Latest news with #DylanHernandez
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: Dodgers fans voice their disappointment over team's silence on ICE raids
To the editor: I would like to thank columnist Dylan Hernandez for his piece on the Dodgers' silence as Los Angeles remains under occupation ('Cowardly Dodgers remain silent as ICE raids terrorize their fans,' June 14). This is an abomination. I say this as a native Angeleno and lifelong Dodgers fan. Like Dodger Stadium itself, I was born in 1962. I attended games before Fernando Valenzuela's arrival and can say unequivocally that he changed the Dodgers for the better, making it a team for the whole city and making the fan experience far more vibrant and entertaining. For 45 years, the Dodgers have benefited from the spirit and the income stream that the Mexican American and immigrant communities have given them. During last fall's victory parade, we heard a lot about how the Los Angeles fans, without exception, contributed to the World Series win. Hernandez is exactly right. The Dodgers' silence is a terrible betrayal of their fans' dedication and support. My heart broke a little Saturday to see so many Dodgers caps and apparel at the Whittier 'No Kings' rally. In a better world, the Dodgers would encourage the use of their caps as a sign of solidarity among Angelenos and against the forces trying to destroy our city. Lori Davies, Brea .. To the editor: I want to sincerely thank Hernandez for this recent column. His words cut through the noise, calling out the hypocrisy that many have chosen to ignore for far too long. But I also write to ask that we remember this violence didn't begin with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Before federal agents targeted our neighborhoods with raids — and before the Dodgers organization chose to visit President Trump at the White House — this same corporation played a direct role in the forcible removal and destruction of three thriving Mexican American communities: Palo Verde, La Loma and Bishop. My family, the Arechigas, was among those violently displaced to make way for the stadium. This wasn't just a corporate land grab — it was a coordinated act between the city of Los Angeles and the Dodgers organization. Together, they demolished our homes and erased our communities. The Dodgers continue to profit off the land through promotions and nostalgia, all while ignoring our calls for reparations and the return of generational wealth. The continued use of 'Chavez Ravine' only deepens that erasure — obscuring the truth that Palo Verde, La Loma and Bishop were our homes. To this day, our families continue to demand justice, public acknowledgment and meaningful reparations for what was taken — our homes, our land and our history. The current silence around ICE raids is painful, but for us, it is not new. It's a continuation of the same disregard that began in the 1950s and has never truly ended. Melissa Arechiga, Los Angeles .. To the editor: The Dodgers could make an impact by marching up to an ICE facility in their team uniforms and demanding that ICE (and the Marines and National Guard) leave. Such a demonstration would be impossible for Trump to ignore and could help lead to a withdrawal of the forces now terrorizing our community. At the very least, it could help restore the tarnished image the Dodgers now have. Rob Jacobs, Los Angeles .. To the editor: As a lifelong Dodgers fan (I'm in my late 60s), I sadly have to agree that the shocking silence of the club's management in terms of support for its community of loyal fans, especially those of Latino heritage who have been unfairly demonized and terrorized over the last several weeks, is gutless and cowardly. The team of Jackie Robinson and many courageous others must do more. I, for one, will do my part by not attending any games this year. Rather, I will forgo spending the hundreds of dollars that I annually spend on tickets, parking and concessions and will donate those funds to local charities and community organizations that will better use the support. History is still watching. William W. Carter, Newbury Park .. To the editor: Michael Jordan, who was criticized for not being vocal on political or racial issues, once responded to backlash, 'Republicans buy sneakers too.' Roy Fassel, Los Angeles
Los Angeles Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
LA Times Today: Roki Sasaki's bond with Rikuzentakata endures, long after 2011 tsunami
Roki Sasaki was a highly touted Japanese pitcher who signed with the Dodgers in January. As a young boy his life was forever changed as an earthquake and tsunami destroyed his hometown in Japan. L.A. Times Dylan Hernandez writes Sasaki's bond with his seaside community remains strong even after all these years.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Letters to the Editor: How the Dodgers could make amends after Jackie Robinson Day 'hypocrisy'
To the editor: Like columnist Dylan Hernandez ("Dodgers' celebration of Jackie Robinson Day rings hollow in wake of White House visit," April 15), I was saddened that the Dodgers chose to visit the White House. I understand that it would have taken some courage to do otherwise, but that still doesn't make it right. I believe I have a way they can make amends that is diplomatic enough to avoid angering the White House. Make an announcement at every game: 'Ladies and gentlemen, there is an American resident being wrongly imprisoned in El Salvador and, to date, efforts to obtain his release have failed. We would like to ask you to rise for a moment of silent prayer that our president, Donald Trump, may be successful in his efforts to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia home.' Ron Rubin, Valley Glen .. To the editor: Bravo to Hernandez for pointing out the hypocrisy of the Dodgers celebrating Jackie Robinson Day after yukking it up with a president who is anti-DEI and peddles, as Hernandez wrote, "casual racism." Moreover, the president is a convicted felon and was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case. Any sports team — or person for that matter — who consorts with him tacitly condones this behavior. They dignify a man without dignity. They normalize an abnormal president. I doubt Robinson would have done that. Bill Carey, Sherman Oaks .. To the editor: To avoid repeating the hypocrisy of celebrating Jackie Robinson Day after visiting Trump, the Dodgers should cancel their upcoming Law Enforcement Night. How can the Dodgers honor brave police officers after they normalized someone who pardoned several felons responsible for attacking and injuring brave police officers? Kelly Gallagher, Santa Ana This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: How the Dodgers could make amends after Jackie Robinson Day ‘hypocrisy'
To the editor: Like columnist Dylan Hernandez ('Dodgers' celebration of Jackie Robinson Day rings hollow in wake of White House visit,' April 15), I was saddened that the Dodgers chose to visit the White House. I understand that it would have taken some courage to do otherwise, but that still doesn't make it right. I believe I have a way they can make amends that is diplomatic enough to avoid angering the White House. Make an announcement at every game: 'Ladies and gentlemen, there is an American resident being wrongly imprisoned in El Salvador and, to date, efforts to obtain his release have failed. We would like to ask you to rise for a moment of silent prayer that our president, Donald Trump, may be successful in his efforts to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia home.' Ron Rubin, Valley Glen .. To the editor: Bravo to Hernandez for pointing out the hypocrisy of the Dodgers celebrating Jackie Robinson Day after yukking it up with a president who is anti-DEI and peddles, as Hernandez wrote, 'casual racism.' Moreover, the president is a convicted felon and was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case. Any sports team — or person for that matter — who consorts with him tacitly condones this behavior. They dignify a man without dignity. They normalize an abnormal president. I doubt Robinson would have done that. Bill Carey, Sherman Oaks .. To the editor: To avoid repeating the hypocrisy of celebrating Jackie Robinson Day after visiting Trump, the Dodgers should cancel their upcoming Law Enforcement Night. How can the Dodgers honor brave police officers after they normalized someone who pardoned several felons responsible for attacking and injuring brave police officers? Kelly Gallagher, Santa Ana
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Letters: Sports and politics collide with Dodgers' planned White House visit
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts presents Vice President Kamala Harris with a jersey as she and President Biden host the 2020 World Series champions in the East Room of the White House in 2021. (Getty Images) I agree with Dylan Hernandez's very insightful column regarding the team's upcoming planned visit to the White House. The Dodgers have long been leaders in many different ways, and by not refusing to go to the White House, they are essentially green-lighting the very mean-spirited, bullying tactics of Donald Trump and Elon Musk. What a shame. Advertisement Shawn OBrien Wilmington Please reconsider a visit to the White House. In the names of Jackie Robinson and the O'Malley family, don't put a stain on one of the greatest Dodgers championships ever. Art Peck View Park Dylan Hernandez, you are wrong. Period. Your efforts to politicize baseball, and the Dodgers' decision to accept the honor and privilege to attend the White House, has no place in the Sports section of the L.A. Times. Your article on the matter is filled with bias and your effort to somehow classify Dodgers fans as Trump haters is ill-served and demeaning. Sports is one place where a fan should hopefully be able to escape political biases and rhetoric. The Dodgers earned the privilege of being invited to the White House, a place of great historical significance to our country. Put your personal biases aside and let them enjoy their day. Advertisement Steve Kaye Oro Valley It is so pathetic how everything is rabidly political these days. The Trump haters loathe the Dodgers for visiting the White House but Stan Kasten said it well: If they visit, 50% of the people will be upset, and if they don't visit, the other 50% will be upset. The coaches and players who want to attend should go, and those who don't want to should skip it. Will you still hate the Dodgers if some of the players are Trump supporters? Remember this is the "land of the free, home of the brave." David Waldowski Laguna Woods Dodgers heroics Tickets to a Dodgers game: $400. Parking and refreshments: $200. Witnessing Shohei Ohtani slug a walk-off home run on the night he's honored with his own bobblehead: priceless! Advertisement Marty Zweben Palos Verdes Estates Dodgers games are must-see TV! How long will the team's unbeaten streak last? L.A.'s list of late-inning heroes continues to grow. We're getting an opportunity to watch Major League Baseball history. Weather you watch in person or on TV, you'll be able to tell your kids that you saw it happen! Patrick Kelley Los Angeles Putting on a show Although the Lakers lost to the Warriors, it was a treat to be at Crypto on Thursday night to see LeBron James and Steph Curry combine for 70 points at a combined age of 77. Ken Feldman Tarzana In the clutch Austin Reaves hits 88% of his free throws, plays tough defense, is an excellent rebounder and ballhandler, can score from anywhere with a variety of shots and has won games with jumpers or a driving layups at the buzzer. The recently departed Jerry West was one of the greatest Lakers of all time, but I am sure he would also agree with many of us fans that Reaves should inherit West's title of 'Mr. Clutch." Advertisement Willie Quiñones Long Beach Moving on As a longtime Bruins basketball fan, I am saddened but not surprised that Aday Mara is leaving Westwood. There are greener pastures elsewhere where he'll be better coached and properly utilized in the low post. Connie Giguere Palos Verdes Peninsula March madness I'm glad student-athletes are paid now. However, it suddenly has changed from 'one and dones' into an older version of AAU basketball. Players transfer like baseball trading cards. Mid-major colleges will never keep their teams together and the big schools will cherry-pick the best players. When you have some 'student-athletes' playing at four different schools in four years, it's a bad look. I still love watching the NCAA tournament, but the system needs some serious changes. Advertisement Tim Boyd San Juan Capistrano History lesson While the Bruins beat LSU to move into their first NCAA basketball Final Four, it is hugely important to remember that they had been AIAW tournament champion in 1978, thanks to the skill and leadership of Ann Myers and Denise Curry. Ironically, the transition from AIAW control to NCAA control is clearly seen by looking at the college playing history of now-colorfully dressed Kim Mulkey, who coached the LSU team that the Bruins just beat. Kim, wearing her then-signature pigtail hairdo we older basketball fans remember, starred for the Louisiana Tech team that won the last AIAW championship in 1981, followed in 1982 by winning the first NCAA championship. Nowadays, the Bruins have USC as archrival. Kim Mulkey and Louisiana Tech had Immaculata with front-row nuns as archrival. The past and present were melded in that UCLA-LSU matchup, exemplifying the skill seen and fun of following women's sports. Ray Stefani Lake Forest Getting their due Great to see UCLA women's basketball voice Dave Marcus get his well-deserved recognition. A little nugget: I remember Dave as far back as 1969 as the sports voice of KBHS — the radio station of Birmingham High School, where a bunch of us launched successful careers in radio and television. Congrats, old friend. Advertisement Jeff Prescott La Jolla Congrats to Steve Smith for his induction into the City Section Hall of Fame. At USC, he was a one-of-a-kind receiver, and my favorite, as he would lay out for those not-so-great throws. David Marshall Santa Monica Torpedo those bats I think they should torpedo bats a step further and give aluminum bats to all major leaguers. And make it a torpedo aluminum bat. Then we can see banjo-hitting second basemen clobbering 50 homers a year and Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge trying to outdo each other at 100 to 110 homers a year. Bring in the fences too. Commissioner Rob Manfred seems to like plenty of offense anyway. Of course, there won't be a pitcher alive who will pitch without a screen in front of him. And third basemen will begin wearing catcher's gear. But sometimes you have to pay the price to "even" things out. Advertisement Steve Trocino Simi Valley The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used. Email: sports@ Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
