19TH HOLE: The readers take over
BASEBALL: LADIES' DAY
Sirs:
Irene Esquivel's description of a typical day at the Coliseum (19TH HOLE, July 14) was very touching, but the all-too-familiar attack on East Coast fans caused me to conclude that it was about time that someone gave the West Coast fans an insight into what baseball was like before it became a business.
The last game I saw at Ebbets Field was in August 1956. The fans were hot and noisy, and the ball park was small and dirty, but when the game got under way, somehow it wasn't hot and muggy anymore, and the seats weren't hard as rocks, and the noise no longer bothered you. Nothing mattered but the game.
Ebbets Field is empty and quiet now, and old Brooklyn fans who used to go there are tight-lipped and bitter and make snide, nasty remarks to cover up the hurt they feel. There is nothing left of baseball in New York but a great Yankee team playing in an inferior league. A Dodger fan would die of boredom watching the Yanks. For he is used to constant change and excitement. The Yanks don't have three men land on third base at the same time, and Mickey Mantle hasn't chased a kitten out of center field.
Be patient with us, Irene, and tell Californians to be patient. It isn't easy to forget those old Brooklyn Bums. And they are bums, you know, every single one of 'em, and we miss them very much.
BEVERLY MEEKER
Westfield, N.J.
Sirs:
My dad has told me that next year the Yankees would be given first place in the American League. And the other teams would play for second place. Could you tell me if this is true? I don't think it is, at least I hope it isn't, because my favorite team is the Boston Red Sox.
BARBARA SHASKY
Ocala, Fla.
•Father knows best.—ED.
FISHERMAN'S PARADISE
Sirs:
I have often wondered when your fine magazine would discover the Tennessee Valley as a paradise for sportsmen (SI, July 7). Virginia Kraft did a wonderful job writing about it.
I have fished in Elk River and adjoining streams for 15 years. Within five or 10 minutes from the lodge up or down stream you can be in some of the finest bass fishing water anywhere. You can always catch a string of fish whether it be bass, crappie, bream, catfish or drum.
We think this is a fine area for sports and a good place to enjoy living. Thanks for writing such a fine article about it.
PAUL SANDLIN
Athens, Ala.
ORCHIDS FOR "FUTEBOL"
Sirs:
Thank you for the terrific article in which your reporter, John Mulliken, described the Brazilian victory over the Swedish team for the coveted World Soccer Cup (SI, July 7). I don't think I could have been happier if I had played on the victorious team myself.
RICHARD A. BARR
U.S. Marine Corps
San Francisco
Sirs:
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is deserving of heartiest congratulations for the article The Samba No One Could Match, a splendid account of the sixth World's Football Championship games in Sweden during the month of June.
The article was admirably written so as to hold the interest of the regular football enthusiast and, at the same time, give the North American reader—little acquainted with soccer—an insight into the greatest sport spectacle on earth, the championship matches of the world's most popular game.
In the name of the Brazilians living in the United States, sincere thanks and once again, congratulations for your excellent reporting.
MAURY GURGEL VALENTE
Counselor
Brazilian Embassy
Washington, D.C.
Sirs:
Soccer is the game we should be priming our youngsters to excel in. The World Cup and the Olympic soccer tournament involve all countries, and we are at the bottom in this great international team game.
Many things are to be said about this great game of endurance, contact and unchallenged teamwork, but, most of all, we need it for international recognition. Right now we are not even in the grammar school class compared to the other 54 countries or so who call it the "world's game." Our "world championships" are pretty much of a joke to the rest of the world.
I look forward to the day that the Copa Del Mundo will be held in an American city.
BILL KEOUGH
Pomona, Calif.
CHERCHEZ LA FEMME
Sirs:
I was overcome by the beauty of that luscious blonde pictured in Oasis on the Sunny Seine (SI, July 14).
Just out of curiosity (of course) I wondered if you could give me her age, name and address. Is it possible to get another picture of her?
TOM TUCKER
White Plains, N.Y.
Sirs:
One subject that seems to engulf men universally is that of attractive females.
In your July 14 issue there appears a picture of a young French lady sunning herself at the Deligny pool in Paris. If it would be at all possible, I would like to have some background information concerning her (i.e., name, address). Also, another picture of her would be greatly appreciated.
WILLIAM N. STEEL
Ensign, USNR
Brunswick, Ga.
•Here is another picture of the young lady. The name is Mlle. Fran√ßoise Camus. We regret to inform Messrs. Tucker, Steel and others that her address and telephone number are not available.—ED.
MR. TALBERT'S TACTICS
Sirs:
The Human Science of Mixed Doubles (SI, June 30) has been posted at our tennis club for all to savor. Happily, a change has already been noticed in dispositions—husbands, of course—and who knows, before long we all might be battling it out at the net! Let there be more of Mr. Talbert's diplomatic tactics we can use.
SUSANNE METCALF
Syosset, N.Y.
Sirs:
After the second smash to my weak backhand from Mr. Talbert followed by "Oops, sorry. Meant to hit it elsewhere," I would be across the net with my racket wrapped around Mr. Talbert's neck—Golden Rules or no.
ERNA BARNETT TANLER
Yakima, Wash.
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