Let's adjust tax system
Rafael Palmeiro will be sorely missed in the Orioles' lineup and infield. Baseball's free-agent market has seen exploding salary and long-term contract competition. Added into the fray are contract incentives such as personal amenities, bonuses, etc.
Since the Maryland legislature has seen fit to hand millionaire owners the keys to new stadiums and other sweetheart incentives to keep major sports teams in Baltimore, I propose we add to the arsenal of contract negotiations the absence of any state income tax for major-league baseball and football players. This way, we can compete with the likes of Texas when bidding for free agents who are looking for the best deal.
Maybe this also could have a trickle-down effect on local taxpayers. Retaining quality pro sports teams will draw large crowds and increase the tax coffers of local and state government, maybe enough to keep any proposed gas tax increase to a minimum.
P. M. Wojciechowski
White Hall
Rosenthal, watch your back
Unlike some folks, I rather enjoy digesting Sun columnist Ken Rosenthal's morsels of insight on the Orioles.
Due to my hunger for tidbits on the team, I would hope Mr. Rosenthal can protect his vitals -- at least his brain waves and typing fingers. I guess what I'm trying to say here is: Ken, be careful what you write: Albert Belle's in town.
Thomas Mason Timonium Give Belle a chance
All the negative talk about Albert Belle has got to go. Everyone's talking about how vicious and nasty Belle is. No one has given him a chance yet.
He's an Oriole now. If all of you "Orioles fans" were really true to your team, you would give Belle the same respect you've given everyone else who has worn an Orioles uniform.
For those who have criticized the Orioles for signing Belle, do it all you want, just find a new team to root for.
Jeff Brauer
Owings Mills
O's changes are exciting
At the age of 67 and an Orioles fan for over 40 years, I say thank you to the Orioles' organization. Not since the acquisition of Frank Robinson in 1966 have I been so excited about a coming season.
With a pure right-handed hitter like Albert Belle in Camden Yards and with all the other moves that have been made, it will be an exciting year. When you finish next to last in your division, playing under-.500 ball, you need to do something, and the Orioles did.
And to Cal Ripken and Brady Anderson: If the note that appeared in a recent Sporting News accusing you two of having a clubhouse clique is true, knock it off. You can't have a house divided and win.
Sam Keiffer
Hershey, Pa.
College soccer ignored
Over the years that I have been reading The Sun, I have been unimpressed and rather disappointed with your coverage of collegiate soccer. You have a big void in this sport. It is either the pros or high school. In fact, you give rather excessive coverage of high school soccer and provide nearly nothing at the college level. Is this The Sun's sports editorial policy, to under-report college soccer?
You missed Johns Hopkins' recent win of the Centennial Conference and its 17-1-1 regular-season record. And the team's placing of three of its players (two freshmen) on the all-conference first team, and three others on the second team. In addition, little coverage was given to Towson University's top player and one of the best soccer athletes in the United States.
When Hopkins and other schools took on and beat top regional teams, the best The Sun could do was to print a box score, while many column inches and photos were given to high school games. Why the imbalance?
More coverage of college soccer will give younger players help in selecting a college or university where they can continue to increase their skills and enhance the sport's support. It also will assist coaches in recruiting.
Larry Lawrence
Columbia
From Indy: Get over it
As a citizen of Indianapolis, I watched with interest as your Ravens eked out a 38-31 victory over the Colts on Nov. 29. It was amazing to see 60,000 righteous whiners fill the stadium. Come on, folks, get over it!
And by the way, where did the Browns, er, Ravens come from anyway?
Tom Laratta
Indianapolis
Pub Date: 12/13/98