Ripken’s Big Deal: Is <i> Anyone </i> Worth It?

Professional sports marches on, not knowing what a recession is all about. More evidence is the latest $30-million man, Cal Ripken Jr. Good baseball player, nice human being. But tell me and the rest of the American people worrying about their job, their family, their health care and their well-being: What does Cal Ripken do that deserves $30 million in a lifetime, let alone five years? Are we really serious that these athletes add so much value to our country that they deserve millions of dollars a year playing sports?

BILL TARASCHI

Anaheim