Downey on the Money, or Is He Off the Mark?

Three cheers to Mike Downey for recognizing what many long-suffering King fans have known all along: Emperor Gretzky has no clothes. In a long-standing tradition of questionable transactions and general managers eager to unload high draft picks for aging stars, the Kings once again traded their future in 1988-89 for an aging superstar who indeed filled Forum seats, but in the process turned Los Angeles hockey into the “Old Oilers’ Home.”

If Gretzky wants an offense-minded defenseman, he should look no further than Alexei Zhitnik, who was given away in favor of ancient Oiler alum Grant Fuhr. If he wants a 50-goal scorer, he should turn to Luc Robitaille, who had the misfortune to fall out of favor with the emperor and is long gone.

If winning is as large a priority to the new King ownership as filling the stands, they should commit to both by taking to heart a venerable Hollywood axiom: Nothing succeeds like success.

MATTHEW L. DADAY

Rowland Heights

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It’s deja vu all over again. Mike Downey has found another athlete to run out of town. He doesn’t pick on any old athlete, only the best for him. Readers might recall the Eric Dickerson saga. Here was the best running back in football who wanted to get paid for being the best. Downey said get rid of Dickerson. This was about the time the Rams acquired Jim Everett, who had some pretty good years. But without a running game, it was all for naught.

Now Downey wants to get rid of Wayne Gretzky while they can get someone for him. Gretzky may be right that the Kings need a couple of key players. I’m sure he would like to go out on a winning note. In addition, he would be a wonderful asset to the Kings after his retirement. To the powers that be at The Times, should Gretzky go? No. Downey’s got to go.

BERNARD J. LA RUE

Los Angeles