Views of Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela

“A Pitcher Who Told the Future” (July 9) brings back good memories. I was one of the 10,000 extra Latino fans on the days Fernando Valenzuela pitched at Dodger Stadium. I was a young girl living in Watts. Going to the stadium was the highlight of the weekend, even if we were sitting in the cheap seats in the upper deck. Now, 20 years later, I am an engineer working in a nontraditional profession for Latinas. I am very proud of who I am and very comfortable in the work environment.

Valenzuela was a very good role model and visited my high school; his visit was the highlight of the school year. I definitely identified with him.

Alicia Fombona

Lynwood

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The Column One feature paints a very different picture of Valenzuela from the one in Bill Plaschke’s column, which depicted him as reclusive and bitter toward the Dodgers (“No Mas: Said to Be Angry Over Release, Valenzuela Wants Nothing to Do With the Dodgers or Lasorda,” Sports, July 8). Which version is accurate, and why the sharp disparity?

Dennis Hanrahan

La Habra

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We’re Dodger fans forever! But lately, due to articles regarding Valenzuela, we’ve considered buying tickets to the Dodger home games when there is a pitcher named Larsen, Olson, Erickson, etc., etc.--”one of us.” But then we realized that that attitude is not in our hearts. Why? Because we live in the United States and appreciate our diversity. Do others?

Shirley Larsen

Westlake Village