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Letters of
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Sports Spectrum Reade rs Re spond
Fanspeak
FROM THE EDITOR
I was very disappointed that you are cutting back to six issues a year. We need this kind of magazine in the world today. If you're cutting back, could you double the amount of pages or at least make it bigger? -LISA YODER Grantsville, MD We're disappointed too. We need everyone's help to get the word out about Sports Spectrum. Concerning pages: No, we didn't add more pages, but we did add Power Up! We think SS readers will find this to be a positive addition. Hall fol' Hei'Shisel'? I really love your magazine. How can I not if Jesus Christ is glorified? But being an avid baseball fan, my eyes perked up when I read Victor Lee's comment, "Hershiser ... is once more in the uniform he will surely wear into the Hall of Fame" (July-August; "Return Engagement") . Few things would thrill me more, but do you really think that's possible? Sure he had a super year in 1988, and he had some other fine postseason moments. And that scoreless streak might never be broken. But many ballplayers have put together satisfying careers with one or two outstanding seasons and never were voted into Cooperstown. Orel certainly has a Hall of Fame game face with a drive to win in a Christ-like way, but I don't think the numbers will add up to the Hall of Fame. -DAVE CORBETI' Lyman, ME
Victor replies: Orel was 204-150 with a 3.48 ERA. The ERA is Hall material, the win total a little low, but 300 is by no means the magic number any more. It's coming down. Popularity and personal credibility do count in the Hall, unofficially. I think that is going to give Orel the edge. 2
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Tnae Beauty Thank you for the article on Christie Schweer, the University of Virginia tennis player (April; "Starving To Win") who was refreshingly candid about what true beauty is. I loved her statement, "Popularity is not going to feed my soul." -FRANK M. RIVERS
Oakland, CA Using the Bait I saw some of the responses about the NASCAR issue (Motorsports 2000) in the Letters of Intent section. Here's another angle to look at: Even though you may not be a racing fan, use the issue as a witnessing tool for someone who is! We did that with some members of our family who are big NASCAR fans, and we knew the magazine would be a great way to minister to them. Jesus called us to be fishers of men, and we need to use the bait He provides!
Inside Scoop Less is more. No, it's not a baseball owner trying to convince his second baseman that he should sign his new contract even though he's getting a pay cut (we're talking fiction now). "Less is more" is a phrase that can describe what's been going on with Sports Spectrum recently. You might remember that in June we told you that the magazine would become a bimonthlymeaning you would receive just six issues per year. That wasn't a decision we made with a lot of joy. In reality, we were pretty bummed. But as it turns out, we think giving you less will end up giving you more. Here's why. First, you'll notice that inside this issue of SS, you received the inaugural edition of Power Up! It's our sports devotional guide, designed to give you spiritual help and guidance each weekday. Now every edition of SS brings you more good reading than ever before. Second, if you have Internet access, log on to www.sport.org. There you'll discover even more Sports Spectrum stuff to savor. For instance, every Monday through Friday, you can read "Hot Corner"-our take on the day in sports. Or you can read our Verse of the Day, our Quote of the Day, or click on to our Athlete of the Day-aU sports-related and built with you in mind. Additionally, you can read one of the numerous articles we have on our Web site-some reprints from the magazine and some articles you've never seen before. Every day we're thinking of new ways to give you more of what you love about Sports Spectrum. We think it is, more or less, the best way to get your sports news. Dave Branon managing editor ssmag@sport.org
about Christian athletes. In the Olympics edition, we did I received the Olympics 2000 feature some athletes from issue, and I was disappointed that Australia, India, and Great it was all about American ath- Britain. At the time of publication, letes. I know that the majority of we were unaware of Canadian your readers are American, but athletes who would have been some of your readers are Canadian good subjects for SS. Since, we - MEL MITCHELL as well. Maybe you could have have found out about David Ft. Myers, FL put in a small article on one or Daniels and Todd MacCullouch two Canadian athletes. of the Canadian Olympic basketMol'e Canadians -JEFFREY JONUSAITIS ball team. Perhaps we'll feature I absolutely love your magazine! Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada them later. I am eager to get it every edition. I love the stories and the positive Youl' Tul'n We've had our turn-and you have this magazine as a messages in it. I feel that my relaresult. Nowyou can let us know what's on your mind. Contact us by tionship with God has gotten betregular mail or e-mail. Write to letters of Intent, Sports Spectrum, ter since I got this magazine, and Box 3566, Grand Rapids, MI 49501. E-mail: ssmag@sport.org it's always interesting to learn
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