19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR (CONT.)
Sirs:
Without a doubt, the selection of one individual as Sportsman of the Year is a herculean task. He must be a proven leader, a star performer and dedicated to his sport. He should be no current flash having a good year. Here in my home town there is just such a champion and sportsman:

Last year he broke his leg at Del Mar. The local writers said that this marked the end of a great career: he couldn't come back. But he did. He was second in winners and stakes victories only to Willie Shoemaker at Hollywood Park . He beat The Shoe and the then proud Round Table in the $100,000 Californian by four lengths.

This summer the annual riding champ of Del Mar again broke his leg. This time, they said, the man who rode Count Fleet to the Triple Crown was surely through. He couldn't come back again.

Well, he is going to. Some may doubt it. Not I. I know him, know him as an athlete whose devotion and proficiency are not just a means of earning a living, but a way of life.

My nomination is Johnny Longden , gentleman, horseman, winner of more than 5,000 races, grandfather and always the courageous sportsman.
DON S. BOLLER
Arcadia , Calif.

Sirs:
Jimmy Brown , the Cleveland Browns ' one-man offense, is my choice.
TOM McGOVERN
Syracuse , N.Y.

Sirs:
After watching Iowa beat Michigan here at Ann Arbor for the first time in 34 years, I nominate Forest Evashevski, a Michigan alumnus.
JEFF FRIEDMAN
Ann Arbor , Mich.

Sirs:
Peter Dawkins? Althea Gibson ? Herb Elliott ? Bob Turley ? Bennie Oosterbaan (19TH HOLE, NOV. 3)? Good grief!

Casey Stengel , of course. And about time.
ARTHUR HOBSON
San Luis Rey, Calif.

Sirs:
I second Bennie Oosterbaan , coach of the University of Michigan football team.