Mailbox: Jack Nicklaus has the fame, but Scottie Scheffler has the cash
Brian White
Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.
On golf prize money
Hi Brian: I thought it was interesting to compare Jack Nicklaus' lifetime prize-money earnings of a little over $9 million in a career that spanned a little less than 25 years to Scottie Scheffler, who has earned $24 million in less than six months so far this year. He's even managed to top your net worth, Brian. Did not think that was possible.
Rick Higgins, Columbus
To Rick: More crazy numbers: When Nicklaus won the first of his three British Opens, he earned $5,880. At last week's Memorial, Scheffler earned $55,556 per hole over the four days. And crazy numbers regarding my net worth: I once won a career-high $5 in golf, and it's the career-high by a long shot.
On hydration in sports
Mr. White: Glad to see Steven Fields' letter and your response on sports dehydration. But your relatively short exposure to Ohio State sports, particularly football, caused you to miss a major part of that story, of which I'm well aware as I'm just 15 months shy of the century mark.
In the early 1940s, when I played football at Upper Arlington and as a plebe at West Point, the coaches' messages were emphatic: "Do NOT drink water. Take salt tablets!" The nationwide reversal of that to "Hydrate hydrate, HYDRATE!" was developed and propagated by the OSU football medical staff, particularly Dr. Bob Murphy. He traveled the country with that message and was nationally recognized for his efforts.
Later, in the late '50s and the next couple decades came the emphasis on the addition of electrolytes. Football players here in the U.S., and likely athletes all around the globe, are surely indebted to Dr. Bob and his colleagues for that 180° turn on water in sports.
Nelson French, Columbus
On Ohio State football
To Brian: Ryan Day received a bonus because the Ohio State football team's cumulative GPA was over 3.0. My first thought is to wonder just how demanding the curriculum for some might be, but I'm hopeful it does indicate many are progressing toward creditable degrees. I've long been suspicious of schools from the SEC and have thought that a spelling bee between OSU and a dominant SEC school would be enlightening. I've wondered how many players have maintained academic eligibility for three years but still have no idea what the square root of 9 might be or if H2O would be safe to drink, which would be an indictment of our public school system, as well.
Dennis Singleton, Dayton
To Brian: It's good that scandals are brought to mind and to light (Sunday Huddle, May 26) to show that not even OSU athletics is spared the flaws of honorable men like Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer. Sad, embarrassing, shocking. How would we handle the mistakes of others? But we are fortunate to have shared in their accomplishments. Fans need to remember the Buckeyes' two-decade dominance of Michigan. Two plays I'll always remember vs. UM: Troy Smith's spin-around handoff to Chris "Beanie" Wells for a TD run here, and Tyvis Powell's interception of QB Devin Gardner, up there.
I think Ryan Day is ensconced for now, finding success with his players on the field and in their studies. If the injury plague has flown and if senior QB Will Howard (my guess to start) exceeds expectations, look out. I only wish our recruits would stay longer in football and basketball instead of using the frequently revolving portal. The four Big Ten additions will eventually rebuild their Pac-12 conference due to cost, financial and physical. And Jim Harbaugh will flop in his second NFL stint and return to his former employer - as athletic director.
Larry Cheek, Dublin
On physical basketball
To the editor: Watching Stephen Curry, Caitlin Clark, and Luka Doncic playing basketball is like listening to a Beethoven sonata without a discordant note. The thug antics of bullyball basketball players like the brute who ambushed Clark is a way out of tune action that does not belong on a basketball court. She should be suspended from the league without further ado just as Draymond Green was suspended for his physically aggressive unsportsmanlike dirty behavior on the basketball court. Even Bobby Knight did not condone dirty basketball despite his propensity for choking and throwing chairs.
Michael Oser, Columbus
More from the Mailbox:
What's next? Prop bets on college portal movement?
Ohio State women's basketball had a run to remember
Maybe it's OK to marvel at the beauty of Augusta National and the Masters
Did Ohio State basketball make right choice in hiring Jake Diebler?
Who is to blame for the ugly decline in sportsmanship, respect for the game?
Support for Jake Diebler as Ohio State coach, and for a move to St. John Arena
Ohio State football coaches wrong for playing injured LB Eichenberg vs. Michigan?
Why isn't Ohio State basketball elite? And why not give Jake Diebler a chance?
Should Ohio State call Dawn Staley in basketball coach search?
New Ohio State AD Ross Bjork shouldn't let timing get in way of coaching changes