INBOX

FOR DEC. 22, 2014

I found North Carolina strength and conditioning coordinator Jonas Sahratian's treatment of forward Kennedy Meeks absolutely repugnant. Calling Meeks "disgusting" and telling him to put on a shirt isn't tough love. It's verbal abuse.

Laura Reilly, Olivette, Mo.

It doesn't matter that the Cubs hired Joe Maddon as manager and added Jon Lester and other top minor league prospects to their roster. We already knew they were going to win the World Series in 2015. It was first revealed in 1989 in Back to the Future Part II.

John Krueger, Grand Rapids

Former Canadiens center Jean Béliveau (LEADING OFF) was not only a great hockey player but also a great humanitarian. He did a lot of philanthropy for many causes, whether it was helping disabled children or raising money for charity. He was a classy guy both on and off the ice.

Gregory Boudreau

Halifax, Nova Scotia

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COVER

All of the hype about how Jon Lester is the saving grace of the Cubs is crazy. They haven't been above .500 since 2009. It's going to take many more years of rebuilding before they have a shot to break the curse.

Alex Pollmann

St. Louis

PAGE 56

Your stats on the Astros' dismal TV ratings didn't tell the full story. For two years viewership of games was limited in Houston because of a dispute between Comcast and local providers.

Jimmie Jones

New Braunfels, Texas

PAGE 68

POINT AFTER

Michael Rosenberg seems to forget that sports teams are also businesses. Sometimes you have to take on short-term losses in the name of long-term profits.

Chris Maxeiner

Champaign, Ill.

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PHOTO

TODD ROSENBERG FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (COVER)

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GRANT HALVERSON/GETTY IMAGES (MEEKS)

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JEAN-YVES AHERN/USA TODAY SPORTS (BELIVEAU)

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11POINTS.COM (BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II)

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CARLOS M. SAAVEDRA FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (ROSENBERG)

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DARREN CARROLL FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (ASTROS)