Kudos to Dylan Hernández for his column “Dodgers are no longer agents of change,” noting the absurdity of a Dodger team going to the White House to meet Donald Trump. If anything, he was too gentle in pointing out the irony.
It was the Trump administration that removed mention of Jackie Robinson from a Department of Defense website as part of its effort to cancel anything that hints at diversity, equity or inclusion. They claimed later that it was a mistake and restored the Jackie Robinson article, but their only “mistake” was not realizing it would create an outcry. An Air Force webpage honoring Gen.Colin Powell, who was the first Black U.S. Secretary of State, and first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was removed, and replaced with the word DEI. It was not restored. The difference between the two groundbreakers is that Robinson is more visible and beloved. Deleting Colin Powell occurred without many people noticing.
Not to mention Trump’s efforts to destroy lots of “mom and apple pie” things like the Department of Education, the Post Office, Social Security, Medicaid, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Constitution. I think the Dodgers meeting the president only helped to normalize the insanity.
I don’t think many Dodger fans would have objected to their beloved team passing on the Trump visit.
Paul Koretz
Los Angeles
The Dodgers, indeed, threw their fans a curveball. How hypocritical to visit Trump one week and then turn around and celebrate Jackie Robinson Day the next. Baseball is not immune to racial prejudice and, unfortunately, neither is this particular White House. We’ve just seen it up close and personal. Very disappointing!
Marty Zweben
Palos Verdes Estates
Fueled by an intense hatred for Donald Trump, Dylan Hernández puts forth a feeble and biased argument against the Dodgers’ visit to the White House. His personal animosity toward Trump appears to cloud his already questionable judgment.
Visiting the White House is a time-honored tradition — a sign of respect for the institution of the presidency, not a blanket endorsement of any president’s politics. It’s about recognizing excellence, not playing politics.
Jackie Robinson, a man of immense grace, integrity, and principle, would have undoubtedly recognized the importance of the office and accepted the invitation with class. To suggest otherwise is to ignore the very values Robinson stood for.
Sam Chaidez
Mission Hills
Please give Dylan Hernández the transfer out of the Sports department, he’s obviously very unhappy and wants to be in the political editorial division.
Rand Elkins
Camarillo
First there was “The Curse of The Bambino.” Now it seems we have “The Curse of The Trump White House Visit.” So be it, I say.
William P. Bekkala
West Hollywood
16-0! Love it! It’s the curse of the White House visit. Didn’t you ever read “Everything Trump touches dies?”
Rico Gardner
San Diego