Thunder

Politicians: Could have told you so

Dear politicians:

Why couldn't you fight just a little bit harder to keep our Sonics here? Any sports fan knew we were building a good team. Now, just four years later, that team is in the NBA Finals.

Hmmm, maybe that would have been good for our city.

— Nick Novak, Shoreline

Feel-good story makes him sick

It was bad enough that Howard Schultz stabbed the people of Seattle in the back and sold the Sonics without offering the team to local buyers first, and they end up in Oklahoma City. It seems worse now when I read and hear about the Thunder being a "feel-good story" for the year. It makes me want to puke.

Seattle? We lost.

— Richard B. Ellenberger, Normandy Park

Give Bennett a little credit

I can identify with your lament about the loss of the Sonics. However, I would like to reiterate that the team was not so much "stolen" by Clayton Bennett as "given away" by Howard Schultz.

Furthermore, Bennett and his group must be given credit for their stewardship of the team which has been much better than that of those who managed the Seattle franchise.

— Glenn Torrey, Bellevue

Seattle arena

Taxes actually mean revenues

Do we all realize that the proposed new arena will generate money for the city, county and state?

When we hear the word "taxes," we grab our wallet. When the city, county and state talk about taxes, they mean revenue. Money generated. After satisfying the potential cost overruns of the building of this venue, that revenue generated will be used for all things those municipalities care to spend it on. This is a good thing. Another venue creating jobs, and taxes, and revenue.

If you say it in those terms, I like our chances of making this happen.

— Keith Brown, Everett

Mariners

Let Wedge finish the job

I watch the Mariners every chance I get. They are a much better team to watch this year, improving every month. They also have some good prospects in the minor leagues. Let Eric Wedge finish this rebuilding, and they could be a great team in a few years.

— Alex Oliver, Calgary, Alberta

Killing fan's love for game

The Mariners are slowly killing my love for baseball. I played the game as a child, and I have followed the Mariners since their first year.

Yes, there are some reasons for optimism. Kyle Seager, Dustin Ackley, Jesus Montero. But Ichiro isn't worth the $18 million he is getting paid this year, the bullpen is a mess, and Figgins is useless. Some underperforming players this season are baffling. One is none other than Felix Hernandez, who roughly one-third into the season is on pace to give up 25 to 27 home runs.

Frankly, I'm about to give up on not just the Mariners, but baseball. They are strangling my love for a beautiful game. It's getting to the point where being a fan — especially a Mariners fan — is about as much fun as a handful of paper cuts while juggling lemon slices.

— Tom Pacher, Whidbey Island

Columnists

Brewer's column hit it out of park

Jerry Brewer hit one out of the ballpark with his article about his newborn son ("A teammate beyond my wildest imagination," June 2). This is an article that every sports or nonsports fan should read. I can attest that having a son nearly 15 years ago certainly changed my life (as well as my wife's). Jerry gives credit where credit is due with our kids, to the moms of the world. They are often the ones that end up taking our kids to those sports events as they grow up. If Jerry is half the dad he is a writer, his new son can look forward to a life full of challenges as well as rewards.

Keep up the good work and I hope and trust you can pass along these same values to your new son. Congratulations to you and your wife!

— Dan Royal, Shoreline

Transcendent commentary

Kudos to Jerry Brewer and Steve Kelley for last Sunday's commentaries on how sports transcend both ends of the human condition.

Jerry welcomed his new son into this world the best way he knew how — with words. You could just feel the joy and see his smile as he anticipates sharing his passion for sports with his new teammate.

At the other end of the spectrum, Steve ("Sports can unite a community during tough times like this") reminded us that when the evils and tragedies of this world darken our spirit, sports are an invaluable coping mechanism for healing and changing our perspective. Sharing in the fun atmosphere of a sports event uplifts the spirit and helps renew our faith in our fellow man.

— Tish Gregory, Renton