Backtalk | Letters to the Sports Editor

Josh Lueke

What about

Refuse to Abuse?

After reading The Seattle Times' article ("Coach says M's knew of pitcher's criminal past," Thursday), I am saddened and sickened that an organization I love would turn a blind eye to something they profess to stand against — abuse and violence against women, especially by one of their own players.

What bothers me even more is the implication their lack of integrity has for their fans. Just the other day, my 8-year-old daughter was an "honorary Mariner" for the Boeing Salute to Kids Day activities. I was happy to have her stand on the field with men she could be proud of — decent, upstanding men. Now, I can't imagine ever feeling the same, knowing she could be standing on the field with a man who allegedly sexually violated an unconscious young woman, lied about it, and ultimately spent only 42 days in jail. That young lady's life was ruined by Josh Lueke, and he is now to be a prized pitcher for the Seattle Mariners?

The Mariners must have higher standards. Knowing about his offense at the time they traded for him or not, they must now remove him from the organization. They need to be able to look every female fan in the face and say that they have no tolerance for men who abuse or violate them.

— Lisa Smith, Seattle

We don't play

that way here

Josh Lueke,

You have not "paid the price for the mistakes of what you've done." You are paying the price.

Regardless of the charges, the one you pleaded guilty to — no contest to false imprisonment with violence — marks a man who did frightening things to a woman.

The Seattle Mariners have done good pro-bono work with their Refuse to Abuse campaign. Your best bet is throw yourself into that work.

You are first a man who abused a woman, and second a ballplayer. We don't play like that here in Seattle.

— G. Larsen, Seattle

Lueke's opinion tainted

I find it disconcerting that the Mariners still are keeping a pitcher who had sex with a woman who was passed out. And the Mariners are part of the Refuse to Abuse program? Then the perpetrator says he's a nice guy? Let someone else speak in favor of his character. Lueke's opinion of himself is a bit tainted by his behavior. He is like anyone else who feels that as long as he can get away with it, it must be OK.

— E. Field, Burien

Mariners

Twins' plan

is a winner

Steve Kelley's great column comparing the Twins and Mariners ("Old-fashioned way works for Twins," Monday) really hit the nail on the head. If only the M's organization and fans would be patient enough to follow the same plan the Twins use for developing players and bringing up their own guys from the farm system. It looks like we have some good talent down on the farm right now. I definitely plan on going to Tacoma Rainiers playoff games at Safeco. It will be nice to see some offense.

— Ellen Mayher, Renton

Storm

Where's the live coverage?

How is this possible? The one bright spot in local sports, and no live coverage the night of the game except by The Seattle Times' blog. I am not going to subscribe to NBA-TV ever after how they dismissed 40 years of history in Seattle.

It is very disappointing that such a good team has to get through the playoffs like an indoor football team.

— Ed Kay, Kirkland

Boeing Classic

False reporting doesn't add up

Throughout last week as you and others in the media covered the Boeing Classic, you consistently reported the daily attendance at somewhere between 20,000 and 25,000 daily during the championship rounds. If you simply accepted these figures as accurate or even roughly accurate, shame on you. Your job is to report the facts. As someone who attended Friday through Sunday, I would be shocked if there were ever more than 5,000 any of the days. I would estimate Friday crowd at no more than 2,000 — including 450-500 volunteers. I'd be willing to bet the weekly total was far closer to 20,000-25,000 than the 75,000 you reported.

Are we so starved for a sports related ego boost in Seattle that you are willing to perpetuate an outright lie? Why would any reporter pass along this kind of information when anyone with the ability to count past 10 should know better? When you offer fans a free day, as they did on Friday, and virtually no one shows up, something is wrong with the product or with golf fans in the Northwest. Your participation in the false reporting of attendance figures serves no one with the possible exception of those trying to sell corporate participation.

Any way we can make Seattle a host city for professional wrestling?

— Duane Koberg, Sammamish