Letters

MULLING THE MARLINS

Tom Verducci's Youth Is Served (Nov. 3) gave a detailed
explanation for the Florida Marlins' victory. However, it is
simpler to do the math: The team that won the World Series had
the best record in baseball since May 23 (72-42).
MARK ROSENBERG, Boca Raton, Fla.

I'm sure I wasn't the only baseball fan who couldn't have cared
less about the World Series after the Red Sox and the Cubs lost.
Give me goats and pianos--and yes, Steve Bartmans--over fish any
day.
DAVID JAQUITH
Wilson, Wyo.

The opening photo by John lacono is an all-time SI classic. I had
seen this play over and over on TV and in slow motion, but this
photo was definitive proof, once and for all, that Jorge Posada
missed the tag and that Alex Gonzalez slapped the plate. It was a
great play, a World Series-winning play, and a great picture.
BOB BUDKE, Stamford, Conn.

STOOPS TO CONQUER

Thank you so much for your column on Oklahoma football coach Bob
Stoops (The Life of Reilly, Nov. 3). In 1968 I was a nonathletic
high school sophomore at Cardinal Mooney High in Youngstown,
Ohio, and Ron Stoops, Bob's father, was my world history teacher.
I learned more about history, and life, from Mr. Stoops than from
any other teacher I've ever had. Every time I see Bobby Stoops on
TV, I say to my wife, "His father would be so proud," and I'm
sure he is. Thanks for writing about two good people.
JIM KENNEDY, Flemington, N.J.

Stoops has been nothing but great for Oklahoma. He raised the
Sooners back to glory, and he has done it the right way. He has
not illegally recruited players, and he has not had players in
trouble with the law. Since college basketball already had its
ethics class this year, maybe Stoops can teach the one for
college football next year.
MATT SCHWARK, Rochester, Mich.

Bob Stoops sounds like a pretty cool guy. Too bad OU still sucks.
DANIEL OLASKY, Austin

ALL THIS AND SOFTBALL, TOO

I really enjoyed Bill Syken's Football in Paradise (Nov. 3), but
I would like to assure you that football isn't the Samoan's only
game. In 1969 my destroyer was returning from Vietnam and made a
replenishment stop at Pago Pago. We wired ahead our logistics
requirements and noted that we would like to play a softball game
with a local team. Our team was pretty good, undefeated in Navy
circles. But after the first inning they were beating us 15-0. We
broke out the beer and had a great time. Players even switched
teams. The Samoans were great softball players, and even better
hosts.
JAMES G. BAKER, Plant City, Fla.

A SPARTAN LIFE

Now I've seen it all. A big-time athlete actually taking
responsibility for his shortcomings (Number 9 Is Feeling Fine,
Nov. 3)? While no one can condone Jeff Smoker's behavior, his
personal accountability and conduct since coming clean about his
drug use should be a lesson to all high-profile athletes and all
those who have made similar mistakes.
TOM O'CONNOR, Chicago

Instead of admiring Smoker's comeback, I would rather recognize
all the great students and student-athletes who attend college
for the right reasons. They have equal (albeit different)
pressures yet still maintain their honor and self-respect, do not
embarrass their schools or families and graduate--while, in some
cases, having to work to pay for school themselves.
ROY JOHNSON, Ortonville, Mich.

BIG JOHN

I cannot believe you wasted five pages on John Daly ("All My Exes
Wear Rolexes," Nov. 3). According to your story Daly is a
trailer-trash drunk who beats up women, fights with old men,
womanizes endlessly and has squandered his God-given talent.
What's next? A nice layout on what O.J. Simpson has been doing
lately?
J. ALLAN COBB, Waltham, Mass.

Daly is a throwback, refreshing in the smug world of country club
PGA golf. His grip-it-and-rip-it attitude is appealing. Pray for
him. He's good for the game.
MIKE FERRAGUTI, Fort Lauderdale

I will have to take your word for it that John Daly is an
aspiring country music crooner, but his story is definitely an
aspiring country music song.
MARY LAVAGNINO, Dublin, Calif.

BRONX CHEER

Steve Rushin says that perhaps one piece of confetti would have
been thrown nationwide in celebration of a Yankees championship
(Air and Space, Nov. 3). That's doubtful, considering there
likely would have been a ticker-tape parade similar to those we
held in the late 1990s, with millions lining the streets of
Manhattan.
DAVID CERNIKOVSKY, Prattsville, N.Y.

Rushin is obviously the type who, given a choice between a Red
Sox or Mets win or a Yankees loss, will always choose the Yankees
loss. Yankees fans know they will be watching their team next
October when, like the lawn furniture, the Red Sox and the Mets
will be folded up and put away.
JAMES V. TOTO, East Brunswick, N.J.

Rushin--and all other Yankees haters--must have a bad case of
pennant envy.
JAKE KREULEN, Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Thanks to Steve Rushin for expressing the feelings of Yankees
haters everywhere.
TIM CAHILL, Kinderhook, N.Y.

COLOR PHOTO: JOHN IACONO

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