It’s Tough for Dodgers to Feel Like Winners

Eric Gagne is easily the most popular Dodger player and is coming off one of the best years ever for a closer. He loses his arbitration hearing and has to watch the front office celebrate its “victory.” Gagne is now unhappy going into training camp.

Shawn Green, the only real offensive threat on the team, voices his displeasure at the team’s lack of effort to bring in some better hitters. He now faces a reprimand from the new general manager and is unhappy going into training camp.

It’s a good thing the Dodgers do not have any more star players or they would have to find new ways to tick them off before the season even begins.

Stephen Beck

Los Angeles

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What a shame that new Dodger management begins by disrespecting the single star they have on their roster. For Kim Ng and the Dodgers to spit in Eric Gagne’s face leads me to believe that this organization is in a lot of trouble.

I would’ve settled it this way: If Ng could have gotten a hit off Gagne, the Dodgers win their case. If not, Gagne wins.

What else can we expect from the Dodgers, who have an assistant general manager who never even played Little League baseball?

Geno Apicella

Burbank

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We can add Eric Gagne’s name to the list of self-serving baboons. Because he had to settle for a mere $5 million in arbitration, he accuses the Dodgers of not showing him proper respect. I’d say getting paid roughly $75,000 an inning is plenty respectful.

Then he speaks about his loyalty to the team. What loyalty? Just listen to him complain that he has to wait another three years before he’ll be able to become a free agent. After which, no doubt, he’ll go be equally loyal to another team.

Then, for good measure, he compares his paltry $5 million to Albert Pujols’ deal. Pujols is an everyday player who hits a ton, whereas Gagne is a guy who gets credit for a save if he manages to “protect” a three-run lead in the ninth inning!

Now can we discuss that little beard....

Burt Prelutsky

North Hills

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Poor Eric Gagne. He’s going to have to find a way to survive on a salary of only $5 million this year. Someone should tell him that’s in American dollars, not Canadian. Maybe then he’ll feel better.

Christopher Bates

Los Angeles

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A pox on last week’s negative letter writers regarding new Dodger GM Paul DePodesta. I, for one, think he has a great chance to succeed. After all, he comes highly recommended by some top people in the game -- hugely successful pros for whom DePodesta has worked and who aren’t about to stick their necks out unless they’re pretty darn sure about somebody’s potential.

And as for his being too young to head up a company -- as a woman I am particularly offended by this Neanderthalish bit of reverse ageism -- may I give you Bill Gates, Irving Thalberg, and young Mr. Epstein of Fenway Park, among hundreds of others? There isn’t much DePodesta can do at this stage of the season -- all the good players are gone -- but perhaps we’ll get a hint of his abilities when he pulls off his first significant trade. In the meantime, Dodger fans, be patient. At the very least, let’s give the kid a chance!

Lisa Stanley

Los Angeles

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Boy, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. T.J. Simers, Mr. Negativity himself, ranting about the Dodgers’ negative management? Come on. The L.A. Times is pursuing the path of double-standard journalism by printing anything close to that from the pen of Mr. Simers. Was this just an oversight on your part?

Anthony Berardinelli

North Hollywood

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Jim Tracy, when speaking about his three-year performance with the pathetic Dodgers, says, “I just don’t feel I have reason to apologize, and I won’t.”

Yeah, I had to read it twice as well. Jimmy, baby, let me give you just a few reasons why you should not only apologize, but may want to consider giving your notice to your present employer.

You are managing a team that has had one of the highest payrolls in the major leagues, and that means the fans expect you to not only be competitive but to be in the playoffs! Last year, the Dodgers finished 15 1/2 games behind the Giants. Tracy, that is not competitive.

Reasons to apologize? How about those personnel problems with Karros, Grudzielanek, Jordan, Brown, etc? They’re gone now, but you’re not.

Fifteen years have passed since the Dodgers won a playoff game, and based on the looks of this year’s crop, 16 is a slam dunk.

William Michael

Dana Point