19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

AT THE PLATE
Sir:
My congratulations to Larry Keith for an excellent article on Dave Kingman and Mike Schmidt (It's Either a Clout or an Out, May 3). As a longtime Philadelphia fan, I am proud to see the Phillies finally a winner—and with power punch in Greg Luzinski, Dick Allen and Schmidt.
JEFF COHEN Pennsauken, N.J.

Sir:
Larry Keith must be a Phillies fan. His article was grossly biased in favor of Mike Schmidt and grossly unfair to Met super slugger Dave Kingman. While suggesting that Kingman alter his "please-help-me-I'm-falling" batting style, Keith praises Schmidt, who "at least has a thorough knowledge of the strike zone." Not only does Keith chastise Kingman for being "acutely sensitive to criticism," but he also slips in that Schmidt is a "better all-round player" who presents "a more classic figure" at the plate. We wouldn't be at all surprised if Keith drinks Schmidt's of Philadelphia beer.
ANDY HOLDEN
JIM TEESE
New Haven, Conn.

Sir:
I'm not saying that Dave (Kong) Kingman is better than Mike Schmidt, but I am saying he has the right to equal billing on your cover.
JOHN LAURIA
Granada Hills, Calif.

RANGING FAR
Sir:
We readers remember what you write. Take, for example, the scouting reports on the new baseball season (April 12): "Pitching is the Texas Rangers" shortcoming" and Manager Frank Lucchesi is "foolishly" counting on Bill Singer and Nelson Briles, and Gaylord Perry is a "rusting 37." Remember? The Rangers are now 9-4.

As for "punch but no defense" newcomer Juan Beniquez, he has caught everything in sight.

My letter to you, like your scouting report, may become outdated, but right now Texas is out front, and old "Rusty" and the two "foolish bets" are leading the way.
PETE MORRIS
Arlington, Texas

?Seepage 18.—ED.

YANKEE STADIUM
Sir:
As a lifelong Yankee fan, I was incensed at Robert Lipsyte's choosing refurbished Yankee Stadium as a scapegoat for New York City's financial ills (A Diamond in the Ashes, April 26). The city's fiscal woes are the result of poor management and planning on the part of several administrations.

In an effort to stem the tide of defectors, New York took action to save the most famous sports edifice ever built and to preserve a home for the Yankees. A pennant and World Series would see the city coming out of its investment with some return.
JOSEPH GOSCILO
Mount Vernon, N.Y.

Sir:
Being a New Yorker, I most certainly agree with Robert Lipsyte that the money for Yankee Stadium's repair should have been used for projects that would benefit the public more greatly.
MICHAEL A. SCOTT
Ridgewood, N.Y.