Letters

Wolves at the Door
The Twin Cities sports sections are saying Kevin Garnett would only pose for your cover if you included Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell (Three for All, March 1). In a league full of me-first players it's refreshing to watch this guy and to be able to appreciate his team-first attitude. Thanks to Jack McCallum for giving KG the credit he is due.
DEAN BRINKMAN
Sleepy Eye, Minn.

I couldn't believe it when I saw Sprewell's $1,000,000 grin on your cover. It erased in my mind the mad-at-the-world-while-running-down-the-court look I had once pictured every time I read Spre's name.
J. STEWART, Upland, Calif.

Hand Jive
The LEADING OFF (March 1) image of Rod Strickland's blatant palming of the ball while being guarded by Sam Cassell illustrates the NBA's disdain for the rules of basketball, which, I believe, contributes to the degradation of the game.
RALPH C. THOMAS, Bethesda, Md.

Trivial Pursuits
Steve Rushin lies awake at night, sports trivia running through his head, counting uniform numbers, and Harmon Killebrew is 3 (AIR AND SPACE, March 1)? Killebrew is 3? Not the Babe? Jan Stenerud is 3? Not the Babe? The Babe is 3 as much as A is Ali, B is Bird and C is Chamberlain.
T.A. ALLAN, Cave Junction, Ore.

Although I'm a sophomore in high school, I can't remember what the cosine of 2.5 is, but I can tell you that on Feb. 9, 1920, the spitball became an illegal pitch.
LANCE MADDEN, Tucson

My oldest son learned that it was time for bed when the little hand hit Mike Modano, and nap time was at Derian Hatcher. Needless to say, both times he'd fall asleep wearing one of his many Dallas Stars shirts.
JENNIFER CASSELL, Dallas

After reading Rushin's column, I questioned whether my brain still worked like his. In my younger days sports knowledge was far more important than any academic endeavor, but I have become a mature adult with responsibilities. Then, the next morning as I started my car, the digital clock flashed 7:14, and to my amazement I said out loud, Babe Ruth.
STEVE POLEVOI
Santa Clara, Calif.

Bad to Wirtz
I am extremely concerned about the Chicago Blackhawks' 43-year rebuilding program (Blackhawks Down, March 1). I attended a Hawks game earlier this season and was astounded at the lack of talent displayed as the scoreboard ranted on about the "Hawk Tradition." Our only hope is that the Wirtz family sells the team to a new owner who knows how to put together a winning organization. In the short term...Go Red Wings!
DAVID C. HACK, Wheaton, Ill.

Blackhawks Down brought to mind other recent disappointing sports franchises: The Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Florida State Seminoles, Illinois Fighting Illini, Kansas City Chiefs, and last, but certainly not least, the Washington Redskins. These are also teams which, despite considerable pressure, have chosen to adhere to mascots that offend the indigenous peoples of North America. Perhaps it's the Curse of the Tomahawk Chop.
RAYMOND PIEROTTI, Oskaloosa, Kans.

I can always count on SI for the best archival photographs, many of which I have framed. Your photo of Stan Mikita, although more than 30 years old, hasn't lost its luster. And isn't that a very young Phil Esposito behind him?
ALBERT W. SAUNDERS III, East Boston, Mass.