WHO CAUSED MORE HURT?

Thomas Boswell's March 3 column ["Punishment Comes in Many Forms," Sports]
implies that Darryl Strawberry is the victim of a merciless double standard
that rewarded John Rocker.

According to Boswell, Rocker's remarks "hurt all of baseball and offended
almost everybody in America," while Strawberry's drug use only hurt
himself. I don't condone Rocker's words, and it is not my intent to defend
him; but for a fair comparison, 45 seconds of Internet research can show
just whom Strawberry has hurt over a 13-year span of irresponsible conduct:

* In early 1987, Strawberry's wife, Lisa, filed for legal separation,
accusing him of breaking her nose after a game in October 1986.

* In April 1989, Strawberry was named in a lawsuit charging he fathered a
son with Lisa Clayton (his wife filed for divorce one month later). A
January 1990 blood test established Strawberry as the father of Clayton's
child; he was arrested two days later for assault with a deadly weapon
during an argument with his wife (he was released on $12,000 bail).

* In 1993 he was arrested for allegedly hitting his live-in girlfriend. He
was investigated in 1994 by the IRS for allegedly failing to file tax
returns for more than $300,000 of income derived from autograph shows. That
same year he failed to show up for a Dodgers exhibition game, and the team
announced he had a substance abuse problem and placed him on the disabled
list.

* Later in 1994, Strawberry and his agent were indicted on federal tax
evasion charges. Two months later, he was suspended by Major League
Baseball for 60 days after testing positive for cocaine, and the San
Francisco Giants terminated his contract.

* In April 1995 he was ordered to repay $350,000 in back taxes and
sentenced to six months of home confinement (allowed to attend practice and
games). In December 1995 he faced multiple counts of failing to provide
child and spousal support.

* In February 1999, he became the spokesman for the National Council on
Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, saying he was optimistic about his future.
The following week he angered George Steinbrenner by missing an autograph
session, and on April 14, 1999, he was charged with possession of cocaine
and soliciting a prostitute.

And Boswell opts to write about the "hurt" John Rocker brought on America
and its national pastime. In Boswell's own words, "so much for common sense."

Jim Kirk

I have been complaining to anyone who will listen that when atheletes get
caught doing drugs or attempting to solicit a prostitute (or both) or other
illegal or improper activities, they get off with a slap on the wrist. Now
here is a guy who has not been caught doing any of that but is being
treated as if what he did is worse.

Is Thomas Boswell really comfortable sending the message that it is not so
bad getting caught doing drugs as long as you don't insult anybody? (Keep
in mind that Strawberry's punishment was for getting caught for cocaine for
the third time.)

Rocker was stupid to say those things. But in this country one is free to
express one's opinions. Why should the punishment be so severe for being
stupid?

William Titus