Voice of the Fan

Sporting News, The, July 17, 2000

Choice voice `It takes a sorry person to taunt someone during the national anthem. The next time that happens, go give him a uniform, glove and bat and see if he could do any better.'

--Sy Banks Prattville, Ala.

Good but not great

I'd like to thank you for Dennis Dillon's story in which he got together with Mike Jones and Kevin Dyson to discuss the final play of Super Bowl 34 (TSN, July 3). It was a great piece with great insight on everything that took place in those final seconds. From the photos to the players' comments--there's just so much the fan doesn't see from watching at home.

But there is one thing I strongly disagree with, and that's when people call that play the most fantastic finish in history. Joe Montana to John Taylor for the victory over Cincinnati in Super Bowl 23--that was a fantastic finish. Not to take anything away from Mike Jones. He made an incredible tackle with no room for error. But a defensive stop is not fantastic. Not in my book, anyway. And it surely doesn't make Super Bowl 34 the greatest of all time.

Rich Wuest Sacramento, Calif.

Looking for a hero

Dave Kindred hit it right on the money with the Cubs (TSN, July 3). Cubs fans definitely need that standout guy to cheer for as he runs out of the dugout and onto the field. They need someone bigger than life. Today that is Sammy Sosa. Not too long ago it was Ryne Sandberg. I have a 3-year-old boy looking for his baseball hero. His name is Ryne Mosher. I call him Ryno.

Julie Mosher Oshkosh, Wis.

Money matters

Nice article by Mike DeCourcy on Jason Kapono (TSN, July 3). Having just reviewed the NCAA's decision to make UCLA return money to the NCAA for using JaRon Rush during the 1999 NCAA tourney, I have a question. Using the same logic the NCAA used, wouldn't it be the NCAA's responsibility to now return said money to CBS because the NCAA also profited from ineligible players? Using the NCAA's convoluted logic, CBS also should return money to the advertisers of the telecasts during which ineligible players were used, and I know I sure want a refund for the products I bought from advertisers on NCAA games in which ineligible players were used. Ah, we have to love the NCAA, especially its logical approach to enforcement.

Chuck White Escondido, Calif.

On the defensive

Jon Heyman jumped to the defense of struggling Chuck Knoblauch (TSN, July 3), saying Knoblauch's throwing problems have made him a better person. Readers responded--but they were more concerned with how Knoblauch is being treated on the road, especially at Boston's Fenway Park.

"It bothers me that TSN and Heyman feel it necessary to use an entire page to protect Chuck Knoblauch," Eric Simmons of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., writes. "Granted, I am a die-hard Red Sox fan, but Knoblauch is a fine player, and he doesn't need you guys protecting him from the fans at Fenway. Calling (Red Sox fans) jerks doesn't really sit well with me, either. Think about it. He is wearing a Yankees uniform, be is playing in Boston, and he has been a little wild throwing the ball lately--what do you think is going to happen? The fans aren't really attacking him, they are attacking the uniform.

"Maybe the fans in Fenway should watch how the mature fans in New York act, such as throwing batteries, spilling beer on the players and so on."

Chris Olsen of Springfield, Vt., a Yankees fan, has another view.

"I have seen firsthand the disgraceful Fenway Park attitude," Olsen writes. "I wonder how often fans sit back and reflect upon their actions? Do they think they know these players? Do they think they could do better? Do they know what it feels like to be unable to complete a task they have completed on a regular basis for the last 10 years?

"The fans have a lot to learn about winning. It comes from the inside and is all heart. Their team may win a World Series, but they will never be winners until they learn to love the game."

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