Letters
Class Acts
I thoroughly enjoyed Michael Silver's article on Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams (From Auburn to the NFL, May 2), two talented, humble, team-oriented stars. My only concern, after following their careers at Auburn, is that they do not have enough tattoos or the proper end-zone antics to succeed in the NFL.
John E. Baum
Baltimore
After reading your appraisal of the Broncos' draft (Winners and Losers, May 2), I had mixed feelings. I agree that Denver made poor selections, especially Maurice Clarett, but if the Broncos want to address their running back situation, they should take their usual approach: 1) Put in a no-name back; 2) Have him rush for 1,000 yards; 3) Let him go after two seasons; 4) Repeat.
Dan Smilowitz, Katonah, N.Y.
Swept Away
I'm glad that the Miami Heat read The Questions with Richard Jefferson (SI Players, May 2). Jefferson complained that the first round of the NBA playoffs was too long and should last only five games. The Heat did one better for him--they made the first round four games.
Keith Napier, DeLand, Fla.
Just Peachy
Thank you, Austin Murphy, for your fine coverage of the Tour de Georgia (Get on My Wheel, May 2). Although we will lose Lance Armstrong, cycling's greatest competitor, at the close of this year's Tour de France, it was wonderful to read about his heir apparent. I hope Team Discovery's Tom Danielson can help keep America's interest in cycling alive.
Teddy Barbeau, Boston
Dangerous Game
As a gym owner and boxing coach, I would like to thank Rick Reilly for writing the column on Extreme ChickFights (LIFE OF REILLY, May 2). These ladies walk in and fight with little or no training, oblivious to the potential consequences. I won't even let kids spar, much less compete in a match, until I know they are physically and mentally ready. I hope a good attorney can force Marie--who is so proud of her success that she doesn't want her last name known--to shut down.
Larry Kern, Enterprise, Miss.
While it's sad these women will brawl for money, it's worse that America has spent more than $2 million on this garbage.
Todd Lane, Atlanta
Strong Faith
As one who aspired to be Priest Holmes--Lou Brock, actually--and is now a priest, I enjoy Steve Rushin's frequent references to growing up as a Catholic-school student (AIR AND SPACE, May 2). While he noted the headline OUR LADY THRASHES ST. PETER, I'm often amused by the purportedly true story about a school bulletin that implored students to "Come out and watch our basketball team kill Christ the King."
Dan O'Connor, Alexandria, La.
Being a devout Catholic and soccer fan, I was pleased to be reminded of the way Pope John Paul II stayed in touch with his followers through sports. You didn't mention, however, that in 1990 he changed his usual appearance at a Sunday service to a Saturday novena to avoid a conflict with Italy's World Cup match. The pope said he didn't want to cause any philosophical debates among the Italian people.
Frank Cardona, New Britain, Conn.
Great White Way
I know you'll get letters from readers complaining that they subscribe to SI, not National Geographic, but Susan Casey's article on great white sharks was fascinating (The Devil's Teeth, May 2). We can learn important things from a species of animal that seems resistant to cancer. And as for Ron Elliott, the diver who works among the sharks, what about Sportsman of the Year?
Ken McMonigle, Denver
The next time I read about sharks in SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, the article had better be about golfer Greg Norman, poker champion Chris Moneymaker or the hockey team in San Jose.
Mark Haywood, Camp Hill, Pa.
I vote for the great white shark as Sports-animal of the Year.
Chris Wallace, Windham, Maine
Thanks to Ms. Casey, my ocean swimming days are over.
Bill Hokans, Santa Ana, Calif.
I now keep a spear gun in the bathroom.
Jon Prior, The Colony, Texas
Detroit Wheel
Tom Verducci claims that power-hitting shortstops are now in short supply (Inside Baseball, May 2). Although Nomar's production has declined and A-Rod has changed positions, one shortstop has distinguished himself as an offensive threat: Detroit Tiger Carlos Guillen hit .318 with 20 home runs and 97 RBIs last year. He was the only American League position player who did not play in last year's All-Star Game. Please don't ignore him the way Joe Torre did.
Chris Packard Ypsilanti, Mich.
Off Hand
In Left Is All Right (May 9), Richard Hoffer cites studies claiming to show that, on average, lefthanders' life spans are shorter than righthanders'. Many older lefthanders, however, were forced to switch to righthandedness at a young age, skewing the data. It's just another case of disinformation from an oppressive majority, aimed at those of us in the downtrodden lefthanded minority.
Richard A. Banyard, Wayne, Pa.
If the suicide rate among lefthanded players in the majors is significantly lower than the suicide rate among lefthanders in the general population, perhaps it's because baseball is one arena in which lefthandedness is actually an asset.
Steve Warren, Waldoboro, Maine
Red, White and Boo
Booing The Star-Spangled Banner is not what all Canadian hockey crowds do, as you would lead your readers to believe (Who's Hot, Who's Not, May 2). I've been to games throughout Canada, and in every building I've been in, the crowd has cheered the American national anthem. Try not to tar everyone with the same brush. Are all NASCAR fans rednecks?
Tasha Bukovnik, Vancouver
Shell Game
I was glad to see the feature on Miguel Tejada (SI PLAYERS, May 2), but as a native Marylander, I must take exception to the crabs selected for the photograph. Maryland and Baltimore are famous for blue crabs, callinectes sapidus (translation: "savory beautiful swimmers"). To substitute what appear to be Dungeness crabs in this story is akin to posing Barry Bonds in front of London Bridge instead of the Golden Gate. I would like to extend an invitation to writer Daniel G. Habib to come join me on the lower Eastern Shore for the quintessential taste of summer: hot steamed blue crabs and ice cold draft beer.
Jim Daehnke, York, Pa.
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COLOR PHOTO
MICHAEL J LEBRECHT II/1DEUCE3 PHOTOGRAPHY (COVER)
COLOR PHOTO
STEPHEN MORTON/AP
HAMMERED
The correct claws.
COLOR PHOTO
TOM PIDGEON/GETTY IMAGES
SHORT CIRCUIT
Guillen has power.