With These Guys, It’s Hard to Tell Who Quit on Whom

In a season of troubling losses--on the injured list, the standings, as well as personal character--the Angels suffered the biggest loss of all with the resignation of Terry Collins.

Throughout all of the turmoil caused by his selfish players’ bickering and feuding, Collins never publicly lashed out at any of his players. Not in retaliation when they went to management, not when they underachieved on the playing field, not when they exploded off it. He always maintained his composure, choosing to keep the team’s troubles in the clubhouse, where they belonged.

He is a winner, on and off the field, and he deserved much better than the malignant group of egos he was forced to work with.

STEVE KAYE

Los Angeles

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The last thing I wanted to see was Terry Collins crying into the cameras. None of what this lame team put him through was his fault. I’m not sure I ever saw a worse shipwreck than this year’s Angels, but let’s not hold it against Terry. These players are such pathetic little boys. If it were up to me, Collins would be staying and all those lame high-paid idiots would be out on their butts.

JIM MALLON

San Luis Obispo

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In the wake of Terry Collins’ resignation as Angel manager, I read in Ross Newhan’s column [Sept. 4] that Angel President Tony Tavares said that by resigning, Collins “paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Say what?

Did Collins die fighting fires? Did he perish while protecting innocent citizens from criminals? Or perhaps Collins was killed while serving his country in the military?

No, Collins resigned or was forced out of his job. He still will be paid and will find another job, which also will pay him well, soon.

Tony Tavares’ silly quote just proves what we all have known for a few years. The Angels are a Mickey Mouse organization.

DOUG THOMSON

Los Angeles

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After reading Mo Vaughn’s comments immediately after the resignation of Terry Collins, I feel that I speak for all LSAFs (Long-Suffering Angel Fans) when I say that we might have expected too much from Mo in his first year with the Angels.

We expected leadership in the clubhouse, but all we received was a fence-sitter, reluctant to assume the mantle of leadership.

We expected increased offense from the first-base position, but all we received were Cecil Fielder-like statistics, especially with runners in scoring position.

Lastly, we might have been unrealistic in expecting Mo to bleed periwinkle upon hearing of Terry’s resignation, but he could have waited until the body was cold before giving the press his list of acceptable managerial candidates.

RICHARD W. ADAMS

Long Beach

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Let’s try to get Collins back and get rid of the $80-million disappointment.

SHIRLEY ESHBAUGH

Manhattan Beach

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I have a simple request to make of the Angels’ organization for the final three weeks of the season--everybody please shut up. That means Tony Tavares, Bill Bavasi and all the players. I don’t want to hear any more criticism of each other, or the fans, or the stadium, or the organization, and I don’t want to hear anyone else whining about his contract. Just shut up. Come to the stadium, play the game, lose it, go home and keep your mouths shut. How hard is that?

BOB JUDGE

Cypress