Letters

A Brilliant Galaxy

Chills. That word best describes what I felt after reading Living
Legends (July 30). I was only three when Willie Mays signed a
baseball for my oldest brother. It remains our most cherished
ball.
DENNIS SCOTT DAY, Alexandria, Va.

I don't think I've seen a picture that captures the heart and
soul of baseball as well as the one of Yogi Berra and Whitey
Ford. You don't see a pair of Hall of Fame Yankees; you see two
boys who love the game.
DAVID TITCHENAL, Woodburn, Ore.

In the faces captured by Walter Iooss Jr. and in the simple,
nostalgic words of Steve Rushin, the beauty and appeal of
baseball became real to me again. I saw all the old stars play.
These legends must be disappointed, even ashamed of the whining
and greed of many of today's pampered players.
PETER W. BERTSCHMANN, Sherborn, Mass.

Role Model

Thank you for the article on Donovan McNabb by John Ed Bradley
(Eagle Scout, July 30). It is great to see a young man with class
and an exemplary work ethic be successful and keep a level head.
Sam and Wilma McNabb did an outstanding job of instilling these
qualities in their sons. Here's hoping Donovan continues to prove
those boo birds wrong.
ROBERT HERNANDEZ JR., El Paso

Bradley's article accurately portrayed McNabb's personality and
his potential. Here in Philly we are ashamed of those 30 idiots
who booed McNabb at Madison Square Garden. I believe most fans
wanted him over Ricky Williams, but few people across the nation
know that because of what happened on draft day.
MICHAEL GOLDSCHMIDT
Washington Crossing, Pa.

Radio Days and Nights

As a 53-year-old Dodgers fan, I enjoyed Steve Rushin's The Sounds
of Summer (AIR AND SPACE, July 30). I have been a police officer
in a small Idaho town for the past 22 years and have listened to
Vin Scully on my cruiser radio during many a late shift. I no
longer work graveyards, but I do go out to the car in the
driveway and turn the radio on to listen to Vin's play-by-play.
The neighbors drive by and look at me as if I have lost it. I
wave and pull the car back and forth in the driveway for the best
reception. Life is good.
RICK L. SKELLY, Fruitland, Idaho

Baseball is best on the radio, but Rushin left out the most
important reason: You don't have to watch grown men chew and spit
on their shoes for three hours.
ALLAN R. SILVERSTEIN, Hamden, Conn.

I fell in love with baseball--and the Mets--listening to Bob Murphy
say after each New York victory, "We'll be back with the happy
recap." To this day I much prefer listening to watching a game.
STEPHEN B. SILVERMAN, Bayside, N.Y.

Rushin left out the summer's sweetest sound of all, the voice of
Philly's Harry Kalas.
MIKE TARKETT, Mount Laurel, N.J.

The Pirates' late Bob (the Gunner) Prince.
BOB HODDER, Gibsonia, Pa.

Baltimore's Chuck Thompson.
JOHN C. CLARKE, Abingdon, Md.

I've listened to many baseball games on the radio. However,
despite all the advertisements and stupid gimmicks on television,
I have learned that TV is better. Listening to the radio, I could
not have seen David Cone's perfect game, Roger Clemens's
bat-throwing incident or other memorable baseball moments.
ERIC SCHULHAUS, Hauppauge, N.Y.

A Hub Hero

It almost sickened me to read the opinions of readers who didn't
feel pride and happiness when Ray Bourque finally got to hoist
the Stanley Cup (LETTERS, July 30). Bourque is one of the truly
good guys left in professional sports. He toiled year after year
for less money than he was worth, trying to lead the Bruins to
the Stanley Cup. He didn't have long contract holdouts
or spats with management (as Roger Clemens did), and he asked to
be traded only in the twilight of his career. Boston fans will
never hold a spot in their hearts for a Yankee, but there will
always be a spot for Ray.
CHIP FISK, Crest Hill, Ill.

COLOR PHOTO: HY PESKIN

Missing in Action

I applaud your article on living legends. However, the piece
suffers from the absence of Ted Williams. No cliched remark could
describe Williams's impact on baseball, his courage as a war
hero--in two wars--and his humanity. Please tell me that you
contacted him about taking his picture and that he refused for
personal reasons.
KEVIN O'NEILL, Washington, D.C.

--Unfortunately, Williams's poor health prohibited him from
accepting our invitation to pose.
--ED.