. Maybe it’s true, but it’s appalling form for a professional performer. Konrad Moore
San Diego ::
It seems obvious now that Bill Shaikin has pointed it out, but of course Dodgers fans can’t place anyone in the All-Star starting lineup because of the TV situation. How the supposedly smart people at Guggenheim can’t figure out how to fix it, despite the obvious long-term damage being done to the brand, is beyond me. Coby King
West Hills
::
I agree with Jansen. It is the Dodgers fans’ fault. They are primarily a bunch of not really baseball fans that sometime go to the game ... even if the Dodgers have the best record in baseball. The majority of the fans I’ve been exposed to at the stadium would rather drink way too many $13 beers and start a fight than pay attention to what’s happening on the field.
Too bad that Los Angeles is a weak sports fan base
that doesn’t support the teams until there is a victory parade. Will Bardelli
Burbank ::
So now we’re blaming no Dodgers All-Star starters on the lack of TV coverage? What happened to the old standbys, East Coast bias and people in the East and Midwest don’t get to see highlights of Turner and Seager because the games end so late? Steve Buffalo
Quartz Hill ::
The inevitable handwringing about Clayton Kershaw being unable to pitch in the All-Star game has begun. To avoid the “must have two days of rest” rule for starting pitchers, why not play the game Wednesday instead of Tuesday? Nowadays, the regular season resumes Friday instead of Thursday, so the players would still have a day off to get to their next destination. Not only that, they would have more time to get to what would become Tuesday’s home run derby. Another solution would be to end the first part of the season with a day-night doubleheader on Saturday and keep the All-Star schedule the way it is now.
It just seems crazy to make a team or pitcher choose between pitching the last game before the break or being in the AllStar game. Mark Kandel
Valencia ::
Andy McCullough’s article in Friday’s paper describing the Dodgers’ stirring comeback over
Arizona contained four words that perfectly explain why the Diamondbacks have little chance to overcome the Dodgers to win the NL West this season: “Arizona closer Fernando Rodney.” George Legg
Rolling Hills Estates
Blame Mike
I hear many people congratulating Mike Scioscia for keeping the Angels in the hunt without Mike Trout, but the fact is his poor decisions cost the team at least two games on a recent trip, bringing in Mike Morin in Boston to give up a double to the No. 9 hitter, and bringing in Jose Alvarez to face the Dodgers.
I’ve heard many times that Scioscia prefers the National League style of baseball, so I guess that would explain having two or three guys in there daily that hit like pitchers (Valbuena, Marte, Espinosa).
Let’s not forget he said Trout wasn’t ready the year he started in the minors and proceeded to win rookie of the year and finish second for MVP. Does anyone wonder what would have happened if Vernon Wells (that year’s version of Marte/ Valbuena) hadn’t gone down with an injury? Carl Teoli
Harbor City
Court orders
As I look at the trade of Paul George to Oklahoma City, I can’t help but wishfully think that it is a move that could give George one season to play alongside Russell Westbrook, with Magic Johnson bringing both of these California natives to the Lakers in 2018. Call me crazy, but stranger things have happened, and
the Lakers are sure to have lots of cap space by then. Alan Abajian
Alta Loma ::
Blake Griffin signs for $175 million for five years? I will never be able to afford to take my family to see a Clippers game. This has me longing for the days my old friend Donald Sterling actually gave away tickets. Say what you will, but at least he was generous. Kevin Park
Mission Hills ::
Nick Young went to Golden State. Boy, I wish I was Nick Young. Marcelo Barreiro
Manhattan Beach
Give Horn credit
How sad to see all the media negativity with the results of the Manny Pacquiao-Jeff Horn fight. In his literal moment in the sun, this proud Aussie did not back down one bit. To have an indignant fight announcer congratulate an excited winner and then tell him to his face that he didn’t think he won the fight was very unprofessional. To his credit, Horn did not miss a beat and said he respected the announcer’s opinion. Please give this classy young man and new WBO champion some respect and positive press instead of focusing on boxing’s problems. Dennis Lifton
Cypress
IOC you later
So, the International Olympic Committee has decided to add three-onthree basketball to the Summer Olympics, huh? What’s next? Flag football? Wiffle ball? Let’s not stop there. After all, as long as the IOC is willing to bastardize the Olympic Games, why not add cornhole, lawn darts, and Kan Jam to the mix? Brian Frates
Santa Monica ::
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