Dodgers are held at bay
Watching the Dodgers’ collapse on their latest trip left me searching for a one word acronym that best describes their current state of affairs:
B: Below Mendoza Line team batting average. U: Uribe. S: Suffering fan base. T: Third place in NL West at best.
Adam Wayne
Los Angeles
After witnessing the Dodgers’ historically dismal visits to the Bay Area, two runs in 54 innings, I am left wondering if I missed the news that the Transportation Security Administration has prohibited major league bats from being carried on intrastate flights.
Gregg Schoenberg
San Francisco
Now that the euphoria of an ownership change and an incredible start out of the gate has faded, the cold, hard reality of the middle of a grueling 162-game season is in full view. Not so pretty, is it?
Without significant personnel changes, the rest of the way could be ugly.
Ronald Peters
Thousand Oaks
Will someone please wake up Ned Colletti and tell him that if he waits till the trading deadline to make a deal, there’s a good chance the Dodgers will already have been mathematically eliminated.
Herb Schoenberg
Tarzana
The four biggest problems the Dodgers have are:
1. An inexperienced manager who pulls the lineup out of a hat, then bunts with two strikes and swings 3-0.
2. A lineup of retreads and bench warmers.
3. An overrated ownership group no better than their predecessors.
4. Nobody knows what to get Jimmy and Millie for a wedding gift.
Craig Poletti
San Dimas
Watching the Dodgers blow a five-run lead to the Angels was no surprise at all. Just look at some of their infielders:
James Loney is better performing the hit-and-run from behind the wheel of his car than from the batter’s box.
Dee Gordon is a weak leadoff man who can’t bunt to save his life.
Juan Uribe is more valuable to the team on the disabled list than at the plate.
Adam Kennedy ... really?
Don’t sneeze, because Mattingly’s house of cards is on the verge of collapse.
Steve Carey
Burbank
What has T.J. been smoking? First he gets all lovey-dovey over the Dodgers shortstop who’s hitting .228, because the guy lost his mother at age 6. Next, he is buddying up to Matt Kemp, whose narcissistic ramblings seem incoherent. What’s next, candles and wine?
I’d hate to see the only Times columnist who isn’t afraid to say the Dodgers are mediocre losers suddenly get star-struck like a kid.
Ray Mungo
Signal Hill
Every so often, “Mr. Negativity” drops the sarcasm and comes through with a real gem. T.J. Simers’ heartfelt interview with Dee Gordon was not only informative and eye-opening, but truly touching.
Rick Solomon
Lake Balboa
Perhaps the Dodgers ought to spend more energy shopping for a proven hitter, rather than the marketing scam that gouges the fans by requiring ticket purchases to 10 games, just to be able to obtain a Koufax or Scully bobblehead.
Ed Kaz
Oak Park The Lakers’ problem
It’s nice to see that T.J. Simers has it all figured out. It’s not Jim Buss’ fault. It’s not Mike Brown’s fault. It’s not the fault of one of the worst benches in the league. No, it’s all Kobe’s fault [June 24]. And not because Simers can’t stand Kobe, it’s just that Kobe can’t win. Of course he has five rings and is by far the best player on the team.
Simers concludes he will stay a Clippers fan. Promise?
Ralph S. Brax
Lancaster
Good for T.J. Finally someone in the L.A. media is willing to risk the wrath of Lakers fans and Kobe lovers by accepting reality.
Jim Woodard
Woodland Hills
I don’t agree with T.J. OK, Kobe’s numbers decline at the end of games because he misses shots; the fact is, he plays too many minutes. Why? Because the lakers have no depth and they have to keep relying on the same scoring option.
Yes, he’s probably slightly overpaid (relatively speaking) considering his level of output. But he’s still the best player on that team. Kobe may be ball hungry and an occasional defensive fool but he’s not the problem. The problem is the team chemistry (Bynum’s immaturity, Metta’s stupidity, etc.), coaching
and lack of roster depth.
Hany Gobreial
Pacific Palisades Can we all please go back to hating the Celtics now?
Steve Rosenblatt
West Hills Playoffs?
Thank you to Chris Dufresne [June 27] for being a realist about this proposed college football playoff. Everyone has been so excited about finally getting a playoff to get a “true” champion to end the controversy, but really, the controversy is just beginning. Right now it is the No. 3 team that is upset. If we move to a four-team playoff, then there will be an argument over No. 5. If it ever goes to an 8-team playoff, there will be an outcry over team No. 9. And so on.
That is the inherent problem with college sports with uneven schedules and unbalanced levels of competition. People are even upset about team No. 69 in college basketball.
I’d be more inclined to just return to the bowls the way they used to be, because fans, media and players will never be satisfied in this never-ending chase to pick a “true” champion. There is always, always, going to be someone left out, so just return to the old system, where the Rose Bowl was the goal, not an afterthought.
Greg Wagner
Irvine Fan club grows
An off-season hockey column by new NHL fan Bill Plaschke? What’s next, T.J. Simers commenting on the nonstop excitement that is Sparks basketball?
Patty Janner
El Segundo Seriously?
The Sports front page on Monday headlines “Kid Power,” featuring 11- and 12-year-old skateboarders, while Wimbledon is relegated to Page 8.
As John McEnroe would say, you can’t be serious.
Troy Easton
Pacific Palisades
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. Mail: Sports Viewpoint Los Angeles Times 202 W. 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012 Fax: (213) 237-4322 Email: