LETTERS: BASEBALL RAISES MONEY FOR MDA RESEARCH

To the editor:

An avid baseball fan, I relished every moment of the playoffs and World Series, and I appreciated the excellent sports coverage from the Southeast Missourian. Yet, like so many Cape residents, I'd have preferred watching a championship series involving the St. Louis Cardinals.

This said, my hat is off to the Yankees for three reasons. First, their post-season play was flawless. Second, 25 world championships make them the most successful franchise in the century. Third, they deserve kudos for adding value to a season of great defensive play. Their innovative "Double Play for MDA" program raised $99,000 to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association assist families affected by muscle-wasting diseases. Every time the Bronx Bombers turned a double play during the regular season, three corporate sponsors contributed $250 to advance MDA's lifesaving programs.

It's great to see professional baseball giving back. The Yankees' double-play effort, as well as the involvement of hundreds more top athletes including those on the St. Louis Cardinals, help MDA fund research seeking treatments and cures for neuromuscular medical services through 230 clinics nationwide. In Missouri, MDA maintains five clinics including St. Francis Medical Center serving families in our area.

If other baseball clubs can augment their commendable civic efforts with the "Double Play for MDA" program, more than a million Americans ravaged by 40 neuromuscular diseases will have more to cheer about.

JOHN CLAES, Regional DirectorMuscular Dystrophy AssociationIndependence