All This, and They’re Still in the Race

The idea of blaming Jim Tracy for the lack of Dodger hitting is ludicrous.

It is, however, appropriate to ask and wonder why he would continue to use his best reliever in games in which the Dodgers are tied.

From Bruce Sutter to Dennis Eckersley to Mariano Rivera, the most effective and meaningful way to use a genuine closer is to protect a lead and shut down the opposition.

Because the Dodger offense is so pitiful, using Gagne in a tied game only runs the risk of damaging the most important Dodger asset.

Ken Marcus

Los Angeles

*

As much as I enjoyed Mike DiGiovanna’s article on Jeromy Burnitz [Aug. 19], it frustrates me whenever a player is singled out and gushed over simply because he “always plays hard.” Even for a lousy couple of million a year, shouldn’t they all be playing hard?

David Macaray

Rowland Heights

*

The sad state of the Dodger offense is most perfectly exemplified by Adrian Beltre. It’s most often mentioned that he’s inconsistent and should be traded, yet he is the team leader in home runs and RBIs.

Maybe we ought to keep him and dump everyone else.

Tom Moir

Torrance