With the Roki $asaki $igning, the Dodgers are heading into Evil Empire territory. Yes, the ability and willingness to spend a lot of money does not guarantee success. The Anaheim Artes are just one (local) example. But it certainly gives you an advantage. Not only can you attract stars such as Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and others, and easily cover their high salaries, but you can also afford to eat or simply pay tens of millions to actors and underachievers such as Chris Taylor. .
Baseball needs a salary cap and a minimum payroll.
John Merryman
Redondo Beach
So we get Roki Sasaki! Fantastic! It’s almost embarrassing. Almost.
Tanner Scott. Tanner Scott. Tanner Scott.
Eric Monson
Temecula
Now that Roki Sasaki has chosen to commit his star to the Dodgers, the only question that remains is how long it will be before he needs Tommy John surgery.
Bill Waxman
Simi Valley
Keeping the Chargers Faith
Chargers fan here. Did the loss of the joker sting? Of course it was. But the hiring of Jim Harbaugh was the best decision made by the leaders of the Chargers. The ride has been great so far. Going from 5-12 to 11-6 and making the playoffs in less than a year is a great foundation to build on.
You have to trust the Harbaugh process and Rome wasn’t built in a day. His team still has gaping holes and that was clearly evident in the loss to the highly motivated Houston Texans.
I look forward to the steps Joe Hortiz and Harbaugh take this offseason to improve the team toward playoff success in 2026.
Trust the process and the worm will keep spinning!
Felipe Varela
Whiter
To think the Chargers hung their hat on that The over-hyped quarterback Justin Herbert. That’s not what you want in a quarterback. I suggest the Chargers start looking for a QB who can handle the pressure of the playoffs.
GT Oka
Rosemead
I consider myself a long-time Chargers fan. I’ve seen too many seasons end this way and many others that weren’t even close. I am optimistic. I see the light at the end of the “Loading” tunnel. Congratulations on a good season. On the way to a great season next year.
John Tsutsui
Hurricane, Utah
Counterpoint of the chargers
It’s clear from last weekend’s debacle in Houston that the 2024 Chargers are FICTION. How the hell were they favored when they only beat two teams with winning records all season. The Chargers were among the three easiest schedules in 2024.
The defense has really stepped up this year, but there’s only so much they can do with a weak offense. One day, Justin Herbert could become a great quarterback, though, until the Chargers get a running game, something they haven’t had since LaDainian Tomlinson left, and they can find more of a reliable receiver, they will continue to be FICTION. Jim Harbaugh or not Jim Harbaugh.
Larry Stern
Westlake Village
A story worth telling
What an incredible achievement by the Rams, Cardinals, Vikings and NFL by moving the Rams-Vikings game from SoFi to Arizona on such short notice. As usual, Sam Farmer finds the right people to talk to. He put together a great story.
Bill Francois
Pasadena
A hat tip to the Arizona Cardinals organization for helping the Rams move from Los Angeles to Arizona for the wild-card game. What a refreshing display of class and sportsmanship.
Russell Morgan
Carson
Wow, a vintage performance by Matthew Stafford! Luckily for the Rams, it was also a vintage performance from Sam Darnold.
Richard Turnage
Burbank
Too many tantrums
Watching Mick Cronin go apoplectic on the sidelines during the Bruins’ loss to the Maryland Terrapins last week was a sight to behold. It’s time to ask if his extreme tantrums as coach are hurting the Bruins’ play and future recruiting?
Jeffrey Peter
City Studio
Moving to reduce costs
Wait a minute. MLB gave two Yankees fans banned for life for trying to knock a baseball out of Mookie Betts’ glove during the World Series? I’m not sure this is the best consequence. Thanks to this lifetime ban, these two will save thousands of dollars by no longer having to pay for tickets, parking, hot dogs and beer.
Joe Kevany
Mount Washington
Heaven’s new .200 hitter
There is no finer – or more self-deprecating – .200 hitter in the Baseball Hall of Fame as Bob Ueckera receiver whose “tools of ignorance” reveal the joke to us. So now, if a vantage point in heaven awaits us, we know precisely where it will sit.
Steve Ross
Carmel
The “Mendoza Line” should now be known as the “Mendoza-Uecker Line”, because Mario Mendoza had a career batting average of .215, while Bob Uecker’s was exactly .200. Thanks to Mr. Baseball for providing so many laughs.
Ken Feldman
Tarzan
The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They can be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.
E-mail: [email protected]
This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.