* If Brian Cashman believes his next contract depends on winning next year, he should pick managerial experience over affability. Joe Girardi may ruffle feathers sometimes, but listening to his baseball smarts displayed on Yankees games on YES makes Donnie “Baseball” Mattingly just another “nice guy.” And you know what Leo Duroucher said about nice guys . . .
ED KRAUSS
Scarsdale, N.Y.
* I admire Don Mattingly as much as anyone. However, will someone please tell me the reason Mattingly is better qualified to manage the Yankees than a dozen other more experienced guys?
NICK VIOLA
Warminster, Pa.
* As a longtime Yankees fan, I have to say Don Mattingly is a reminder of and a contributor to the playoff drought that happened in the Bronx during the 1980s and 1990s. So, his stats were good and he won an MVP award, but at the end of the day, who really cares about that? He was an anointed leader with no strong vocal ability. He reminds me of Patrick Ewing, but Ewing and the Knicks at least got to the NBA Finals twice. To have Mattingly come in and manage a team that needs to be righted would be a major disappointment. Joe Girardi, who has experience all around, should be the No. 1 choice because of his experience as a manager, player and broadcaster, and his service on championship teams. To the new bosses, please don’t go backwards!
PETER ORPHANOS
Manhattan
Rudy, the traitor
* Rudy Giuliani says he’s rooting for Boston in the World Series because he’s an American League guy. Well I’m an American League girl and maybe I’d cheer on any AL team – other than the Bosox. Thanks, Rudy, that was the ultimate slap in the face of real Yankees fans. Go, Rockies!
JO ANNE CERENZIO
San Pedro, Calif.
* When I first learned of Rudy Giuliani‘s support of the Red Sox in the World Series, I thought that the man really is coming to his senses. What others call his “flip flops,” I view as his awakening. However, I became disappointed when I read further and found that he merely was expressing preference for the American League champion because he’s an AL fan. I certainly think he has a right to his opinion and admire him for expressing it. We already have too many “leaders” who pander to the press and public opinion. Good for you, Rudy.
PHILIP DeFREEST
East Greenbush, N.Y.
* What a coincidence that Rudy Giuliani proclaims his loyalty to the American League and the Red Sox, of all teams, in New England in front of the Boston die-hards. He has now stooped to Hillary Clintoesque levels of sports flip-flopping and should know that his pandering is transparent to all true, loyal and honest New York fans.
MALICKY REILLY
Woodside
* Former New York City mayor and 9/11 “hero” Rudy Giuliani rooting for the Red Sox means the terrorists have won.
RICHARD SIEGELMAN
Plainview, N.Y.
Ice-cold Blueshirts
* Once again, the Rangers have assembled the Greatest Show – on paper! They combine as well on the ice as oil and water. They showed no interest in resigning Michael Nylander, who was a great fit with Jaromir Jagr. And the signings of Scott Gomez and Chris Drury look good on paper, but not good enough on the ice, where it counts. Even with that talent, they can’t score goals, which you need to do to win games. I hope this doesn’t end up a garage sale come April.
TIM FARINA
Plantation, Fla.
O-D disorder
* Mark Cannizzaro’s article on the Jets’ backing up Chad Pennington [“Backing Chad,” The Post and nypost.com, Oct. 16] was a good read. However, if this is the real attitude portrayed by the Jets coaching staff and players supporting Pennington, then we can expect the losing to continue. It’s the blind leading the blind! I don’t want a feel-good situation where everyone gets behind everyone, even when times are bad like the Jets are trying to pull off now. I want to win! To have the best chance at winning you need to play your best players at each position. Right now the Jets’ best quarterback is Kellen Clemens.
STEVEN SKOBLICKI
Palm City, Fla.
* Frankly, I’m tired of the “bench Chad Pennington” chatter. Yes, he has had a sub-par season, but he has not been as putrid as the Jets defense. If you wish to digest the Jets’ defensive stats just scan the bottom of the NFL rankings. This is where head coach Eric Mangini and coordinator Bob Sutton must be taken to task. When will they wise up and scrap the base 3-4? If you don’t put heat on the opposing quarterback, every NFL signal caller, short of Jesse Palmer, will carve you to pieces. Someone should inform the brain trust that the three most talented play-makers on defense – Jon Vilma, Bryan Thomas, and Kerry Rhodes – are being neutralized in these sets. The last I looked, the only time Pennington is asked to tackle anyone is after his many fourth-quarter picks.
DOUG BRANCH
Delmar, N.Y.
A Nichols’ worth
* Can someone explain to me why the Knicks cut Demetrius Nichols? They gave up a second-round pick in next year’s draft for him. He may not be ready to contribute right now, but he is the type of shooter who eventually could open up the paint for their big men. It time for the Knicks to get rid of one of their biggest mistakes: Jerome James. Isiah Thomas just continues to make it hard for Knicks fans to stick up for him.
KEVIN POPADINES
Wilmington, N.C.