Second Place Still Has a Silver Lining

Could we have a little more realistic perspective on life from the L.A. Times sportswriters? I am an American and I was ecstatic when Brian Boitano won the gold medal, but I was saddened to see the headline of Mike Downey’s column: “Orser Goes 0 for the Olympics, Finishing Second Once Again.”

I was saddened because Downey denigrates the accomplishment of Orser and of Canada, as if only the first-place finisher deserves approbation, while all other finishers are “losers.” When Orser won the silver medal, it was truly a great moment for him and for Canada.

If we were to apply Downey’s standards to other areas of life, such as sportswriting, then numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5 (including Downey) might as well resign from the L.A. Times, because we all know that Jim Murray is No. 1.

WALTER A. RAY

Glendora