Mariners

Griffey, Piniella
honors fitting

It’s fitting that superstar Ken Griffey Jr. entered the Cincinnati Reds’ Hall of Fame the same day that Lou Piniella entered the Mariners’ Hall of Fame at Safeco Field. Piniella led the Reds to the World Series title in 1990, and then orchestrated a series of seasons in Seattle that was nothing short of sublime. Meanwhile Junior was the best player in baseball in the 1990s, and the greatest Mariners ever, before he went back to Ohio a la LeBron James. Griffey and Piniella were and are simply the Dynamic Duo of Seattle Mariners baseball.

— Steve Goodman, Mountlake Terrace

Boos to ump
for overreacting

The next time Felix Hernandez is in his wind-up and player steps out of the box, he should go ahead and throw, but aim it shoulder high about two feet inside. Don’t risk hurting yourself. The batter needs to know that this is not the time to step out.

The umpire was at fault for granting him the time out after Felix was already in his wind-up, and then called an apparent strike a ball. Lloyd McClendon was right in expressing his displeasure. Then the same umpire, moving to third base, again tossed McClendon the next day. The ump overreacted. Boo to him!

— Earl Carey, Wenatchee

Seahawks

AP should not
let bias show

An Associated Press article about the Denver beating San Francisco 34-0 in a preseason game (“Broncos shred 49ers in Levi’s,” Monday) showed the reporter’s true colors. The reporter ended the story by taking a shot at Seattle, throwing in that a Seattle team (our Sounders) lost in the Levi’s Stadium’s first event. AP could not accept that the San Francisco was shredded by a the team that the Seahawks stomped with style and ease in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Take your shots. We are the champions, and it feels wonderful!

— George Marez Jr.

Storm

Wright will be
missed by team

I thoroughly enjoyed Jayda Evans’ story about Tanisha Wright (“Looking Forward,” Aug. 17). Tanisha’s strength, grit, honor, passion and smile are going to be missed when she finally does hang up her Seattle Storm jersey. I just hope we can see her play alongside Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson one more season.

She is, and will always be, Seattle Storm defense.

— Jose G. Gonzales, Seattle

High schools

Sadly, Lakeside
story nothing new

Great story about the Lakeside basketball program (“With Ballmer aid, elite school pushed limits of prep-sports rules,” Aug. 17), and what happens with adults living their lives through their kids.

This type of story is about 25 years too late, as this has been going on for years in the greater Seattle area. Kids just seem to be able to go from school to school for the sole purpose of athletics, whether it be basketball or football.

The Times could do well in doing some investigation into a few of the local area football programs.

— Ron Siegel, Kent

Little League

Cheers for young
black athletes

African-Americans have made history recently at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa. Mo’ne Davis of Philadelphia became the first girl to win a game in the Little League World Series, striking out 14 batters and walking only one in a little over eight innings with her blazing fastball. Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West, an all-black team making its first appearance in 31 years at the Little League World Series, advanced to the U.S. title game against Las Vegas, Nev.

While protests and riots have been going on in Ferguson, Mo., these positive developments spotlight shining achievements for young black athletes.

— Kenneth L. Zimmerman, Huntington Beach, Calif.

Auto racing

Has Stewart
learned a lesson?

Tony Stewart, never the poster child for behavior on the racetrack, seemingly has outdone himself. A horrific tragedy he was involved in cost Kevin Ward Jr. his life. Stewart may race again, but the fiery competitiveness that led to his stardom in the sport to begin with, will (and should be) forever tarnished
Is there a lesson to be learned from all of this? Only Tony Stewart could answer that, and the last time I checked he was at a loss for words. Much like the young man’s life he took.

— Creig Hamstad, Kenmore

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