This Could Well Be Initial Crack in the Angel Facade

Tony Phillips is arrested for possession of cocaine. So as an L.A. baseball fan, I have only one question:

Howe?

PAUL ECKER

Diamond Bar

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Now my mind more fully comprehends how Tony Phillips elevated the Angels’ spirits and lifted them higher into first place.

MIKE GLUECK

Newport Beach

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It sounds like Tony Phillips really does have a solid entrapment defense. I hear Vanatter planted the crack pipe in his hand and Fuhrman forced him to light up. When will it end?

JIM GRADY

Anaheim

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Great article by Mike Downey [Aug. 13] about the decadent state of our “National Pastime.” The trouble is that no matter how many examples Mr. Downey can give, the fans keep coming back for more.

I am a pediatrician. If I got caught in a motel buying $30 worth of cocaine, my career as a physician would be ruined--guaranteed. But if a baseball player does it, he goes to rehab for 30 days and resumes his career as though nothing happened. Excuse my arrogance, but I believe that what I do for a living is more important to society than what Tony Phillips does, yet I’m the loser. What’s wrong with this picture?

LAWRENCE L. MENZER

Van Nuys

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No wonder Peter O’Malley wants out of baseball when he sees salaries such as Greg Maddux’s--115 times larger than Koufax’s and Drysdale’s salaries 30 years ago, when they each made $100,000 for one year. And they had to hold out to get that. My God, the old man must be turning over in his grave!

DONALD L. JONES

Rancho Palos Verdes