Bench Vinny? You Must Be Kidding

Over the years, Bill Stein’s “contributions” to the Saturday Viewpoint have subjected us to a certain amount of ignorance, but last week’s foolishness was the topper. Criticism of Vin Scully in any way, shape or form is blasphemy, and nothing less.

After disingenuously recognizing Scully’s greatness, Stein suggests that he is not alone in his desire to hear less of Scully and more of Rick Monday and Ross Porter. Here’s a news flash, Bill. You are. In fact, I dare say most of us consider Scully’s Farmer John commercials a nice break from Monday’s incessant and unintelligible chatter.

The fact of the matter is that Vin Scully could very well be the single most important person in the history of the Dodgers’ storied franchise. (Jackie Robinson’s importance extends far beyond the Dodgers or, for that matter, baseball.) Scully’s knowledge and experience are supreme. His delivery is flawless. His historical anecdotes are first-hand, and they bridge the gaps between generations of fans, their children and their children’s children. He is often the reason Dodger fans continue to watch and listen during lopsided games or dismal seasons. He is a treasure. He is the reason I feel a part of the Dodger family and have since I was 7 years old. He is the reason I always will.

If Mr. Stein is unable to cherish and savor Vin Scully in the twilight of his brilliant career, he should find something to do with his time other than watch or listen to Dodger games, because he is obviously not a baseball fan. And he is certainly not a Dodger fan.

DEREK W. STARK, Woodland Hills

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Bill Stein, you’re absolutely right. In a metropolitan area the size of Los Angeles, there must be half a dozen who agree with you.

MEL KELEMAN, Los Alamitos

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I usually agree with contributor Bill Stein. However, how can he prefer Rick or Ross over Vin Scully? This is on a par with selecting Salvador Dali over Michelangelo.

AUDREY PAULY, Beverly Hills

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Bob Daly, should you choose to follow Bill Stein’s advice and scale back Vin Scully’s workload, please tell Vin he is welcome to come over and watch the game at my house during his off innings. We’ll turn off the sound and he can tell me and my 2-year-old son all the stories he wants about Mel Ott’s dog, the genesis of Marquis Grissom’s name or Mark Twain’s memorable descriptions of summertime weather in San Francisco.

MARK KIELY, Lake Forest

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C’mon Mr. Stein, you were just kidding, right? Just to get angry Vin Scully fans to write in and defend him?

DENNIS FLATLEY, Santa Maria