19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

YOGI'S BACK
Sir:
Thanks for Walter Iooss Jr. 's photograph of Yogi Berra 's back on the cover of your Special Baseball Issue (April 2). What a nifty idea! But tell me, has SI ever before featured someone's back on the cover?
HARVEY NATHAN
New York City

?Yes we have (see above). Taking these rear views chronologically: Ben Hogan was driving from the 8th tee of Augusta National on our April 4, 1955 Masters Preview cover, while Mike Souchak was hitting to the 9th green at Pebble Beach on the cover of our Jan. 16, 1956 edition, in which we previewed the Crosby. In 1965, San Francisco pitcher Juan Marichal wound up on the Aug. 9 cover, highlighting the "Latin Conquest of the Big Leagues," and in 1968, on the Aug. 19 cover, St. Louis ' Curt Flood , "Baseball's Best Centerfielder," was shown making a catch against the wall of Chicago 's Wrigley Field . And if you count horses. Candy Spots ( Willie Shoemaker up), the 1963 Kentucky Derby favorite, broke from the gate (in the center) on the cover of our May 6, 1963 issue. The backs of other, unidentified athletes and officials have also appeared as symbols of sports action featured in a particular issue. For example, that was Baltimore 's Jackie Brandt at bat and New York 's Berra and ump Bob Stewart behind the plate on the cover of our 1961 Baseball Issue (April 10). A few weeks later, a pair of unnamed hot rodders adorned our April 24 cover. And the following year, for the Jan. 15 cover, our photographer's camera peered at some furious hockey action in front of the goal from behind a goaltender ( Boston 's Don Head).—ED.

SYRACUSE 'S SIMMONSES
Sir:
As a former lacrosse player under coach Roy Simmons Jr. , I compliment Franz Lidz on a vivid and accurate description of the Simmonses Jr. and Sr. and their lacrosse legacy at Syracuse University ("My Teams are Collages," March 26). Lidz caught the true character of Roy Jr. when he told of Eli Cornelius sitting with us on the bench, of Simmy's unique coaching style and of the wonderful art museums he really does take his players to. He was a wonderful man to play under, and the recognition that he fully deserves has been long in coming.
ROBERT FLOYD
Bedford, N.Y.

Sir:
Coach Roy Simmons Sr. provided his athletes with an unending supply of enthusiasm and desire to win and the energy to do their best at all times. His lessons were not just for the lacrosse field or the boxing ring; they have lasted a lifetime for me and for hundreds of other Syracusians. I, for one, join Jim Brown in saying, " Roy Simmons is the greatest man I have ever known."
A.O. QUINN
(A happy Syracuse lacrosser from 1936)
Wilmington , N.Y.

CASTA�EDA'S FOOTSTEPS
Sir:
Thanks for Joan Ackermann-Blount's story Great Feats on Foot (March 26). Jesse Casta�eda has done much more than walk for sport alone; he has made me want to walk with him. I've read SPORTS ILLUSTRATED for many years and I enjoy every page, but this article has to be the most inspiring, by far. Not only has Casta�eda shown the amazing capabilities of the human body and spirit in the millions of steps he has taken, but he has also shown us that "�Si se puede!—It can be done!"—if we just let la luz (the light) shine for each other.
GONZALO MARTINEZ JR.
Waupun, Wis.

UEBERROTH'S GAMES (CONT.)
Sir:
You published my letter (19TH HOLE, March 26) commenting on commercialism at the Los Angeles Olympics. In response, a family in Arcadia , Calif. has decided to leave town during this summer's Games so that my family can use their house for a very reasonable price.

Just as not all Americans are out for all they can get, neither is everyone in the Los Angeles area.
TREECE COLLODI
Aurora, Colo.

STUDENTS AND ATHLETES
Sir:
Thanks for the comments on Leavenworth ( Kans. ) High School basketball stars and National Honor Society members Larry and Lisa Dougherty (FACES IN THE CROWD, March 26). During a time when extracurricular sports programs are being criticized because of the time they demand and the strain they put on a student-athlete's classwork, we appreciate your willingness to emphasize that many athletes are also academic standouts. Larry and Lisa are just two of the thousands of extracurricular sports participants in the U.S. who are also excellent students. We hope you will continue this dual emphasis.
DAN L. FREUND
Executive Secretary
Montana High School Association
Helena, Mont.

ROSE AND KING KONG
Sir:
In the first paragraph of his Feb. 13 article on Pete Rose (Pete's Out to Prove He Can Pull His Weight), Ron Fimrite says the walls of the Nautilus showroom just off the lobby of the Vernon Manor Hotel in Cincinnati—where Rose was working out—were decorated with "photo cut-outs" of King Kong. On this you were misinformed. These were the creations of Cincinnati artist Alex Cipa. Many hours of hard work went into the oil-painted Masonite figures attached to the walls. Please give credit where it is due.
BARBARA J. MCINTOSH
Fairfield , Ohio

MASCOTS
Sir:
I was amused to read in SCORECARD (March 26) of the troubles Syracuse is having regarding its mascot. As a student at Dartmouth , I have encountered this entertaining problem firsthand. Once the proud and mighty Indians , we have also been relegated to supporting a color, in this case green. Because of the nondescript and unprovocative nature of this color, a new mascot has yet to materialize. The artichoke had been proposed but failed to rouse the necessary support. It's to Syracuse 's credit that it has attempted to create a mascot, the Orangeman. We at Dartmouth still hunger for such an action.
ANTHONY J. YIM
Hanover , N.H.