The sharpest and often funniest letters to the editor in the L.A. Times all week run in Sports on Saturdays. Steve Freeman got his point across about a certain fragile and laid-back Dodger in this past weekend's collection:

I agree with Brad Penny that some of his Dodger teammates don't always give their best effort. I also agree that the perpetrators should remain nameless.

I DREW my own conclusion as to whom the main culprit is. Penny's comments DREW many questions from players and fans. I simply DREW a picture in my head of who that player is.

It's a guy who plays with absolutely no fire or intensity. Maybe if he hit for power like he's supposed to and DREW more walks, he'd live up to the expectations of his salary. But, out of respect to the team, I DREW a line and I won't mention his name in this letter.

STEVE FREEMAN

Los Angeles

And to christen this space with the first of what will surely be many hockey references — David's below doesn't count — there was this one from Rob Matheson: "The recent moves by new General Manager Dean Lombardi have been questioned by many Kings fans, but there is a method to his madness. He has replaced Luc Robitaille (40) and Jeremy Roenick (36) with free agents Rob Blake (36) and Scott Thornton (35). Obviously, the Kings are in a youth movement."