INBOX

FOR JULY 21, 2014

Morbid curiosity might explain why some Mets fans still watch despite the team's record over the past few years, however the constant lack of imagination and willingness to win by ownership has been staggering.

Gerard F. Keogh Jr., Fayetteville, N.C.

Yeah, the Padres stink. There are just not enough fingers to point at the team's problems: the owners, the GMs, the bad farm system. And let's not talk about the colors. Every longtime Padres fan knows that brown is the team's true color, not blue.

Steve Aylesbury, Santee, Calif.

Tom Verducci's article on Roger Angell showed what great sportswriting is about. Every sentence painted a vivid picture of Angell's memories and evoked unique feelings about the game.

Austin Shone, Grapevine, Texas

As an Orioles fan, I was excited to see Manny Machado's photo as soon as I opened my magazine. Then I read David Simon's article on the O's and was not disappointed. He not only accurately described Baltimore's season thus far, but he also captured the essence of how it feels to be a fan.

Katie Leduc, Phoenix

COVER

So the King has returned home. How many of those Cleveland fans who burned his jersey, ridiculed him and called him every name in the book will now welcome him back with open arms?

Jeff Belanger Eastpointe, Mich.

PAGE 26

SCORECARD

Kudos for recognizing the great Junior Bridgeman. While he may be worth more than $200 million, you cannot put a price on the value of a man who cloaks himself in humility, grace and kindness.

Gary Tuell Fort Lauderdale

PAGE 32

Cal Ripken Jr. would not be the first manager to wear a suit and tie while managing a major league team. Philadelphia Athletics manager Connie Mack always wore a suit, a tie and a fedora.

Roger H Perry Newport News, Va.

CONTACT

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Letters

E-mail SI at letters@SI.timeinc.com or fax SI at 212-467-2417. Letters should include the writer's full name, address and home telephone number and may be edited for clarity and space.

Customer Service and Subscriptions

For 24/7 service, go to SI.com/customerservice. Call 1-800-528-5000 or write to SI at P.O. Box 30602, Tampa, FL 33630-0602. To purchase reprints of SI covers, go to SIcovers.com.

Advertising

For ad rates, an editorial calendar or a media kit, e-mail SI at SIpubqueries@timeinc.com.

PHOTO

JIM MCISAAC/GETTY IMAGES (METS)

PHOTO

JOE VAUGHN FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (COVER)

PHOTO

TONY TOMSIC FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (BRIDGEMAN)

PHOTO

CHARLES LECLAIRE/USA TODAY SPORTS (RIPKEN)

PHOTO

ROB TRINGALI (MACHADO)

PHOTO

ANDY HAYT/SAN DIEGO PADRES/GETTY IMAGES (PADRES)

PHOTO