LETTERS
Dave Bing
What a joy it was to see Dave Bing get some well-deserved recognition that, to a degree, eluded him during his 12-year career in the NBA (Life Lessons from a Man of Steel, Aug. 19). Back in 1966, we in Detroit had no clue how lucky we were when the Pistons lost the coin flip that left the team with Dave Bing rather than University of Michigan All-America Cazzie Russell, the No. 1 pick we all coveted. It didn't take long for Bing to play his way into the hearts of Piston fans with his dazzling performances and his modest demeanor.
AUBREY W. LEE JR.
Dearborn, Mich.
As I sat on the cold, hard gym floor at Coop Camp—the basketball camp started by former Laker star Michael Cooper in Albuquerque-a couple of years ago, I listened to Magic Johnson talk of his childhood idol, Dave Bing. He told the campers that Bing was a winner in everything he did. Now, thanks to Rick Telander's article, I finally understand what Magic meant.
AL DOMEIKA
Fairfield, Conn.
Wetlands Policy
I take exception to your "thumbs down" judgment call in the Aug. 12 SCORECARD regarding presidential approval of new criteria for defining "wetlands." The 1989 Wetlands Delineation Manual is seriously flawed and far too inclusive in establishing criteria for what constitutes a wetland. The result is that large amounts of land with few or no true wetlands characteristics have been classified as wetlands.
Classification of wetlands has been plagued by inconsistent and varying interpretations at the local level. A clear-cut definition of a wetland is necessary for all concerned in order to conserve and protect true wetlands, such as marshes, bogs and swamps.
Wetlands protection must balance with the protection of private-property rights of American agriculture.
CHARLES GROTEVANT JR.
Buckingham, Ill.
Newcomer
After listening to CBS-TV exaggerate John Daly's performance during the PGA, it was refreshing to read John Garrity's hyperbole-free article about this golf tournament (Over Drive, Aug. 19). It seems clear that unless Daly learns to manage his game, he will never live up to the reputation that many in the media have created for him.
Golf is about accuracy and finesse, not power. Promoting this rookie as the next Jack Nicklaus is not only unfair to Daly but misleading to the fans as well.
BETH E. CECIL
Warren, Ohio
We are all impressed with Daly's long drives, but I am more impressed with his $5,000 donation to charity out of his $25,000 first-place winnings at the pro-am in Erie, Pa., two weeks before he established a college trust fund by donating $30,000 for the children of the fan who was killed by lightning at the PGA. Actions like these make golf in America what it is.
PAT WHITTEN
Akron
Proud Braves Fans
Hooray! When was the last time Atlanta Braves fans could stand up and cheer (End of the Slide, Aug. 19)? What a proud feeling we all have over our miracle turnaround. Now, if we can only find some way to bottle it and give it to the Falcons and Hawks.
JASON FORSTER
Atlanta
Can you tell me what person the Braves are honoring by wearing the initials JWM on their left sleeves?
BILL OLSON
Fort Worth
•The initials are those of John Wilfred Mullen, a vice-president and assistant general manager of the Braves, who died while with the team at spring training in Florida. Mullen had been with the Braves for 31 years and, as farm director, was the man responsible for signing home-run king Hank Aaron.—ED.
Celebrity Boxers
In Pat Putnam's SCORECARD item on Mickey Rourke (Aug. 5) he asked where guys like Rourke and Mark Gastineau get the nerve to think they can step in and fight professional boxers. Putnam fails to make a distinction between the cases of Gastineau and Rourke. Gastineau is hoping for a bona fide boxing career that will lead someday to a title fight. For someone 34 years old with no previous experience in the ring, this is truly a farce.
Rourke, on the other hand, has never expressed any intention of fighting ranked fighters or of ever trying for a title. He says that he is fighting simply because he enjoys the sport and because he has the time and resources to do it. He has stated from the beginning that he will box club fighters, not ranked professionals, and that unlike Gastineau, he is boxing for love of the sport, not because he needs the job.
ROBERT CIULLA
Hawthorne, N.J.
PHOTO
MARK DAVIS/POST-TRIBUNE
Last month Gastineau (in dark trunks) won his second pro fight with a TKO of Mike Acklie.
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.