Letters

Flexible Flyer
Well done, L. Jon Wertheim, for a behind-the-scenes tale about the Charlotte Hornets that spoke more about the people ( Jamal Mashburn, stretching, above) than about the game they play.
BRAD JANES, St. John, New Brunswick

Critical Calls
Your article Behind Closed Doors (May 21) is an insult to all hard-working people. The last thing I want to read about is a bunch of millionaires enjoying what they love doing the most, which is playing basketball, spending time with their loved ones, working out and playing video games. Thanks for the slap in the face.
SCOTT CHERRY, Miami

Derrick Coleman says he hates to sign autographs for older fans because they're just "businessmen." Well, Mr. Coleman, that's correct, and they're businessmen who support your ridiculous salary. If you can't sign an autograph for us, fine, because you're one of the most underachieving basketball players in the history of the game.
DAVE BRANDON
Lincoln, Neb.

Phillies Phanatics
Let's give credit to the Phillies of 2001 (Win or Else! May 21). While high-payroll teams such as the Dodgers, the Orioles and the Rangers spend the big bucks to buy playoff spots and still don't get anywhere, low-payroll teams such as the Phillies, the A's and the Twins rely on outstanding coaching and well-developed farm systems to get them to the promised land. Let's hope that this trend continues.
JESSE SILVERTOWN, Toronto

Stephen Cannella missed the real story: a tale of two coaches. Vern Ruhle has the pitchers throwing strikes and winning games, while Richie Hebner has turned Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell and Scott Rolen into free-swinging strikeout machines. Bowa may be showy, but the coaches are molding this team.
GREG MANTER, Onancock, Va.

A Matter of Life and Death
Steve Rushin has the nerve to call a reader a "lunatic" for pointing out the statistically low death rate by guns in America and then draws a connection between Joseph Stalin and soccer stadium deaths (AIR AND SPACE, May 21)? While these "eminently preventable" deaths that he laments are regrettable, it's the responsibility of individual countries to ensure the safety of their own citizens. What are Americans supposed to do, send Zambia donations for stadium repairs?
ANTHONY BIALY, Kenmore, N.Y.

Mass deaths at soccer matches are a tragedy, as is our lack of sympathy about them and other calamities. I too reacted with little interest when such events occurred. In fact, I was so self-absorbed that while watching a report about a fatal helicopter crash on the news several years ago, the principal thought I had was that the crash had occurred at an army base where my brother was stationed. That outlook changed the next morning when I was informed that my brother was one of the soldiers killed. Now, when I hear about a tragic event, I reflect on the feelings of pain and loss that the families of victims are suffering.
SCOTT CORREIRA, Granger, Ind.

Hat Trick
Hats off to the writers of SI for having picked three of the four Stanley Cup conference finalists in your NHL preseason issue ( NHL SCOUTING REPORTS, Oct. 16). You probably would have been perfect had you known that number 66, Mario Lemieux of the Penguins, would return.
DEREK GORDON, Westchester, Ill.

Quick on Their Feet
Thanks for the superb article on Alan Webb and Dathan Ritzenhein (Ready to Rock, May 28). These two are not only the best runners America has had in years, but two of the best young athletes to come along in a long while.
PAUL COOVER, La Jolla, Calif.

As a high school distance runner from Virginia, I appreciate your article on Webb and Ritzenhein. It's great to see athletes who neither whine nor are overpaid grace your pages. I look forward to telling my kids that I was beaten by Webb, the best high school miler of all time.
KENT BARNES, Harrisonburg, Va.