Letters

Poetic Licensees
Steve Rushin (AIR AND SPACE, Nov. 12) hit it light on the nose
Explaining the Series (in poetry, not prose).
It's scheduled that way so TV can make money.
Yet ratings are down—like our eyelids—ain't it funny?
We slept through a Series that was one for history.
Seven great games, their endings (almost) always a mystery.
MICHAEL THACKREY, Kingston, R.I.

Quit yer complainin' and move on out West,
Where the games begin early, and the weather's the best.
Catch the NBA at 4:30, Monday Night Football at six,
The World Series at 5:30, they're all in the mix.
The best thing about it, by 9:30 or 10
The games are all over; I'm watching ER again.
JON ROE, Los Angeles

Head Buck
I once served George Karl (Love and Hoops, Nov. 12) and his staff at a restaurant. Karl was a real pleasure, taking time to sign autographs, chat and answer our uninformed basketball questions. I became a Bucks fan that night. Thanks, Coach, for making regular folks feel like, well, regular folks.
MITCH SCHAUB, Dubuque, Iowa

I beg to differ with the statement that high school hero-cheerleader romances almost never work out. My husband was the star of the football team, and I was head cheerleader—a match made in heaven. Thirty-six years later I still see him in that uniform with shoulders as wide as goal posts. George and Rosemarie also prove one should never underestimate the depth of teenage love. It's powerful stuff.
DIANE WAGNER, Racine, Wis.

Serendipitous Series
Just when I thought I knew all that went on in the World Series by watching every minute on TV, along comes your article (Desert Classic, Nov. 12). The behind-the-scenes dramatics were great. Baseball continues to reinvent itself, and this incarnation was wonderful.
JACK WEISS, Wilmington, N.C.

I am very proud today to be a baseball fan. After Sept. 11 Americans felt vulnerable, but the game helped the healing process. Thanks to the Diamondbacks and the Yankees for what will likely be the most magical World Series in my lifetime.
DYLAN WHITE, Shutesbury, Mass.

I was beginning to feel better about my beloved Yankees' blowing it this year when the Nov. 12 issue arrived. Thanks. I now feel horrible again.
JASON VASQUEZ, Bronx, N.Y.

Fearing the SI cover jinx, I shuddered when I saw Randy Johnson on the front of the Nov. 5 issue. However, by the end of the week the Big Unit was World Series champ, winning pitcher in Games 6 and 7, and co-MVP. Looks as if it's time to start an SI cover lucky charm!
JOHN W. KMET Avon Lake, Ohio

Modern Maturity
I've become a big fan of BYU football (THE LIFE OF REILLY, NOV. 12). This is a new concept: mature college football players, married to their children's mother, interested in pursuing academics and committed to helping people. They are playing a tough sport for no money while handling real responsibilities. Congratulations to all of them.
LESLEY STRACKS, Washington, D.C.

You overlooked the fact that Mormon missionaries have little time to do anything but missionary work. The athletes who leave their sport for two years do not return better equipped to compete in college. Athletically and physically, BYU has no advantage over any other college team.
BRADEN DRISCOLL, Aberdeen, Idaho