THE MAIL
I loved L. Jon Wertheim's story on the now defunct Danbury Trashers. Every time the Trashers played my hometown team, the Muskegon Fury, it was a night to remember due to Danbury's physical style of play. Thanks for bringing back so many fond memories of watching UHL hockey. May the league rest in peace.
Cory Sander, Muskegon, Mich.
Trashing the Ice
I don't think we should be glamorizing the Trashers' organization (This Hockey Mogul Was 17. Got a Problem With That?), which had a team owner who condoned violence, intimidated other owners and who bragged about his team's boorish behavior, saying, "You need a wild card. So we decided we would beat people into submission. Like Mike Tyson in his prime." That type of behavior degrades hockey and sports in general.
Dan Drebes, Brookings, Ore.
Reading about the Trashers made me think that some television network out there could use the team as the basis for a new TV show called Puck Dynasty.
Robert Carr, East Lansing, Mich.
Golfing Poetic
Your Ode to Oz was nice to see (SCORECARD), but golf makes for better poetry. Where else could you find in a single verse advice so true and yet so terse:
The apple-faced sage with
His nostrum for all,
Dinna hurry the swing, keep
Your e'e on the ball.
—1875
Leon S White, Lexington, Mass.
Sports Education
Lee Jenkins's excellent article on Damian Lillard (The Oak Edge) might have been enhanced with a sidebar on McClymonds High in Oakland. The number of professional athletes who attended McClymonds is quite impressive, including Antonio Davis, Curt Flood, Jim Hines, Vada Pinson, Frank Robinson, Bill Russell and Paul Silas.
Bob Sherwood, Pound Ridge, N.Y.
A-Enigma
It's a shame that Richard Ben Cramer died without being able to crack his toughest subject and finish his book (The Puzzle That Couldn't Be Solved). With Alex Rodriguez's obvious narcissism and the endless controversies that followed him throughout his career, he should have been ecstatic at the opportunity to have his life chronicled by someone as highly esteemed as Cramer.
Mike Perricone, Copiague, N.Y.
I enjoyed Michael Rosenberg's forward spin on the A-Rod saga (POINT AFTER). Another thing to watch out for? How many years before A-Rod does a Lance Armstrong 180 and finally admits what a liar and cheat he really was.
C Doyle, Cullman, Ala.
I find it hilarious that a week after writer Andy Benoit wrote that Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount "might be the most average runner you've ever seen," you feature Blount on the cover.
Dan Dillon Windham, Conn.
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SOCIAL MEDIA
Kevin Durant called Stephen Curry "the best shooter to ever play." Do you agree?
Oliver 'Bushy' Lines He's up there. Not sure if he's No. 1, but he's definitely up there.
Rick Stamper Anybody ever hear of a guy named Larry Bird? Best pure shooter, ever.
Jon Hathaway He's no Reggie Miller.
Christopher Boyne He may not even be the best shooter on his own team.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Everyone calm down about the [Team USA] opening ceremony outfits. Grandmas in retirement homes across America knitted those for us. #craftHour
Lolo Jones (@lolojones)
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DAMIAN STROHMEYER FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (COVER)
FOR JAN. 20, 2014
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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (CURRY)
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FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS