What a pleasure to come across well done, thoughtful sports writing. This is going on my favorites list today -- many thanks.

Heard your interesting interview yesterday on Wisconsin Public Radio and couldn't wait to check out SportsJones!

I will be an avid reader in time ahead. I am one of the original Sports Illustrated subscribers and a pretty interested observer of the sports scene. Looking eagerly to staying with you in time to come!

I just recently discovered your fabulous web site and want to commend you for putting together a site that compiles such high quality sports writing. It is now a bookmark on my Netscape Navigator and I will be checking it regularly.

Josh Tepfer

Excellent job on the layout, design, and content. Very much a user-friendly site. I know that I will come back to this site often, and that has a lot to do with the content, as well as the usability of the site.

Mike Marinelli

I have really enjoyed a number of the articles even though I am not into sports very much. They seem to have enough background that someone such as myself who does not know the specific or general history can have an idea of what is being said and can appreciate it. Just thought I would let you know that even a sportswidow can appreciate the literary effort.

Tricia Hill

Thank you for having such a great web site!

Brynn Scally

WOMEN & COMPETITION

Congratulations on your special section about women in sports. Hopefully one day very soon, the mass sports media will wake up and realize that there are thousands of hungry female athletes out here just waiting for mainstream coverage of women's sports and the issues that surround them. I am one of them! Every week, just for a "laugh," I pick up newspapers or switch on the TV sports news just to count the number of pieces on women.... and then to count the number of those pieces that do not refer to women`s looks, legs or hairdos. Unfortunately, I have counted very few over the years. I am not a man hater or radical feminist. I am a woman who loves sports, lives sports, and knows that women like me are not represented enough for our numbers.

I was the second of three daughters to a father with no sons. I was the "son" he never had, and competed in sports as soon as I could walk. I excitedly watched innumerable Super Bowls and played hoops with him. Although no parent should live their unrealized dreams so much through their children, I am lucky that I was encouraged so much in sports, which may not have happened if I had had brothers (food for thought).

I played all-star AYSO soccer for many years, waterskiied, lettered in three high school sports, had a college scholarship in basketball and track, and even taught and competed on Maui and in the Gorge in windsurfing. I love to run and I've recently taken up tennis and softball. However, I was also was a cheerleader, a prom princess and an honor roll student. I was an "all-around girl", and fought hard to be athletic and "pretty & feminine" too. Society puts that dual pressure on girls, but without sports in my life, it would`ve been a helluva lot worse.

I'm excited to get the book Embracing Victory, and hope to see more mainstream pieces that address the largely unknown and uncovered world of real women's sports -- fierce competition, camaraderie, rivalry, injuries, victory, defeat, and the challenges women face being a successful athlete in a male-dominated sports media world.

Bobbi Jo Krals

AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Re: Adam Nathaniel Davis's article on the demise of the ABL. Many parts of it were too true. I love the comparison to Beta and the Mac.

However, I can't get past thinking that the ABL and the WNBA were not really in competition. They played in different seasons, in different cities, and by different rules. I hope I don't have to think about "there's only a limited market for women's basketball" – I can't believe that, because I know I would have supported both seasons if we'd had teams from both leagues here.

I just have to think that the competition was between the tiny ABL and the NBA – maybe there was a threat that the ABL would take away a few thousand fans a city?

I’m still waiting to see what the Connecticut and California attorneys general have to say. In Washington, we're apparently still too much into the tobacco thing to get into other issues.

Janey Elliott
Seattle

SPORTS  WRITING

As a longtime admirer of Roger Angell and a somewhat more recent admirer of New Yorker editor David Remnick, recently appointed to succeed Tina Brown, I appreciate the correct applauding of the articles in question.

My wife, always the last to read anything related to sports, was the first to point out to me the beauty and indeed transformational impact the Remnick piece contained regarding Ali. I savored it the way you do your grandmother's favorite recipe. My appreciation for Ali – already quite high – grew even more. And how intriguing that Ali might have modified a page from wrestler "Gorgeous George" in how to attract an audience. Definitely, a great read.

Had I not already read them, I would have been more indebted to SportsJones for tipping me in that direction. As it is, your credibility only expands.

My final thought: Anything Remnick writes is fine by me, and based on his writing I feel the New Yorker is in excellent hands. As, apparently, is also SportsJones.

Larry Barber

WHEN WE WERE TWELVE

A terrific bit of nostalgia and I remember it well – I was the mom who made the shakes, even made liquid pizza. Jeff was a scrappy player and I'm not sure he weighed anywhere near 110 pounds. His enthusiasm and team spirit made him a most valuable player. I'm glad he remembers those days in a positive way.

DIANE'S COGNOMINALLY CORRECT NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PROGNOSTICATIONS

I've just read "Diane's Cognominally Correct National Football League Prognostications" at your web site, and my co-workers are wondering why I'm laughing out loud in my office.

As a football fan and a fan of Cheers, I found it immensely enjoyable and very witty. Keep up the good work! Or as Diane would say, kudos!

Diane says:

Rams vs. Falcons
A problem – how could a ram ever bring a falcon to ground to kill it? One imagines a dead bunny speared on a horn, but then one remembers that falcons only eat live prey and that one has been expressly instructed not to share one's "dead bunny thoughts" with anyone. Rams win.

No, no! The falcon could easily swoop down and peck out the eyes of the ram. Falcons win.

But I loved the Bills pick – and your whole page for that matter.

THE STARR REPORT

That was hilarious. Thanks. I'm looking forward to more exposés in the future.

I enjoy the rest of your site also!

Dave Sobel

Thank you for revealing more of Don Zimmer's hidden side. As a long time Cubs fan, I believe this type of behavior is not new to Mr. Zimmer and it was the major reason his contract was not renewed in Chicago. This has been happening for years. Ernie Banks was almost implicated in a similar incident of association. That's when the Tribune Broadcasting Co. had to make a choice between Mr. Cub and Don Zimmer.

Keep up the good investigative work.

Ken Ruda

Thanks for the laughs.

Bryan P.

FOURTH DIMENSION

I saw your ad in "Fourth Dimension Daily" for the Knicks game from 1946 and it brought tears to my eyes. My dad, Dick Murphy, was on that team and played in the first NBA game ever (played in Toronto). Unfortunately he died about 25 years ago. I wanted to know where you got the ad and if you have any other information about the team or the game. I am always trying to get copies of anything I can about the original Knicks or the first couple of seasons of the NBA, or the Basketball Association of American, as it was known at the time.

IMPERIALISM RULES

I enjoyed your article on football in SportsJones. Still there is the question: "what is the point?"

It might be of interest to the new or casual viewer that what appears to be great racial harmony on the field is but a thin veneer. Many times during the season there are incidents which are swept under the sports rug, I suppose for the good of the game. And, yes, these racial incidents happen between team members. It is just a fact of life.

What is interesting, however, is that the teams you talk about are among the strongest in the world. Everyone who is watching can see their makeup, and it leaves little doubt that team-building can not be done by racial standards. Each team simply wants the best (although it was not always that way). In a way it is a compliment to these countries that they are admitting that their shores and scope are much fuller than a quick overview would assume. Shouldn't we emphasize the positive and forge ahead for the youngsters coming along? Yes, know your history, but do not be afraid to shape the future to be more fulfilling.

I personally believe in the strong democratic composition of football. More than any other sport it belongs to the masses. This is not an idle political construct but is proven daily in streets and fields all over the world. The children understand, I hope.

JESSE "THE GOVERNOR" VENTURA

As a fierce independent voter, I applaud the people of Minnesota for having the courage to tell the politics-as-usual crowd where to go and how to get there by electing Jesse Ventura as its next governor.

But I would expect any legitimate sports media entity to distance itself from the Ventura-for-Governor story. After all, anybody with half a wit about him – especially a writer from the true-wrestling hotbed of Iowa such as Mr. Feltovich – knows that pro wrestling is not a sport.

True, sporting events such as NFL football, NBA basketball and even PGA golf are a form of entertainment, just like pro wrestling. But unlike pro wrestling, the outcomes of the NFL, NBA and PGA are not pre-determined. The two teams don't sit down and map out some storyline in advance. They don't work together on the moves and situations that are going to lead up to the final conclusion.

I will admit that pro wrestlers are outstanding athletic specimens. Certainly, the average Joe can't step into a square circle and expect to perform some of the moves they do. Still, you can not characterize professional wrestling as a true sport.

Wrestling – what we see at high school, college and international tournaments – is one of the most difficult true sports in the world. Considering the physical and mental demands of the sport, from controlling your weight to the beating your body takes while battling another individual, it is truly an amazing sport.

Again, kudos to Ventura for pulling off the unlikeliest of political
upsets. But let's leave his political victory for the news pages or the entertainment section.

THE METS MESS UP

Well.... I was preparing myself to "get ready to laugh (at you)" and "booooo" and jeer -- until I returned and saw your note dated Oct. 23, and it simply quelled the blue and orange tsunami that was my anger. Sigh.

I suppose putting your foot in your mouth is an occupational hazard, especially if you use such biting sarcasm as to solicit more of an emotional response. I found it impressive that you were big enough to admit when you were wrong and even ask forgiveness. Naturally, I can't speak for all Mets fans, but I no longer bear you any malice.

SPINNING!

This was a wonderful article.

I just recently had the opportunity to view your web site for the first time. Quite impressed! Good solid articles!

I also enjoyed reading the article "Spinning". After reading the article, my legs were sore and I felt out of breath. Bravo to the author. Keep up the good work!

The article on American distance running and track and field does not mention the negative image the sport has obtained through trying to clean up its drug problem. Many of the same drugs are used in the major sports in this country, but the administrators or governing bodies of those sports have chosen not to do anything significant about it. Many of their stars' performances are enhanced by drugs that are banned in track and field. Cycling is also acquiring a bad image from trying to enforce drug bans. The major sports are perhaps not eager to get involved in this for fear it would be bad for business.

I like your basic approach and share a general distaste for the often kneejerk reactions that the media usually tosses out.

I read your piece on "The New Breed" and found a lot of value in your thoughtful slant on the issues you discussed. It's quite easy to let the events of the past merge into a dewy radiant glow of wonderfulness and forget some of the harsher realities -- like Kareem's cold-cocking of Kent Benson, for which he sat out a huge string of games; like Kermit Washington's thunderous right hand punch of Rudy Tomjonovich, which got him suspended of course. Ironic was the fact that Kermit Washington was a very stable, easygoing kind of guy but that punch got him tagged with an image he probably hasn't ever lived down, even now.

In additon to the great points you made about Latrell Sprewell, I think perhaps another one is that the lives of many people seem just a nanosecond from being out of control and we look in strange places for reassurance that life in general is stable and not out of control. And, of course, sports is one of the first places we look for a kind of order, justice, and rightness. So when Latrell Sprewell chokes his coach it feels like the world has careened off the tracks and it's threatening to us.

Larry Barber

Whereas I understand your point of emotional memory, I still
feel it is within the scope of reasonable expectation for a player not to choke his coach. Perhaps he could use some of his enormous salary to pay for counseling or sensitivity training. It wouldn't bother me so much if the guy had voluntarily admitted he was wrong and apologized for his behavior. That's what adults are supposed to do, regardless of race or class.

I did some work in sports studies/history in Alabama's American Studies program this past year, so I feel very grounded in the total culture approach to sports which SportsJones demonstrates. It offers a perspective which ESPN and CNN/SI lack.

Your essay "The New Breed" was provocative, and while its argument is legitimate, the related issues of class and race have other valid perspectives from a total cultural approach. I believe the topic of general class values should normally supercede general racial (denotative rather than connotative) issues. So much of current social politics demands that the issue of racism (conceived as white over black) must dominate all cultural discourse.

In many ways, professional basketball has come to emulate professional wrestling. (Is it coincidental that Rodman and other "pros" have participated in wrestling "exhibitions?") Meanwhile, back on the court, underclass basketball heroes in the role models of pirates and gladiators furnish modern blood sport dimensions of display. Nonetheless, the model of athlete as dedicated amateur and dutiful soldier persists as well for some people of all races.

At the core of this topic is the issue of psychological and identity boundaries. It's not "prejudice" for non-black people to refuse to consume cultural entertainment they don't prefer or lionize role models who refute their value systems. And even star athletes have to "mature" once their playing days are over.

David DeWitt

Let's get real about the Hingis vs. Williams "rivalry."

Martina Hingis has been ranked a clear #1 for about the past two years. She's won, I believe, four Grand Slam tournaments, narrowly missing a Grand Slam sweep last year after losing to Majoli in the French Open final soon after a horseback-riding injury. In last year's U.S. Open final she crushed Venus Williams like a grape. She is far and away the best doubles players in the WTA.

Venus Williams's best result so far is an appearance in the U.S. Open final last year (having benefited from an extremely favorable draw), where, as I said, she was crushed by Hingis. She's failed to reach the U.S. Open final this year. She has one or two wins over Hingis in minor tournaments.

If Hingis has a rival, it's not Williams. It's #2-ranked Lindsay Davenport. Davenport gives Hingis much more trouble, and their head-to-head may even favor Davenport.

It's easy to write sensationalist articles about supposed "rivalries" that don't really exist, especially when it lets you explore racial and gender themes that are your real agenda. A more responsible approach would be to look at the real rivalry, and give the poor ugly-duckling Davenport, who happens to be one of the classiest players in the WTA, the credit she deserves.

Royal Wulff

KOUFAX KICKS

This sounds good in theory; but, in practice, it's not quite that simple. I played 'keeper in college, and we do more than just "pick a side." What you try to do is first pick a side; but, as the guy approches, you watch his kicking foot to see if he opens or closes it to kick it the other way. Kinda like a hitter sitting on a fastball, but looking to see if the pitcher tips off a curve ball by his grip as he pulls it out of his glove. Sometimes you can tell, sometimes you can't. This puts way too many variables in to model mathematically.

As far as kicking it to the center, you can see that coming sometimes, too. And, as was said in the article, if a kicker puts it where he wants to (side netting), a goalie doesn't have a chance whether he gueses correctly or not.

Thank you very much for your article. But I've got two points to submit.

1. There are penalties shot in the middle -- at least in the German major league. They are rare, but they happen.

2. Your formula assumes, that the chance of a goal by striker is the same for the left and the right side. German national keeper Toni Schumacher worked in the 1982 semifinal against France with this strategy:

He divided the opposing players into technicans (t, who try to be exact rather than hard-kicking) and bolzers (b, German slang for players who try to kick as hard as they can). A coach watched previous penalties by these players and made notes.

THEY GOT GAME

Where did you find these idiots!!! They need to stick to playing basketball and stop being opinionated. If you can't dribble and talk at the same time they need to just dribble. Menace II Society "real ghetto" ..... puleeeze! My neighborhood was nothin' like that.

Don't mix basketball high schoolers who don't know a damn thing about real hip-hop talking about it's all about the beats. Sheesh! It's idiots like this that make people think that hip-hop is meaningless.

I pray these idiots make it to the NBA because they certainly won't be needed for intellect.

I'm out and disgusted.

HOW MANY FOR MCGWIRE?

The comparison of standard deviation's bell curve to Eric Davis and Cecil Fielder is so inspired. That's really great explanatory writing.

Dang, my head is spinning. Thanks.