Cheer, Cheer for These Kinds of Stories

If The Times’ sports editor wasn’t a Notre Dame grad, I sometimes wonder:

1) If Mike Downey would have written his tear-jerker about Miami being voted national champion over the Irish after the 1990 bowl games.

2) If faithful Bob Oates would have a “Let ‘em play” (and not call late-game penalties) feature after Rocket Ismail’s 91-yard punt return in the Orange Bowl.

3) If a story about archrival USC and steroids would have appeared three days before letter-of-intent day--and if it might have been more comprehensive by covering more schools.

JAMES MILLER

San Marino