Baseball in Philadelphia is most exciting, especially when we're winning. But something is seriously missing.

A few hints - New York: Yankees and Mets. Chicago: Cubs and White Sox. Los Angeles: Dodgers and Angels. Bay Area: Giants and A's. Washington area: Orioles and Nationals.

We should have an American League team in our city. The perfect choice would be the Tampa Bay Rays. Philadelphia's baseball fans are just as enthusiastic as those of any of the areas mentioned above. The Rays can't draw even when the Yankees and Red Sox visit.

Which leads me to the best reason: With the Yankees, Red Sox and Orioles, the Philadelphia Rays would be right in the middle of maybe the best - or at least the most-reported-on - division in all of sports.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a die-hard Phillies fan, and always will be. But there's room in my heart for another team in another league. Think of the excitement when the Yankees or Red Sox come to town battling the Rays for the American League East division title, not to mention the heated interleague play between two Philadelphia teams for bragging rights, another "state of the art" stadium, this time in Center City, and, if the baseball gods permit, the Philadelphia version of a subway series.

Business leaders, politicians and fans of all ages should be on board in trying to make Philadelphia a better sports city.

Mike Fera, President

Cement Masons Union Local 592

Philadelphia

What in the name of Charlie Williams is going on with the umpiring this postseason? Blown calls, poor positioning and strike zones that better relate to unlimited-arc softball beer-leagues than major-league baseball.

And the worst part of this whole mess, the umpires' egocentric inability to ask for help in any of these controversial miss-calls. At least MLB has come to their senses with a veteran crew replacing an inexperienced crew for the World Series - but is that enough? No. MLB needs to institute instant replay for all umpiring decisions with the exception of balls and strikes.

It's very simple. Starting Sept. 1 through the World Series, managers will be allowed one replay to challenge any play during the game. If correct, they will be given another, if incorrect, that's it for the game.

Chip Maylie, Marlton

Now that the Phillies and Yanks are battling it out, I hope the Phillies can redeem the 1950 Whiz Kids who lost 4-0 in the World Series.

There aren't too many of them left, but I know one in particular who'd like to see it.

That would be Robin Roberts, who lost the opening game in 10 innings, 2-1. The Hall of Famer and the greatest righthanded pitcher in Phillies history is a man of compassion, too.

In 1991, I was working at a local nursing home where there were a lot of men who loved baseball. I would give them the scores of the Phillies games and talk baseball. I wrote Roberts and asked if he could visit.

Robin gave me a call and said yes. He arrived with his wife, Mary. He arranged for the Phillies to send a bunch of photos, sat for two hours and signed pictures and fielded questions.

Afterward, I'd write to him if one of the residents were dying, and ask if he could send them a letter. He did, and made many dying people go in peace, having gotten a message from the great Robin Roberts.

George J. Walton, Upper Darby

Cat persecution in the Dark Ages

To the idiot letter-writer who claims that cats should pay taxes.

Maybe you should build a time machine and go live in an age where cats and their owners were persecuted for crimes they didn't commit. It's called the Dark Ages. I'm sure you'd enjoy making cats pay their share of the taxes in that era.

Edward Dubin

Philadelphia