Letters

Thank you for shining a light on an athlete who didn't have to become an addict or a drunk to make a comeback and be a "hero." Say what you want, cavemen of America, but many people have anxiety disorders. Zack Greinke manned up and took control of it. That's hot—almost as hot as a 95-mph fastball from a pitcher with dimples like his!
Chandra McClure, Lindsborg, Kans.

As a baseball coach I always look for images that demonstrate what I am attempting to teach young players. Your two-page opening photo of Zack Greinke showcases his excellent mechanics (Zack Greinke Is in Total Control, May 4). From hand to hand he's a picture of symmetry, with his arms spread and in a straight line. His front shoulder and head are locked on his target through his stride to home, and his front shoulder and hips are still closed, waiting to uncoil.
Justin Mikels, Knoxville, Iowa

Greinke's story is an inspiration to all who must overcome a disorder to cope with daily life. That said, "the best pitcher in baseball" is the Blue Jays' Roy Halladay.
Hersh Brenman
Thornhill, Ont.

I and every baseball general manager would take the Mets' Johan Santana over Greinke any day of the week. Greinke is a nice story, but let's see him do it for the next 10 years.
Marc Parauka
Pompano Beach, Fla.

When I got the May 4 issue out of my mailbox, I did a double take after seeing a Kansas City Royal on the cover. Being one of only a few loyal Royals fans left, I tried to think of the last time I saw that. It's good to finally have a competitive team, and a cover, again.
Ryan Clark
Mount Juliet, Tenn.

Editor's Note: The last Kansas City Royal to appear on the cover was pitcher David Cone, for the 1993 Baseball Preview issue.

Unhappy Ending

Lying on the court, signaling for assistance, was no way for a man of Dikembe Mutombo's stature to end his basketball career (LEADING OFF, May 4). I hope he can come back, even for just one game, so he can end his career with the class and dignity that he has shown on and off the court.
Tim Farrell, Dorchester, Mass.

What Are the Odds?

While examining the Kentucky Derby field in the newspaper, I also had your May 4 issue open nearby. I noticed you had a story in the SCORECARD section entitled For the Birds, and that was good enough for me to lay a $2 hunch bet on Mine That Bird—the unlikely winner of the Derby. Thank you.
Jack Linnell, Tucson

The Chiefs' Chiefs

As a die-hard Kansas City fan for the past 20 years, it is great to see the Chiefs being led in an entirely new direction by general manager Scott Pioli and coach Todd Haley (Bricks in the Wall, May 4). As sad as I was to see tight end Tony Gonzalez traded for a second-round pick next year, I have faith in this new regime.
Nolan Healy, Madison, Wis.

Away Games

So Chris Ballard thinks that it's a great idea for Jeremy Tyler to forgo graduating high school to play pro basketball in Europe (POINT AFTER, May 4). I'm sure such lack of guidance and education of our athletes has nothing to do with the fact that, as SI recently reported, two years after retirement 78% of pro football players are either bankrupt or in financial stress, and 60% of former NBA players go broke within five years of retirement (How and Why Athletes Go Broke, March 23). It seems to me that sending a child across the ocean with a pocket full of cash is a recipe for disaster.
Robert Harvie
Lethbridge, Alberta

The teacher in me screamed, "Stay in high school, Jeremy. You can never go back!" However, Ballard showed me point for point that Jeremy can, should, and probably needs to head overseas. Good luck, Jeremy; can't wait to see you on the big stage.
Carmen Middleton
Estes Park, Colo.

Dropping in on Slater

I was a counselor for the Cocoa Beach Recreation Department when Kelly Slater (Ready for the Next Wave, May 4) annually attended its camps. Kelly was not very big, but he was the toughest kid in the camp. Occasionally we would have the boys wrestle each other, and there was always one big one that no one wanted to wrestle—except for Kelly. Thanks to your article, I have a better understanding of this tough, fearless kid.
Jed Grennan, Oviedo, Fla.

Gary Smith deserves commendation from surfers everywhere. His article about Slater lets people know that surfers aren't all bleach-blond, bong-toting, beer-blasting beach bums but rather true athletes with struggles just like everyone else.
David Coats, Fullerton, Calif.

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TWO PHOTOS

ROBERT BECK (GREINKE)

PHOTO

MICHAEL O'NEILL (CONE)