Letters

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck shows that life is about more than fame and money. The NFL, given its current lockout over the almighty dollar, could use more role models like Luck, guys who are not only athletically gifted but also have impeccable character.

Todd Rosvold, Pulaski, Wis.

Your article on Luck (Man with a Plan, June 13) was so refreshing that I passed it on to my grandsons. I have read many stories on athletes in SI, but none was as great as this one on Luck, who seems to be the man with a plan for all the right reasons.

Hank Coviello, Temecula, Calif.

It is obvious that Luck hasn't let money dominate his life, unlike so many of his peers. I only hope that he will be able to continue on the same path and not succumb to the pressures that NFL fame can bring.

Dominic Marucci, Philadelphia

Making the Cut

I really enjoyed Albert Chen's article on the cutter (This Is the Game Changer, June 13). I found it fitting that it began on page 42, since there is only one big leaguer who still wears that number, Mariano Rivera, and he is definitely the master of that pitch.

Aaron Shapiro, Brooklyn

The graphs used to depict the effectiveness of the cutter looked a lot like the radar images of severe thunderstorms used in daily weather reports. In fact, I'm almost certain I recognized the classic hook echo that is indicative of tornadoes. Maybe the net effect is the same for overmatched hitters.

William A. Stein, St. Paul

While you showcased the great Rivera in your story, I was dismayed there was no mention of the Yankees' other famous cutter master, lefthander Andy Pettitte. Pettitte is probably the winningest pitcher in MLB history who primarily relied on the cutter. He was more effective against righthanded hitters because of the way the pitch bore down on the handles of their bats, often breaking them.

Jason Hodgson, Astoria, N.Y.

Gold Glove

While I agree with much of what Joe Sheehan had to say about the value of catchers (INSIDE BASEBALL, June 13), I fail to understand why he omitted the Cardinals' Yadier Molina. Not only is he one of the best defensive catchers in the game, but he has also turned himself into a respectable offensive threat, batting close to .300. That is comparable with all the catchers mentioned in the story.

Christopher Vatole, Godfrey, Ill.

Holding Court

I want to thank S.L. Price for his exuberant story on Rafael Nadal (The King and His Court, June 13) and his dominance at Roland Garros. Nadal is a class act, but I also think it's worth noting the fairness and good sportsmanship shown by the other two top players in the men's game, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. All three put on a great show without the posturing.

Chris Jones, Fairfield, Iowa

The Greatest?

Joe Posnanski's column on basketball's greatest of all time (POINT AFTER, June 13) was right on. This season's NBA Finals was a perfect example of why LeBron James may have more physical talent than Michael Jordan, but he is not even close to Jordan when it comes to being the best player. Kobe Bryant is probably more like Jordan in that regard. How many times has LeBron willed his team to victory in a playoff series? Someday there may be someone who is better than Jordan in that respect, but LeBron isn't the man.

Scott Kidd, Boerne, Texas

There is one thing I saw LeBron James do that Michael Jordan never did, and that was give up.

Tom Walsh, Burbank, Calif.

Really? An article about the greatest basketball player of all time and no mention of Wilt Chamberlain? The same guy who averaged 50.4 points for an entire season, holds the record for the most points in a game (100) and won a championship with two different teams? No article about the greatest should leave out Wilt the Stilt.

Brett Hayman, St. Petersburg

Maybe it's a generational thing, but the greatest of all time in my opinion is without a doubt Bill Russell. With 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, Russell accomplished on the court what no one probably ever will again.

Harry Freiberg, Brookings, Ore.

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