Letters To The Editor

Let Mariners just play ball

In your Sept. 7 sports section, John Blanchette flat-out degrades the Mariners and their manager, Lou Piniella. Blanchette blames Randy Johnson for batting at a ball that caused tendinitis in his middle finger.

Has Blanchette ever heard of a quick reaction? Obviously not, or else he would have put the matter behind him. As for Piniella, Blanchette says, “… we come up with a jury letting Lou Piniella walk on a verdict of justifiable homicide.”

As for other writers, it’s insane to write about Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez “feuding” (Sept. 10). They, as well as Blanchette, have nothing better to do than to rip on two outstanding ballplayers. This isn’t the first time they have done this. Like Rodriquez was quoted in the article, “If I didn’t say it to you, why would I suddenly rip him (Griffey) to a stranger doing a magazine article?” Something weird is going on there I think a writer wanted to start a conflict between Rodriguez and Griffey.

You (writers) are just as bad as the paparazzi. Get a life and quit being so stupid. You’re wasting our time, energy, and a lot of paper. Tanya D. Dashiell Hunters, Wash.

Time for Spokane to move up

I feel Spokane should have faster professional baseball than Class A, short-season, advanced.

With the coming expansion of the major leagues and its domino effect on the minors, I wonder if Spokane might not fit into a AA league, say with a 140-game season.

I can see Spokane in such a league with, perhaps, Boise, Portland, Yakima and Eugene of the present Northwest League. Perhaps, in the interest of geographic compactness and financial savings, Tacoma and Vancouver could be included to step down from the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. Add another city and you would have a virtual reincarnation of the Western International League that flourished here 60 years ago.

Admittedly, I don’t know anything about the complexities of expansion or the demands of the major leagues. But I would like to see people in the right places get their heads together and see if something can be worked out. Earl Hofeldt Polson, Mont.

More than one Leaf rates acclaim

As I was watching WSU at USC today, I was reminded of two weeks ago when I was watching Leaf perform. No, not that Leaf. Not the one surrounded by reporters. I was watching Kellie Leaf, former Mead standout, start as a freshman for the Gonzaga University soccer team. I still saw dazzling footwork, great passes, enthusiasm. All from years of hard work, dedication and untold numbers of road trips, just like the famous Leaf. Didn’t see him play that day.

Even after Kellie’s arm was broken early in the second half by a rocket kick, I still believe I saw the best performance by a Leaf in Pullman that day. Alan Olson Spokane