Fans have their own thoughts on analytics after another World Series disappointment.
Why do Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi keep insisting their operation was a success even though the patient died? Roy Dill
La Cañada
Dave Roberts shouldn’t expect anyone in Southern California to buy him a beer any time soon. In Boston, he’ll be welcomed with open arms and an unlimited tab. Ken Keller
Valencia
In the spirit of good sportsmanship, congratulations to the Red Sox on a well-earned World Series victory. And congratulations to the Dodgers, who, thanks to some of the most boneheaded managerial decisions in World Series history, are halfway to becoming the Buffalo Bills of Major League Baseball. Greg S. Garnet
Canoga Park
Zero stolen bases. Zero attempted stolen bases. Zero sacrifices. Zero hitand-run plays. Almost zero bunts, (even when wide swaths of infield were available for easy hits). Zero offensive imagination. And zero confidence in strong starting pitchers.
Oh, one more: Zero World Series rings for manager Dave Roberts. Rick Wallace
Malibu
On Monday morning I heard the statement from Andrew Friedman, “We completely understand how painful this loss was to our hugely loyal Dodger fan base. We promise the next year will be all about bringing Dodger fans the championship they so richly deserve, and for which they have waited far too long.”
Then I woke up. Mitch Stone
Santa Paula
All the armchair managerial Einsteins need to ease up on Dave Roberts. His decisions didn’t affect key player statistics. Given L.A.’s paltry batting average and astronomic bullpen ERA, no amount of managerial genius could have overcome the Red Sox juggernaut.
Fair game for secondguessing, however: the front office’s roster decisions over the past year. Gary Dolgin
Santa Monica
After Game 2 of the World Series I heard a Dodgers fan declare on the local vast wasteland of sports talk radio that he hoped Mike Scioscia would become the next Dodger manager.
Why anyone would prefer someone who has not been in a World Series in 16 years over someone who has been in the last two escapes me, but it seems like he got his wish in Game 4. Ron Reeve
Glendora
I decided to apply the same sabermetrics Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi have been doing for years with my own analysis. I found the Dodgers’ eFO+ (Effectiveness of the Front Office) was last of all 30 MLB teams. Barry P. Resnick
Orange
True story. My wife (who watches baseball only during the World Series) asks me during Game 5: If the Dodgers manager took out the starting pitcher in Game 4 when he had a 4-0 lead, why doesn’t he take out this starting pitcher when he is losing 4-1? Without having to go into a long answer, I just said: Good question. Steve Shaevel
Woodland Hills
My signature memory of the Dodgers’ 2018 World Series effort: Manny Machado blowing a big pink bubble from his wad of gum in a must-win game a second before ending up a step short of beating out a grounder.
“Let the kids play.” Riiiight! Roger B. Sypek
Lakewood
How appropriate that Manny Machado made the final out of the World Series swinging for the fences and ending up on one knee, while the Red Sox players began their team celebration. Let’s all give a hearty welcome back to Corey Seager for next year. Stephanie Rivera
Garden Grove
As I watched the Dodgers celebrate their National League championship, I couldn’t help but wonder whether the team believed their season was over. Richard Raffalow
Valley Glen
Observing Ryan Madson on the mound during the World Series was like watching a man who deeply regretted his decision not to pursue a career in accounting. So painfully obvious that everybody except Dave Roberts could see it. Sadly, it’s deja Yu all over again. Scott R. Denny
Santa Ana
The Dodgers’ 18-inning win over the Red Sox in the World Series was so long that by the time it ended, even Manny Machado was tired. Joe Kevany
Mount Washington The L.A.-Boston revenge match is only three months away when the Rams blow out the Patriots in Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta. Allan Kandel
Los Angeles
A Dodgers hitter as a tennis player:
“Your first serve is a 148-mph screamer, but you hit your second serve exactly the same way.” “I like to serve hard!” “But in key situations, don’t you think you should take a little off, make sure the second serve gets in?
“I really like to serve hard!”
“But you double-faulted on match point.”
“I know, but if I had gotten one in, I would have had an ace!” Bob Antonoplis
La Cañada
The Padres once made their play-by-play announcer manager for a year. Clearly it’s time the Dodgers hired Plaschke. Ken Artingstall
Glendale
One of my pet peeves is the use of superlatives such as “amazing,” “incredible” and “awesome” to describe commonplace events or people. Although you’ve heard it before, these superlatives truly do fit your photographic squad of Gina Ferazzi, Al Schaben, Luis Sinco, Robert Gauthier, and the general himself, Wally Skalij, for their coverage of the World Series. Ralph Martinez
Arcadia
I took my kids trick or treating at Dodger Stadium and all they got was a bunch of Nerds. George Sands
Torrance
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 address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used. Mail: Sports Viewpoint Los Angeles Times 2300 E. Imperial Hwy. El Segundo, CA 90245 Email: sports@latimes.com