Series of unfortunate events
In October, I’d rather have Koufax than Kershaw (and Koufax is 82). PJ Gendell
Beverly Hills
Nothing is certain but death and taxes. Correction. Nothing is certain but Clayton Kershaw wilting in the postseason and Dave Roberts making the worst pitching and lineup decisions. Geno Apicella
Placentia
Had Tom Lasorda applied today’s rote and trite sabermetrics logic in the 1988 World Series, a hobbled Kirk Gibson, with only three pinch-hit appearances over the course of the season, never would have left the bench to face the game’s top closer who led the league in saves with a signature slider known to completely neutralize left-handed batters. Meanwhile, data analysis informs the team’s current robot, er, manager, to sit his four top home run hitters (one the NLCS MVP) on the most important stage not once but twice, both losses.
It’s a good thing the Dodgers played baseball, not moneyball, back then or the championship drought could be going on 37 years. Steve Ross
Beverly Hills
Dave Roberts knows his stuff but has the instincts of a rosin bag. He manages baseball much like an “artist” paints by the numbers. He should consider swapping that tidy uniform for a sloppy hoodie and go wild. He’s becoming the Bud Grant of baseball. Mario Valvo
Ventura
Despite the Dodgers’ current World Series woes, Wally Skalij’s photographs — topped by his great shot of Andrew Benintendi’s catch in Game 2 — reflect the fact that he remains one of the best — maybe the best — sports photographers in the business. Gordon Morris
Glendale
Uncle Charley Thank you, thank you, thank you, Tom Hoffarth. for your spot-on article critical of Dodgers broadcaster Charley Steiner. Most of what is in that article I have been saying to anyone who would listen for more than a year now. Dodgers fans deserve better, and I do not say that merely as a fan (who isn’t?) of the great Vin Scully.
How is it possible, if Mr. Steiner has spent any amount of time listening to Vin, that he hasn’t heard Vin telling his audience how he learned from Red Barber to give the score every 10 minutes without fail, and that Vin has a 10-minute timer to remind him to do so? Gary L. Platt
Rancho Cucamonga
Steiner’s joy and love for the game are infectious, as is his humor. I’ll not forget his call of a game-ending balk induced by a Dodger runner: “Kiké Hernandez danced down the third base line like a Radio City Rockette.” Or when with the team down 15-1: “When we come back for the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers only need 14 to tie.” Jordan Chodorow
Los Angeles
LeBron’s Lakers
Brandon Ingram, have you ever heard of Wally Pipp? After Pipp took a day off from the Yankees lineup, Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth became pretty good teammates. Well BI, during your four-game suspension, Kyle Kuzma and LeBron James have become pretty good teammates. Tom Lallas
Los Angeles
Why does it not surprise me, or any sports fan, that Rajon Rondo acted the way he did on the floor and not offer even a hint of apology.
I grew up in New England and a die-hard fan of their teams even though I have been in SoCal since the early ’80s. I was fortunate to witness the Showtime era and though I disliked the Lakers, I had much respect for them.
Can’t say the same for the Lakers new guard, a former member of the Celtics, who has had run-ins with just about every coach in his career. He can brag all he wants about winning a ring, but he will never be perceived as a champion. Steve Walsh
Redondo Beach
While violence of any kind has no place on a basketball court, the NBA should not be surprised that a young player like Brandon Ingram lost his cool while guarding James Harden for an extended period of time. Put a camera on Harden for a whole game and you will see him getting away with grabbing, holding, pushing off from behind while rebounding, fending off and hooking with his free arm, and most of all initiating incidental contact that results in foul calls that few other players get. Avrumie Schnitzer
Beverly Hills
On the grid
Anyone else notice the Bruins’ first victory at the Rose Bowl this year coincided with the availability of alcohol to the public?
The fans were no doubt feeling as chipper as the players. Marty Zweben
Palos Verdes Estates
It’s amazing how JT Daniels has a great game and the commentary is everywhere. Now when he is six for 16 nothing is said. No comments from JT, barely anything from Clay Helton. An embarrassing showing for USC all around. Mike Swindell
Palm Desert
By the numbers
The Angels were led to hiring Brad Ausmus, in part, because of his “probabilistic approach to decision-making.” Forget for a moment, why not just say we wanted an analytics guy? What remains is, how did a commitment to probabilistic decision-making lead to the hiring of a manager with a 314-332 record with no titles? The probabilistic extrapolation, respectfully, appears unpromising. Konrad Moore
San Diego
He’d be busy
Reflecting on their early performances, it’s clear that the Kings should fire John Stevens and hire Sean McVay. And the Lakers should fire Luke Walton and hire Sean McVay. Steve Weinstein
Los Angeles
Good luck with that
I wonder which I’ll see first: a Kings power-play goal or a Dodgers hit with men in scoring position.
Perhaps I am better off hoping for bipartisan cooperation or world peace. Nick Rose
Newport Coast
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