Trojans get pushed around by Irish, then by the fans
It was not the luck of the Irish, it was the yuck of the Trojans! Dan McAdam Rancho Palos Verdes
While technically USC doesn’t have a scheduled bye this season, the Trojans all but failed to show up for the game at Notre Dame, so doesn’t that count? Steve Ross Beverly Hills
With only another year of coaching at USC, quarterback Sam Darnold could actually develop into the next Max Browne! Jack Von Bulow Temple City
The final score of the USC-Notre Dame game was disgraceful, but no more than the performance of the team on the field and their coaches on the sideline. Regretfully, this Trojan team has been exposed as a wannabe team. The dream of making the final four is shattered and maybe even a Rose Bowl berth. We’ll keep the faith for a Pac-12 South title and the playoff against one of the Washington teams. Tom Turner Dana Point
Okay, fellow fickle Trojan alumni, let’s get this over with: Fire Clancy Pendergast! Bench Sam Darnold! Fire Clay Helton! There. That should make everyone feel better. Barry P. Resnick Orange
I’m happy Bob Padgett and his USC pals made it home after that ill-advised 1967 flight. Admittedly, different times, and we all have similar head-scratcher moments in our background. But you have to wonder: maybe Darwin was wrong... Brent Wright Valencia
Stuck at the Series I lucked out and got tickets to the World Series on Tuesday night. It was a beautiful, tight game. I wouldn’t have thought that anything could diminish the euphoria I felt when the Dodgers pulled off the win. Then I sat in my car, in my $100 preferred parking spot, unmoving, for a full hour. There were no directives telling you the way out. The only personnel I saw were stadium employees putting up arbitrary road blocks that kept hundreds of cars trapped. An hour and a half after the game, I finally made the half-mile sludge out of the stadium lot.
It was a chaotic scene, turning many happy fans angry and frustrated, and the Dodgers management should be ashamed. Oh, but these are the same guys that won’t lift a finger to get the TV situation fixed, I forgot. Josh Clark San Gabriel
Here we go again, the Kobe Bryant attitude. You either win the last game you play, or the whole season’s a dismal failure — according to Bill Plaschke’s cover story Tuesday.
The Dodgers’ season has already been a wonderful, warm-fuzzy success for legions of us fans. Just getting to the World Series is almost everything. For a week or two, it puts a lightness in our step and fulfillment in our sports hearts. If we don’t win it all this year, it’s certain that we’ll be a very strong team for years to come. And how can any person with an ounce of empathy not be a little warmed if the Astros win their first title ever, for their hurricane-ravaged city? It’s a complete win-win World Series, although we’re all pulling hard for the Blue.
But c’mon man, stop whining if we don’t happen to win the final game. It’s all good. Pete Howard San Luis Obispo
I believe that Dylan Hernandez nailed it after Game 2 when he wrote that Dave Roberts’ use of the bullpen was “an assembly line of relievers.” After Hill left after four innings there was still a stretch to fill. Roberts used up his relievers as if they were auditioning. Nobody seemed to work up a sweat. It was more of a cameo appearance. I checked the Lakers game for a minute and didn’t realize that Stripling was used up. Watson made an appearance but it all would rest on Brandon’s shoulders.
The best-laid plans do not always work. Maybe a twist on Shakespeare would go like this: Parting is such sweet sorrow; I’ll say goodbye til it be Morrow. Ted La Mothe Long Beach
If you read Bill Plaschke’s “A ScorchingHot Opener,” you’d think Kirk Gibson and Justin Turner were the only Dodgers in history to hit home runs in the playoffs. After one sixth-inning home run by Turner in his first World Series game, Plaschke is ready to give him legendary status.
I know Plaschke needs something to write about, but before he proclaims Turner to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer he should look up “perspective” in the dictionary. Ray McKown Rancho Palos Verdes
It’s so nice to be able to watch the Dodgers on TV again. It’s even more gratifying to know that Spectrum Cable isn’t making a dime off of me while watching! Dave Eng Thousand Oaks
Having the Dodgers in the World Series but not having Vin Scully call the game is like having Christmas without the carols. Nick Gonzales Baldwin Park
Rush to judgment
How irresponsible of The Times to publish Robert Bubnovich’s letter that criticized Lonzo Ball after Ball played just one NBA game. I found it particularly ironic that the headline that day on Page 1 read, “Ball’s Second Act Is Superb.”
We all need to give the kid some time. Ken Feldman Los Angeles
Patrick Beverley is a thug. I thought that kind of play was gone when Bill Laimbeer left the NBA. Running into a stationary Lonzo Ball and sticking your face into his, and then, later, pushing Ball to the floor is not part of what I consider the beautiful game of basketball. I know Beverley contends he was “schooling” Lonzo, but a thug is a thug. Please, Mr. Beverley, play great defense that is a joy to see, but leave the thug home. Gary Kazanjian Hermosa Beach
In game number two, Lonzo did what Kobe could not do in 82 games as a rookie. Maybe LaVar is crazy, but maybe he’s crazy like a fox! David Waldowski Laguna Woods
Time to bolt
Are the “Los Angeles Chargers of San Diego” going to be on TV every Sunday? They had a devoted fan base in San Diego, but their greedy owner wanted the big city. Well, they got it. And now they can’t even fill a Pee-Wee stadium. Dennis O’Connor West Hollywood
The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used. Mail: Sports Viewpoint Los Angeles Times 202 W. 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012 Fax: (213) 237-4322 Email: sports@latimes.com