Letters: Frank McCourt makes Dodgers fans pay

The McCourts haven’t paid state or federal taxes for the last five years. Following the McCourts’ lead, perhaps Dodgers fans doing their taxes might consider writing off their season tickets as a depreciating asset.

For all the hard-working and tax-paying fans paying through the nose for the tickets, parking and food at Dodger Stadium, I say: Suckers!

Al Nyberg, Vista

Time for a name change to the L.A. Tax Dodgers.

That would be truth in advertising.

Todd Jameson

Torrance

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The Dodgers adding a surcharge to the cost of Friday night games is an outrage. Whoever made this decision has never driven to Dodger Stadium on a Friday night.

Instead of a surcharge, anyone who makes the opening pitch on a Friday night deserves a rebate.

Alan Matis

Sherman Oaks

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I’ve spent my last dime at Dodger Stadium. If Mr. and Mrs. Parking Lot Attendant need a few more million a month to keep living their lavish lifestyle, it’s not going to come from me.

Dennis Cuocco

Whittier

More Blue

Who is Dylan Hernandez kidding?

By limiting the causes for Manny Ramirez’s poor second half to “the two-month layoff, psychological problems resulting from the controversy or a fastball that struck him on the wrist” [Feb. 23], isn’t he overlooking the most obvious? That you take away performance-enhancing drugs and you get the real Manny Ramirez?

Richard Hormel

Los Angeles

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With the Dodgers’ recent signing of Eric Gagne to go along with Manny Ramirez, all we need now is Mark McGwire as a hitting instructor and Roger Clemens as a pitching coach. This might not make for good baseball, but if they bring in Dr. Drew as trainer it would make one heck of a season for “Celebrity Rehab.”

Kent Benson

Costa Mesa

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So Russell Martin is seeking to improve his home run production by getting bigger and stronger? What is he thinking? Hitting experts -- legends like Mark McGwire, A-Rod, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds -- have assured us that it’s all hand-eye coordination.

Richard Murphy

Whittier

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Ronnie Belliard did not “take” Orlando Hudson’s job as second baseman last season as Dylan Hernandez wrote in his Friday article. Hudson’s benching and sporadic playing time had everything to with keeping him from earning certain bonuses in his incentive-laden contract; people in baseball know this and any fan with a brain does too.

Charles L. Freeman

Baldwin Hills

Just win, Arte

If Angels owner Arte Moreno seriously thinks the ridiculous “Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim” moniker has anything to do with the Angels’ marketing success, it’s one of those rare times that he is simply mistaken while not giving himself and others in the organization credit for putting a winning team on the field year after year as well as creating such a great atmosphere at Angel Stadium . . . of Anaheim. Even that sounds silly.

Ron Reeve

Glendora

Let Games end

I hope to see, in my lifetime, man land on Mars. Of course NBC will show it at midnight on the West Coast, because that’s when they’ll determine most viewers are watching.

Don Geller

Irvine

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Congratulations to Bill Plaschke on another outstanding column regarding Joannie Rochette [Feb. 24]. I am always amused by those who vehemently criticize Plaschke’s opinions. Ignore the critics, Bill. I read Plaschke’s column regularly because I enjoy great writing and the dude can turn a phrase and capture the moment like few others.

Bart Halberstadt

Arcadia

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It took the heroics of Team USA for Plaschke to realize that until now, hockey did not receive the same attention here as other major sports? This pearl of wisdom from the columnist who works within a slap shot of Staples Center yet goes to another country to finally watch a hockey game. Bill, the pot and kettle would like a moment of your time.

Olivia Jones

Santa Monica

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So the NHL doesn’t want to interrupt its regular season for future Olympics? Really? These Olympics have again proven how great the game is. There is no better showcase of the sport for the millions of casual fans who rarely even pay attention to the sport.

But the NHL apparently can’t sacrifice two weeks of Columbus-Nashville and Ottawa-Tampa Bay. It’s no wonder its broadcasts don’t outdraw Andy Griffith reruns on TV.

Craig Dunkin

Los Angeles

Sorry, Tiger

I, for one, am not interested in what Tiger Woods does in his private life. However, I do care what he does on the golf course. I terminated my interest in watching golf on television years ago, when I became annoyed by the announcers who focused a majority of time on Tiger, and dissed the other 150-plus golfers on the course.

Whether he was first or 25th, we were subjected to a rerun of his every shot, every sip of water. When the Tiger-less 2010 season began, I discovered a multitude of excellent golfers on tour who were a joy to watch. No club throwing, no cursing. And these gentlemen continually acknowledge the crowd while playing a hole or walking to the next hole . . . and spending hours signing autographs at the end of their round.

No, I am not a Tiger fan. But, I hope when he returns, he will consider being a true role model to those who enjoy this wonderful and challenging game.

Tony Scaran

Orange

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Congratulations!

The Los Angeles Times has in its employ one of only seven people on earth who believe unequivocally in the sincerity of Tiger Woods’ apology and also that Tiger wrote the apology himself.

That this person is in a position to write an article slathering worship on Woods’ mea culpa is one thing. That it is former sports editor Bill Dwyre [Feb. 20], writing without a shred of skepticism, makes an astounding situation only that much more laughable. And indefensible.

Cy Bolton

Rancho Cucamonga

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What a telling juxtaposition: Tiger Woods and his staged apology for infidelity versus baseball player Grant Desme [Feb. 22] forgoing likely riches for celibacy and service to God. I know who I want on my team.

Jeanine D’Elia

Granada Hills

The bright side

Bad news, good news for UCLA basketball:

The bad news: The Bruins can’t play either man-to-man or zone defense, they can’t shoot free throws, they can’t handle the ball and they are one of the dumbest quintets ever.

The good news: Nikola Dragovic is a senior.

Fred Wallin

Westlake Village

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