Letters
Syracuse Nationals
It was indeed a Sweet Victory for the Syracuse Orangemen as they
won the school's first national basketball championship (Orange
Crushed, April 14). As all Syracuse fans know, the school is
legendary for the number 44, made famous by Jim Brown, Ernie
Davis, Floyd Little and others who wore it. It's fitting that the
Orange's hoops title comes 44 years after the school's first and
only national football championship, in 1959.
James Q. Roemer
Findlay, Ohio
My mother-in-law, Jo Santelli, fried the best meatballs in Lyons,
N.Y., and Jim Boeheim--her oldest son Tony's best friend--ate
more than his fair share. On the eve of this year's March Madness
she passed away, but not before filling out a bracket and picking
the Orangemen to win it all. Jo saw it coming. Her grandson,
Syracuse walk-on Andrew Kouwe, even made SI; he's in the
background of the photo showing Carmelo Anthony shooting over
Nick Collison.
Bill Conley, Baltimore
I enjoyed "The Jim and Juli Boeheim Story." The pictures were
very good. When are you going to do an article on the game?
J. McCullough, Overland Park, Kans.
Boeheim is playing above the rim on and off the court. Well done,
Jim.
John J. Gerbus, Milford, Ohio
Syracuse proved it's the best team in the NCAA tournament. Under
college football's BCS system, however, the Orange would not have
had the chance. Arizona and Kentucky would have met in a title
game, and we would have a bogus champion. It's time to scrap the
BCS and have a legitimate national champ in college football.
Jim Clark, Sweetwater, Texas
The group of devoted fans who got tickets to see their Marquette
Golden Eagles in the Final Four may have paid $190 each, but they
also appeared in SI's Leading Off (April 14). A great deal at
double the price.
Mark Duclos, Nashua, N.H.
Club 500
Mark it down for a follow-up in 2010. Of the 16 hitters you are
projecting to reach 500 home runs later this decade (The 500
Crowd, April 14), I'll take four: Rafael Palmeiro, Ken Griffey
Jr., Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez.
Robert Frick
Granger, Ind.
Gridiron Maidens
Kelley King, I loved your article on the Women's Professional
Football League and the Houston Energy (SCORECARD, April 14). You
captured the essence of our league. We're just women who are
competitive and like to run, show our skills and hit with
aggression--same as the men. We're not trying to prove a point,
we're just enjoying the opportunity to play.
Karen Mones, Houston
After making the WPFL team here in Philadelphia as a wide
receiver, I thought I would live out my ultimate wish--to be a
professional athlete. Unfortunately, when you sign the contract,
you're not only signing your money away to pay to play, but your
life as well. The league expects players--most of whom also have
full-time jobs--to contribute countless hours to fund-raising and
making guest appearances, and also to obtain their own medical
insurance.
Tammy Wolford, Collegeville, Pa.
Tired Humor
Hasn't Rafael Palmeiro been a spokesman for Viagra for more than
a year now? Why is it suddenly material for a joke in The Show
(SCORECARD, April 14)? Was it a slow sports week? And if you're
going to make jokes about such dated topics, at least have some
standards. That A-Rod line is lame and obvious. Talk about
underperforming.
Jennifer Corcoran, Freehold, N.J.
The Name Game
I enjoyed the excellent article on the drab nicknames of today's
culture (AIR AND SPACE, April 14). Steve Rushin left out one of
my alltime favorites, though: Chuck (the Bayonne Bleeder) Wepner.
Jim Dall, Penacook, N.H.
Overheard at the Phillies' home opener: Joe (Can't Get Two Outs
in a) Roa. Sadly, the nickname was very accurate that day.
Jim Savage, Trainer, Pa.
Commissioner Rick
If you keep the drip flowing on Bud Selig's anesthesia and
actually let Rick Reilly take over baseball (THE LIFE OF REILLY,
April 14), I might start going to games again. Reilly missed one
much-needed change: no more artificial noise during play--between
innings can be negotiated.
Fred Cooksey, Longmeadow, Mass.
Reilly for commissioner! Finally, someone who agrees that the DH
is a good thing. No more ruined rallies because a pitcher who
plays once a week has to bat.
Dick Bohling, Walnut Creek, Calif.
Sorry, Rick, but if a pitcher can get sent back to Pawtucket to
learn how to get lefthanded hitters out, then a hitter can get
sent back to learn to play the field. Don't ruin baseball for
those of us who like it as it was meant to be played.
Dave Velleman, Hanover, N.H.
Robbie's Logic
Roberto Alomar (INSIDE BASEBALL, April 14) defends the headfirst
slide by saying, "Why does an outfielder dive for the ball? It's
the quickest way." Uh, Roberto, don't you think it might just be
because he can't catch the ball with his feet?
Tom Gooch, Riverside, Ohio
COLOR PHOTO: JOHN BIEVER
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