Downey’s Comments Shouldn’t Be Limited

A reader wrote severely admonishing Mike Downey (April 13). The message was, in sum and paraphrase, “He writes well, but who needs his social commentary?”

It is true that Downey now and then takes note of some of the sociological aspects of sports in America. And thank heaven he does.

The general approach seems to be (other than Jim Murray’s continuing love affair with the German Army of World War II) that sports are in some manner separate from the historical milieu in which they have so eminently prospered.

The fact is that had the “great” sportswriters of the past taken note of the blatant segregation of years not so long ago, many a truly superb American athlete would not have labored long in dismal anonymity.

Who will ever know how Red Grange, Tom Harmon, even Babe Ruth would have done had they been required to compete with the Marcus Allen, Bo Jackson and Dave Stewart of their times?

Keep those eyes open Downey--and tell it like it is, and was.

RICHARD G. BERRY

Redondo Beach