Malone’s Hasty Retreat a Cause for Celebration

The ax finally dropped on Kevin Malone, but for the wrong reason. Regrettably, it came after an act of boorishness and unprofessionalism that will come to mark the former general manager’s tenure. He deserved to be replaced as Dodger general manager, but for his baseball-related decisions.

I hope his tenure and his departure are remembered for his mismanagement of a near-infinite payroll and a questionable desire to overpay mediocre players after good years. Unfortunately, he will be remembered as someone who challenged a loud-mouthed fan to a fight and lost without throwing a punch.

SHYAM KRISHNA IYER

Anaheim Hills

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I have a few things for Kevin Malone to chew on after his run-in with a fan at Qualcomm Stadium, and his subsequent quote: “I just don’t think, as a fan, he has the right to abuse the Dodger organization.”

* As a fan, he does have the right. In fact, at a game in San Diego, it should be no surprise if he does abuse the Dodgers and, if he is like many others, Gary Sheffield in particular. Some people in Dodger Stadium abuse the Dodger organization. They paid for their tickets. That right, within reason, comes with the price of admission.

* Where in blazes do you come from baiting a fan in his home park? Maybe if you heard a discouraging word in the cozy confines of Chavez Ravine, a rebuttal would be appropriate. I think, as an exec, you should just take it and clam up.

GIL LACKEY

Torrance

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To the loud-mouthed Padre fan, Jim Esterbrooks:

You must feel awful. Think about what you did, “Mouth.” You took your son to a Padre game and behaved deplorably in front of him, taunting and jeering the Dodgers and the venerable Gary Sheffield, knowing full well it would be audible to nearby Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone. You’re supposed to be an adult, yet, somehow, you managed to antagonize Malone to the point where he challenged you to a fight and further disgraced the once-proud Dodger organization. Now, it appears Kevin Malone is out of a job as a result of your antics. You must be ashamed of yourself.

Oh, by the way, a bunch of us up here in L.A. are throwing a little party in your honor this weekend and we were hoping you could come. Nothing too big, just a few thousand people, the mayor might be there, key to the city, that kind of thing. It’s completely catered. Bring the family.

STEVE FREEMAN

Los Angeles

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Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame, Mr. Esterbrooks. You earned it!

TERRY SULLIVAN

Dana Point

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The good news for Dodger fans is, Kevin Malone has resigned. The bad news for Dodger fans is, Bob Daly and Bob Graziano didn’t resign at the same time.

MICHAEL MAW

Santa Monica

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The Kevin Malone incident with the fan in San Diego did serve one purpose--it proved that he has been to a baseball game. Every other move in his tenure as Dodger GM suggested otherwise.

LEE HARRIS

Burbank

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There is a man in Los Angeles perfectly qualified to restore the necessary dignity to the office of Dodger general manager. He also happens to possess the proper savvy as well as the sense of protocol and experience. His name is Fred Claire.

STEVE SMITH

San Gabriel

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Enough with the Malone bashing! His true genius has been overlooked in favor of petty and trivial incidents. He has done a fantastic job with the Dodgers, and I think I speak for Giant fans everywhere in saying he will be sorely missed.

PAUL ERKEL

Victorville

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Can someone please tell me how to reach the Padre fan responsible for getting Kevin Malone fired? I have USC season tickets I’d like to share with him . . . with seats right next to Mike Garrett.

JIM PATTON

Hermosa Beach

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Not since Jeffrey Maier turned Derek Jeter’s fly ball into a home run during the 1996 playoffs has any fan contributed more to a sports franchise than Jim Esterbrooks has for the Dodgers.

JERRY SONDLER

Warwick, R.I.

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Kevin Malone! Gary Sheffield! T.J. Simers! One down and two to go! By getting rid of a poison mouth, a poison heart and a poison pen, we can once again make Los Angeles a safe town to be a true blue Dodger fan.

BRIAN PERRY

Hollywood

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And take Carlos Perez with you.

TOM ANGEL

Chico