INBOX

FOR JUNE 19, 2017

Part of the allure of golf is appreciating nature's beauty. So why would the architects of Erin Hills strip a course of almost every tree, making it look like a pool table with undulations (SCORECARD)? The U.S. Open site was a beautiful landscape destroyed.

James Ruckman, La Mesa, Calif.

As a new father (my daughter was born on April 25), I smiled at the photo of Patriots players with their infant children (LEADING OFF). It was great to see these athletes showing off their greatest accomplishment—not a Super Bowl ring but rather the gift of life.

Joshua Linville, Minneapolis

Lee Jenkins's attempt to make Kevin Durant's championship with the Warriors into a feel-good story (He's the One) was admirable but ultimately unsuccessful. KD left Oklahoma City to create a team so overloaded with talent that it lost just one game in the playoffs. Durant has great character and talent, but his road to the title was a snooze.

Michael Rozzen, San Diego

Andy Benoit's article on Rams coach Sean McVay (A Good Day's Work) reminded me of Dick Vermeil in the 1970s. Vermeil, of course, left the Eagles after seven years, saying he was "emotionally burned out." I'm afraid McVay's similarly obsessive work ethic may not prove to be a virtue.

William McCarthy, Jacksonville

COVER

It was wonderful to see Sidney Crosby on the cover. I must confess that when I discussed the impact of concussions in the NHL for my book The Athlete's Dilemma, I was premature in comparing the Penguins' captain with Flyers legend Eric Lindros. After two consecutive Conn Smythe trophies, Crosby has proved that his greatness, while perhaps interrupted, has hardly diminished.

John Weston Parry

Silver Spring, Md.

PAGE 72

POINT AFTER

It seems that every week I find another reader complaining about an article on Colin Kaepernick or Steve Kerr, suggesting that SI should ignore politics. But I believe, as Rex Chapman showed in his column about the country's growing opioid problem, politics are deeply ingrained in every aspect of our lives—even sports.

Kevin O'Neill

Berkeley, Calif.

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 62120, Tampa, FL 33662. To purchase reprints of SI covers, go to SIcovers.com.

Advertising

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