Letters

Just once I would like to read an article about a Philadelphia team and not see a reference to how we booed Santa Claus.
—A. SOLL, Elkins Park, Pa.

Pennington's the Man
Louisville's Chris Redman is a fine quarterback with nice stats (INSIDE THE NFL, May 24), but anyone who saw last December's Motor City Bowl at the Silverdome in Pontiac knows that the guy from Marshall, Chad Pennington (above), is better. Pennington led the Thundering Herd to a convincing 48-29 victory over the Cardinals. In the process he outplayed Redman, throwing for 411 yards and four touchdowns to Redman's 336 yards and one score. Pennington could very well be the best quarterback in Division I this season.
SCOTT GILLESPIE, Bowling Green, Ohio

Shame in Wichita
I was horrified to read about Wichita State pitcher Ben Christensen's hitting Anthony Molina while he was standing 30 feet away from the plate before the first pitch of a game (SCORECARD, May 17). I wondered where Christensen could have learned to act so disgustingly. After reading the comments made by the Wichita State coaches about the incident, I know.
SCOTT VAN NESS, St. John's, Antigua

It's a close contest as to who is more boorish: coaches Brent Kemnitz and Gene Stephenson, with their chillingly callous attitudes, or Christensen, who doesn't have the guts to let his pitching do the talking.
JOHN SIMPSON, Charlotte

Pete Rose was banned from baseball for betting. Al Campanis was forced to resign from the Dodgers for making a racist remark. Now beanballer Christensen is looking forward to a bright future. What's wrong with this picture?
GREGORY CARR, Cornelius, N.C.

Christensen belongs in jail, but instead he'll probably be rewarded with a huge contract by the Chicago Cubs as their first-round draft choice and forget that he nearly ruined another man's life.
ERIC HIRATA, Gifu, Japan

Heated Rivalry
What was intriguing about Grant Wahl's article (Holy War, May 17) was the history and the people behind the Rangers-Celtic rivalry. The game was of secondary interest.
ALI NAHVI, Los Osos, Calif.

As a U.S. Air Force master sergeant stationed in Great Britain, I enjoy watching all of the soccer matches—on television from the safety of my own home.
ANTONIO JOHNSON, Mildenhall, England

Soccer is a terrific game, and both the Catholic and Protestant faiths reflect the teachings of Jesus. But what the lads in the bleachers of the Old Firm have to do with any of the above is a mystery to me. Neither church condones stabbings and beatings. It might be interesting to see how many of these "religious" fanatics actually worship in the churches with which they are affiliated.
STEFAN ULSTEIN, Bellevue, Wash.

Brotherly Love?
I liked the article on Donovan McNabb, especially the emphasis placed on his maturity and poise (Head Games, May 17). I think Philadelphia fans will find him to be a superb quarterback. His experience as a starter in 45 regular-season games in Syracuse's top-notch program will aid his transition to the NFC East.
GREG GIRSCH, Chicago