Mr. Newhan, You Can Go to the Head of the Class

May I take a moment to compliment The Times’ venerable and distinguished baseball writer, Ross Newhan? These days, when every sports columnist seems to be looking to emulate the in-your-face posturing of Jim Rome or Dennis Miller (if not Howard Stern), it’s so pleasant to read the graceful and eloquent prose of a professional writer who’s obviously more interested in passing on information than trashing the horizon with staccato one-liners and gonzo egoism.

As much as I enjoy T.J. Simers’ irreverent sass and Mark Heisler’s cantankerous wit, I can’t recall the last time I finished either one of their columns feeling that I’d actually been “informed.” Also, if Mr. Simers enjoys the game of football as it’s played in the United States, or if Mr. Heisler has any faith in the future of the NBA, it’s news to me.

Thank you, Ross, not only for demonstrably enjoying the greatest game ever invented, but for writing so wisely and well about it.

DAVID MACARAY

Rowland Heights