Letters: Here’s to one more year of Vin Scully

IMPORTANT DODGERS ANNOUNCEMENT:

(via cue cards)

Vin will be back

for certain cable subscribers.

The rest of you are out of luck

for one more year

(at least)

John Thompson

Downey

::

Vin Scully is a one-man Mt. Rushmore of announcing. Not having him call Dodgers games is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower, or going to China and not walking along the Great Wall, or spending time in Washington and not visiting the National Mall. He is Robin Hood, Sir Galahad, Don Quixote all rolled up into one. His eloquence of calling the game and storytelling are second to none. This city will stand still when he calls his final game next season. No other figure in Los Angeles sports has captured our hearts like he has.

Craig London

Encino

::

One afternoon last August, I was walking along Ventura Boulevard, when, no more than 20 yards in front of me, I noticed a very recognizable figure with striking red hair (plus a touch of gray), whose strong gait was better than many men half his age. I blurted out to myself, “Holy cow, it’s Vin Scully.”

I extended my hand, he did likewise and we shook. As he turned to go into Ralphs, I yelled, “I am glad I have Time Warner!” (something no human being in recorded history had ever uttered), he raised his hand and disappeared into the grocery store.

The Dodgers were either off that August day or were on a road trip out of state. I have no idea what brought him to the Valley. All I know is that I was fortunate to be on that street at that time walking in that direction when we had that very brief chance encounter.

My feelings a year ago are the same today: It was like shaking the hand of God.

Howard P. Cohen

North Hills

::

Vin Scully coming back for his 67th year behind the mic next year: Incredible.

Dodgers’ TV dispute possibly continuing into next year: Fertilizer.

George Metalsky

Redondo Beach

::

It is marvelous that Los Angeles will be blessed with Vin Scully for one more year. The obvious question is how can the other 70% of Dodger fans enjoy him with the current Time Warner deal? Memo to Magic Johnson and the rest of the ownership group, the current arrangement does hurt your brand.

Matthew D. Kerster

Gardena

::

Was I the only one hoping the Dodgers’ 14-inning game Monday night would end as soon as possible? Forget the players, Vin Scully needs his rest!

Efren Bojorquez

Phoenix

::

To Vin Scully: Quitter!!

Bud Pell

Santa Monica

::

Two weeks ago, I tuned in to the MLB Network and was thrilled to see them showing the end of the Dodgers’ game live. I was not as thrilled when I found out that Mike Fiers of the Astros was throwing a no-hitter against the Dodgers. I planned last weekend around Sunday night’s game on ESPN, so needless to say I was not happy to see the Dodgers no-hit again.

I cant believe I’m saying this, but stop showing the Dodgers’ games on TV!

Axel W. Kyster

Bradbury

::

Let’s see. Don Mattingly is in his fifth year as manager of our Dodgers and so far he has increased the win total each of the first four years. His current team has a 6 1/2-game lead over the Giants with 30 games to play. He has taken the team to the division series and championship series. His work in the clubhouse is said to be first-rate. He has said he likes Los Angeles and he feels like a Dodger. And people are calling for his hide. What’s wrong with this picture?

David Friedland

Las Vegas

Deflated

Dear Mr. Plaschke,

Let me introduce you to the legal presumption of innocent until proven guilty. You unfortunately have it the other way around. And your unseemly juxtaposition of that presumption is especially galling when you yourself acknowledge that “there was no specific rule against Brady knowing the Patriots equipment guys were deflating the footballs.” So, how again is Tom Brady not innocent?

Paul Pavlis

Sherman Oaks

As an old surgeon, I can tell you about a legal principal called “res ipsa loquitur” which means, “The thing speaks for Itself.” That means if I leave a sponge in a patient that is proof of guilt — no expert witness needed.

After all the legal wrangling, the bare facts are: Mr. Brady likes slightly deflated footballs. His team was using slightly deflated footballs. After the discovery of the slightly deflated footballs, Mr. Brady destroyed his own cellphone so the 4,000 or so messages on it were irretrievable were he to be investigated.

At least in my opinion, and I suspect in the court of public opinion, while he may have gotten away with it, res ipsa loquitur. He is guilty!

Arthur A. Fleisher II

Northridge

::

Will I be able to utilize the newfound Brady Rule after I receive my next moving violation? I would love the option taking it to the federal level to overturn and dismiss my ticket, just in case traffic court finds me guilty.

Mark J. Featherstone

Windsor Hills

The NFL answer

Of the three NFL teams vying to move to L.A., who draws the short straw? Here’s a scenario in which all three win something and all three lose something.

The Chargers and Raiders move to L.A. but not to their joint stadium in Carson. Rather they lease the stadium in Inglewood from Rams owner Stan Kroenke, and with some of those profits, Kroenke helps fund a new stadium in St. Louis for the Rams.

Here’s the reasoning: Oakland has done nothing to keep the Raiders and hasn’t even been invited to make a presentation to NFL owners. And the Bay Area still has the 49ers. The Chargers can’t survive in San Diego with two teams two to three hours away in L.A., and many of their fans will happily make that commute after the move. The NFL would lose face if it left St. Louis without a team and it can accomplish two things (compensate Kroenke and help fund a new St. Louis stadium) by picking Inglewood.

Jack Wishard

Los Angeles

Glove story

The dirty secret is out. NFL receiver gloves do fit. Now it’s time for them to quit. Let’s turn all these wimps, including quarterbacks, into real men by banning all gloves.

Robert Bubnovich

Irvine

Let Games begin

If L.A. wants to keep the Olympics on budget, why not use UCLA and USC dorms for the athletes’ village, like in 1984? The money saved could more than cover a new aquatics venue.

Wendy Duncan

Upland

::

Come on, L.A. We are the entertainment and sports capital of the world. Let’s make the IOC an offer they can’t refuse. The NFL will cover any cost overruns provided the opening and closing ceremonies are held in the new Rams or Raiders/Chargers stadium.

Dennis Arntz

Laguna Niguel

Tripped crown

To be very clear, Triple Crown champion American Pharoah did not get beat by Keen Ice, he was beaten by the greed and ego of his owner, who selfishly decided to ship American Pharoah across country twice and run in two races, 27 days apart. This was not a decision made by a true horseman but by an owner who couldn’t resist the limelight of the moment.

The record books will show it as a second-place finish but there should be an asterisk and a reference to the ridiculous path chosen by Ahmed Zayat.

Brad Orrico

Granada Hills

It’s too big

Somehow, the Little League World Series has lost its charm. What used to be little kids playing like little kids has turned into teams, some having adult-sized 13-year-olds with voices deeper than James Earl Jones, playing Home Run Derby on a field they have clearly outgrown. Thanks, ESPN, for ruining another classic sports event.

Ben Browdy

Los Angeles

Hitting the tape

Mid-match interviews [Bill Dwyre, Sept. 2]: Another good reason to watch all sports on DVR tape delay.

David Wilczynski

Manhattan Beach

::

The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.

Mail: Sports Viewpoint

Los Angeles Times

202 W. 1st St.

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Fax: (213) 237-4322

Email:

sports@latimes.com