Local Players Make It to the World Series

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Padres for having the foresight to trade Roberto Alomar. If they had realized they had one of the best second baseman in the game, I might never have gotten the chance to see his heroics in the ninth inning of Game 4 or see him hit safely in each of his first 11 postseason games or see him win the American League playoffs’ Most Valuable Player award for hitting .423. I would have missed the look of sheer exhilaration on his face as he danced around the bases after the ninth inning homer. For this, I thank you.

I also would like to thank the Padres for giving Roberto the chance to play on a truly great ball club, a club very unlike them. Through all the hardships and disappointments in recent years, the Blue Jays’ fans and management have stuck with them, and doing so obviously has paid off. If you want to make money in this game, you have to show the fans that you are devoted to them and that you are willing to take some risks with your wallets. The Blue Jays made it to the playoffs with the help of two costly free agents, Jack Morris and Dave Winfield. They spent money to improve what many would have considered an already good team, but they were not content to have a good team, they wanted a great one. The fans recognized this and turned out to the tune of almost 50,000 per game. Maybe that’s something for the Padres to think about during their shop ‘em-or-drop ‘em off-season. San Diego deserves better than what has been given us, and so do the players who will remain on the team after the “monetary cleansing.”

Personally, I would love to see Tony Gwynn play for Toronto, too, and maybe Gary Sheffield. While you’re at it, send Fred McGriff back home. These players are all winners and they should get the chance to play for one. If the fans don’t see a turnaround ownership policy soon, you won’t see a turnaround in attendance. And since you seem so concerned about making money at this game, maybe you should remember that.

Congratulations, Roberto, we miss you.

CHRISTOPHER LEACH, La Jolla