Spicing up Dodgers

L.A. Times Archives

Nov. 10, 2007 12 AM PT

With Lasorda, Colletti, and now Torre, the Dodgers’ brain trust is made up mostly of men of Italian heritage. Now all they have to do is stop putting meatballs on the field.

J. J. Volpe

Long Beach

On Nov. 6, it was written that my office was “concerned about the McCourts’ scorecard.” In just four years of Frank and Jamie McCourt’s stewardship, the Dodgers have increased their fan base by more than 600,000, have invested nearly $120 million into renovating Dodger Stadium, donated millions of dollars to the community and Major League Baseball initiatives such as the Compton Youth Academy and the Jackie Robinson Scholarship Foundation, and invested heavily in improving their minor league system.

Major League Baseball is paying attention to the Dodgers just as it pays attention to every franchise and thanks the McCourts for their leadership in our industry and in the Los Angeles community.

Allan H. (Bud) Selig

Commissioner, Major League Baseball

Bill Shaikin nailed it regarding the McCourts. They are a clown act 90% of the time. It is hard to fathom how they can consistently botch even the most obvious move. One would think that they would learn, at least the basics, with Mr. Moreno right down the road. Joe Torre is a fine move, but they need to fix what’s on the field, not just the stadium.

John Chaffetz

Dana Point

So, are Bud Selig and MLB fantasizing about a Yankees-Dodgers World Series, or what? Can you say “ratings?”

Greg Young

Rancho Santa Margarita

The Dodgers replaced the wrong guy. It wasn’t Little who signed light-hitting, no-defense Juan Pierre to a five-year deal. Little didn’t give injured Jason Schmidt $47 million or Randy Wolf $7.5 million. Little wasn’t responsible for keeping Matt Kemp or James Loney in Las Vegas for half the season. Now he signs a manager whose NL winning percentage is .471. Ned Colletti makes us long for the days of Kevin Malone and Paul DePodesta.

Bill Remy

Walnut

When Yogi Berra was asked what makes a great manager, his reply was: “A good ballclub.” Let’s hope the Dodgers take heed.

Ben Cooley

Claremont

“Kudos to Frank McCourt and Ned Colletti for bringing in a manager with the experience and credibility to command the respect of the young Dodgers players.”

“Leave it to Frank McCourt and Ned Colletti to bring in a manager so ‘experienced’ that he can’t begin to relate to the young Dodgers players.”

Please print one of these letters at the All-Star break.

Jeff Kandel

Los Angeles