19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

HOOP FEVER
Sir:
I sincerely hope that Curry Kirkpatrick is as wrong about Portland not winning the NBA championship as he was about Phoenix winning it (Why Is This Man Eating Popcorn? April 17).
KEN HUX
Milwaukie , Ore.

Sir:
I can forgive your pick of the Phoenix Suns , but I'll never understand how you could all but ignore the Denver Nuggets .
STEPHEN A. MARSH
Lakewood , Colo.

Sir:
Here is my vote for the Milwaukee Bucks .
WILLIAM (WILBUR) MARKERT
Milwaukee

Sir:
...the Philadelphia 76ers .
STEVE MCHALE
Springfield, Va.

HOCKEY'S SPECIALISTS
Sir:
In your article Shadowers, Snipers and Superpests (April 17) you say that Bob Gainey of Montreal is "the Shadow." If you were to ask Gainey 's teammate Guy Lafleur who is the best leftwinger in hockey, I feel sure he would vote for Don Marcotte of the Boston Bruins . In their last two meetings during the regular season, Marcotte held Lafleur to a total of four shots. Marcotte also kills penalties and, in addition, has scored 20 or more goals in five of the last six seasons. If anyone deserves the Frank Selke Trophy for best defensive forward, it is Marcotte.
DON JACKSON
Quincy, Mass.

Sir:
As an avid Bruin fan, I am compelled to comment on Maple Leaf Dave (Tiger) Williams ' cocky words about being tired of beating up Terry O'Reilly . I have viewed their matchups for years and I think O'Reilly must be tired of beating up on Williams .
C. J. CORBETT
Waltham, Mass.

WILLIE
Sir:
I was a 10-year-old Giant fan delivering the Daily News in the Bronx on the morning of July 31, 1959 when I spotted a photo on the back page of a man named Willie sliding through a cloud of dusty clay across home plate. The caption read something like, "Willie...4 for 4.... " At first I was disappointed to find that it was not my hero, Willie Mays , but another Willie in Giant garb. It was bad enough that the Giants had left New York , but now to think that someone else could assume, even for one day, the Say Hey Kid 's glorious station was too much. I knew there could never be another Willie Mays .

Now, nearly 20 years later, still a Giant fan although transplanted to the South, I know there will never be another Willie McCovey , either. Thank you for honoring him so well (The Cable Cars, the Fog—and Willie, April 17).
ARTHUR D. D'ALESSANDRO
Orlando, Fla.

Sir:
Your story on Willie McCovey was an excellent portrayal of one of the finest players the game has ever known. My only regret is that you did not include a picture of Big Mac swinging a bat. McCovey 's swing has to be the most picturesque of any I have ever seen.
GREG FLOYD
Oneonta , N.Y.

Sir:
You have it all wrong! Willie McCovey isn't associated with such San Francisco landmarks as cable cars or fog. When he swings his bat, it's more like the 1906 earthquake.
ALAN R. EAGLE
Los Altos Hills , Calif.