Is It Baseball Season Yet?

My heart was shredded when I read that Barry Bonds will receive just $18 million to play this season, Juan Gonzalez $12 million and Aaron Sele $8 million [“Salaries Remain in Check, Feb. 13, D1”].

These downtrodden members of the proletariat always have the option of suing the owners for collusion, as they have successfully in the past. But perhaps in the few days remaining before reporting to Florida and Arizona for spring training they can take a quick side trip to Houston and meet with former Enron employees. I’m certain they could co-found a collusion victims group--provided the players lend the Enron employees the initiation dues.

Ron Shinkman

Sherman Oaks

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Dodger General Manager Dan Evans, on signing Kazuhisa Ishii: “We’re trying to win here, not rebuild.”

You mean the Dodgers aren’t “trying to win” every year?

And: “He’s coming to a new environment, a new team, a new city, and a new clubhouse.”

But the same old rhetoric.

Maybe Evans should use Ishii’s translator.

Joy A. Chuck

Los Angeles

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Maybe if Dan Evans hasn’t lost the receipt, he can simply return Omar Daal and get his $3 million back.

Ron Yukelson

Santa Monica

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Another unique challenge for the Angels’ PR department. Last week, their ace of the future was an immature 25-year-old who could legitimately be called “a promising prospect.” This week, the same guy is about to turn 29, having used up three years of his prime without getting one day more mature or one bit better.

May I suggest that the party line on Ramon Ortiz be changed to, “We hope he’s a late bloomer.”

Richard A. Fond

Los Angeles

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Former Disney Sports President Tony Tavares is a natural to head the Montreal Expos and send them into baseball oblivion.

Barry Resnick

Orange