19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

PRO LUCAS
Sirs:
If the majority of people are as snide, cynical and sarcastic as those who wrote in about Jerry Lucas and his decision to turn pro (19TH HOLE, June 4), he is wasting—on a lot of undeserving clods—the finest combination of character, intelligence and skill to come along in sports for some time.
DALE DONOVAN
Willoughby, Ohio

Sirs:
The comments concerning the article by Jerry Lucas (Why I Am Turning Pro, May 21) are the most infuriating and disgusting evidences of money-mad Americans I've read for a long time. Greed is the main reason for our world situation today, and it's really sad to think that some of our fellow Americans can misinterpret such a fine all-American decision as Jerry Lucas has made.

This was an excellent article and decision. My hat is off to Jerry Lucas and all the rest of the all-American citizens like him who put principles and spiritual values first and look beyond the temptation of a dollar.
MARJORIE L. PRICE
Columbus, Ohio

Sirs:
I sure can't see why Lucas deserves the criticism he is getting. For a man who has represented his country with distinction twice in Europe, both on and off the court, it sure doesn't make sense to me.

If Jerry never makes a point for the Pipers, he will always be tops with me.
ELWOOD HANTZ
Alliance, Ohio

GIANT KILLER
Sirs:
I think your Walter Bingham is crazy, like in the head. Who does he think he is to say the San Francisco Giants will fail again (The Giants. Boom and Bust, June 4)? He compares this year's team to the team of 1959. This is a poor comparison because the '59 Giants were plagued with gaping holes at key positions and a weak pitching staff. The '62 version of the Giants is a solid bunch of performers who work well as a team. Cepeda, Mays, Alou & Co, in this man's opinion, will walk away with the NL pennant and meet either the Twins or the Yankees in October.
DICK ERICKSON
Mound, Minn.

Sirs:
Let Mr. Bingham not waste his sympathy on us poor long-suffering San Franciscans, what with our wallowing team and "other assorted ills" of Candlestick Park. Going to the ball game is still a matter of choice and, since 1958, park and all, the Giants have provided us with a good brand of baseball, which we here appreciate. If I were paranoid, I would think that your magazine has it "in" for our city, what with the recent piece of fiction "debunking" the legend of SF and now this, but, as it is, only a small percentage of people here know that SPORTS ILLUSTRATED even exists, so that in truth your articles have the effect of a fly on a dinosaur.
ARTHUR CARFAGNI JR., M.D.
San Francisco

Sirs:
Huh! While the Dodgers lost two to the Phils, the Giants took three straight from New York. We'll see who's laughing when the Giants win the pennant and then beat the Yankees four straight in the Series.
PETER APPLEBOM
Great Neck, N.Y.

Sirs:
Congratulations to Walter Bingham for an unbiased report. We fans in the Bay Area have come to accept the fact that Memorial Day is the beginning of the end for Dark's Bombers. Our only hope is that more articles like this will shook the Giants just enough to bring us the pennant that we have patiently waited for and richly deserve.
KENT ANDERSON
San Jose, Calif.

ON THE SPEY
Sirs:
May I say how much I appreciated your article on Strathspey (River of Whisky and Salmon, June 4). Having recently visited this area, I can fully endorse all you have said about it.