Letters: Maury Wills is gone but his exploits are remembered

Sept. 23, 2022 11:40 AM PT

Maury Wills is one of the most important players not in the Hall of Fame. He influenced how the game was (is) played by others by reinventing the stolen base. And considering how those Dodgers teams were so low-scoring, that made him extra valuable. He was pretty good defensively, too. Yes, he had personal problems but this is an institution that had Ty Cobb in its inaugural class.

Evan Puziss
Mar Vista

Growing up with the Dodgers-Giants rivalry in the 1960s, I loved watching Maury Wills frustrate and beat the Giants almost single-handedly. Next to Sandy Koufax, he was my favorite Dodger during that era and I was horrified when he was traded for popcorn and a hot dog to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Whether or not the team continues its outdated policy of number retirement, just as no one will be issued Fernando’s 34, no one after Dave Roberts should wear No. 30.

Elliot Powers
San Diego

The passing of Dodger great Maury Wills brings up the question: Why isn’t this guy in the Hall of Fame?

His numbers were equal to and even exceeded many of the players already in the Hall. I know because I looked it up. And how many of them have a regular-season MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and three World Series rings on their resumes? I looked it up, again not many.

What I didn’t have to look up was that none of them changed the game of baseball by bringing back the stolen base and making it an art.

It was bad enough it took damn near forever for Gil Hodges to get in, but this … this is a tragedy.

David Dale
Sonoma Valley

Long before the wave, there was the chant “Go, go, go!” As a boy walking into Dodger Stadium with his dad, there were certain things you hoped to see: Koufax snapping off a lethal curveball; Willie Davis hitting a ball up the gap; Don Drysdale staking his claim to the outside part of, if not the whole, plate; and Frank Howard hammering a misplaced fastball. But for pure excitement and the thrill of the crowd, you couldn’t beat Maury Wills moving off first base.

Rob Stockly
Sierra Madre

I can still hear John Ramsey’s booming voice, “Batting first for the Dodgers ….” Hands begin to clap. “The shortstop .…” The ovation continues to build. “Number 30 .…” Now a thunderous roar. “Maury .…” The whole stadium cheers as one! You never heard the “Wills.” You didn’t have to. Everyone knew. The captain was stepping in. It was time for excitement. It was time for Dodger baseball.

John Thompson
Mission Viejo

Of Albert and Apple

Did you see the Dodger fans celebrating as Albert Pujols made history with home run No. 700? Albert could possibly be the roadblock the Dodgers hope to avoid as they attempt to finish the season with a franchise-high record. That being said, what a historic game!

Patrick Kelley
Los Angeles

The cynical part of me, albeit mildly, makes me wonder if Albert Pujols got a couple of fat pitches. Please tell me I’m wrong.

Jay James
Pico Rivera

Of his 700th home-run ball, Albert Pujols said, “souvenirs are for fans.” The fan has every right to keep it or do with the ball whatever they want. As we hear every year from baseball players who sign large contracts, “I’ve turned down the offer of $300 million to accept the offer of $325 million. I have done this to protect my family and future!” If players can do this to protect their families and futures, so can the fan. I think Albert would be happy to know he made some fans life a little easier … or, maybe, a lot easier.

Art Lacher
La Canada

When I was 7 years old, I watched Hank Aaron belt No. 715 on a 19-inch television. Forty-eight years later, I was able to watch Albert Pujols belt No. 700 on a 13-inch computer screen. Ain’t progress grand?

Brian Lipson
Beverly Hills

UCLA fanfare

I’ll have to agree with Chip Kelly about the lack of big-name opponents hurting attendance, because those big-named schools have fans that travel all over to watch their teams play. UCLA won’t have more home fans, but if you just want to fill the Rose Bowl, scheduling top-tier teams is a good idea. Plus Bruin students and fans will be able to sell their tickets to opposing fans. The fans will come, but I doubt they will be wearing powder blue.

Judy Thomsen
Glendora

The question isn’t why only 29,344 people attended the UCLA game last Saturday at the Rose Bowl. The real question is why anyone showed up at all. I mean, seriously, an 11 a.m. football game against South Alabama and the fans are being criticized for not going?

Greg Nersesyan
North Hollywood

I don’t know why UCLA has such a problem with attendance at the Rose Bowl. You can get a ticket for as little as $6, which is a pretty good deal. Maybe it’s because they want $60 for parking!

Bill Piercy
Long Beach

MVP or HR derby?

In regard to the MVP choice between Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. Aaron Judge has not won 13 games as a pitcher. He does not have a 2.34 ERA. When he does, then Judge has an argument for MVP.

Dennis Hurwitz
Del Mar

No, Bill Shaikin, the “real” home run record is not 73. The “real” record remains Roger Maris’ 61 (unless Aaron Judge breaks it this year).

It doesn’t matter that Bud Selig remained silent when Barry Bonds surpassed 61 while using banned steroids. Players cannot set records by cheating simply because a sport’s administrators want to ignore a scandal.

True sports fans know that Maris’ 61 stands as the greatest single-season home run feat.

Ray McKown
Torrance

Broadcast blues

The Angels are so difficult to watch on TV and listen to on the radio. The announcers are so subpar. The TV guys, while I’m sure are nice guys, are so busy quoting obscure stats. So what if that hit off the wall would be a home run in X number of other ballparks? As a very longtime Angels fan, I hope the new owner invests not only in some quality pitching, but also in announcing teams that make the game enjoyable with a little, no a lot, less of a hometown bias.

Steve Geary
Corona del Mar

Painful reminder

I read with profound sadness that former UCLA basketball starter Jalen Hill died at age 22. He left the squad in 2021 to fight his depression and anxiety. With all the resources UCLA would have for him, it shows a mental health pandemic, particularly with young males, prevalently exists. I pray for the family.

Craig A. Horowitz
Santa Monica

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