Fans Definitely Worried About Appier

Although it’s good to see Kevin Appier is concerned about SARS and how it is affecting metropolitan Toronto, I’d say the more immediate danger to Angel pitchers is whiplash as they twist their necks watching gopher balls whiz by them.

Given the complete ineffectiveness of Appier as an Angel pitcher and his burden on the payroll, I think that most Angel fans would rather see Appier contract his own form of SARS: Sudden Acute Retirement Syndrome.

Paul Ollen

Lakewood

Kevin Appier and the rest of the Angels can rest assured that simply coming to Toronto does not put anyone at risk from SARS.

Many of us (about 5 million actually) are comfortably living and working in the Greater Toronto Area, mask- and virus-free. The “situation” is well under control and every case that has been identified has been linked to an original case and is being monitored.

I note, however, that there were 321 murders in the L.A. area in 2002. This means that someone could interpret the odds of being shot in the streets of L.A. as higher than the chances of catching SARS in Toronto. No one, including me, is suggesting that MLB cancel all games in the L.A. area until you get your crime under control.

Appier and his teammates should stick to what they know and act in Toronto, as we all are, with an appropriate level of care but without irrational fear.

George Mejury

Brampton, Canada

The Angels talk about putting Mickey Callaway in the bullpen, but if he had been relieved by Brendan Donnelly instead of Scott Schoeneweis his ERA would be respectable.

Improve the bullpen? Trade Schoeneweis!

Doug Ward

Grover Beach, Calif.