SPORTS

Mailbox: Why does Ryan Day need that much money? And what would Woody Hayes think?

The Columbus Dispatch

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com.

Ryan Day's new contract is worth $9.5 million in annual compensation.

On Ryan Day's salary

To Brian: The great Woody Hayes strode the sidelines at Ohio State AND taught history at our famous football factory, and his top salary? 50 grand a year. Ryan Day, who would be fortunate to hold Woody’s clipboard on the sidelines, makes that amount in about the time it takes to read this letter. Meanwhile, professors at our great pigskin emporium, who teach more than X’s and O’s, are paid about what the great Day makes in a week for a year’s worth of lectures and toil. Must be nice to have a whistle around your neck and an annual supply of talent that pretty much guarantees success, until you face the Alabamas and Clemsons of the world, that is. Just saying.

Thad Woodman Westerville

Ohio State football:Ryan Day to receive pay raise, extension through 2028

To Brian: A lot of great letters have been printed recently regarding coach Day's salary. My only question about the million-dollar-plus contracts, college and pro, is this: How much does a man need? A friend once responded, "just a little bit more." Aside from that, my other concern is what effect the coaching changes will have on intrinsic motivation. Your writers noted at least two players said they took Michigan "lightly" last fall. Why? They only lost one game to Michigan State (away), a team we dismantled later at home. Not having the fire inside for "The Game" is unheard of in ... well, forever!

The Rose Bowl victory soothed the pain, emphatically sending the Buckeyes on a hopeful trajectory for their Sept. 3 opener. Michigan arrives on the new carpet Nov. 26. They haven't won here since 2000. An OSU loss would be a stunner – something like Newman and Redford pulling off another "sting." All eyes will be on the defense under coach Jim Knowles. The school paid nearly $2 million to get him, so fans will be eager to see improvement from start to finish. The stakes are higher now. The rivalry has returned.

Larry Cheek, Dublin

To Thad, Larry: It doesn't make much sense to compare Hayes' salary to Day's, as they're in different eras with different cash flows and bigger booster pockets. But, yes, it is nice to be Ryan Day and have to decide how to spend that money.

On Phil Mickelson

Dear Editor: It appears that Phil Mickelson has a short memory, has no conscience or his well known gambling addiction has him going for Saudi blood money, no matter what. Mickelson and others who are participating in the Saudi backed LIV Golf tour have forgotten or simply chose to overlook the gruesome history of the Saudis and their severe human rights abuses and their well known orchestrating and financing of the killing and dismembering of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. I hope that all who enjoy the sport of golf will remember where the money is coming from for the LIV Golf tour and not support it in any way. Also, Mickelson would be wise to not be critical of the Saudis or suffer a similar fate as others. History has a way of repeating it self.

Chet Ridenour, Worthington

To Chet: Mickelson has no short memory. He is well aware of controversy in Saudi Arabia. In his own words, according to golf journalist Alan Shipnuck, "They're scary (expletives) to get involved with. We know they killed Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates."

PGA Tour:LIV Golf someday may lure bigger names, but for now PGA Tour still holds sway | Rob Oller

On Rafael Nadal

To the editor: I'm so excited that Rafael Nadal won his 14th career French Open men's singles title. He defeated Casper Ruud 6–3, 6–3, 6–0 to become, at age 36, the oldest champion in French Open history. He also extended his record of Grand Slam men's singles titles to 22.

I think Nadal is not only the greatest men's tennis player of all time, but also the greatest French Open player of all time, men's or women's. Congratulations, Rafael Nadal.

Paul Bacon, Hallandale Beach, Fla.

To Paul: It's a great argument as to the best men's player of all time. Nadal? Laver? Federer? Djokovic? Sampras? ...

On minor league baseball

To Brian: I was disappointed when minor league baseball dropped 40 teams last year and was also puzzled by other structuring decisions. The American Association had been dissolved and they now have 20 teams in the Triple-A level IL and 10 in the PCL. Both then have the division leaders play just a one-game playoff with those winners then playing in a one-game Triple-A championship. That's it. The Clippers don't even play eight of the other 19 IL teams, including two in their same division. I say bring back the American Association using the 10 IL West teams and have four teams in all three Triple-A leagues in a playoff like other minor leagues have.

Dennis Singleton, Dayton

To Dennis: Agreed. One-game title matchups don't work in baseball, where postseasons are supposed to be tests of depth.