Sports

Sound off

Thank you to two Bucs players

Letters to the Editor
Published July 10, 2005

---

I bumped into Marquis Cooper and Dewayne White of the Bucs. They took more than an hour to talk to my wife and kids. We talked about them all the way home. My kids, wife and I were so excited, we called everyone we knew.

Two weeks later, I bumped into Cooper again. He again took time for me and my family.

I am so glad the Bucs have players who are part of our community. My hat goes off to the coaches, scouts and manager who hired them.

-- Ralph D. Brown, Spring Hill

KEEP BRAZELTON IN THE MINORS

The Devil Rays bringing up Dewon Brazelton after only one rehab start and after walking out on his team is a slap in the face to the players and fans. His last couple of appearances have proven someone doesn't have a clue in the organization. Guys like Carl Crawford, Julio Lugo and Jorge Cantu bust their humps every day and deserve to play. Dewon should still be in the minors, not with the big boys.

-- Joel Mattie, Largo

PINIELLA SHOULD BE CRITICIZED

The only sports writers who criticize manager Lou Piniella are from the New York Times. Here is an unhappy manager who is paid $3.5-million to mismanage a baseball team. Incredible!

Recently, winning 4-3 in the eighth inning, with a mediocre pitcher, his ERA was over 7.00, throwing badly, he had nobody warming in the bullpen. Another night, beating the Yankees in the eighth, pitcher Travis Harper allowed four home runs - three in a row - eight hits and nine runs and managed only two outs.

I have been watching baseball for 70 years, and I played for 30 years. But never in my life have I seen anything like this. Piniella must be very grateful to the owners and to you for saying nothing, but he is insulting his young players and anyone who cares to see that team play.

-- S. Beris, Tampa

[Last modified July 10, 2005, 00:04:39]

[an error occurred while processing this directive]