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LETTERS
Clemens will put some fannies in the seats and set a good
example, but I doubt he will lead the Blue Jays to glory.
STEVE SCHROEDER, Dunwoody, Ga.
MOVING
I find it sickening to continue to read about the superman
qualities of Roger Clemens (Commanding Presence, March 31). He
has hoodwinked the Boston press for 10 years. A .500 pitcher for
the last four years combined, Clemens has not won a big game in
his life and took $25 million out of the pockets of Red Sox fans
for a mediocre performance.
NATE BEARDSLEY, West Boylston, Mass.
That Roger Clemens, because of his work ethic, is labeled a
"bulldog" paints a grim picture of his colleagues. Clemens isn't
a bulldog; the rest of the players are poodles: finicky,
narcissistic and pampered. Players strut their stuff in all
sorts of commercials. You need only look at the back of a
baseball card or hold a radar gun behind the plate to see what
Clemens's stuff is.
J. TYLER O'NEILL, Fargo, N.Dak.
Roger Clemens was attracted to Toronto in part for the
opportunity to hit ground balls to his sons on the SkyDome
infield (a practice frowned on at Fenway Park) and by the offer
of uniforms and other goodies for his older sons. Boston general
manager Dan Duquette said, "Let's just say I think his choice
speaks volumes about what was important to him." As a father of
three, I would die with a smile on my face if a former employer
said about me, "He made a career move based in part on the
kindness shown to his children."
MICHAEL E. LOEFFLER, Lindsay, Calif.
PITCHING.
In Alone on the Hill (March 31), Tom Verducci writes, "the
owners have assured the further escalation of offense by adding
two expansion teams...meaning that about 40 more pitchers who
don't belong" will be in the big leagues. This theory makes
sense, but doesn't it work both ways? For every pitcher, there
will be even more batters who don't belong?
KEN GOLDMAN, Farmington, Conn.
Upon reading your sidebar on the 10 toughest pitches, I was
surprised to not see Roger Clemens's fastball listed. He was one
of the toughest guys to hit against last season if you rank a
pitcher according to opponents' average against him. The Tigers
struck out 20 times in one game against Clemens last year. I
know he is getting up there in age, but he can still mow down
batters with the best of them.
E. DYLAN SCOTT, Columbus, Ohio
SCOUTING
Once again I was astounded by my inability to relate players to
the teams they now play for (Scouting Reports, March 31). Free
agency continues to take its toll on the average fan, not only
in driving up ticket prices but also in eroding the pleasure of
watching a player's career unfold as part of a team's tradition.
TOM BURNS, Rochester, N.Y.
Tom Verducci's scouting report on the Yankees, which was devoted
to Graeme Lloyd, seemed somewhat misguided. To me, it was like
scouting the Chicago Bulls and focusing on Bill Wennington.
Although it is a point well taken that the Yankees' season may
hinge on how successfully their middle relievers can bridge the
gap between the starters and Mariano Rivera, I found this story
on the world champions an insult to knowledgeable fans.
WILLIAM MACAULAY, Pittsburgh
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
I loved the article on Arizona and its victory over favored
Kentucky (Scratchin' and Clawin', April 7). Watching a team with
no senior leadership have the determination to go all the way
makes me realize why I like college basketball so much.
SAM PETIX, Rochester, N.Y.
I applaud Arizona's unprecedented conquest of three No. 1 seeds,
but I wonder how the NCAA can run a basketball tournament that
allows the fifth-place finisher in its conference to compete for
a national championship.
RUSSELL E. SAVAGE JR., Cincinnati
PRO WRESTLING
I resent your article, which insulted the intelligence of pro
wrestling fans (SCORECARD, March 31). A fan for 20 years, I have
always known that pro wrestling was choreographed. I also know
that I would not want to get into the ring with any of these
men. It takes tremendous skill and endurance to do what they do.
GEORGE MIDDLEMIST, Arvada, Colo.
COLOR PHOTO: JERRY WACHTER After shining in Boston for years, Clemens got lit up.[Roger Clemens pitching]
