September Always Comes Too Swoon for Angels

It must be September--the leaves are falling and the Angels have begun to disappoint the team’s few remaining fans.

More bizarre than a fan’s public declaration of support for the Angels is Manager Mike Scioscia’s recent comments that “. . . we don’t want to have a sense of urgency to the point where we’re going to panic” [Sept. 5]. Mike, if not now, when?

After Tuesday night’s play, the Angels had lost six consecutive games. In what realm of this universe can that be construed as playing like a contending team? Admittedly, some players have performed well and are exhibiting numbers that reflect their superior season of play. But baseball is more than individual statistics.

Hey, Mike, welcome to Angel baseball. This might be your first mouthful of this baseball delicacy, but I’ve had my fill of it for 35 years and I think I’ll pass on next year’s revised menu.

JOHN HERNANDEZ

Claremont

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Regarding Bill Plaschke’s article on Aug. 31 about Troy Glaus being “Shy of Greatness.” What responsible writer in this day and age would start his column with this line in describing an interview he did with Glaus: “Just before your first question, he carefully stuffs a manhole-sized wad of smokeless tobacco under his front lip, tightening the bulging chin as if it were armor.”

Is Mr. Plaschke unaware that the Los Angeles Times has thousands of teenage and preteen readers, and that countless numbers of them might accept his words as putting his approval on their using chewing tobacco? I personally think it was an irresponsible piece of journalism that also took a slap at Glaus and as much as painted him as being addicted to a dangerous product.

DAVE WALLACE

Westlake Village

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Ross Newhan must have been joking when he suggested that 2000 could represent redemption for former Angel general manager Bill Bavasi [Aug. 30].

The best thing Bavasi did for Angel fans besides leaving was doing nothing. Every move he made put the Angels further from contention. In two years, he dumped J.T. Snow, Phil Nevin and Jim Leyritz for Allen Watson, Andy Sheets and Ken Hill. Need I say more?

BARRY P. RESNICK

Orange