Letters to sports: Maury Wills is gone, but fans will never forget his exploits

Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills in 1962.
Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills, proven in 1962, was the primary main leaguer to steal 100 bases in a season.
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Maury Wills is among the most necessary gamers not within the Corridor of Fame. He influenced how the sport was (is) performed by others by reinventing the stolen base. And contemplating how these Dodgers groups had been so low-scoring, that made him further invaluable. He was fairly good defensively, too. Sure, he had private issues however that is an establishment that had Ty Cobb in its inaugural class.

Evan Puziss
Mar Vista

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Rising up with the Dodgers-Giants rivalry within the Sixties, I cherished watching Maury Wills frustrate and beat the Giants nearly single-handedly. Subsequent to Sandy Koufax, he was my favourite Dodger throughout that period and I used to be horrified when he was traded for popcorn and a sizzling canine to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Whether or not or not the staff continues its outdated coverage of quantity retirement, simply as nobody can be issued Fernando’s 34, nobody after Dave Roberts ought to put on No. 30.

Elliot Powers
San Diego

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The passing of Dodger nice Maury Wills brings up the query: Why isn’t this man within the Corridor of Fame?

His numbers had been equal to and even exceeded most of the gamers already within the Corridor. I do know as a result of I regarded it up. And what number of of them have a regular-season MVP, All-Star Sport MVP, and three World Collection rings on their resumes? I regarded it up, once more not many.

What I didn’t should lookup was that none of them modified the sport of baseball by bringing again the stolen base and making it an artwork.

It was dangerous sufficient it took rattling close to ceaselessly for Gil Hodges to get in, however this … it is a tragedy.

David Dale
Sonoma Valley

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Lengthy earlier than the wave, there was the mantra “Go, go, go!” As a boy strolling into Dodger Stadium together with his dad, there have been sure belongings you hoped to see: Koufax snapping off a deadly curveball; Willie Davis hitting a ball up the hole; Don Drysdale staking his declare to the surface a part of, if not the entire, plate; and Frank Howard hammering a misplaced fastball. However for pure pleasure and the fun of the gang, you couldn’t beat Maury Wills transferring off first base.

Rob Stockly
Sierra Madre

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I can nonetheless hear John Ramsey’s booming voice, “Batting first for the Dodgers ….” Fingers start to clap. “The shortstop .…” The ovation continues to construct. “Quantity 30 .…” Now a thunderous roar. “Maury .…” The entire stadium cheers as one! You by no means heard the “Wills.” You didn’t should. Everybody knew. The captain was stepping in. It was time for pleasure. It was time for Dodger baseball.

John Thompson
Mission Viejo

UCLA fanfare

I’ll should agree with Chip Kelly concerning the lack of big-name opponents hurting attendance, as a result of these big-named faculties have followers that journey throughout to look at their groups play. UCLA gained’t have extra dwelling followers, however when you simply wish to fill the Rose Bowl, scheduling top-tier groups is a good suggestion. Plus Bruin college students and followers will be capable to promote their tickets to opposing followers. The followers will come, however I doubt they are going to be sporting powder blue.

Judy Thomsen
Glendora

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The query isn’t why solely 29,344 individuals attended the UCLA recreation final Saturday on the Rose Bowl. The true query is why anybody confirmed up in any respect. I imply, severely, an 11 a.m. soccer recreation in opposition to South Alabama and the followers are being criticized for not going?

Greg Nersesyan
North Hollywood

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I don’t know why UCLA has such an issue with attendance on the Rose Bowl. You may get a ticket for as little as $6, which is a fairly whole lot. Perhaps it’s as a result of they need $60 for parking!

Invoice Piercy
Lengthy Seashore

MVP or HR derby?

In regard to the MVP selection between Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Choose. Aaron Choose has not gained 13 video games as a pitcher. He doesn't have a 2.34 ERA. When he does, then Choose has an argument for MVP.

Dennis Hurwitz
Del Mar

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No, Invoice Shaikin, the “actual” dwelling run report isn't 73. The “actual” report stays Roger Maris’ 61 (except Aaron Choose breaks it this yr).

It doesn’t matter that Bud Selig remained silent when Barry Bonds surpassed 61 whereas utilizing banned steroids. Gamers can't set information by dishonest just because a sport’s directors wish to ignore a scandal.

True sports activities followers know that Maris’ 61 stands as the best single-season dwelling run feat.

Ray McKown
Torrance

Broadcast blues

The Angels are so tough to look at on TV and hearken to on the radio. The announcers are so subpar. The TV guys, whereas I’m positive are good guys, are so busy quoting obscure stats. So what if that hit off the wall could be a house run in X variety of different ballparks? As a really longtime Angels fan, I hope the brand new proprietor invests not solely in some high quality pitching, but additionally in saying groups that make the sport satisfying with a bit of, no so much, much less of a hometown bias.

Steve Geary
Corona del Mar

Painful reminder

I learn with profound unhappiness that former UCLA basketball starter Jalen Hill died at age 22. He left the squad in 2021 to battle his melancholy and anxiousness. With all of the assets UCLA would have for him, it reveals a psychological well being pandemic, significantly with younger males, prevalently exists. I pray for the household.

Craig A. Horowitz
Santa Monica

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