Who's giving you a rash this week? Overpaid player? Underhanded agent? Obnoxious team owner? Some other sports wretch? Well, take your best shot. Sign your name, if you dare.
Just remember, Ray Buck, CBS SportsLine national columnist, has the last word. E-mail your comments to: rbuck@sportsline.com
E-mails over cocktails ... while worrying about those FOVS (Friends of Venus and Serena) who completely lose the point over what happened at Wimbledon.
"AS FOR SERENA
AND VENUS one day being ranked 1 and 2, I doubt that will happen, judging from the way Serena gave up in the third round at Wimbledon. She's not a real champion like Jana, Steffi, Monica and Arantxa, who have all been down but have been able to pick themselves up and get back in the game. Thanks for your whiner commentary. Maybe the more negative press Venus and Serena read, the more they'll strive to be the champions their natural talents promise them to be."
Readers defend shots against Venus Williams.
(AP)
(signed) David Salinero
BUCKSHOT: Potential is nice. Promise is wonderful. But until Venus and Serena win a Grand Slam event, the shenanigans they pulled at Wimbledon '98 will only make them look silly.
"IT'S ABOUT TIME someone stopped singing the praises of those overtrained, undertalented brats who have no respect for the real players in the game. Venus and Serena don't show me a thing as far as finesse and sportsmanship are concerned. Hats off to Novotna, a true champion, who honed her game to an art form and finally was rewarded for her great effort.
Venus, go back to the shopping malls. You're not even in the same league with the likes of Graf, Sanchez Vacario and Seles. Serena, stop tanking matches with bogus injuries and join your sister. You both don't get it ... and probably never will."
(signed) Marilyn J. Marx
BUCKSHOT: Fact of life: There are no shortcuts to growing up.
"IT FASCINATES ME how much attention Venus' comments made. If you would have watched the match, you would have known that they were very important points. The first one she won. Additionally, they were bad calls, which happen -- and happened too often during this Wimbledon.
I think your comment that she finally is showing the emotions the other players have shown in the past says that she has been overall more composed. Why would anyone like that be treated unjustly and get scrutinized in such a fashion?
The apology would have been appropriate if the calls were in. The chair umpire is a professional as well. If they can't watch the lines, give the position up. No apology was warranted.
The inference that Serena was not hurt is simply not warranted. We all can speculate from the sidelines, but the bottom line is the decision was hers. I find it so interesting to listen to these non-tennis pros making judgment calls on the very people that assist them in making money."
(signed) John Lucas
BUCKSHOT: Sorry, John, but you don't need to be a tennis pro to recognize bad manners and poor sportsmanship.
"WHY THE
HELL DON'T your leave the girls alone? Venus wasn't the only
one at Wimbledon who talked to the chair umpires. Players broke their rackets, cursed, went up in umpires' faces and all you have to post is a stupid article about Venus crying.
Serena Williams tried to play with a bandaged left leg, but retired from the match. (AP)
You're no Serena to know that she wasn't feeling any pain. It was obvious the girl was hurt and just wanted to win a game before she retired from the match. Serena knew she lost the match after the first set and was just holding on in the second set.
People like yourself should set an example by not posting stupid articles. Venus and Serena are the most hated players in women's tennis. All those damn players who say the girls have no manners are just jealous, fat pigs. The hell with you!"
(signed) calvert@idt.net
BUCKSHOT: Listen, pal, Venus and Serena put themselves under special scrutiny. They have chosen to call attention to themselves.
"THE YOUNGER PLAYERS' emotional outbursts on the court are good for women's tennis. I don't believe Venus was a whiner because her complaints were legitimate. The balls were clearly out. And with Serena just starting off in the pro tour, she was just playing it safe.
Luckily for her, the injury wasn't as bad as she thought it was. Why don't you write a column knocking down Hingis' character? She is one of the most arrogant women on the ladies tour right now, even though Venus runs a close second. Think a little more about your statements before you finalize them on the net."
(signed) Kasey
BUCKSHOT: Hingis has a reason to be arrogant. Nice try, Kasey.
"IF VENUS WILLIAMS COULD only see herself on television. A person with too much vanity and conceit deserves to lose the match."
(signed) Eddie
BUCKSHOT: Nothing wrong with vanity and conceit. Just be able to back it up.
I READ YOUR ARTICLE, and may I add that I find it a slap in the face to the Williams duo, Venus and Serena. They have worked hard to get where they are today, rising in ranks. The duo have a great mentor and father, Mr. Richard Williams, and for you to degrade them in the manner you did, I would call you a racist.
You need to give Serena Williams the credit she deserves for winning the Wimbledon mixed doubles title, not that degrading story in which you wrote! You need to be more aware of what you write and what you say, as you will offend the Williamses and people like myself.
(signed) Earl Long
BUCKSHOT: Sorry you've been offended, Earl. But I threw Venus and Serena Williams into the Whine Cellar because they were brats -- not because they are black. So don't even go there.
RIGHT ON, BUCK. THEY ARE SPOILED brats. I'm glad you have the guts to stand up and say what you think.
(signed) Rjr357@aol.com
BUCKSHOT: Thanks. After that last moron's e-mail, I needed that.
"THE BALLS WERE OUT! Commentators played in slow motion and the balls were clearly out!"
(signed) Seyha
BUCKSHOT: Yeah, that's the first line call missed in the history of women's tennis. Now I understand, Seyha. Thanks for clearing that up.
"HMMM. WELL, IT'S NOT SURPRISING that Venus and Serena are being picked on again. It's funny, I have not read a column of yours that commented on Hingis' excuses for losing (and you have had plenty of chances), nor have you written about Kournikova's antics. You column-writers have quite an affinity for the Williams sisters. (It is difficult not to think that race plays a large part of this affinity.) Serena was clearly hurt after she fell in that match. She and Venus even withdrew from the women's doubles. I think that Venus should contest calls that she feels are wrong, especially when they were repeatedly WRONG. Besides, they are very young players, so give them some slack. At the same time, they have just as much class as any of the other women players on the tour. So lay off of the Williams sisters!"
(signed) Herschel Wade, San Francisco.
BUCKSHOT: These girls, as you point out, as I pointed out as well, are young, bright and decent. As for the race card you're trying to play, Herschel, check it at the door. It has no place in The Cellar.
"THERE HAS BEEN A LOT WORSE behavior by other athletes than what the Williams sisters did (i.e. Dennis Rodman kicking a TV camaraman in Minneapolis). I think you're blowing things way out of proportion!"
(signed) Keith Jacobson
BUCKSHOT: And Dennis Rodman is a three-time Whine Cellar occupant. He even has his own key and two dressing rooms -- male and female. So your point is? I forgot ...
"OH, HOW I AGREE with you about their behavior! They should take a lesson from Monica Seles and Steffi Graf, who are the best role models in the women's game. They play for the love of playing. The money is great, but these new players should take a long look at their goals and how long fans are going to put up with their antics, on and off court."
(signed)B.J. Querin
BUCKSHOT: Good point, B.J. Maybe Venus needs to emulate Monica and Steffi ... Chrissie and Martina. And not so much McEnroe.
YOUR NFL WINNERS AND LOSERS verdicts on the Rams and Raiders were baffling. Of the two teams, the one with the better nucleus of talent is the Rams.
Jeff George keeps proclaiming himself as a winner -- his NFL record would indicate otherwise. And it's only a matter of time before his teammates in Oakland get sick of him.
The one with the better coaching staff is the Rams.
The one playing in a division where second place (and a potential wild card) is wide open is the Rams.
THE ONLY TEAM REALLY STANDING in the Rams' way is the Panthers. Ditka has no QB and Atlanta's fate rests on the health of Chris Chandler (big crapshoot there).
The Raiders have to get past the Chiefs if they just want to finish second.
The one with the better draft is the Rams.
Despite all of the gaping holes in the Raiders' roster, you and a good deal of the sports media still can't resist predicting the rise of the Silver and Black -- and every year it doesn't happen. I have to ask ... what does Al Davis' ass taste like, anyway? I figure a guy like you ought to know.
(signed) Rodger Haughey
BUCKSHOT: I'll tell you what, Rodger. You take the Rams and that antique coaching staff. I'll take the Raiders. Let's see whose team wins more games. P.S.: And while you're at it, see a nutritionist about your diet.