Angels’ Temper Tantrum Sets a Bad Example

Every morning, my two young boys, 6 and 8, and I eagerly pull out the sports page to read the details of the previous day’s Dodger and Angel games. You could imagine my disenchantment when I read the July 25 article detailing the Angels’ eighth consecutive loss against the Yankees and the locker room destruction left in the wake of the team’s violent and totally inappropriate temper tantrum.

What kind of message does this behavior leave with youngsters who idolize and emulate these ballplayers? My kids, like thousands of others, look to the Angels as role models, and their childish behavior has undermined my efforts to teach the importance of doing your best, having fun, then win or lose demonstrating good sportsmanship.

Losing is hard, but it is part of life, and learning how to handle it, especially as a professional athlete whose behavior could have such an effect on so many young people, is a responsibility each player should take seriously.

DON DANKS

Newport Beach