19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

HAMMER
Sirs:
I would like to thank a great magazine for a great article about a great baseball player, Henry Aaron (Henry Raps One for History, May 25). All knowledgeable baseball fans are aware of Aaron's excellent records, but now the Hammer is opening the eyes of the not-so-knowledgeable. It is true that Hank is baseball's most underpublicized superstar, so it is surely appreciated when due recognition is given to such a fine athlete.
CHRISTOPHER QUINN
Augusta, Ga.

Sirs:
Aaron has made a believer out of me. I believe that someday he'll lead the all-time home-run list numerically as well as alphabetically.
BRUCE MARTIN
Potsdam, N.Y.

Sirs:
The story of Henry Aaron's 3,000th hit was one of the best ever published in SI. But an even better grade must be given for that issue's cover design. What could be more appropriate than placing Hammerin' Hank in the center with eight of the world's greatest ballplayers surrounding him? In 20 years it will most certainly be a collector's item. And you can bet that I'm putting my own copy in the vault.
BOB PROCHASKA
East Dubuque, Ill.

Sirs:
You picture Aaron as the ninth man to join the exclusive 3,000th-hit club. Actually he is the eighth. According to at least one authoritative baseball encyclopedia, Cap Anson had only 2,995 hits.
BENJAMIN STEINMAN
West Nyack, N.Y.

? Cap Anson's records are still under review. Of his 3,518 lifetime hits 437 came during Anson's National Association days (1871-75), and these do not count. However, the legitimacy of the number of other hits by Anson, including some that may have been awarded to him by a friendly official scorer, is being questioned. At the moment Cap is credited with 3,081 major league hits. A final answer on whether that record will stand must await the findings of a committee impaneled by the commissioner to evaluate all statistics.—ED.

FRINGE BENEFIT
Sirs:
Thank you for printing Frank Beard's superb account of the pro tour (How Can a Pro Miss 18-inch Putts? May 18 et seq.). I am constantly amazed at the fortitude of these talented "fringe" players who persevere under the sometimes chaotic situations and pressures of each new tournament. Since Mr. Beard appears affluent and skilled to us duffers, his personal report of the difficulties he has encountered is enlightening. I hope that Frank and his colleagues hang in there—not to aggravate their ulcers, but to provide an opportunity for us to continue to observe their handicraft.
STU MEYERS
Orange, Conn.

Sirs:
I took particular notice of Frank Beard's complaint about the press (LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER, May 18): "When Palmer wins a tournament, the headline says PALMER WINS, and when I win a tournament, the headline says PALMER LOSES." Then you went and did it yourselves. For the cover (June 1) illustrating the third article of the series you ran photographs of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. No Frank Beard.

I can hear Beard now: "When Frank composes, Arnie poses."
JOSEPH SILVIO
Durham, N.C.

DISPIRIT
Sirs:
I object to your disparaging remarks in the item "Blew It Again" (SCORECARD, May 25) concerning Denver as the IOC's choice for the 1976 Winter Olympics. Denver had the best presentation and is the best prepared for the Winter Games, as evidenced by the fact that it was chosen overwhelmingly. Vancouver wasn't even second.
SCOTT S. WERKING
Glenwood Springs, Colo.

Sirs:
Yes, the International Olympic Committee sure blew it by not awarding the 1976 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles, the city with all of the facilities except air fit for the athletes to breathe.
IVAN P. COLBURN
Pasadena, Calif.