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© St. Petersburg Times, published July 22, 2001
The negative attitudes conjured up by those who are johnny-come-latelys to auto racing, especially to NASCAR, never ceases to amaze me. While television has finally promoted NASCAR to the level it deserves, it also has managed to bring in people who call themselves fans.
It angers me that NASCAR has somehow attracted viewers such as M. Robinson (Reader Views, July 15); that reader's pious comment (implying that Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s win in the Pepsi 400 was fixed) was unnecessary and unwanted by those who value the weekly head-to-head competition. To suggest that the recent Daytona race was scripted is not only ridiculous, it borders on defamation. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the strongest racer with the most capable car and, quite obviously, had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
-- Elizabeth Spangler, Treasure Island
May I respectfully ask Fred McGriff, "What are you thinking?" Yes, we all know you enjoy playing at home. Do you realize the only reason you've had that opportunity is because Major League Baseball hasn't pulled the plug on its failed experiment? Are you really content finishing your career with a team that has no prayer of winning even 70 games? Fred, you are 37 years old. Time is not on your side.
You had a wonderful opportunity to come to Chicago, join a first-place team, and perhaps be a part of something historic. When the news first broke (of your possible trade), every Cubs fan was overjoyed. You could have come to Wrigley Field as a conquering hero. Now? You're a laughingstock, and not just in Chicago.
Do you really think you'll even finish this season in Tampa Bay? If the Rays don't trade you, they'll release you before you have enough plate appearances to earn your 2002 option. Is that really what you wanted?
Thanks for breaking our hearts.
-- Jason D. Van Arkel, Chicago
I just wanted to drop a line to compliment Jessica Fish on her contributions to the cycling and triathlon communities. Many people treat us as secondary sports, but those of us who participate in these activities are as passionate about our avocations as anybody. We also enjoy seeing our sports represented in the paper. Jessica keeps us abreast of the progress of our peers as they compete both locally and nationally, and at least for me, your paper would be incomplete without her column.
-- John A. Sinibaldi, Seminole
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