Mailbox: Don't forget Ohio State football's surprise 2-way player under Woody Hayes

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.

On Ohio State football

To Brian: Good article on OSU’s two-way players. You missed a great player who I think falls between the cracks, as he doesn’t have the name recognition of the others. But in 1973 our star fullback, Champ Henson, was hurt during a game and out for the season. Woody put in the middle linebacker, Bruce Elia, to play as he felt freshman Pete Johnson wasn’t ready. By end of the season, on a team that had the firepower of Archie, Corny Green, Brian Baschnagel and Neal Colzie, Elia led the team in scoring.

Denny Mahle

On Rob Oller's unpopular takes

Dear Mr. White: While I typically agree with Rob Oller, two recent opinions were real head-scratchers. In his “unpopular takes” column last week, he commented that he Olympic Games “have become just another reality TV show . . .” Doesn’t he know that reality TV isn’t real? And the Olympics are? The real human drama of athletes who in many cases have worked tirelessly without much monetary reward is compelling drama if you look beyond the overhyped NBA basketball players.

Additionally, in his recent greatest Ohio-born athletes column, he picked tight end Travis Kelce for Pro Football. Over Roger Staubach? Really?!?! Staubach was a distinguished Naval officer who served in Vietnam and was awarded the Heisman Trophy, and once he got to the pros, had a Hall of Fame career including two Super Bowl wins with the Cowboys. He was the first of four players to win both the Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP. In addition, he played quarterback, arguably the most important and difficult position on the field, and always exhibited himself with class and professionalism. 

Methinks Taylor Swift mania has affected Mr. Oller’s judgment.

Michael A. O'Connell, Columbus

On the best baseball players ever

To Brian: Babe Ruth is clearly the all-time best ballplayer. He was 94-46 with a 2.28 ERA, completing 107 of 147 starts as a pitcher before then breaking the home run record of 178 on his way to 714. He revolutionized the game and possibly saved it after the Black Sox scandal. 

He may have capitalized in both categories with the dead-ball era ending just at the right time, but he overwhelmed others by setting a new season record of 29 home runs in 130 games ... in 1919, when 12 was the next highest total in MLB, before hitting 54 with New York in 1920 with 19 being next. He hit .342 and still has the highest career slugging percentage and OPS, second in on-base percentage and routinely outhomered many other teams. New York had never won anything and suddenly saw their trajectory change dramatically while the Red Sox had won the World Series three of the six seasons Ruth was in Boston before then beginning a drought of 86 years.

Dennis Singleton, Dayton 

To Dennis: Solid argument. But as for the "clearly" part, I'll let the thousands of barroom arguments forever raging across the country determine that.

On Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese

To the editor: There has been much written about Caitlin Clark not being included on the USA 2024 Women's Olympic Team. While I agree that is disappointing, I am relieved that she is not on the team. If she had made the team, Angel Reese's head would have exploded as she complained about being a better player than Clark. When will Reese accept that while she is a very good player, she is not in the same class as Clark as a player?

Raymond D'Angelo, Westerville

To Raymond: Caitlin and Angel is the story that keeps on giving for the WNBA and will for several years.

To the editor: Caitlin Clark is the new face of the WNBA and as such needs to be on the Olympic team. She may not qualify on basketball merit, but she qualifies on TikTok and is the best clickbait women’s basketball has. In our social media culture, that is the true measure of meritocracy.

Michael Oser, Columbus

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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?

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