Speak out: Letters from our readers

Done with everything involving Brewers

As a Milwaukee Brewers fan, I am more than outraged over the trade of Jonathan Lucroy.

Rarely, if ever do you develop a catcher with his skill set. He’s a .300 hitter with power to all fields, runs the bases like no other catcher, is a superb defensive catcher with a cannon-like arm, has a superior baseball intellect and has learned to play first base which will extend his career.

Add to that, he is a product of our own farm system, a leader in the clubhouse and he is a model citizen and an asset to the community.

A catcher like Lucroy comes around once in a generation, and we want to unload this guy for minor-league stars? Moreover, if these stars ever became great, we will no doubt trade them in the primes of their careers.

Good catchers are hard to find, and great ones should be protected.

I will never attend another Brewers’ game (even in a complimentary luxury box), never buy any apparel / merchandise and watch far fewer games on TV. You have traded your best player, and the best catcher in the history of your mediocre history. I’m out!

John Sponcia

Menomonee Falls

Drawing inspiration from Rio Olympics

In wake of the violent unrest and turmoil which plagued Milwaukee recently, it can be very easy to become jaded and negative about race relations in this country.

Many African-American communities throughout the nation are suffering with the weight of gun violence, poverty and hopelessness. Yet despite the ever mounting negative news surrounding race relations in this country, my spirit is inspired and uplifted by how well African Americans fared at the Rio Olympic Games.

When I see the power of Simone Biles, the resilience of Allyson Felix or the shooting prowess of Kevin Durant, I am truly inspired. It shows me what hard work, dedication and sacrifice can produce.

My hope is that other African-Americans, especially the youth will become as inspired as I have been. I hope that by seeing the success of these athletes, we as a people can realize our true potential to ourselves and our county. We must adopt the mentality of greatness, or we will forever fall victims to our circumstances.

Mario D. Johnson Sr.

Milwaukee

Olympic spirit displayed in race

Like most sports fans, I spent a lot of time watching the Olympics on television. The performances from these athletes are amazing, but what I saw in a prelim for a women's 5,000-meter race was what the Olympics is all about.

In that race, New Zealand's Nikki Hamblin tripped and fell, causing U.S. runner Abbey D'Agostino to also fall and injure her knee. At that point I thought that neither runner would be able to continue but in a showing of great sportsmanship and concern for one another, they both helped each other up and continued on, even after D'Agostino fell again.

After the fall though, their goals changed. They helped each other get up and completed the race despite being the last two runners to cross the finish line.

Is there anything that represents the Olympic spirit more than what those two young ladies did?

Sure, winning medals is great, but what happened in that race is worth far more than any medal around an athlete's neck.

Bruce Valentine

Franklin

Write to:

Sports Letters, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

P.O. Box 371

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0371

Letters (no more than 200 words) also can be sent by email to Deputy Sports Editor Jeff Maillet:

jeff.maillet@jrn.com

Please include phone number and city of residence.