19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

SPORTSMAN
Sir:
Your choice of Muhammad Ali as Sportsman of the Year was as much of a surprise as Ali's first victory over Sonny Liston. I have been an Ali follower since his 1962 KO of Sonny Banks in New York, and it would be pointless to dwell on his boxing achievements since then.

I would hope that your choice of Ali was based as much on his position as a man as on his athletic ability. His absence from boxing during the time he was stripped of his title gave us a good insight into his unique personality. In 1967 it was not popular to refuse induction into the armed forces, for whatever reason, and Ali's stance was widely condemned. His belief in himself and in what he stands for makes him a man for the times, times when this country sorely needs a popular hero. You made the perfect choice, in the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED style. Not just another superstar, but an athlete whose overall impact is greater than his contribution to sport.
MICHAEL BAZ
Waitsfield, Vt.

Sir:
A few years back I had the opportunity to sit and talk with Muhammad Ali in Jacksonville International Airport, where he was waiting for his flight to depart for South Carolina.

Before he entered the jet, I told him my father (Bernie) thought he was a braggart and that he was conceited. I think Ali's answer, in jest, tells you something of how nice the man can be. "If I ever see your daddy, you tell him that I'll catch him up some dark alley and I'm going to whip him until he apologizes for all those bad things he said about me. And you listen to me, Bernie. After I whip Joe Frazier and Howard Cosell, I'm going to give you hell. Now I don't want any trouble out of you, Bernie, cause I'll call up Rap Brown and burn your house down."

If Ali can take the time from his schedule to joke about someone he will never meet, that's a tribute to the man. I know when my grandchildren ask me about Muhammad Ali, I'll just bring out the tape of that interview.

Sportsman of the Year? An excellent choice.
MARTY PERLMUTTER
West Palm Beach, Fla.

Sir:
I am very disappointed in your selection of Muhammad Ali as Sportsman of the Year. I can't agree that a one-night shot in Africa that didn't last 30 minutes is worthy of your award. Lou Brock and Johnny Miller applied their skills all season long and established records in their fields that won't be broken for some time.

If Ali were to fight four times a year, maybe, just maybe. I would consider him a likely choice. The award is for the Sportsman of the Year, not the Sportsman of the Night.
JOHN NELSON
Dallas

Sir:
Muhammad Ali has not displayed any of the qualities of behavior that would elevate him to the plateau of sportsman. Praising this kind of behavior sets a poor example for the young kids involved in sport and seems to uphold the idea of winning at any cost.
KEVIN J. CARROLL
West Palm Beach, Fla.

Sir:
Winner he is; sportsman he is not.
LINDA, JOHN and LEWIS COLLINS
Signal Mountain, Tenn.