Letters

Incredibility Issues

Nothing better exemplifies the greatness of the returning Tiger Woods than the fact that SI's Damon Hack, with a straight face, can write, "Woods's resumption of his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 major titles—a mark Woods could tie by winning the Grand Slam this year...." And we believe him!
Michael Humm, Tigard, Ore.

While driving home from work, I was shocked to hear on the radio that Tiger Woods (Tiger to the Rescue, March 2) had been defeated, 4 and 2, by Tim Clark in the second round of the Match Play Championship. Then I arrived home, opened my mailbox and saw your cover. What's the record for the fastest SI cover jinx?
Bill Herlin, Frisco, Texas

Alex's Folly

Baseball players like Alex Rodriguez who admit to using performance enhancers (PLAYERS, March 2) need to stop making excuses about having been immature, pressured or stupid. All the public wants to hear is that 1) you made a decision to improve yourself; 2) you knew the risks and, more importantly, the benefits; 3) the only reason you are sorry is that you got caught. Will the real tainted athlete please stand up?
Waylon J. Orns, Shelby Township, Mich.

After reading Terry McDonell's essay on Rodriguez and his many advisers, it occurred to me that the only people Rodriguez should have sought counsel from were Derek Jeter's parents.
Bud McNichol, Cedar Grove, N.J.

The Return of Jason

It's nice of Lee Jenkins to remind us of what a lovable scamp Jason Giambi is (Jason Giambi Gets His Renegade Back On, March 2), but as an A's fan, I have a different perspective. I remember when Giambi, after signing a rich free-agent contract with the Yankees, went on David Letterman's program and ridiculed the A's, the city of Oakland and the fans that had done nothing but cheer for him the first seven years of his career. You can really tell who a person is when he has the world at his feet, and Giambi's behavior that night told me all I needed to know about him.
Philip Michaels, Alameda, Calif.

Giambi compares himself to Frank the Tank of Old School fame and says of his time in Oakland, "When I was here the first time, we turned this place into a frat house. I think we can do it again." Frank the Tank is a drunken loser who might be funny in a movie but is certainly not a role model. I wonder if Jason will tell his understudies about the beauty of steroid and HGH use, which he has admitted to.
Kenneth H. Alshanski, Arnold, Mo.

March Badness