Seems as if He’s the Only One Unhappy About Home Runs

I recently moved to Los Angeles from the East Coast. My initial impression of L.A. after reading Bill Plaschke’s home run piece [“Homer Unhappy,” Aug. 23] was that this town needs a football team, and quickly. What other reasonable explanation could there be for his chastising the home run race? It’s obvious he has too much time on his hands.

I think most baseball fans know that there is not going to be the same magic as last year’s. But, frankly, as one sports fan, I don’t care. I just enjoy watching those incredible sluggers knocking the hell out of that baseball (500 feet, awesome!).

BILL SURDOCK

Hollywood

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Bill Plaschke wants the home run race to end? He must be partners with Todd McFarlane on McGwire’s No. 70 ball. I didn’t think newspaper guys made that kind of money.

SPANKY DEMBO

Beverly Hills

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Seventy years ago, Bill Plaschke might have written: “Boy, it sure is boring seeing Babe Ruth hit all those home runs. What I would give to see Ty Cobb come in spikes high and wipe out a shortstop!”

JEFFREY R. THOMSON

Los Angeles

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Bill Plaschke worries that the ’99 race has showcased “baseball’s unhealthy obsession with personal glory.” But personal records and achievements have always been a big part of baseball’s charm and allure. How many championship teams did Nolan Ryan play for? Did Ryan’s seventh no-hitter make his prior accomplishments any less significant?

I can say with certainty that I would trade all of Sosa’s homers to see the World Series at Wrigley Field. But absent that, Cub fans and their counterparts in St. Louis should feel privileged to revel in an amazing race that adds color to an otherwise disappointing season.

J.B. MITCHELL

Santa Monica

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Who do you think pegged what these sluggers are doing as a “chase”? Neither man called a news conference to announce that he was going to chase the home run record. Neither announced he would try to one-up the other, game-to-game. The journalists, Bill, put the spotlight on something that was and is larger than life.

You wrote, “It’s time they stop.” No, Bill, it isn’t. But it could be time for journalists and analysts to just sit back and enjoy it, like real baseball fans are doing.

RUTH S. WARDWELL

Orange

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The sheer notion that McGwire and Sosa are to stop trying to hit the ball hard is completely absurd. The only “parlor game” being played here, Bill, is your intentionally inciting and ludicrous column designed only to provoke this kind of response. Congratulations. Mission accomplished.

JIM FREDRICK

Manhattan Beach