Letters

REGGIE'S VISION (CONT.)
I have long admired Reggie Jackson as a super athlete and as a man. He has had a great career and has brought thrills and excitement to ballparks all over the country. I, for one, am a grateful fan.

More important, Jackson is a bright, articulate, dignified man. That is certainly clear from his article ("We Have a Serious Problem That Isn't Going Away, "May 11). Baseball needs Jackson and others like him who can use their athleticism and insightfulness to remove prejudice and racism.
CRAIG E. SMITH
Malverne, N. Y.

Maybe the comments by Reggie Jackson and Frank Deford (POINT AFTER, Dec. 22-29) will lend credence to the fact that black people are held to a different and often higher standard than our white counterparts. The NFL, the NBA and professional baseball continually recirculate the same coaches and managers rather than look for new blood. It's interesting that the negative comments about nonwhite applicants for coaching positions always seem to involve style (poor attitude, not approachable) rather than ability. How about Billy Martin's great style?
DELANO W. TUCKER
Woodland, Calif.

Baseball's failure to involve blacks in managerial and administrative positions punishes all of us. We are being robbed of the unique talents and experiences of these individuals. Reggie said it well: It is time to break down that wall.
RICK HARBIN
Aurora, Colo.

I know of one executive position that I would like to see Reggie fill someday—commissioner of baseball.
DAVE BRADLEY
Houston

Considering the enormous salaries and playing expertise of many black and Hispanic major leaguers, I wonder why some of them don't form a group to buy a major league franchise. As owners, they could staff the front office and coaching ranks any way they pleased. If they are as talented and motivated as Reggie Jackson believes they are, their team would surely win and prosper.
DENNIS J. MINOGUE
Ithaca, N. Y.

It would be a mistake to hire Jackson as front-office boss of any baseball team. Over the past three years I have seen Mr. October on three occasions display the worst form of rudeness to fans when he has been asked for autographs. His attitude toward fans is uncalled-for.
DON N. CURDIE
Little Rock, Ark.

NO ENDORSEMENT
Your May 11 issue clearly demonstrates the paradox of American racism. The sensitivity of Michael Cooper (And...It's Super Sub!) and the straightforward common sense of Reggie Jackson are in sharp contrast with the illogic and stupidity of Pony in refusing to renew Zina Garrison's endorsement contract (SCORECARD).

In selecting the 46th-ranked Anne White (Garrison is ranked 7th) as its role model, Pony has chosen to promote "whiteness" over ability and skill. Has Pony ever considered that the "tennis market is predominantly white" precisely because there are no black role models being pushed?
LAWRENCE W. YOUNG
State College, Pa.

COOP'S EXAMPLE
I am a 10-year member of the Los Angeles Police Department who has known Michael Cooper for the past 12 years. Coop spends lots of time in the inner city during the off-season. He gives the community a lot of his money, and he is very active in the city's fight against cocaine. There have been numerous occasions when Coop has been in a hurry or very tired, but he has always made time to sign autographs. He truly cares about his fans and the public.