Letters

1954-89
Congratulations on your 35th anniversary. To my mind SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is the repository of the best contemporary writing to be found anywhere.

As I read the special anniversary issue (Nov. 15), I realized with some surprise that the sporting events of those 35 years carry equal emotional weight in my mind with the world events of that period. Most of my childhood heroes were sports heroes. Some of my adult heroes have been sports figures—Brooks Robinson, Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, Bjorn Borg, Arnold Palmer.

In 1954 I purchased a prepublication charter subscription to SI. When my marriage ended, my ex-husband got custody of my subscription. I ask you, is that fair?
LAURA HAYES
Snow Camp, N.C.

I just relived my life!
K.C. TOMAINO
Pottersville, N.J.

The jewel of the issue was Gary Smith's A Celebration of Muhammad Ali. Ali's exploits in the ring compelled so many of us to fantasize about somehow possessing the same array of physical gifts he demonstrated, and his ongoing battle with Parkinson's syndrome now elicits our deepest sympathy. As Smith so eloquently stated, Ali's greatness is perhaps best exemplified by the wide range of emotions he incited. Ali reached out and embraced the whole world, and in return the world embraced him.
RICHARD V. UVA
Brooklyn

I'm going to read Smith's article to my sixth-graders. They might not understand all of it, but they're intelligent enough to get the main idea. We are lucky to have Ali. He has shown us greatness. More important, he has shown us how a human being should face adversity.
STEVE JORGENSEN
Dana Point, Calif.

The photograph of the exuberant 1980 U.S. hockey team stirred strong memories for me. I was present that night and will never forget the tremendous emotion and excitement shown by everyone there. Following the game, people lined the streets and rooftops of Lake Placid, singing the national anthem and chanting, "U.S.A! U.S.A! U.S.A!" Nobody wanted to go home.
GEOFF P. GAGNIER
New London, Conn.

How could you possibly leave out the great U.S. Olympic hockey victory of 1960? This was equal to or even better than the '80 version. I should know; I was there. Also, 31 covers of Muhammad Ali are 31 too many.
PAUL C. SNOW
Granby, Mass.

Almost as incredible as your 35-year history is your exclusion of a picture of Mickey Mantle in your anniversary issue. I realize that Triple Crown winners are a dime a dozen in baseball, but you could have squeezed in a picture of the Mick above the one of Princess Grace in the 1956 review.
CHRIS NAJORK
Duncanville, Texas

It is unfortunate that you had to desecrate your anniversary issue with so many pictures of and references to George Steinbrenner.
GERALD HEADRICK
Salt Lake City

Thanks for once again reprinting the legendary shot of Cheryl Tiegs in a fishnet bathing suit. Oh baby!
P. MAXWELL CHELSEA
Flushing, N.Y.

I can't wait to see your swimsuit issue in 2054!
KURT WESTERLUND
Calumet City, Ill.

PERSONAL PLATE
I am the owner of the CLEMSON personalized license plate referred to by Jill Calabrese (LETTERS, Nov. 27). I hate to burst Calabrese's bubble, but I did not attend Clemson University. The reason I chose this license plate is obvious.
CARL CLEMSON
Milpitas, Calif.

GOD REST YE...
I can attest to Reggie White's love for the Lord (White Heat, Nov. 27). My brother Jimmy played against Reggie, then a tight end, when Reggie was a senior at Howard High. On one play it took Jimmy and two more defensive backs to bring him down. After the three finally got him on the ground, Reggie got up and said, "Praise the Lord," to each one of them. I can't think of a better human being.
LARRY A. JONES III
Hixson, Tenn.

MYSTERY MARATHONER
As an acknowledgment of the courage of the handicapped New York City Marathon runner whose picture led off the Nov. 13 issue, please give us his name.
GARY RISO
Staten Island, N.Y.

•He is Brian Cleaver, 51, the president of the Achilles Track Club of England, headquartered in London. He finished the New York City course (far left, below) in six hours and 55 minutes (handicapped runners are given early starting times, based on the degree of their disability).—ED.

PHOTO

TSC GRAPHICS/TOM MADINE

Letters to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED should include the name, address and home telephone number of the writer and should be addressed to The Editor. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, Time & Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York, N.Y. 10020-1393.