Did You Hear the Ones About Tom Lasorda at Cooperstown?

Given the coverage Tommy Lasorda’s Hall of Fame induction was getting, I was certain I would see some letters in Viewpoint regarding the subject. Love him or hate him, Tommy is a man who can inspire some strong emotions. You chose to print a couple of letters from Tommy bashers. I hope you will give some space to pro-Tommy letters.

I was amused by Nate Grossman’s letter. The stories about Tommy’s career reminded Mr. Grossman of urban myths, and he demanded proof of their validity. Nate seems to have missed the point. Whether these tales that Tommy spins are true or myth does not matter. What matters is that they are damn good stories.

The history of the sport is filled with great stories, many of which could be considered folklore. The reason the Hall of Fame is in Cooperstown, N.Y., and that the field there is named after Abner Doubleday is all because of a made-up story regarding the birth of baseball.

Tommy Lasorda is a great ambassador for his sport. His ambassadorship is mostly due to his marvelous talent for telling wonderful tales about the American pastime. So whether his stories be the gospel truth or tall tales, I don’t care. Just keep them coming.

BOB MARCHESINI

San Pedro

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Tommy Lasorda’s induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame reminds me of John Wayne winning an Academy Award for his performance in the poorly acted movie “True Grit.”

If the veterans’ committee and other baseball people want to acknowledge Tommy’s contributions to the game, they should do so in a more appropriate manner (such as a lifetime achievement award) and not cheapen the significance of membership in the Hall of Fame, which should be reserved for truly the best of the best, based on performance.

How can the Hall be taken seriously when it includes Tommy Lasorda, but not Pete Rose?

P.S. I’m actually a big fan of John Wayne, but I never confused him with being a good actor.

FORREST PHILLIPS

Murrieta

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In 1978 I was waiting for airport transportation outside the Chicago hotel that housed the Dodgers. Two young boys, with pads and pencils in hand, approached the stream of Dodger players emerging from the hotel, pleading for autographs. They were summarily rebuffed by every one of them as they crossed the street and boarded the team bus. As the bus was about to pull away, the door opened and Tom Lasorda stepped off and autographed their pads.

That gesture told me something about the graciousness of Tom Lasorda.

THEODORE L. PIEGDON

Van Nuys

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Last week, Tommy Lasorda became Tommy La-sordid--with his meddlesome, undignified, indecent, positively traitorous remarks implying that he wants Fred Claire’s job and prefers Bobby Valentine to Bill Russell. I’ve never had a bone to pick with Tommy before, but saying those things in the week he was inducted into the Hall of Fame was bad sportsmanship, bad character, bad timing. It doesn’t do the Dodgers, who are playing well under the threat of an uncertain future, a bit of good.

Tommy, if you want to cozy up to Rupert Murdoch on behalf of yourself and your convicted felon pal, Michael Milken, do it in private, where dirty deals are usually made. Your remarks put you squarely in the Hall of Shame, in my book. Here’s a true boo for Mr. True Dodger Blue.

B.C. CHUCK

West Los Angeles

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So, Dave . . . uh . . . Mr. Kingman, what’s your opinion of Lasorda making the Hall of Fame?

ROBERT BRIGHAM

Manhattan Beach