Just What Angels Need Now: Another Beating

As unbelievable as the Angels’ 14-12 loss to the Cleveland Indians this week is to comprehend, it provides yet another example of the team’s gutless existence.

Where’s their pride, team character, desire to excel, commitment to get better? These are the intangible qualities that coaching and leadership help to foster. These are the elements Terry Collins and his staff, along with Mo “Cecil Fielder” Vaughn, miserably failed to develop.

With their play of the 1999 season, who in their right mind would publicly declare their support of this team? As for me, a brown bag is securely in place over my head.

JOHN HERNANDEZ

Claremont

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The next time there is a bench-clearing brawl, do one or all of three things.

1. Slap a pay-per-view on the TV audience.

2. Have the stadium fans come onto the playing field to stop the fiasco or join in.

3. Fine the team owners $100,000 a second at the start of the riot.

WAYNE E. SCOTT

Camarillo

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Checking the American League box scores Aug. 26, of the 14 teams, the Angels are the only one without a .300 hitter. Texas has five, Seattle has five and Oakland two.

Who’s to blame? I answer with a question: Which Angel coach is most responsible for hitting?

It goes to prove, expert players do not always make expert coaches.

JAMES J. BENNETT

Oxnard

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Angel pitcher Ken Hill says it “ain’t right” that he has been demoted to the bullpen. Well, it ain’t right that I have to consistently watch Hill and his $5.5-million salary take an early exit before I have a chance to pay $3.50 for my hot dog.

BARRY P. RESNICK

Orange

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Regarding Jim Edmonds being a bit envious of Red Sox and fans [Aug. 30], where the Angel outfielder mentions that “Red Sox fans cheer at just the right time . . . without a video board imploring them to make noise.”

Jim does have a point. Most of the fans at Edison Field sit like inanimate objects who are more concerned with talking to each other or stuffing themselves with nachos and cheese. The atmosphere is almost too polite and too regimented to be a little boisterous and spontaneous.

But, Jim, you need to recognize that Angel fans need something to cheer about. I can stand up at the plate and take a called third strike and muff balls in the field as good as any current Angel player and I’ll do it for half the money.

LEWIS POLIN

Laguna Niguel