Letters

No Middle Ground
Rick Reilly has summarized what 76ers fans have known for years (THE LIFE OF REILLY, May 28). Allen Iverson exemplifies the best things in sports: desire and a never-say-die attitude. Fans should stop pondering Michael Jordan's potential return. The NBA is alive and well with players like Iverson.
TED FRANKEL, Boston

Reilly has confused excellent basketball skills and a competitive spirit with things like honor, respect for others and moral character. The former is nothing. The latter is worthy of praise.
JEREMY BARLOW, Cullman, Ala.

Spare us the sanctimony, Rick. The misogynistic and homophobic rap lyrics tell us everything that we need to know about the real Iverson.
RENZ OTZEN, Flagstaff, Ariz

I was appalled after reading LETTERS in your May 28 issue. Even after what Iverson has done this season, people will not let him off the hook. He was immature for a while, but he's grown up and has become a great player.
JOHN MICHAEL GEISE, Kensington, Md.

Rick Reilly defending Allen Iverson? I'll re-up my subscription.
BIFF McGILPIN, Wallingford, Conn.

The issue with the column on Iverson was the worst use of paper and ink since the dimpled chads. You should listen to your readers more closely. They speak the truth.
MICHAEL McDUFF, Dallas

Reilly's column should be required reading for all the simpleminded bigots who took the time to criticize SI for Iverson's cover shot (April 23).
BRADEN CAMPBELL, Slippery Rock, Pa.

Bliss at Addison and Clark
As a lifelong Cubs fan I couldn't agree more with Steve Rushin's assessment of a day at Wrigley Field (AIR AND SPACE, May 28). There's no finer place to watch a game or spend an afternoon. Every day is perfect inside the Friendly Confines. See you at Murphy's.
ELIZABETH COLLINS, Chicago

In filling out an application for college, I had to write an essay about a life-altering event. I chose to describe my first trip to a Wrigley Field bathroom when I was seven. I concluded that the reason all the males at Wrigley were so friendly was because they all had to stand together at the trough. There must be a Cubs fan in the Columbia admissions office—I graduated in 1997.
NATIE FOX, New York City

Ninety minutes north of Wrigley and a few days later, it's another perfect afternoon for early-season baseball at Miller Field. Beer at our feet, the Brewers at bat, 46� with a cold drizzle. I hear the weather is the same in Chicago. If it improves, maybe we'll open the roof.
JIM REICHART, Oak Creek, Wis.