19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

OILER WOES
Sir:
Armen Keteyian and Donald Ramsay have taken a cheap shot at the Edmonton Oilers after an emotional and tough series loss to the Calgary Flames (The Joyless End Of A Joyride. May 12). I question whether this article would have been written had the Oilers beaten the Flames and gone on to win the Stanley Cup for a third straight year.

I would much rather have read an informative story on the Oilers' loss to the Flames in seven games. Let's stick with the sports.
CAVAN COLLINS
Tampa

Sir:
It is true that some of the Oilers have shown poor judgment in the past, and these indiscretions have been well publicized. However, Armen Keteyian and Donald Ramsay took these incidents and combined them with rumors and quotes in questionable context to create a grossly sensational story.

Nowhere in the story do the authors mention the substantial contributions many Oilers make to the community. I guess Glenn Anderson's work with the Cross Cancer Institute is not as relevant as Dave Semenko's four-year-old impaired driving conviction.
DAVID BELL
Oakland

Sir:
I believe the Edmonton hockey team should be called the " Edmonton Spoilers." They are spoiled brats who will eventually spoil the reputation of all hockey players. Those who abuse success get no sympathy from me.
DAVID R. GAUS
Pittsburgh

Sir:
When Edmonton's Steve Smith accidentally flipped the puck off goalie Grant Fuhr's leg and it went into the net, enabling Calgary to win the series, I had to feel sorry for him. But after reading your article about Edmonton's off-ice problems, I have lost all respect for the team. The Oilers had better get help fast or the supposed Edmonton "dynasty" may be over forever.
JOE PRITCHETT
Bethalto, Ill.

DANDY DERBY
Sir:
I would like to commend William Nack for his superb article on Bill Shoemaker and the Kentucky Derby (The Shoe Shines, May 12). The intensity and emotion of the day could be felt in every word. A victory for both SI and Bill Shoemaker!
JULIE FITZGERALD
Cranford, N.J.

Sir:
In my 30 years of watching the Kentucky Derby, I can't remember a more thrilling or satisfying race. William Nack's glowing tribute to an "ageless Bill Shoemaker," a trainer with a dream and a classy colt, helped me recapture that unbelievable Derby.
EDIE LINDLEY
Williamstown, W.Va.

AN EARLY NOMINEE
Sir:
In 1967, your sister publication, TIME, chose the youth generaton as its Man of the Year. With Jack Nicklaus winning the Masters and Bill Shoemaker winning the Kentucky Derby, SI may have to choose "the twilight athlete" as its Sportsman of the Year.
MICHAEL M. TSUJI
Roslyn Heights, N.Y.

SPECIAL K's
Sir:
My compliments to Peter Gammons and SI for the story on Roger Clemens (Striking Out Toward Cooperstown, May 12). Roger has established himself as one of the best in the American League despite playing most of his games in Fenway Park, which is not exactly a pitcher's delight. If he stays healthy and the bullpen comes around, the Red Sox have a decent chance to win the AL East.
JIM KUSHNER
East Northport, N.Y.