Welcome to the season like no other

Keep me safe from the ballgame

Keep me safe from the crowds

I’ll be at home eating Cracker Jack

I don’t know if we’ll ever get back

Let me root, root, root for a vaccine Without one it is a shame For it’s one, two, three masks you’re safe At the old ballgame! (If only Harry Caray were still alive to give it voice.) Robert Warren

Simi Valley

Movie pitch for a holiday season blockbuster: “The Natural” meets “All the President’s Men” meets “From Russia With Love.” On Nov. 4, Mike Trout hits a walk-off home run off the light tower in the seventh game of the World Series against the Dodgers in front of a packed stadium of ecstatic Orange County fans. The World Series is delayed for a week so that a vaccine, provided by a lab in Moscow, allows a standing-room only crowd for the final game of the Fall Classic. Dave Sanderson

La Cañada Flintridge ::

It doesn’t get any better than this. Opening day. The TV viewing issue resolved. And now the Dodgers sign Mookie Betts to a long-term contract. The only thing that could make this day better would be for Rob Manfred to do the right thing and finally announce that the Houston Cheaters have had their 2017 World Series championship vacated.

This would be my personal definition of “Blue Heaven on Earth.” Larry Weiner

Culver City

For decades MLB owners were afraid fans would stay home if they showed home games on TV. MLB owners knew they had no product without a big boisterous stadium crowd.

The Dodgers’ opening game proved that. Bob Munson

Newbury Park ::

The last time we’ve heard descriptions like “driven to excellence,” “practices harder than anyone else” and “sets an example by his overall work ethic,” a guy named Kirk Gibson came to town. And we all remember what happened then. Welcome to L.A., Mookie. No pressure… Marty Zweben

Palos Verdes Estates ::

Unless they’ve found a cure for cancer or the coronavirus, no one, and that includes Mookie Betts, is worth $365 million. More power to you, Mookie. You’ve made fools of Dodgers management. Again. Mel Frohman

Los Angeles

If the Dodgers win the World Series, they can party like it’s 1981, only a lot less. Robert Ostrove

Ventura

Jorge Castillo writes, “Joe Davis said he and Orel Hershiser will have to change their formula, reducing their periods of silence in big moments without fans present to provide organic noise.” What “periods of silence”? These two never shut up — especially Hershiser! And when they are not talking about the game, which happens way too often, they talk about their favorite rock bands, their favorite food, how they like their pizzas prepared and on and on.

We feel like we are eavesdropping on two friends having a private conversation, not watching a major league game. Dick Larson

Huntington Beach ::

What was that racket on ESPN on Thursday night? It certainly wasn’t play-byplay. When you come to Vin Scully’s house, you certainly ought to make an effort to talk about what is happening on the field. Instead, we got a steady stream of time-delayed conversation while the announcers interviewed each other. Perhaps in the future the Dodgers could “accidentally” get the wires crossed and substitute their broadcasters. Charley Steiner in his recliner is way better than this. Gregory Larkin

Camarillo

If the idea is to have the cardboard cutouts in the stands at Dodger Stadium resemble fans, shouldn’t half of them be looking down at their cellphones? Robert Paris

Granada Hills ::

I could not help but notice that the fans behind home plate at the Dodgers game appeared to be board. Taylor Perry

Los Angeles

Like all Dodgers fans, I was looking forward to seeing Clayton Kershaw on the mound on opening day. Good thing we had those commercials for tires and shoes. Axel W. Kyster

Bradbury

The MLB season may be just 60 games this year, or it could be shortened if a COVID-19 spread occurs.

Either way, players’ individual stats should count toward their career totals ... with one possible longshot exception. If a player compiles a batting average of .400 or higher (perhaps even topping Ted Williams’ .406 in 1941) then that accomplishment should not be given unasterisked validity. John J. Costello

Dana Point

I wonder if MLB can explain the process of how they do “fast testing” on its players. I’m sure the general public would be interested in the concept. Not only MLB, but every other major sports franchise that somehow has the preferred “connections.” Richard Whorton

Studio City

Here we go again

Anyone who has followed the Angels through the years could not have been surprised when newly acquired Anthony Rendon went down with an injury. The curse of the Angels struck previous Angels savior-to-bust free agents including Mo Vaughn and Josh Hamilton and has now come for Rendon.

“The Curse of the Cowboy” may not be a match for “The Curse of the Bambino,” but don’t tell that to longsuffering Angels fans. Allan Kandel

Los Angeles

The doctor is in

To open this infectious disease-delayed baseball season, the Washington Nationals invited Dr. Anthony Fauci, America’s favorite immunologist, to throw out the first pitch. I was hoping it would be something like a flat curve. Steve Ross

Beverly Hills

That’s two minutes

With the NHL’s tradition of reporting injuries by using the vague terms “upper” and “lower” body injury, will it now be reporting positive COVID-19 cases as “inner” body injuries? Nick Rose

Newport Coast ::

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