Your turn

Sporting News, The, August 30, 2004 by Jesse Landis, Deb Hanrahan, Mike Mattes, Christoper T. Teter, Dyke Daugherty

* TSN's story about Greg Maddux (August 9) failed to note that for years Maddux and Tom Glavine got the benefit of having a pitch 6 inches off the plate called a strike. Even if their pinpoint accuracy allowed them to hit that spot 99 times out of 100, that pitch still isn't a strike. That's why batters went to the dugouts shaking their heads. Those pitches were unhittable because they were unreachable!

Jesse Landis, Mount Joy, Pa.

* I love TSN for its objective views of sports. Please don't let reporters use it as a soapbox for moralizing. I have no interest in J.C. Watts' moral views, or in Dan Pompei's absurd generalizations about Ricky Williams' pot smoking, or in Dave Kindred's obsession with the morals of steroid use.

Deb Hanrahan, Arlington, Va.

* I can't believe TSN didn't put Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka on its preseason All-American teams (August 16). He's an amazing pass rusher and still does great against the run. He'll be a first-rounder in next year's NFL draft.

Mike Mattes, Braintree, Mass.

* In TSN's piece on the Ryder Cup (August 16), the author says John Daly's "presence would create a negative emotional situation for him, the team and the U.S. fans." What a bunch of psychobabble. The only thing fans need to be concerned with is if Daly can put the ball in the hole in fewer shots than the competition. The reason Daly is a popular write-in candidate is he is most like us fans: He doesn't look great in a golf shirt, smokes heaters and shows a little emotion.

Christopher T. Teter, Fort Smith, Ark.

* Thanks for the story about Ricky Rudd (August 16), a class act. I have seen Rudd finish a race with a back blistered from burns. He's from the old school, where racing is played out on the track. Enough of the "Young Guns" and their laid-back, show-me-the-money attitude. I'll take Rudd, Rusty Wallace and Dale Jarrett any day.

Dyke Daugherty, Bloomington, Ill.

Send letters to yourturn@sportingnews.com or to 10176 Corporate Square Drive, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63132.