Readers Have Name for It: Mike Downey

Where does Mike Downey get off using his column to express a personal vendetta against Kirk Gibson, or anyone for that matter? And where does The Times get off allowing a reporter to let loose with such a diatribe?

More often than not, I find Mr. Downey’s columns at least mildly entertaining and informative. But the opinions expressed in his column of Dec. 2, whether validated or not by other reporters and/or baseball people, were appallingly out of line. Is Kirk Gibson an angel? No (he’s a Royal). Has he demonstrated surly behavior at times? Probably. Has his behavior been at times crude and inappropriate? Possibly. But that is no reason to use the much-valued editorial space of a major metropolitan newspaper for a blatant cheap shot.

DANIEL J. LUBIN

San Pedro