It’s the Best Dodger Deal in a Long Time

I’ve taught journalism and communications at USC and UCLA, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an egregious example of “burying the lead” than in Wednesday’s Sports section.

If there has been a more important story to hit Los Angeles in a long time, I haven’t seen it. But instead of putting this on the front page (of the entire newspaper), this vital story was buried near the end of the Sports section:

Vin Scully signed for two more years!

And newspapers wonder why readership has declined. The stuff we really care about is hidden from us.

HENRY KIMMEL

Sherman Oaks

*

Mr. McCourt. Sir. I take it all back. Everything I ever wrote to Viewpoint. Every bad thought that has gone through my head regarding your taking over the Dodgers. I was wrong. I apologize. I now know that I have at least three more years of listening to the master, Vin Scully.

DOUG DUNLAP

Valencia

*

In 1991, I did not know how much longer my 5-year-old son would be able to hear games called by Vin Scully; I was afraid it would only be two more. Vin had gotten older, players he knew were passing on and he suffered family losses.

I put my son in front of a Dodger telecast and stated, “This man will never lie to you.” My significant other, who came from Philadelphia, where they boo Santa Claus, said don’t tell him that, that’s not true.

I understood that Vin may not tell us that Glenn Burke is gay, that Charlie Hough drives Lasorda in from Fullerton, or that Kent and Bradley are not getting along. But I realized that what he called in front of him was honest journalism mixed with an abiding love of the game. I said quietly, “No, that man never lied to me, that man will never lie to you.”

Thank you for my 48 years, thank you for Matt’s 15 years and thank you for the next two.

VERN FAGIN

Studio City

*

As a passionate fan since 1958 of what I think is America’s greatest game, it is a pleasure to read that the great Vin Scully has been signed through 2008 to continue as the Dodgers’ play-by-play announcer. However, it still does not lessen the sting of not being able to listen to and enjoy Ross Porter.

Of all the many errors that Frank McCourt has made, this one lingers the longest.

HARRY BLUEBOND

Valley Village

*

How can an article telling me Vin Scully will retire in 2008 not have a Nostradamus byline?

MIKE AMODEI

South Bend, Ind.

*

Simers is a jerk.

Simers writes about Scully.

Simers is a genius.

ED TRIVERS

Lake Arrowhead