Letters
Poetic Licensees
Steve Rushin (AIR AND SPACE, Nov. 12)
hit it right on the nose
Explaining the Series (in poetry, not
prose).
It's scheduled that way so TV can make
money.
Yet ratings are down--like our eyelids--ain't
it funny?
We slept through a Series that was one for
history.
Seven great games, their endings (almost)
always a mystery.
MICHAEL THACKREY, Kingston, R.I.
Quit yer complainin' and move on out
West,
Where the games begin early, and the
weather's the best.
Catch the NBA at 4:30, Monday Night
Football at six,
The World Series at 5:30, they're all in the
mix.
The best thing about it, by 9:30 or 10
The games are all over; I'm watching ER
again.
JON ROE, Los Angeles
Head Buck
I once served George Karl (Love and Hoops, Nov. 12) and his
staff at a restaurant. Karl was a real pleasure, taking time to
sign autographs, chat and answer our uninformed basketball
questions. I became a Bucks fan that night. Thanks, Coach, for
making regular folks feel like, well, regular folks.
MITCH SCHAUB, Dubuque, Iowa
I beg to differ with the statement that high school
hero-cheerleader romances almost never work out. My husband was
the star of the football team, and I was head cheerleader--a
match made in heaven. Thirty-six years later I still see him in
that uniform with shoulders as wide as goal posts. George and
Rosemarie also prove one should never underestimate the depth of
teenage love. It's powerful stuff.
DIANE WAGNER, Racine, Wis.
Serendipitous Series
Just when I thought I knew all that went on in the World Series
by watching every minute on TV, along comes your article (Desert
Classic, Nov. 12). The behind-the-scenes dramatics were great.
Baseball continues to reinvent itself, and this incarnation was
wonderful.
JACK WEISS, Wilmington, N.C.
I am very proud today to be a baseball fan. After Sept. 11
Americans felt vulnerable, but the game helped the healing
process. Thanks to the Diamondbacks and the Yankees for what
will likely be the most magical World Series in my lifetime.
DYLAN WHITE, Shutesbury, Mass.
I was beginning to feel better about my beloved Yankees' blowing
it this year when the Nov. 12 issue arrived. Thanks. I now feel
horrible again.
JASON VASQUEZ, Bronx, N.Y.
Fearing the SI cover jinx, I shuddered when I saw Randy Johnson
on the front of the Nov. 5 issue. However, by the end of the
week the Big Unit was World Series champ, winning pitcher in
Games 6 and 7, and co-MVP. Looks as if it's time to start an SI
cover lucky charm!
JOHN W. KMET
Avon Lake, Ohio
Modern Maturity
I've become a big fan of BYU football (THE LIFE OF REILLY, Nov.
12). This is a new concept: mature college football players,
married to their children's mother, interested in pursuing
academics and committed to helping people. They are playing a
tough sport for no money while handling real responsibilities.
Congratulations to all of them.
LESLEY STRACKS, Washington, D.C.
You overlooked the fact that Mormon missionaries have little
time to do anything but missionary work. The athletes who leave
their sport for two years do not return better equipped to
compete in college. Athletically and physically, BYU has no
advantage over any other college team.
BRADEN DRISCOLL, Aberdeen, Idaho
If those BYU boys are as good as you say they are, maybe they
should be No. 1.
MARGARET FRENCH, Elk Grove, Calif.
COLOR PHOTO: JAMES DRAKE
Pitching Nonpareil
You can't describe World Series pitching domination without
mentioning the 1966 Orioles' sweep of the Dodgers. Baltimore
used only four pitchers, who collectively gave up two runs and
17 hits. They had an ERA of 0.50 and a batting average against
of .142. In Game 1, Los Angeles scored twice off Dave McNally
before Moe Drabowsky (right), the only reliever the Orioles
used, shut down the Dodgers over 62/3 innings--striking out 11,
including a World Series record-tying six in a row. Jim Palmer,
Wally Bunker and McNally followed with complete-game shutouts
against Sandy Koufax, Claude Osteen and Don Drysdale,
respectively.
BOB IRVIN, Libertyville, Ill.