Readers always write

     Fighter Whitaker makes racist comments
     
     To the sports editor:
      Promoting next Saturday's title fight is one thing, but Pernell Whitaker crossed the line. He said of Oscar De La Hoya: " ... When we get in the ring he's going to look across and see me, not some Mexican. ... I've fought the best guys in the world. He's only been in with has-been Mexicans."
      Though Whitaker is a great fighter, his racist comments show he has no class. De La Hoya, meanwhile, is a great fighter with class. One would think that Whitaker, who is black, would be the last person to make racist remarks.
      Come Saturday, De La Hoya will beat Whitaker.
     Clyde "Lenny" Dinkins
     
     Let's eliminate cute team nicknames
     
     To the sports editor:
      Can we stop our cute sports commentators from making up cute nicknames?
      They aren't the "Canes;" they are the Hurricanes. We know that they aren't the "Eaters;" they are the UC Irvine Anteaters. The same is true of the "Dogs" from Yale or Georgia (or maybe the Southern Illinois Salukis). After all, we don't say the "Eyes" for the great Ohio State Buckeyes. And they are not, absolutely not, the "Rines" from Michigan.
      However, I noticed the Wildcats from Arizona had "Cats" on the back of their basketball jackets. One can wonder if they're the Bearcats, Bobcats or Wildcats.
     James Altemara
     
     Aren't there any players without tattoos?
     
     To the sports editor:
      As the college basketball season ends, we file away our memories and impressions and await those to come. But all through the dozens of exciting postseason games, one new phenomenon was hammering away at us from the television cameras -- tattoos. Everywhere.
      It seemed impossible to find a player without Rodmanesque body illustrations.
      Is this really what it's coming to? Do athletes feel they need an abnormal appearance for fans to remember them?
     Leo D. Tafolla
     
     Fan has fond memories of 1977 Rebels
     
     To the sports editor:
      Oh, what great memories to look back at the 1977 Rebel basketball team ... "Gondo" (Glen Gondrezick) would spot up in the left corner and then at Baskin-Robbins in Maryland Square after the game.
      One thing the article didn't touch upon was the prospective dream matchup in Provo, Utah, with UCLA and Marques Johnson. But it was not to be as Idaho State spanked the Bruins first.
     Albert Stewart
     
     Credit-card golf reservations urged
     
     To the sports editor:
      I wish all golf courses would switch to credit-card reservations like Desert Rose. There are too many golfers in this town who reserve tee times and don't show up or call and cancel.With a credit-card reservation, you have to cancel or be charged.
      Try to get a tee time at the Las Vegas Golf Club. Good luck. Check out their percentage of no-shows. With the credit-card reservation system, you would stand a better chance of getting a tee time.
     Max Knisely
     
     Logan, LVCVA made weekend successful
     
     To the sports editor:
      My family, friends, neighbors and I would like to congratulate Stars general manager Don Logan and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for a fantastic weekend of major-league baseball at Cashman Field.
      As a former concessions manager, I know how difficult it is to have not only opening-night jitters, but huge crowds and two games a day. Everyone involved made the games a memorable experience.
     Mike Pupo
     
      Editor's note: The R-J sports desk welcomes letters from readers. They should be limited to 200 words, must have a signature with a return address and must include a phone number. Names will not be withheld for any reason. Address letters to: Letters to the sports editor, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV, 89125-0070.