If Facts Don’t Fit, Then It’s Not a Hit

After reading today’s column regarding Dante Bichette’s accomplishments and whether they should be devalued because of the thin air in Denver, I have come to the conclusion that Ross Newhan is the Johnnie Cochran of sports journalism. Mr. Newhan will misstate facts and tarnish the memory of great individuals in order to prove his argument.

In pumping up Bichette’s candidacy for MVP (which I have no quarrel with), Newhan asks, “How many home runs did Babe Ruth and Roger Maris wedge into the short porch at Yankees Stadium?”

Well, Mr. Newhan, you’re a reporter, why don’t you tell your readers? When Ruth hit 60 homers in 1927, 29 were hit at Yankee Stadium. When Maris hit 61 homers in 1961, he hit 30 at home. Another question that should have been asked: How many homers did Ruth and Maris lose playing in Yankee Stadium, where it was 407 feet to right-center and 461 feet to dead center?

JASON MEISLER

Santa Monica