Sign of the Apocalypse: Praise for Bill and T.J.

It was great to see Dennis Gilbert, Phil Pote and John Young lauded for their efforts in bringing baseball back to the inner city. Hopefully, the new field at Southwest College will function not merely as a training ground, but as a metaphor as well--that an area given up for dead, and the young people within it, can blossom anew.

Not to be overlooked in this saga is an unsung hero: Bill Plaschke. In documenting the dream, the struggle and ultimately the triumph, Plaschke showed how a responsible journalist can bring about changes in his community.

Those who rip Plaschke for his thoughts about Karros and Nomo should ask themselves what they have done to make Los Angeles a better place.

ALAN SWYER

Santa Monica

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I’ve read T.J. Simers’ column and my initial reaction was the same as those readers who have written since the 1997 NFL season has started--what is this guy doing writing a pro football column for a major newspaper?

However, upon reading Mr. Simers’ column more closely, I’ve come to the conclusion that Mr. Simers has the leg up on all of us. Read his column and then between the lines.

Mr. Simers, I believe, takes the game that we all love, and places a spin on it that deserves a second look. Take it as is written and you miss the point. Interpret, and you see the context.

Write on, T.J. I look forward to your column every week.

JOHN R. VERONE

Sierra Madre