LETTERS

• So much of Terry McDonell's piece on Sport in America reminded me of my life as a kid. It brought me back to the days when I used to take my transistor radio to the backyard, relax on the hammock and listen to my beloved Red Sox under the stars. Thanks for the wonderful memories.

Len Apter, West Hartford, Conn.

I had a hard time appreciating and reflecting on what's great about Sport in America (In My Tribe, Nov 28). The hurt inflicted by the alleged events and responses at Penn State are still too upsetting. The words I've always connected to the core value of sports such as courage and integrity now appear to ring hollow.

Donald R. Tone

Greenwich, Conn.

As the great Nelson Mandela once said, "Sport has the power to change the world."

Tessa Bangs

Upper Montclair, N.J.

I think it was David E. Klutho's photo of a weeping Jawann McClellan that best epitomized the spirit of sport in this package. As McClellan is seen mourning a heartbreaking loss, Luther Head, who should be celebrating with his teammates, instead pauses and offers a telling glance in McClellan's direction. "I understand," his eyes seem to say, "how truly important a game like this can be."

Khalid Shakhshir, Jersey City

One of the pictures included in your Sport in America package is of Muhammad Ali at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens in 1966. Ironically, the same day that I read this article a gigantic Loblaws supermarket opened on the site of the storied MLG. A sad commentary on Canada's sports culture.

Norman Kirk

Toronto

Bad Bad Boy

As a NASCAR fan I certainly applaud Tony Stewart for winning the Sprint Cup championship (Where There's Smoke ..., Nov. 28). I understand all about "swapping paint" in order to get to Victory Lane. However, Stewart's suggestion that he would have done anything to win that race, including wrecking somebody, makes me wonder how he is any different from a thug like Jeff Gillooly who did whatever it took to try and get ex-wife Tonya Harding the women's figure skating gold medal?

Geoff Fairchild

Richardson, Texas

The Early Bird

For this Baltimore native, the Orioles cartoon bird certainly conjures up far better memories than their 0--21 start in 1988 (SCORECARD, Nov. 28). Namely their three World Series championships in '66, '70, '83, six AL pennants, five Hall of Famers, and six Cy Young winners. I'll always cherish those great times and hope that a new era of Orioles magic is coming with the return of the old bird.

Calvin Bond, Salt Lake City

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FEEDBACK

Do you think the NBA was wrong in rejecting Chris Paul's trade to the Lakers?

Josh Graham I think the league was wrong in nixing the trade. The building of superteams is something the NBA should have addressed before the lockout ended. David Stern might as well create a format for just eight teams because that's all that will be relevant in a few years.

Darryl Flight Johnson So the NBA can accept LeBron James and Chris Bosh signing with the Heat, but it won't let Paul go to the Lakers? That doesn't make sense.

Chris Daniel The Hornets are owned by the NBA. That means that the New Orleans G.M. consulted the team's owner, the NBA, for approval of the proposed trade and the owner denied approval. How hard is that to understand? Lakers fans are just mad because they were denied a shot at another cheap, effortless, young dynasty.

Mike Eaton I think the NBA is stepping out of line on this. I don't see how all teams involved wouldn't benefit. It's not like the Lakers are not giving up any talent. They would have lost both Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol, two awesome big men. This proves the league is just out of control.

PHOTO

JOHN BIEVER (COVER)

PHOTO

GREG NELSON (PAUL)