Orange County Sports Hall of Fame a Way of Saying Thanks to Athletes

It would be very difficult to find a more disappointing and confusing piece of journalism than Mike Penner’s column (“Decking the Hall With L.A. Rams and Orioles,” Oct. 28) about the Orange County Sports Hall of Fame.

For 12 years, the purpose of the Sports Hall of Fame has been to say thanks to those who have made us proud and given us all a wealth of fun and excitement. A group of dedicated volunteers has used this format to raise money to help the young kids coming up by donating sports equipment and renovating playing fields. The induction banquet is a celebration of all those good things and a great event in the lives of the inductees and their families.

Penner’s column was a masterpiece of bad information and bad timing. However, giving the benefit of the doubt and assuming ignorance, we’ll point out that Hall of Fame induction isn’t a team function. We honor individual athletes for what they’ve given to our community--excitement, excellence and professionalism. Great plays, great games, great days and great seasons are the stuff that’s appreciated, relived and remembered.

They are selected by the sportswriters and past inductees and they’re all champions of the first order. They’ve enriched our lives and our county, and it’s a real pleasure to give back some attention and appreciation in exchange for what they’ve given us. To mention that a guy who delivered countless thrills on the way to helping give the Angels their most successful seasons ever in Anaheim once swung at the first pitch is like pointing out that the guy whose picture is on the dollar once chopped down a cherry tree.

Also, I’d like to mention that the 61 inducted Hall of Famers are individuals who were the best in the world at what they did. They include Olympic medalists, world champions in motor sports, boxing, horse racing and a host of athletes already enshrined in the Halls of Fame of their own particular sports. The challenge each year is to select from a host of worthy individuals on the ballot.

The new Hall of Fame museum at Anaheim Stadium is being built by Orange County fans and businesses, including significant participation by the Los Angeles Times. The Hall of Fame will continue to honor our sports heroes, and the money we raise will keep providing equipment and playing fields at a time when our kids need all the discipline, fun and training in fundamental values that youth sports provide. Orange County’s past and future athletes and all of Orange County’s sports fans will be the winners.

JANET DONOVAN

President, Orange County Sports Hall of Fame