19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

STEELER ZEAL
Sirs:
The Immaculate Reception and Other Miracles (Aug. 20) reveals to the whole country why Myron Cope is himself rapidly becoming an institution in this city, rivaled in wackiness only by our politicians, Bob Prince and Steeler history. He would be a great humorist in any field. Lucky for you he chose sports. Lucky for us he chose Pittsburgh.
SUZANNE LUCAS
Pittsburgh

Sirs:
Myron Cope unquestionably captured the elation and zeal of all Pittsburgh and Steeler fans. Only Myron, who grew up in the Steel City, could relate the "sweetness of that 40th year" so well and with such color.

Franco's Italian Army is only part of the reason why everyone in Pittsburgh has a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eyes. The big reason for this jubilation is the Steelers themselves.
DIANE M. BRANAGAN
Pittsburgh

Sirs:
I would like to commend you on your article about the Steelers. The part about Fran Rogel, the former Steeler fullback, interested me the most because he is now the football coach of my school, Highlands Senior High, Natrona Heights, Pa. In just two short years he has transformed a losing cause into a winning team. He still sticks to the play he was noted for on the Steelers: hi-diddle-diddle, somebody's always going up the middle.
MICHELLE PAWLAK
Natrona, Pa.

Sirs:
I have always considered SI talented and big enough to be above crudity and bad manners, but now you come up with an example of both plus something artistically and professionally worse, sophomorism. Your title The Immaculate Reception and Other Miracles has all the charm and cleverness of a slap in the face, not unlike the unsubtle vulgarities of a mediocre stand-up comedian. It may indeed be, as your subhead put it, that "The Pittsburgh Steelers arose from the slag heap last season," but Myron Cope, color man for Steeler radio broadcasts, or Sharon Levosky or whatever journalism student dreamed up this headline has yet to rise.

Naturally, if I didn't consider yours a great magazine in its field I wouldn't bother to write. One doesn't waste time on mediocre comedians.
JOSEPH T. MCGLOIN, S.J.
Tacoma, Wash.

DODGER DELIGHT
Sirs:
Although it was long overdue, I wish to commend William Leggett for his fine article about the Los Angeles Dodgers (Wheelin' Away Out West, Aug. 20). Whether they can withstand the second-half surge of Cincinnati or not, they certainly have revived the tradition of exciting Dodger teams.
MARK WADE
Mission Viejo, Calif.

Sirs:
I was pleased to see that you have finally decided to acknowledge the fact that the 1973 Dodgers are indeed for real. However, your story was rather unreal. A caption to a picture of Ron Cey states that his homer helped defeat the Giants. The Dodgers lost that game 3-2 in 11 innings. The article says, " Los Angeles flopped off to its worst start ever (1-6)." Wrong again. In 1964 the Dodgers won their opener and then lost seven straight.
LARRY KAHN
Los Angeles

TRUE CHAMPION
Sirs:
I find it hard to believe that Jack Nicklaus was not on the cover of your Aug. 20 issue. He established himself at Canterbury as the greatest golfer who ever picked up a club. Instead you found it more fitting to feature a couple of Dodgers whose team hasn't even clinched its divisional pennant. Come on, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, put the true champions of sport on your illustrious cover.
GARY SCHUBERT
Montreal

Sirs:
Dan Jenkins' article on Jack Nicklaus and the PGA (Jack Goes One Up on a Legend, Aug. 20) was up to his usual standard. Nicklaus is the greatest golfer ever and Jenkins told the story well.