THE READERS SOMETIMES E-MAIL

Readers have opinions and fill my e-mail box, letting me know when mine are right (sometimes) and wrong (often). From time to time, I'll share their comments.

Born and raised in St. Louis, I wanted to say thanks for the column on my old hometown ("White Castles, airline hassles and rampant speculation on the courtship of Kevin's father," March 26). It was good to read about all the old familiar places. The name for the White Castle hamburgers of my wasted youth was "Sliders."

- Don Merz, Las Vegas

Don: During my wasted youth, we called White Castles "Gut Bombs." "Sliders" are what we Cub fans called those fat pitches from Ernie Broglio that Lou Brock hit into the gap for triples.

Just wanted you to know that I believe you are the best sports writer I've ever read. You're not afraid to say how you really feel about somebody or something. Your coverage of the Rebels has been great these past couple of weeks and let's hope next year will be good for them.

- Lorelle Ellis, Henderson

Lorelle: Looking forward to seeing you at the family reunion.

Ron: I continue to enjoy your columns, but must say that Thursday's on Lon and Kevin Kruger was a masterpiece (" on the Rebels' Lon and Kevin Kruger, one of the feel-good stories coming out of this year's NCAA tournament," March 22). As a native Hoosier, I felt this article captured our rich sense of Midwest family values.

- Dick Allesee, Boulder City

Dick: The Krugers may not be in Kansas anymore, but they still act like it.

I went to St. Louis to see the Rebels play in the Sweet 16. At work today, I was told to read the article you wrote in Saturday's paper (" ...salutes a Rebels team that gave it all they had and gave their fans one heck of a ride," March 24), and it really touched my heart. I just thought I would let you know because I was one of those 9,000 fans who were at the Thomas & Mack Center for the Hawaii game.

- Spencer Kaplan, Las Vegas

Spencer: I think we agree the Rebels rewarded you for your loyalty. Remember the overachieving '92 Kentucky team that lost to Duke on the Laettner basket? They called that team "The Unforgettables." Perhaps we should call this year's Rebels "The Always Remembered."

That's amazing that Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan complained about Kevin Kruger's transfer ("The Elevator," March 21). Did he follow that up with a complaint about how unfair it was that Michael Umeh and Wendell White chose to go to UNLV in the first place?

- Michael Davidson, Las Vegas

Michael: Remember what Bill Murray said in "Stripes?" He said driving into the former Czechoslovakia was like driving into Wisconsin. But I really can't imagine Wisconsin splitting into the Dairyland Republic and Cheeseoslovakia, even if it can't handle a No. 7 seed close to home.

In regard to your column on building a new Triple-A baseball stadium (" ... on the sad state of our ballpark," March 29), new is not better. You mentioned Pawtucket of the International League but failed to mention the owners have not raised ticket prices in more than 15 years. Pawtucket even has $4 tickets for seniors. The 51s don't have lower prices for seniors. One day you, too, will be older.

- Alan Large, Las Vegas

Alan: I already am older. That's why the long lines at the Cashman Field men's rooms are killing me. I applaud PawSox management for keeping ticket prices low while also renovating the old park twice in the past decade.

I'm just a fan writing to say hello and that you are the best writer since Roger Angell.

- Terry Kelly, Toronto

Terry: I will see you at the family reunion, too. We'll save you a spot at Lorelle's table.

I am happy to have the Mountain West Conference tournament here, but if we are going just by ticket sales, it seems to me the arena formerly known as the Delta Center in Salt Lake City would be a more logical location. It is a true neutral floor, and there is a large fan base up there that would sell out a championship game featuring either Utah or BYU. The fact the tournament didn't sell out any sessions was shocking considering UNLV was playing at night all three times.

- Russ Morgan, Las Vegas

Russ: You are right, the old Delta Center would make a good tournament site. But then what would the Wyoming fans do after they rolled up the sidewalks?

Enjoyed your column on the long shot of an NHL team coming to Las Vegas (" how an NHL team might move here, if the desert freezes over," March 8). I am a 63-year-old retired snowbird from Canada who should be an NHL fan, right? Wrong. The NHL has become dull, diluted, expensive, and the season is far too long.

- Lloyd Lahtiz, Las Vegas

Lloyd: Agreed. But I still want to drive the Zamboni.

Hey, what's the word on Direc TV? Have they monopolized baseball yet? Even though the wife said "no" to DirecTV there is no way she is going to stop me from watching Soriano swat HRs at Wrigley Field.

- Tommy Bruch, Las Vegas

Tommy: Maybe your wife won't stop you from watching Soriano go deep. But the Cardinals' pitching staff, as much as I hate to say it, might. That's why this Cub fan will be keeping his cable hookup.

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