Former L.A. Times Sports Columnist T.J. Simers Wins $7.1 Million Verdict in Discrimination Lawsuit Against Paper

A Los Angeles County Superior Court jury on Wednesday awarded $7.1 million to formerLos Angeles Times sports columnist T.J. Simers, who contended he was pushed out of his decades-long career because of his disability and age.   The columnist, 65, sued the Times in 2013, claiming he was fired after he suffered a minor stroke while covering the Dodgers’ and Angels’ spring training in Arizona.