Letters

The streak's next test will be Aug. 7 against the Reds, when we attend game number three.
ROBB MORETTI
Pleasanton, Calif.

As a lifelong fan, I attend games regularly, always with the hope of catching a foul ball. I was rewarded one night in Baltimore, where I caught a line drive off the bat of then Texas Ranger Billy Sample. You can imagine my pleasant surprise as I continued reading the July 6 issue and came across Billy's comments in POINT AFTER.
ERIC WOLFGANG
York, Pa.

SAMPLE'S EXAMPLE
After reading Billy Sample's POINT AFTER, I was heartened to see that there are at least some athletes today who do not take their professions so seriously that it ruins them. Sample should be admired not only for his athletic success but also for his perspective and sense of humor. I thank him for the entertainment he provided for us on the field, and I wish him continued success in his future endeavors.
PATRICK KIRK
New York City

WALLY PIPP
Bruce Anderson's historic recount of the life and career of Wally Pipp (Just a Pipp of a Legend, June 29) was the perfect gift for the sports fan who has everything. Like many other ardent sports enthusiasts, I had heard of Pipp and knew that he had been Lou Gehrig's predecessor at first base for the Yankees, but I was unaware of the amazing story and subsequent controversies that began on that ill-fated day, June 2, 1925. Thanks to Anderson for clearing them up.
WAYNE KREGER
Miami

As a recreational baseball player who has had his share of being "Pipped," I can truly appreciate your account.
JOHN REGA
Chelmsford, Mass.

Thanks for the history lesson. I have been researching Wally Pipp for years and was well aware of his personal achievements in baseball. Nevertheless, I have always been teased about my namesake ( Wally Pipp was my great uncle), especially because I have suffered from migraines for 30 years.

One shocking revelation: I had always believed that Pipp was a French name. Now I learn from you that I'm really Irish!
WALLY PIPP
Alta Loma, Calif.

A special note of appreciation to Bruce Anderson for the super story on our dad. Headaches have been taboo in our family for a long time.
BEN, TOM AND WALLY PIPP
DOROTHY GIBLER
Birmingham, Mich.

Bruce Anderson asks, "Who remembers who played Wally Pipp?" in the movie The Pride of the Yankees. You were right in saying it was George MacDonald but wrong in saying MacDonald was an actor. From 1936 to '44 and in '46 and '47 he was a classic-fielding first baseman for the San Diego Padres in the Pacific Coast League and a good line-drive hitter.

Incidentally, MacDonald was a teammate of George Detore, who was mentioned in your recent story on Ron Necciai (Kid K, June 1).
JIM MARKLEY
La Mesa, Calif.