Memory Lane is a real trip

Playing baseball in a football stadium is ridiculous.

They did it anyway.

Providing a free shuttle to the stadium for 20,000 fans is impossible.

They tried it anyway.

Standing without a glove 360 feet away while David Ortiz hit bombs in batting practice is dangerous.

We did it anyway.

Reminiscing with my parents about a ball hit 50 years ago over a giant screen is crazy.

We did it anyway.

Fitting the equivalent of a major city into a single venue is wild.

They did it anyway.

Moving his team 3,000 miles was ridiculous, impossible, dangerous, crazy and wild.

Thank God Mr. O’Malley did it anyway.

John Thompson

Chino

Did anybody else notice that the infield dirt at the Coliseum was also the warning track?

Paul Feinsinger

Agoura Hills

The Coliseum on Saturday night did not feel like 1958. The players were much different than 1958. The food was different. Modern transportation to the game. Cellphones in the stands.

But when a fight broke out in the left-field stands and somebody yelled out, “That wouldn’t happen at Ebbets Field!” then it felt like 1958.

Rick Wallace

Malibu

How can I put into words how great opening day at Dodger Stadium was? I’ll just use the old phrase, “You had to be there.”

Jeff Calzada

Monterey Park

I was mesmerized by Allen J. Schaben’s Pulitzer-quality opening-day photo. While the rest of the old-timers were certainly resplendent in crisp Dodgers whites, Sandy Koufax, as usual, set himself apart. Perfectly centered in the frame, regal in a dark coat, white shirt and jeans, there was Koufax, his arm at the perfect release point as if it were 1965 once again, looking as if he could go nine. You could imagine at that moment Joe Torre was whispering to Larry Bowa to have the clubhouse boy hustle down and remove ol’ No. 32 from mothballs and hang it in a locker in hopes Sandy might rescind his retirement.

John R. Grush

Mission Viejo

Bill Plaschke’s column on opening day was his best. I got goose bumps more than once. I was disappointed that Sandy Koufax didn’t make it to the Coliseum last Saturday, a game I attended in person. Now I know why.

Thanks so much for making this 56-year-old feel like a kid again. It was almost as good as being there.

Pat Hennes

Garden Grove

Bill Plaschke’s nostalgic view of the Dodgers’ opening day ceremony really failed to connect the dots. While hoping history could influence the current team, it’s obvious the McCourts, who now claim the entire territory as “Dodger Town,” are only “cool” to those who claim the ‘50s cool. While surrounding the owners with history may make them feel like they belong to the establishment, it does nothing to bring championships to this once-proud ballclub. Let’s see where being cool leaves wanting fans in October.

Pete Russo

San Clemente

I was listening to Vin in May 1977 while in labor with my No. 1 son -- who is now a feature producer for Fox Sports. Coincidence? I think not!

Jeanie Riddell

La Canada

Here are the two things that matter so much to Larry Bowa that he has thrown temper tantrums this year:

1. Whether Larry Bowa must wear a batting helmet when Larry Bowa is in Larry Bowa’s coaching box.

2. Whether Larry Bowa must stand in Larry Bowa’s coaching box until the batter hits the ball.

The guy has potential. He may yet learn to care about the Dodgers and about winning as much as he cares about getting his own way.

E.P. Macus

South Pasadena