Memo from a fan: Non-football

To: Los Angeles Times sports department
From: Ian
Re: Thanks for the memories

You are awesome.

The "Where are they now?" photo gallery spotlighting the 1988 Dodgers sent chills down my spine. Now, if only they can pull out three straight wins, I'll be able to fully tap into that Dodger Blue that I once bled.

The questions you asked the members of the team (well, the ones you were able to reach) were perfect. What are you doing? What's your most memorable moment from that season? What went through your mind when Kirk Gibson hit that Game 1 homer? Where do you keep your World Series ring? They actually elicited some pretty smile-inducing responses.

These days, I feel little connection to the Dodgers. I blame the sale of the team to News Corp., which totally ruined the home game experience. Since then, the Dodgers lost their soul, as many could say about their own teams as the sport has tried to become more corporatized.

But back to 20 years ago. What a season that was. Orel Hershiser broke Don Drysdale's scoreless inning record. Vin Scully, Ross Porter and Drysdale were in their broadcasting prime. The O'Malley family still owned the team. Tommy Lasorda was all about the SlimFast.

And then there were the playoffs. Jay Howell gets suspended in the NLCS for the pine tar incident. Hershiser coming into Game 4 against the Mets to notch a save. Kirk Gibson's fist-pumping homer. Pitchers shutting down the Bash Brothers. Hershiser winning two against the all-powerful A's. Lasorda running onto the field, two fists in the air, just beaming.

Oh, the memories. Thank you.