Letters
Power Pitcher
Roger Clemens is being paid millions of dollars--he's supposed to
work hard (It's All about the Power, June 2)--and his hard work
is really only physical exercise, which most of us do without
getting paid. For every Clemens there are millions of other
people who work hard and get paid less in a year than Clemens
makes in a week. Roger, do you truly want to work hard? Get a
real job.
Kevin Proffitt, Cincinnati
Although I am a Yankees fan, I have a hard time respecting a guy
who has hit so many batters but has been able to spend his entire
career in a league where he has never had to face retribution for
his actions.
Bob Davis, Newark, Del.
Annika's Adventure
Thank you for your comprehensive and fair coverage of Annika
Sorenstam at the Colonial (Her Best Shot, June 2). In the past
few months I've learned so much from Annika about life and golf.
Connie Bak, Richmond
I hope Annika puts the Colonial on her schedule each year. We
missed her on Saturday and Sunday.
Chuck Creed, Coppell, Texas
A few weeks ago, if you had asked a bunch of golf fans what would
happen if the best female golfer in the world entered a PGA
tournament, most of them would have replied, "She'd lose by about
15 strokes and wouldn't make the cut." Well, that's exactly what
happened. What's all the hype about?
Daniel Aaron
Brooklyn
As I came to the end of your fine article on Sorenstam's play at
the Colonial, I saw Frank Lickliter II's name. I knew him in high
school, always thought he was a nice guy, and I was glad when he
won his first tournament. I assumed he was going to say something
positive, but he didn't, and I'm mad and disappointed. He's just
another pig like Vijay Singh. No wonder he's still single.
Linda Reese, Columbus, Ohio
Back when Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs, she was 29 and he
was 55. Today, a comparable match might be Annika Sorenstam (32)
and Jack Nicklaus (63). While Jack is more competitive today than
Bobby was then, both women were or would be at the peak of their
games.
Ed Siering, Muscatine, Iowa
Let me see if I understand the New Math: Sorenstam + IMG +
Hand-picked course -Qualifying + Missed cut + T96th - $0 on PGA
money list = Success?
Ray Barrett, Manhasset, N.Y.
Inside Game
Thank you for Michael Silver's fantastic article on Arena
Football League commissioner David Blake (No Small Achievement,
June 2). At a time when the NFL's showmanship and ticket prices
resemble Broadway's, the Arena League is making its game accessible
to real people.
Eric Maloney, Chicago
L.A. Story
Peter King's assertion about L.A.'s pro football attendance woes
is way off base (Scorecard, June 2). When the Rams came west
after World War II, they were enormously successful at the gate,
occasionally selling out the 100,000-plus-seat Coliseum. As the
quality of the team and attendance declined, Carroll Rosenbloom
moved them to Anaheim because of a juicy real estate deal he made
for the land adjacent to the stadium. His widow later succumbed
to an enormous offer from St. Louis. Greed, not attendance, had
everything to do with the Rams' moves.
Bob Wolcott, Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Fear Strikes Out
Given his heat and accuracy, I'm sure hitters fear Eric Gagne
when he faces them on the mound. But it's hard to believe he's As
Scary as He Looks (June 2) since his much-hyped reputation as a
headbanger is undermined by his chubby toddler body, baby face
and four eyes. Gagne looks like someone's little brother, itching
for a noogie.
Teri Berg, Iowa City
Seven the Hard Way
O.K., you've got my attention. How was it possible for Dodgers
pitcher Darren Dreifort to strike out seven hitters in two
innings (SCORECARD, June 2)?
Bill Snarr, Salt Lake City
*In the first inning against the Rockies on May 22, Dreifort
struck out the side but gave up two runs. In the second inning he
struck out Bobby Estalella, Brent Butler, Aaron Cook (who reached
first on a third-strike wild pitch) and Greg Norton. Dreifort
pitched six innings, finishing with a career-high 12 strikeouts,
an RBI double and the win in the Dodgers' 4-3 victory. --ED.
COLOR PHOTO: WALTER IOOSS JR. (COVER)
COLOR PHOTO: STEPHEN DUNN/GETTY IMAGES MATH CONFUSION Dreifort's special K's.
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