Letters

Standing O

Thanks to Gary Smith for his eloquent article on baseball's most inspiring figure, Omar Minaya (The Story of O, June 18). After reading it, I am now torn between wanting Omar as the next baseball commissioner, the next president of the United States or my local school district's next superintendent.
Gregg Roth, Seaford, N.Y.

During spring training this year the limousine company that I own was hired to pick up some Mets personnel. I decided to do the job myself in hopes of meeting a star player. I was very disappointed when I didn't recognize the passenger who got into my car. After reading Gary Smith's article on Mets general manager Omar Minaya, I now know who was in my car that day, and I'm no longer disappointed.
Thomas Oro, Stuart, Fla.

After needling my Mets-fan cousin recently about his team's trade of young lefty stud Scott Kazmir to the Devil Rays for over-the-hill pitcher Victor Zambrano, he called it the best deal ever. Why? "Because," he said, "after that, they brought in Omar Minaya."
Matthew Zander, Scarsdale, N.Y.

Omar Minaya certainly is a genius. I wish my team had the money—I mean, foresight—to go out on a limb and sign such diamonds in the rough as Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran and Billy Wagner. So what if Minaya has been operating with the National League's highest payroll and still hasn't taken the Mets to the World Series?
Jason Mazda, Ocean City, N.J.

Duck Blind

Are you kidding me? The Anaheim Ducks become the first California team to win the coveted Stanley Cup and no cover? Maybe next year, when the Ducks win the Cup back-to-back, you will have the chance to redeem yourself.
Cindy Stromlund Hernandez
Fountain Valley, Calif.

Michael Farber and SI deserve their own day with the Stanley Cup for providing thorough coverage of the NHL playoffs (Sibling Revelry, June 18). While most of the media stayed home and tried to bury the league with stories about poor television ratings, SI actually went to the games and reported on what it saw—some of the best playoff hockey in recent memory.
Tony D'Amato, Amherst, Mass.

Hamilton's Race

I appreciated your article on Lewis Hamilton ("Better Than Sex", June 18), and I hope that with this new star, Formula One will receive more attention in the U.S. The rest of the world understands the excitement of F/1, but Americans prefer to watch cars drive in circles forever—NASCAR fans, I'm talking to you.
Ray Goins, Herndon, Va.