Viewpoint / Letters : Former Hazzard Fan Longs for Gentleman Named Larry Farmer

Although I am a USC alumnus and lifelong fan, I remember enjoying and rooting for the 1964 UCLA national championship basketball team. I was particularly thrilled by the play of an exciting, energetic Bruin guard with a distinctive shoulders-squared yo-yo dribbling style. In the hallway of our home hangs a silk screen of this player which my father made in 1969, using an earlier Times photograph as a model.

But, alas, the years have not been kind to Walt Hazzard. Before the most recent USC-UCLA game we see on our television screen an incredibly bloated figure identified as Walt Hazzard glaring into the camera and solemnly intoning: “Tonight, we do not like the Trojans.” During the game we see this figure screaming at the referees, costing his team the game in the process. What does this coach have to say after witnessing the most competitive game in the history of this nearly 180-game series? Does he praise the young men on both sides who played their hearts out for a game and a half? No. Although his team did not hold the lead for the last forty-three minutes, he says the visitors “lucked out.” It makes one really appreciate gentlemen, such as the hounded-into-retirement Larry Farmer.

GREGORY A. PEARSON

Santa Monica

I was shocked at the unsportsmanlike and potentially dangerous conduct of some members of the UCLA basketball team against USC. The tactic of pulling down a USC player on a breakaway to the basket is not only very poor sportsmanship, but could possibly cause injury to the players involved.

This, in addition to Coach Walt Hazzard’s immature conduct during the game and inappropriate remarks after the game point to the unfortunate decline of UCLA’S once respectable basketball program.

RANDY W. MEDINA

Los Angeles

Walt Hazzard’s behavior before and after the game, and his two technical fouls helped win the game for USC. However, USC was a better Pac-10 representative anyway. Coach Stan Morrison didn’t chase the referees off the court after the game.

B. CROWELL

Santa Ana

Coach Hazzard’s criticism about the officials and USC luck after the four-overtime loss, while out of frustration, were uncalled for. His comments about never again losing to USC while he is coach at UCLA may be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

RICHARD A. BILAS

Bakersfield

I don’t care if UCLA loses ten times to USC this season, I’m still going to be supportive of Walt Hazzard. Your negative press coverage of UCLA has been appalling all year long. I am curious to see what your coverage of Walt Hazzard will be when he, as Al McGuire said, turns UCLA into the Georgetown of the West Coast. I’m sure you will be the first to jump on the bandwagon.

JIM McNANIMIE

Fullerton

Perhaps your letter writers may be right that Walt Hazzard is becoming a good coach, but he has developed a definite knack for losing the close games, consistently. True, he has a tough job and even tougher shoes to fill, but John Wooden had a knack for always winning the close ones. Perhaps Walt has forgotten this key element.

I have the patience to wait for another year and see what happens, but if this trend continues, I’m afraid I’ll join those who saw him only as a great player .

GARY BROWN

Pasadena

If there was ever an argument for a shot clock in college basketball, it was the latest USC-UCLA game. What a waste of time those first two overtimes were--a total of four points scored in ten minutes of playing time. That isn’t basketball; it’s the children’s game of “keep-away.”

LYN MEYER

Thousand Oaks

Meanwhile, Morrison Is Praised for Class

Here’s my vote for Stan Morrison for Pac-10 coach of the year. He has taken a group of good athletes and turned them into a great team. Gracious in victory or defeat, Morrison has demonstrated great class.

Morrison has returned USC to basketball prominence and I hope he retires from the university many years from now. All he needs in the next few years is an on-campus arena and some 7-footers.

MIKE COUGHLIN

Long Beach

This Dodger Fan Doesn’t Mind Paying

Have Sophie Grocki and Ray Polson (Viewpoint, March 2) been living in the Twilight Zone? I don’t understand why anyone would be “infuriated” about plans for Dodger pay television or the references to Peter O’Malley’s “greed.”

The Los Angeles Dodgers are not a free public service. They are the most successful franchise in professional sports. They didn’t get that way by applying a sliding fee scale based on willingness to pay their admission and food prices.

For my money they are an entertainment bargain, whether at Dodger Stadium, or at home on pay TV.

GLORIA V. MULLENDORE

Alhambra

There’s One Test Lasorda May Fail

During the recent flap over drug testing of Dodger players, Manager Tom Lasorda told anyone who would listen that it made no difference to him if Peter O’Malley called him in three times a week for any kind of test. If that includes one for intelligence, Lasorda could be in deep trouble.

K.P. ANDERSON

Lakewood

L.A. Still Has Long Way to Run

As one of many thousands of Southern Californians who run in, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of, the New York Marathon, I have often wondered why the City of Los Angeles cannot or will not sponsor a marathon comparable to those of New York, Chicago or Boston. I wonder why no longer after reading your fine piece of journalism on Monday.

DICK LOPEZ

Westlake Village

The Ricky Bell Story Was About a Real Hero

Ricky Bell was indeed a courageous man who obviously suffered a great deal more than he deserved. His struggle was one that was not completely seen, while your story helped to show what a warm and caring man he was. Thank you for giving us readers a chance to see what heroes are really made of.

JASON BARRY

Beverly Hills

Then the Quarterback Would Call All the Plays

There is one man who is perfect for owning the L.A. Express. One man who has the money. One man who has the interest and the conviction to see the job done right. One man who really cares about the team and the players. Only one logical choice.

I think Steve Young should buy the team.

GARY VELASCO

El Monte

Reilly May Have Jumped to Wrong Conclusion

I just read Rick Reilly’s piece on an old friend, Bevo Francis. I enjoyed it, but I think old Bevo would even question one statement that Reilly makes, that he was the “first of the great jump-shooters.”

What about Paul Arizin (LaSalle All-American, 1950; leading scorer in the NBA, 1951-52)?

DALE C. SWEETMAN

Ontario

A New Statistical Category for Baseball?

With 36 players making $1 million a year or more, the game of major league baseball is out of hand--though not necessarily out of business.

Therefore, in facing this reality, a statistic ranking each team’s winning percentage per its total players’ salaries should be widely published and not ignored.

SCOTT TUSHLA

La Habra