Dock Ellis’ Statement Was Not Fit to Print

With the recent media coverage of the TWA hostage situation I thought your profession reached an all-time low. But, lo and behold, I turned to the sports pages last Sunday and I see in bold print an article about a man boasting of pitching a no-hitter while under the influence of LSD and The Times feels that, since the man is so “credible” and has led such a straight and narrow life, you should highlight such a statement for all the young aspiring athletes to read.

It is inconceivable to understand how a newspaper feels no moral or ethical responsibility to its readers with respect to what it prints. It is obvious that Dock Ellis does not care about the drug problems in sports and in this city, or he would never have made such an outrageous statement. It is obvious, to anyone that has a brain (especially someone who coordinates a substance abuse rehabilitation program), that there will certainly be a few young, impressionable kids who will decide to take the path that Dock Ellis chose to take and attempt to excel in sports with the use of drugs. Dock Ellis contributed very little to the game when he was playing and his unbelievable statements, at this time, just hurt the game.

The Times’ sole motive for printing such an article is clearly one of selfishness, not unlike the other great newspapers of this country, such as the National Enquirer and the Star News.

STEVEN L. MAZZA

Sherman Oaks