19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

Sir:
If you think Jim Bouton wrote a book exposing baseball before, just wait until he writes one after hanging around with the million-dollar prima donnas of today. If only he were on the Yankees!
KEITH D. SMITH JR.
Miami

SEAVER VS. THE LEGENDS
Sir:
In Melissa Ludtke Lincoln's article regarding Tom Seaver's career as a TV personality, (TV/RADIO, Sept. 18), she states that Seaver, as host of the Greatest Sports Legends series, was supposed to put his subjects at ease by participating in their sports, i.e., "ice-skating with [Gordie] Howe or appearing on horseback with Johnny Longden." Then she continues, "Happily, that hambone touch was abandoned."

Sorry, Melissa, that "hambone touch" has not been abandoned. It will be used to the fullest extent in our new series of shows, which we will begin shooting in December. After six years of filming Greatest Sports Legends with America's greatest athletes, we have learned that professional athletes are not professional broadcasters, and the only way to make the athletes comfortable is to put them in their own element. Seaver falling on his face skating with Howe, or Seaver futilely trying to return a bullet hit off the tennis racket of Rod Laver is really very funny. And not only do our guests enjoy the fun, but the crew also loves every minute of Tom's futility, making for a very happy shooting set. So, long live that hambone touch!
BERL ROTFELD
Executive Producer
Greatest Sports Legends
Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

CAMPBELL & CO.
Sir:
In regard to Ron Reid's article on Houston Oiler rookie Earl Campbell, you mention that Campbell ripped through the Kansas City defense for 111 yards, 49 of them in the fourth quarter. Well, Kansas City's Tony Reed dazzled the Houston defense for 141 yards—106 of them in the first half. He had brilliant runs on reverses of 28, 24, 15 and 19 yards. I realize that Kansas City lost the game, but surely such an effort should not be ignored.
BILL BEIL
Kansas City, Mo.

Sir:
Thanks to Ron Reid for an excellent article on Earl Campbell. In this age of cocky athletes, it's nice to know somebody is still humble.
STEVE ELLETT
Phoenix

NO DOORMAT
Sir:
In your Southeastern Conference scouting report (Sept. 11) you stated that Ole Miss Coach Steve Sloan got bowl bids after taking over doormats at Vanderbilt and Texas Tech. Before Sloan took over at Texas Tech in 1975, Jim Carlen (1970-74) led the Red Raiders to four bowl appearances. In the 1973 season Tech finished 11-1, including a Gator Bowl victory over Tennessee. Tech was no doormat when Sloan arrived.
MORRIS OLIVER LEWIS
Somerville, Texas

HOT TUBS
Sir:
At one point, the article by Jeannette Bruce describing the Hot Tub Set (SHOPWALK, Sept. 18) made my blood run cold. The vision of people immersed in water—or even partially wet—fooling around with television sets (turning them on or off, changing channels, etc.) is terrifying. Electricity and water mix all too well. Hot tubs are fine, but get someone who is completely dry to handle the electrical gadgets.
WILLIAM T. MCGOWAN JR.
Malverne, N.Y.

ON THE RISE
Sir:
In your Sept. 4 SCORECARD item on the expansion of the sport of hot-air ballooning, you mentioned several companies, including Seven-Up, that you felt "could hardly resist" ballooning. We just want you to know that Seven-Up has not resisted this sport. Our balloon has been in a number of meets and special programs across the country this year, and we hope to continue our investment in this exciting activity.
RALPH J. ZIPFEL
Manager of Promotion Services
The Seven-Up Company
St. Louis

Sir:
You missed a few companies in your hot-air balloon report. Already in existence, for instance, are a Colonel Sanders' Kentucky Fried Chicken balloon, shaped like a chicken, and an Orville Redenbacher Gourmet Popping Corn balloon, shaped like a kernel of popped corn.

But the world is still anxiously awaiting the arrival of the ultimate commercial enterprise—the Goodrich balloon.
MIKE CARR
Decatur, Ill.