* The ring ceremony at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday spoke volumes about the organization. The players liked and respected each other and it was obvious how those positive feelings translated into a world championship. Creating a culture in which the players can thrive is the key to success. Undermining your manager by calling him out in the papers, empowering clubhouse spies to create dissension and attacking sports writers for writing the truth definitely is not. The Yankees haven’t always been the best organization in baseball. They have made mistakes over the years, and plenty of them. But they had the courage to change. Maybe the management of other organizations should take a cue from that ring ceremony and go in a different direction.
KEN DREXLER
North Woodmere, N.Y.
Weighty words
* Umpire Joe West is complaining about the speed with which baseball games are played? He should check out some of the old video of himself on MLB Network, calling games in the 1980s. If West had been a little slower in stuffing the food in his mouth, maybe he wouldn’t be in such a rush today to get to his postgame spread.
MANNY DAR
Elmont, N.Y.
* Why would anyone be surprised that umpire Joe West is complaining about the length of Yankees-Red Sox games? I mean, look at him. By the time the seventh inning stretch rolls around, West has one thing, and one thing only, on his mind: The McDonalds drive-thru.
DANNY GREGORY
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Amazin’ insanity
* The definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results, is something the Mets should think about. They have retained the same starting rotation from last season, the same manager, the same pitching coach and the same general manager. Surprise! They are losers again this season. Insane!
TONY STELLS
Manhattan
* I find it ironic that Mets owner Fred Wilpon has an area dedicated to the Sign Guy, Karl Ehrhardt, in the team’s Hall of Fame. This is the same individual to whom Wilpon declined to give free season tickets when he first bought the Mets in 1980. Unfortunately, Mr. Ehrardt did not come back to Shea Stadium after he was snubbed. It was at this point that we should have realized that Wilpon would spit in the face of his fan base and show no regard for the history of this storied franchise.
BRAD ROSENBERG
New York City
Blueshirt blues
* If the Rangers had gotten just one point more during the season, they’d be in the playoffs and their final-game loss to the Flyers would be moot. However, there never has been a game important to the Rangers in which referee Kerry Fraser wasn’t involved in a controversial call that cost the Blueshirts dearly: In this case, the interference call on P.A. Parenteau in the third period. Indeed, it seems Fraser has dedicated his career to making life miserable for the Rangers.
RICHARD REAY
The Bronx
* So the last playoff seed in the NHL’s Eastern Conference was determined by a shootout. I cannot think of a bigger abomination in all of sports.
LEONARD ZARETSKI, MD
North Haledon, N.J.
* Hey, I missed the last few digits of that phone number MSG kept flashing during Sunday’s game for Rangers playoff tickets that will be going on sale. Anyone have it?
STEVE NACLERIO
Hartsdale, N.Y.
Rex-ing the Jets
* Rex Ryan is loading up my Jets with players who are, at best, questionable: Players who have to face suspension due to violating NFL drug policies, players with no regard for the women who have borne their children, washed up running backs who are past their prime and players who are known problems. I know the Jets are built to win now, but at what cost? Is the answer to abandon all moral and ethical codes just to win? I have waited 40 years for our next Super Bowl. With this lineup and sell-out policy I am wondering if we are making the right decisions.
CARL DiMEDIO
The Bronx