Letters
Fighting Words
How can you take an organization seriously when its president can't complete a sentence without dropping the f bomb (The New Main Event, May 28)? Dana White is the clown prince of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. And UFC has a 43-year-old heavyweight champion? Please. Here's the real f bomb for mixed martial arts: fad.
Bill Donovan, Clarks Summit, Pa.
Thank you for a balanced and insightful view into the world of mixed martial arts. The sport has come a long way in a short time, and your article eschewed the typical knee-jerk responses.
Steven Langer, Atlanta
Your dedicating eight pages to the Ultimate Fighting Championship is like Gourmet magazine doing eight pages on frozen TV dinners.
Larry Galla, Houston
You pose the question on your cover, Too Brutal or the Future? May I suggest that the answer is both.
Terence McManus, New Sharon, Maine
My first-grade classroom has rules posted on the wall, and the top one is KEEP YOUR HANDS AND FEET TO YOURSELF. Then I open my door in the morning and see six- and seven-year-old children wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the images of their favorite UFC and WWE stars. The boys talk about the cool fights they've seen and try to emulate the moves; there are girls at our school punching each other too. These UFC "fighters" are professional bullies, and it irks me to no end that they are being deified in the minds of our little children. Maybe Dana White should see what teachers are having to deal with every day thanks to his "entertainment."
Jeannie Young, Marina, Calif.
When do we get the lions and the thumbs-up/thumbs-down decisions?
J. Larsen, Seattle
Cycle of Deceit
As an avid cyclist and fan of cycling races, I read with disgust the controversy surrounding the many athletes who compete in that sport (PLAYERS, May 28). I am yawning as I read another denial from Floyd Landis and the comical protestations of Tyler Hamilton with his "vanishing twin" excuse. Those guys and many others, Ivan Basso included, are ruining the sport. How can they be satisfied with winning when they know they are cheating?
Jay C. Peters, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Program Change
You ran a poll (PLAYERS, May 28) that asked major league baseball players, "If you could play for any major league team other than your own, which one would it be?" I believe there is a direct correlation between the fact that more than 18% of players 27 years old and younger voted for the Atlanta Braves and the fact that since 1972 TBS has aired at least 70 Braves games annually across the United States. This national exposure allowed Atlanta to quietly become America's Team. Sadly, the conclusion of the 2007 season will mark the end of Braves baseball on TBS.
Alex Warner, Toronto
Fielder's Error
Prince Fielder may be hardworking and talented, but the part of Albert Chen's story about how the Brewers first baseman doesn't speak to his father (Turbulent Heir, May 28) made me sad. I lost my father about 2 1/2 years ago, and not a day goes by that I don't wish I could talk to him, have a beer with him or watch a ball game with him again. Fielder's having security ask his father to leave the clubhouse area makes Prince look very small.
Keith Loren Kimball, Virginia Beach
No one is perfect, not even a father. In a country with so many deadbeat dads, Fielder should thank his lucky stars for having a dad who loved him and went out of his way to include him in every aspect of his life.
Rian Berger, Spring Hill, Tenn.
Good leaders can communicate, work out problems and try to see others' points of view. If Fielder wants to lead his teammates, he first has to prove that he can get along with the man who gave him the success he is having today. It's like Henry Ford's famous quote: "Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress and working together is success."
Mike Giannattasio, Tewksbury, Mass.
Playing by the Rules
Jack McCallum got it wrong in criticizing the NBA for suspending Amaré Stoudemire and Boris Diaw for leaving the bench (How the West Will Be Won, May 28). The NBA isn't to blame, the players are. The league shouldn't be criticized for enforcing a rule.
Bret Kinghorn, Sandy, Utah
As Good as His Word
I'd like to add another to your history of sports vows (PLAYERS, May 28). In 1994 John McEnroe stood on his head while providing commentary for a U.S. Open match, having told viewers during the previous round that he would do so if Richard Krajicek blew a 6--0 lead to Jan Siemerink in a tiebreaker.
Brian Nilstoft, Wilmington, Del.
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GREG NELSON
