Letters: Readers play the numbers game

Until the Dodgers finally come to their senses and retire Gil Hodges’ No. 14, clubhouse manager Mitch Poole [“Digital Domination,” July 19] should exercise his discretion, as he has been doing with Fernando’s No. 34, and not give out No. 14. And, for that matter, how about the No. 36 of Don Newcombe, whose superb pioneering accomplishments on the field led to a lifelong commitment to Dodger Blue?

Bill Finkelstein

Santa Monica

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Regarding the great article on uniform numbers this week, we must not forget the great Earlene Brown and her No. 747, worn when the three-time Olympian (shotput and discus) skated for the L.A. Thunderbirds in the roller games.

Dan Rendant

Arcadia

Give it up?

The Dodgers should just throw in the towel on this season. Shut down Clayton Kershaw for the year and don’t make any big deadline trades. Even with Kershaw healthy, this team is going nowhere.

The front office went bargain shopping in the off-season and got exactly what they paid for — a roster built to win 85 games. There’s no point doing anything rash at this point to try to fix it. Take your medicine and focus on next year.

Rob Osborne

Manhattan Beach

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In regards to the unfathomable amount of injuries to Angels starting pitchers… there’s always the year after next!

Ron Reeve

Glendora

Hall truth

Am I the only one disgusted every time I hear someone reference Ken Griffey Jr. making the Hall of Fame by receiving 99.3% of the votes? He missed being elected unanimously by three lousy votes. I personally think the three individuals who chose to leave Griffey off of their ballots should be forced to reveal themselves, and then they should immediately have all their baseball media credentials permanently revoked.

If you can’t respect Griffey and all he did for baseball, especially when he was surrounded his entire career by players who were cheating the game by using PEDs, then you have no business having the honor of voting for potential Hall of Fame members.

Joe Nadeau

Santa Clarita

Stop the hate

Kobe Bryant may have retired, but the Kobe-haters have not [Letters, July 16]. They are still attacking Kobe at every opportunity. This obsession with some fans to denigrate Kobe is astounding to the rest of us. To compare Kobe Bryant to Tim Duncan is unfair to both players and their individual legacies.

To say that “Duncan won as many championships as Kobe with less of a supporting cast” is absurd. Tony Parker was a better player than D-Fish and none of the Lakers’ supporting backcourt players were ever as good as Manu Ginobili in his prime. Robert Horry played and won championships on both teams. Mario Elie, Sean Elliot, Avery Johnson and Steve Kerr all shined for the Spurs at one time or another. I also think these fans forget the Hall of Fame twin towers collaboration of Robinson and Duncan, arguably the best frontcourt duo in NBA history.

As to relationships with other players, Duncan never had to play with Shaq, endure multiple coaching changes and play with the mediocre rosters assembled by Mitch Kupchak and Jimmy Buss. Kobe should be lauded for his loyalty to the Lakers in fair weather and stormy seas. Others may have left via free agency to avoid the embarrassing display of managerial inefficiency.

Tim Duncan never had to carry a team on his shoulders. I have always wondered how his career would have fared elsewhere with no Coach Pop to guide his career and maintain a quality lineup.

To all the Kobe-haters, I say, “get a life.”

Mannie Barling

Tarzana

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None of the letters indicated that Tim Duncan exhibited class 20 years ago when he chose to stay at Wake Forest for his senior year rather than take the millions that many of his contemporaries, and those that have followed, have chosen. He chose his school over money.

Paul Waller

Woodland Hills

Still fouled up

The NBA’s addition of the Hack-A-Shaq rule to the end of each quarter only continues to perpetuate rewarding a team for committing an intentional foul.

The NBA would do well to adopt a rule from the NHL. When a foul is committed away from the ball, the referee holds his or her arm up indicating that a foul will be assessed when the play ends either in a score plus any foul shots or in a turnover. Then the foul is assessed with two shots and possession.

Steve Lawrence

West Los Angeles

Left out

Phil Mickelson’s grin might be fake to viewers, but his swing is the real deal. Phil’s workout regimen might be less intense than Tiger Woods’, but look who’s still competing at a high level in majors.

At 46, Phil has the flexibility and competitive fire, to still win majors.. If not for Henrik Stenson, Phil could have won the British Open by double digits. He beat Jordan Spieth by 19 shots, Jason Day by 18 shots and Rory McIlroy by 14.

As long as Phil is still around, you must always include him in the mix. Hes not my favorite player, but I respect his longevity and love for the game!

Mark Mozilo

Pasadena

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With Phil Mickelson’s 11 second-place finishes in majors, he is the Jerry West of the PGA.

Vaughn Hardenberg

Westwood

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Not only did we see an epic duel Sunday at Royal Troon between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson, but the world also learned that England’s Andrew Johnston is the Neanderthal in those Geico commercials.

Marty Foster

Ventura

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“Woods out of PGA and for season.” Oh yeah, I forgot about him.

Alan Segal

San Diego

That’s better

I couldn’t help but notice some of the recent quotes regarding a few young Los Angeles athletes:

“He’s not ego-driven. He’s a true teammate that just wanted success for his team.” Brandon Ingram’s high school coach Perry Tyndall.

“He’s the only one [celebrity] we ever worked with that sent us a thank-you note.” Brad Haley, chief marketing officer for Carl’s Jr., on Todd Gurley.

“He knows he’s good, but he’s humble.” Giants catcher Buster Posey on Corey Seager.

It appears these players have the right attitude and respect in the midst of a selfish, entitled generation.

Christopher Grisanti

Monrovia

Yay, Clay

I’m not a USC fan, but Zach Helfand’s July 14 piece on the Helton family was very well done. Congratulations to USC for hiring a man of character and family values. Here’s to a good season and long career for Clay.

Ron Epstein

Woodland Hills

Sick effort

What does it take to get the Pac-12 Networks? I guess the answer is you have to be pretty sick. I just had a heart attack, and they carry that channel at the UCLA hospital.

Jim Bendat

Los Angeles

Incomplete

So, the Tom Brady suspension saga is finally, finally over. I can’t help feeling a bit ... naw, I won’t do it. Too easy.

Richard Turnage

Burbank

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