19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

THOSE CANADIAN CLUBS
Sir:
Reading Steve Wulf's article on Toronto and Montreal (A Tale of Two Cities, July 18) was most enjoyable. Toronto having been the doormat of the American League East for so many years, it was great to see the Blue Jays get some well-deserved attention. That organization is a prime example of what hard work and dedication can bring.
KERRY LIVGREN
Faribault, Minn.

Sir:
I applaud Steve Wulf for his article on the Canadian clubs. No, I am not a fan of either team, but I do appreciate superb writing. In fact it was Wulf's third brilliant piece in as many weeks.
JOHN POLIZZOTTO
Brooklyn

Sir:
Your staff seems to be able to produce outstanding articles at will. Steve Wulf's report on Canada's two top-ranking baseball teams was no exception. However, this subscriber detected a slight error. Steve Rogers the best pitcher in the National League? No way, Jos�; es Mario Soto!
GENE FLAHERTY
Charleston, S.C.

Sir:
How can you write a story about the Montreal Expos and not say anything about Al Oliver? He has been one of baseball's most feared hitters for years but doesn't get nearly enough recognition from the media. If pitchers were journalists you would hear his name often.
BILL BEUMER
Huntsville, Ala.

Sir:
Come on, SI. You're supposed to have some of the best sportswriters in the world, but what do they come up with? The same old stereotypes of Canadians being uneducated morons who destroy the English and French languages while guzzling beer every night. What's next, Polish jokes? What you should realize is that such humor should be attempted only by native Canadians.
GARY B. SAVANYU
Trenton, N.J.

Sir:
G'day. Thanks fer dat beautyful story on dose Blue Jays and Expos. So, O.K., but, like, one problem. You hoseheads mixed up Jim Clancy and Jim Gott in yer picture caption. Have another Labatt's, and then get it right in de World Series, eh?
BERNIE UHLMANN
Trenton, Ontario

Sir:
Why make such a big deal of Montreal and Toronto contending for divisional titles? Their players are just as U.S. American—and Latin American—as those of the Atlanta Braves, the team that will eliminate the Expos in the National League championship series and then the Blue Jays in the World Series.
BILL KLING JR.
Huntsville, Ala.

Sir:
Canadian clubs! Who cares? What about that Texas club, and I don't mean the Astros. Let's get those amazing Rangers on the cover. They're for real.
CHRIS TEAGUE
Mesquite, Texas

LIFE-SAVING EFFORTS
Sir:
I am employed by the Bethlehem area chapter of the American National Red Cross as director of summer safety services. I feel the item entitled "Football Hero" in SCORECARD (July 11) accurately applauded Joe Delaney for his bravery, because only courage could drive a "poor swimmer" to act so heroically. However, I find myself greatly pained. Delaney's death exemplifies why the Red Cross, with the devoted assistance of Commodore Wilbert E. Longfellow, developed a water-safety program in 1914. The aim, of course, was to eliminate the horrendous waste of life that occurs each year as a result of drowning. Had Delaney taken any Red Cross water-safety or swimming course, he would very probably still be alive, and perhaps he would have been able to save the two boys' lives as well. Perhaps, too, I would have had the opportunity to read a tribute to Joe Delaney, the hero, instead of a tribute to his heroic death.
LACHLAN G. PEEKE
Hellertown, Pa.