19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

Sir:
Through the years I've believed that although Chamberlain had done much growing upward, he's done very little growing up. His comments, alternating between self-praise and laments, sustain that belief.

Wilt mentions several times that he never had a "night." So, in recognition of his perseverance in overcoming the career-long unfairness of Mendy Rudolph I'd like to give him one at this time:

Good night, Wilt.
RON SZWARC
Dayton

Sir:
Upon his departure from the game, Wilt Chamberlain once again looks back over his shoulder with some parting shots, many of which are aimed at Bill Russell. One would think that Wilt would have learned long ago that looking behind him is the wrong place to look for his old nemesis. Bill Russell is miles out in front—as usual.
BOB SUTHERLAND
Virginia Beach, Va.

Sir:
Now I know why Wilt Chamberlain is 7 feet tall and weighs 300 pounds. He needs all that space to contain his super ego.
VINCENT N. GALLAGHER
Carlisle, Pa.

DON'T LOOK, MA
Sir:
I myself liked the picture of the nude in the article on Evel Knievel ('We Shoulda Run One More Test,' Sept. 16). But I didn't let my mother see the magazine.
MIKE STEINMETZ
San Rafael, Calif.

LORD'S HELP
Sir:
In your Oct. 7 issue (Tilling to the West) you stated that the Yankees must have been in cahoots with an Almighty Power to have gone as far as they did in the recent pennant race. At least they did it playing good hard baseball (one of the best ERAs, three .300-hitters, solid performances from veterans and some holes plugged by recent acquisitions). The Orioles, on the other hand, won 26 of their last 32 games with 17th-inning run-scoring bloopers, batters walked home and opponents that seemed to roll over and play dead. If the Orioles don't vote a playoff share to the Lord, they at least ought to give one to Ralph Honk and the Tigers.
PAUL BUERGER
Syracuse, N.Y.

GIANT STEP
Sir:
The World Hockey Association should be commended for its challenge to the Russian national team (Jolting the Reds and the NHL, Sept. 30). The WHA not only took it upon itself to engage in a series the National Hockey League was obviously afraid to play, but in doing so won the admiration of countless hockey fans for attempting to resume the thrilling affair of 1972. The team's early respectable showing was a pleasant surprise to many (including myself) and will long be remembered as a giant step forward in the establishment of the WHA.

It is a shame Mr. Campbell and his league insist upon depriving hockey of a true Team Canada.
ROBERT SAMEK
New Britain, Conn.

Sir:
Any North American hockey fan who thinks he has been victimized by poor refereeing can certainly breathe easier now. After witnessing The Great Russian Ripoff, alternatively titled the Team Canada-Soviet Hockey Series, I am convinced that there are no decent officials anywhere in the Soviet Union. For missing repeated flagrant acts committed by Soviet players, I propose that the referees be immediately banished to Siberia. I suggest the same for the Soviet coach, Boris Kulagin, for having the audacity to suggest that the Canadian players participating in the scuffle after the sixth game be sentenced to 15-day prison terms.
KIRK DYE
New York