Here’s Some Cheese to Go with Your Whine

Bill Russell as a player earned the nickname “Billy Goat.” As a manager, he has done nothing to lose it.

MATT STEIN

Los Alamitos

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If Delino DeShields played his position as well as he whines, he wouldn’t have to worry about job security next season. Ask Atlanta Brave center fielder Marquis Grissom, batting .308 with a torn rotator cuff, how much pain he has been playing with this year. Put up or shut up, DD. Dodger fans have a low tolerance for crybabies.

MICHAEL R. KITAHARA

West Covina

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Even more fun than watching the Dodgers choke was reading the excuses. It’s the one area where they truly shine, aside from their ability to brag about how good they were every time they had a one-game winning streak. Winners make do; losers make excuses.

HARVEY SHELENY

Westminster

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The Dodgers exceeded 3 million in attendance for a record 11th time this season, yet they were unable to sell out their playoff series against the Braves. They deserved better. Yes, the Dodgers may have underachieved this season, and their hitting was miserable in choking away the division title, but they played some phenomenal baseball in August and September.

The bottom line is that every playoff game should be sold out. Anything less is embarrassing. No wonder the rest of the country loves to make fun of the “fans” in Southern California.

JOHN FRASER

Aliso Viejo

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Please answer the following multiple-choice question: What do the almost-division champion Dodgers and heavyweight Bruce Seldon have in common? They:

a) Hit the canvas.

b) Took a dive.

c) Gave up early.

d) Put on a not-so-Brave face.

CORMAC O’HERLIHY

Malibu