Readers give Dispatch sports editor Brian White their takes on Ohio State football, the Cleveland Browns and more.
Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at [email protected]. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.
On the Cleveland Browns stadium
Hi Brian: Regarding the Browns' $600 million windfall, I am hoping common sense will prevail and some person/entity will make sure this never happens. This Haslam family/group's worth is somewhere around $15 billion with who knows how many other financial benefits they squeeze out while conducting their business. In the dozen or so years this ownership has been there, they have managed to lose roughly two games for every game won. Need one more reason? OK, how about the $230 million they fattened Deshaun Watson's wallet with when they signed him? If you have that kind of cash to throw around, you certainly can build your own stadium.
Other than the Steelers (whose fans will travel to Seattle for just a regular-season game), Browns fans are the most dedicated around. They do not call it the Dawg Pound for nothing. However, even some of them are not happy with this windfall. I wonder how many meaningful causes this money could go a long way to help, maybe even fix.
Rick Higgins
To Rick: There are plenty of strong opinions about the Haslams' wheeling and dealing with the Browns team and stadium. Some of the best are from our Michael Arace and Rob Oller, and they can be found on Dispatch.com.
On baseball umpiring
To Brian: Instead of having the ABS system to challenge balls and strikes, I'd just go ahead and have it call all pitches in the first place, relaying that quickly to the home plate umpire, who motions accordingly and is free to focus on how far a batter may have swung. I would like to know, however, if the height is adjustable depending on the batter and if it has a three-dimensional strike zone. If not, I would oppose its use at all.
Dennis Singleton, Dayton
To Dennis: MLB has properly tested the challenge system in the minor leagues, and anyone who attends a Clippers game will tell you it is ready for the big time. It's quick, shown on the scoreboard for all to see and it's accurate.
On Ohio State football
To the editor: Sir Woody Hayes would be amazed as the Brinks trucks are dropping bags of cash for the star football players at Ohio State now that revenue sharing is the new paradigm for college football. Gone are the days of summertime ghost painting of fences at the estates of Buckeye boosters and golden handshakes and driving cars from local car dealerships. Now the best football players have their own tax planners, lawyers and accountants to make sure they are paid what they are worth. The old times weren’t fair to the players, but I hope the new money does not destroy the fight and hunger of the stars of yesteryear like Archie Griffin.
Michael Oser, Columbus
Buy Ohio State books, posters, gear from CFP title win
To Brian: I came across a 2023 article ranking Ohio State's 10 best quarterbacks of this century. In a previous 20-year period (1968-87), many will remember Rex Kern, Cornelius Greene, Mike Tomczak and Art Schlichter. What I vaguely recall about Kern was his ability to fake handoffs, fooling the TV camera in the process. As a sophomore in 1973, "Corny" Greene was part of the 10-10 tie at Michigan. The schools immediately squabbled over who should represent the conference in Pasadena. Greene, the first Black man to start at QB for OSU, eventually went on to be awarded All-American and Big Ten MVP in '75.
Earle Bruce had Schlichter, Tomczak, Jim Karsatos and Tom Tupa, also the team's All-American punter. Tupa, in his first year (1987) as the starter, led the Buckeyes over Michigan in Ann Arbor, 23-20. This was the week Bruce was fired (on the field) by president Ed Jennings. AD Rick Bay resigned, wanting to retain Bruce. Star receiver Cris Carter was ineligible for signing with an agent. Anchoring the defense was All-American Chris Spielman. That contest was most memorable because the players wore those white "Earle" headbands, an unforgettable picture of solidarity. Truly, an unusual but remarkable day in OSU football history.
Larry Cheek, Dublin
More from the Mailbox
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Are people too hard on Jimmy Haslam for wanting to move Cleveland Browns stadium?
Is today's NBA difficult to watch?
Does anyone believe the Ohio State football quarterback race is close?
Don't let the Columbus Blue Jackets use the word 'rebuilding' again
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mailbox: Cleveland Browns stadium funds could have been used for better
Category: General Sports