Lock Up Angel Season and Throw Away the Key

If one is a believer in conspiracy theories, then the longest conspiracy must be the Angels’ conspiracy to break Gene Autry’s heart.

SCOTT H. WHITTLE

Los Angeles

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Now that the season is over, I hate to say I told you so, but I did. That trade for Tony Phillips sure did bring the veteran leadership the Angels were lacking! While I admit that it worked better than the Dante Bichette-for-Dave Parker deal, the Angels still gave up a good young player in Chad Curtis for a good old player in Phillips. Phillips and Curtis had almost identical statistical seasons, but Curtis still has about 15 left while Phillips will be lucky to have two, and I bet neither of them will come in a California uniform.

PATRICK MALLON

Morro Bay

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Flash back to July 28, 1994, the worst day in Seattle Mariner history. On the same day the players’ union sets a strike deadline, they also refuse to allow the Mariners, unable to play in the damaged Kingdome, to move their home games to Tacoma’s beautiful Cheney Stadium, forcing the Mariners to play all their remaining games on the road. The most vocal Cheney Stadium opponent: Mark Langston. The Langston-led protest denies Mariner fans their only chance to see their team play in the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest.

Oct. 2, 1995: the best day in Mariner history. Not only do the Mariners defeat the Angels to win the American League West, but the losing pitcher is the same Mark Langston, Snidely Whiplash III in the minds of Mariner fans.

KEN KUBOTA

Torrance