Letters To The Editor
Magic, please stay retired
Being born and raised in Southern California, I had grown to idolize Magic Johnson and considered him something of a hero not only for Los Angeles, but also the NBA. He was always the epitome of grace under pressure, whether it be on the court or off.
Now that Magic is considering coming back to the NBA again for the opportunity to play with Shaq, I’m appalled at the future Hall of Famer’s behavior. Magic is not only disgracing his reputation, but making a mockery of the NBA. He’s acting like a little kid given free rein, and the NBA is allowing him to use the league as his playground.
First Magic was allowed to coach the Lakers for the final weeks of the 1993-94 season. Then he decides that really wasn’t his thing. Any coincidence that the Lakers didn’t improve during his brief tenure? Hardly. Then he comes back again this season, and as the Lakers stumbled out of the playoffs in the first round, Magic retires while complaining about the immaturity of today’s players and how he can’t run the team if he can’t play point guard. Cry me a river. That is one of the most hypocritical statements uttered in the recent age of hypocrites.
He knew going into his comeback that Nick Van Exel was the point guard and said it suited him fine playing power forward. Now the fact that he wants to play with Shaq and win another championship is nothing more than a ‘bandwagoner’ at its highest level.
Magic, we loved you in the ‘80s, but you’ve come to define the typical whining and front-running athlete who has sadly gained the limelight in the ‘90s. Don’t come back. Eric Hirata Pullman
Deceived on cap night at ballpark
I took my family to Spokane Indians cap night. We got there early to make sure we got caps. The only problem was, they didn’t advertise the caps were only for Diamond Club Members, which is what I was told by a stadium attendant. That’s a very deceitful way to get people to the ballpark. I heard a lot of bad comments from other people around the park. Ownership should be very embarrassed about deceiving the public this way.
They gave away 2,500 caps and attendance was 5,741. Maybe they should have ordered a few thousand more. Ownership should be able to afford it, charging $1.50 for a small stale popcorn, $1 for a small cup of ice with a bit of soda pop splashed over it and $3.25 for a large beer.
Furthermore, I thought I was going to a ballgame, not the circus. There was something called a Birdzerk on the field harassing the umpire and opposing players. They also had an egg-toss competition and a horse race. Also, the rap music (ugh) was blaring so loudly my 9-year-old son and I couldn’t discuss what was going on on the field.
It will be a long time before I go back to the carnival, er, ballpark. Doug Faulkner Spokane
Seattle needs dual-purpose stadium
Could someone please explain to me why the Mariners’ new $320 million taxpayer-financed home with convertible top has to be a single-purpose baseball facility.
With both the Mariners and Seahawks needing upgraded facilities, it seems ludicrous to spend $300 million on each, doesn’t it? Gregory P. Hand Spokane
xxxx S-R sports staff Sports editor: Jeff Jordan Assistant sports editor: Joe Palmquist Outdoors editor: Rich Landers Columnist: John Blanchette Reporters: Steve Bergum, Kevin Blocker, Chris Derrick, Greg Lee, Jim Meehan, Mike Sando, Dave Trimmer, Mike Vlahovich, Dan Weaver Copy desk: Gil Hulse, Hilary Kraus, Ralph Walter Stats desk: Kory Boatman, Katharine Kumangai Contributors: Paul Delaney, Jim Price, Fenton Roskelley, Chuck Stewart