Letters: Yasiel Puig quickly makes a name for himself

I have noticed a lot more fighting spirit in the Dodgers the last few days. Forgive me, but I will have to call it Puigilism.

Jim Metzler

Culver City

::

M-V-Puig! M-V-Puig!

Ron Reynolds

Lake Balboa

::

Yasiel Puig certainly appears to be Havana good time!

Marty Schulman

Encinitas

::

Who knew that all the Dodgers needed was the second coming of Roberto Clemente?

Evan Puziss

Mar Vista

::

Maybe Matt Kemp is the new Wally Pipp. I wonder if he knows the story.

Paul Atkinson

Marina del Rey

::

Just when it seemed that the McCourt era was behind us, his ownership interest in the land surrounding Dodger Stadium surfaces like a bounced check. Given the state of affairs on the field, one could almost believe that his nefarious specter was haunting the organization.

Bud Chapman

Northridge

Seeing red

Did Arte Moreno sell the team recently? Because it sure seems like the Angels are owned by the Houston Astros.

James Cole

Torrance

::

How absurd is it for an organization that promoted a “everybody wear a wrestling mask” promotion in 2011 to eject one individual for wearing a paper bag on his head, the classic fan protest against an inept team?

Kelley Tabor

Burbank

::

I have been spectacularly unsuccessful at convincing my football-crazed father-in-law that baseball is its equal when it comes to fan enjoyment. So, it was something of a minor miracle that I convinced him to celebrate his 83rd birthday last Saturday at the Big A, a chance to see our Angels beat up on the lowly Astros. Sadly, it was the Angels who appeared punch-drunk. We sat for over four hours and were rewarded with nothing but futility.

After the usually reliable Mike Trout ended the game with the tying runs on base, Dad shifted in his wheelchair, the one with his ever-present Trojan seat cushion, and grasped my arm. He looked at me with a told-you-so smirk and, gesturing with his other arm to the playing field said, “THAT, is why I prefer football.”

Only 13 more weeks until the next kickoff at the Coliseum.

Ken Swift

Tustin

::

It would appear the Angels are doing everything they can to push Mike Trout to the Yankees in a few years. Loyalty comes not from creating marketing strategies and promotions around the best player in the league, but by realizing his desire to be the next Mantle.

Keeping him in left field rather than center field where he thrives, or batting him second where Pujols’ swing approach keeps him from stealing 40 bases, and giving him nothing for his incredible rookie year are just straws on the camel’s back leading him to New York. And no amount of Bogus Trout Farm will change that. Let the kid play.

Richard Lindroos

Mission Viejo

Bad timing

Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott either doesn’t know his customers or has never tried getting anywhere on our freeways at the start of a weekend. Let’s see, if kickoff at the Rose Bowl is at 6 p.m. and I time for typical Friday traffic, a slow crawl into the Arroyo Seco, some tailgating, a long walk to the stadium and a final squeeze through a tunnel to get to my seat, I think I’ll have to leave my house at Thursday o’clock.

Mike Kichaven

Sherman Oaks

So rude

I guess being a five-time winner of the Memorial golf tournament and the defending champion gives you the right to walk past reporters and decline interview requests after shooting a 79. So much for golf being a gentleman’s game.

Richard Parker

Pasadena

Is it true?

(Channeling the late, great Jim Healy):

“Didja catch the lady sportscaster on the Channel 9 news last Sunday night telling viewers, ‘If you want the late Lakers coach to sign his new book for you tomorrow....’

Who goofed? I’ve GOT to know!”

Howard P. Cohen

North Hills

Bench marks

Chris Paul isn’t the first Los Angeles point guard with enough clout to be labeled “coach killer.” Perhaps baseball ownership is in his future?

Steve Ross

New York

::

The Lakers should consider Lionel Hollins, as he knows how to use two bigs up front, especially when one is called Gasol.

Ron Wolotzky

Los Angeles

::

I have three predictions for the NBA Finals.

1) The Spurs will win in six games.

2) Stephen A. Smith will salivate over James and Wade.

3) I won’t be watching any of it.

Ron Roberts

Northridge

::

For those out there who think coaching is highly overrated, I submit to you:

The Dodgers have the highest payroll ever for a pro sports franchise. Don Mattingly leads his team into last place under new free-spending ownership.

The Lakers fire Mike Brown and hire Mike D’Antoni instead of Phil Jackson. With four future Hall of Famers on the team, D’Antoni’s team barely squeaks into the playoffs, where it is promptly swept out of the first round. Granted, there were key injuries, but even D’Antoni admitted he didn’t know how to use his players properly. ‘Nuff said.

Matt Barkley goes back to USC for his senior year, hoping to bring glory back to a football program after a couple of years on probation. Coach Lane Kiffin coaches them to a 7-6 record, including a Sun Bowl loss, with arguably the best two receivers in college football. Athletic Director Pat Haden promises us more of the same next season.

The Kings make a coaching change midseason last year and win their first ever Stanley Cup, going 16-4, and the Kings have battled their way into the Western Conference finals this season, in spite of several key injuries.

Any questions?

Joseph W. Laviguer

Bowie, Md.

Not quitting

Kings fans, we still have a heartbeat, or as Lloyd from the movie “Dumb & Dumber” would say, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance!”

Chris Gagliano

Rancho Palos Verdes

::

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