Sell, Pirates, sell

I wrote in October about the blunder that [Pirates GM Dave] Littlefield and the owners made by letting Jim Leyland slip through their fingers. And I now have to say after [this week's] trades that the Pirates are still the worst managed organization in baseball.

Now, hopefully, with the money they made on preseason ticket sales through the signing of a hometown boy coupled with a money-making All-Star Game, the owners have padded their pockets to the max and will sell the team to someone who cares about putting a quality team on the field. Cash in, boys. It's time.

MARTIN LATTA
Burlington, Va.

So many questions

What is wrong with the Pirates' front office? Why does it start throwing all the good players from the roster [in] the trading frenzy? Every time we start getting on a roll, it depletes the team. Does this sound like the movie "Major League"? Utterly senseless.

Do [the Pirates] want to leave Pittsburgh? Do they not have a clue as to how and run a team besides into the ground? Or are their goals set so low that they have to read "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" to see where their team is in the division?

The only reason I go to the baseball game is to enjoy the sights from PNC Park, not the game itself. No wonder this town went nuts for the Steelers, because no other franchise even cares if it is in Pittsburgh or not.

KIRK STALNAKER
Carnegie

The answer left unwritten

The "Sound Off" poll of July 28 asked why Pittsburghers hate Barry Bonds and offered the choices: Sid Bream, Arrogance or Steroids. I'm a bit surprised that no one mentioned his departure via free agency. Pittsburghers like loyalty from their athletes and Barry Bonds was [among] the first to leave town for more money. He might have even ushered in the era of free agency in baseball where only teams with money can compete. So, the real answer to the question of why Pittsburghers hate Barry Bonds: he left Pittsburgh for more money than the Pirates could pay him and, coincidentally, we haven't had a winning season since.

JOE BERRET
Alexandria, Va.

Disappointed again

When Monday's trading deadline was reached, Dave Littlefield failed Pirates' fans again.

The Pirates' allegedly attractive players (Roberto Hernandez, Sean Casey, Craig Wilson, Kip Wells, Oliver Perez) were traded for little more than a worse version of Craig Wilson, a journeyman pitcher with an ERA of 7.00 and $3.6 million salary and fringe, AA/AAA relief prospects. Littlefield failed to add even one impact prospect to the Pirates' minor-league system or the young, major-league-ready player of which he always speaks and was "demanding" before the trading deadline.

Without impact positional prospects in AA/AAA, the Pirates' 2007 roster will look much like this year's with the exception of a new crop of declining vets. Next year's lineup will be little changed with Jose Bautista, Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez, and Jason Bay, followed by poor protection in the five and six spots in the lineup. The rotation will also be little changed with the exception of Shawn Chacon, the aforementioned journeyman pitcher.

While not surprised, as always, I'm disappointed.

CHRISTOPHER MANDERFIELD
Gibsonia

Title IX worth the effort

The American Association of University Women of Pennsylvania supports a judge's recent decision to order Slippery Rock University to reinstate its women's swimming and water polo teams. The judge ruled that dropping the teams violated federal Title IX guidelines.

Since Title IX's enactment, girls' and women's participation, scholarships and share of athletics budgets have grown substantially across the country.

Girls thrive when they participate in sports. They are less likely to get pregnant, drop out of school or smoke. In addition they are more likely to develop a strong work ethic and good school habits. Graduation rates are significantly higher for female athletes than for female students in general.

We stand behind the judge's decision in the Slippery Rock case and demand full enforcement of Title IX to protect equity for women in athletics.

ROBERTA WARSHAW
Mount Gretna, Pa.

Note: The writer is the State Public Policy Chair of the American Association of University Women of Pennsylvania.

Where's Mario?

For the past several years, any reference to the Penguins included a mention of Mario Lemieux as the owner. Lemieux is deserving of his esteemed place in Pittsburgh sports for twice saving the franchise.

However, it seems that during the entire process of the sale of the team, Lemieux has been invisible. For years, he threatened to sell the team unless a new arena was built. Now that a new arena seems to be guaranteed (if we are to believe the politicians) Lemieux still wants out. Moreover, he seems prepared to sell to the highest bidder, regardless of their intent to keep the team in Pittsburgh.

I know business is business, but Lemieux stands to make millions of dollars regardless of the final selling price. Granted, he has no obligation to the city. But I would think he should endeavor to negotiate with the prospective buyers that keeping the team here is a must.

Finally, it is time for Mario to come public on where he does stand on this issue.

HAROLD S. DUNN
Squirrel Hill

An early prediction

College football season has not started yet, but I expect Pitt to go 9-3 or 8-4. A lot of Pitt fans might think these are high expectations. Pitt has a lot of super recruits that might start from the first day of practice.

The defense seems to be on track, but the offense needs to start putting at least four touchdowns on the scoreboard every game. If the offense does not put points on the scoreboard, Coach Dave [Wannstedt] needs to start playing those super freshmen on the offense.

I really believe that the Panthers could even go 12-0 if all the players play up to their potential. Virginia, West Virginia and Louisville are tough games, but they are still winnable games.

DEMETRIUS MONTANARO
Tuscon, Ariz.