19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

'Nique and Spud Webb and the rest of the gang are having fun out there, and it's contagious.
ANDREA COUSINS
Marietta, Ga.

Sir:
I enjoyed Jack McCallum's article on Dominique Wilkins. There's only one person who should get the MVP this season, and it's not Larry Bird or Alex English. It's the Human Highlight Film himself, Wilkins.
JOE GERZEMA
Valparaiso, Ind.

Sir:
Jack McCallum's article about Dominique Wilkins and Alexander Wolff's companion piece on Michael Jordan (Smash Performance In A Limited Run) said that both superstars had historic playoff scoring performances. Jordan set the record for points in a single game with 63 in Chicago's second game against Boston. Could you please give the top 10 scorers in NBA history for a playoff game?
STEPHEN WHITEMAN
Albany, N.Y.

?Sure. Jordan is followed by Elgin Baylor, who had 61 points for Los Angeles against Boston in 1962; Wilt Chamberlain, 56, Philadelphia- Syracuse, 1962; Rick Barry, 55, San Francisco- Philadelphia, 1967; John Havlicek, 54, Boston- Atlanta, 1973; Chamberlain, 53, Philadelphia- Syracuse, 1960; Jerry West, 53, L.A.-Boston, 1969; West, 52, L.A.-Baltimore, 1965; and Sam Jones, 51, Boston-New York, 1967. Wilkins's 50-point performance against Detroit matched the mark achieved by five other players.—ED.

WHO'S CRYING NOW?
Sir:
Your article on the Cardinals' red-hot start (They're Having The First Laugh, April 28) was undoubtedly enjoyed in St. Louis. But I suspect that most of the laughs were emanating from New York, because by the time your cover date rolled around, the Mets led the National League East by 4� games.
MICHAEL R. HOWLAND
San Francisco

Sir:
I'm usually not superstitious, but because of the "SI jinx," I cringe every time I read an article about the St. Louis Cardinals in your magazine. In 1983 you wrote about the best infield in baseball—Ken Oberkfell, Ozzie Smith, Tom Herr and Keith Hernandez. Shortly after the article appeared, Hernandez was traded in one of the worst deals in the club's history. During the 1985 World Series, Ozzie Smith appeared on the cover. The next week, the Cards lost the Series they should have won. In your April 28 issue, I found yet another Cardinal story. Sure enough, the Redbirds are now mired in a hitting slump and their pitching is showing signs of weakness.

Please let the Mets have all the media hype. The Cardinals need the wins!
CHRIS KREUTZKAMPF
Urbana, Ill.

THE FARMINGTON RESOURCE
Sir:
Thank you for the colorful and accurate view of the opening day of trout season (Ready, Set, Fish!, April 21). Indeed, that third Saturday in April on the west branch of the Farmington River in Riverton, Conn. is a "ritual of respect" for the river and the trout.

Anglers and other Farmington River recreationists, however, should not become complacent about the resource. Had a water supply diversion proposed in 1981 become a reality, that stretch of the Farmington would have become virtually a dry riverbed.

Several towns and organizations in the region remain vigilant to ensure the future viability of the river. Currently there is a Congressional bill which will further protect the west branch of the Farmington. If it passes, there will be greater assurance that opening day of trout season can be enjoyed in River-ton for the next 35 years and beyond.
SUZANNE C. WILKINS
Executive Director
Farmington River Watershed Association
Simsbury, Conn.