Reader Breaks Down Unbreakable Records

In response to Ross Newhan’s column on baseball records that will not be broken [Sept. 2], I have this to add. There’s a difference between records that can be broken but probably won’t because they are too difficult (DiMaggio’s 56-game streak) and those that simply won’t because they are untouchable (Cy Young’s 511 wins). Here are 10 records that will never be broken:

1) Cy Young’s 511 wins.

2) Young’s 313 losses.

3) Jack Chesbro’s 48 complete games in 1904.

4) Chesbro’s 41 wins in 1904.

5) Cal Ripken’s consecutive-games streak.

6) Nolan Ryan’s 5,714 strikeouts.

7) Ryan’s 200-plus games with 10-plus strikeouts.

8) Pete Rose’s 4,256 hits.

9) Rogers Hornsby’s .424 season average.

10) The 1962 Mets’ 120 losses.

NEIL OMANSKY

Washington

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How could you not include the USC baseball team’s five consecutive NCAA championships and six in seven years under Rod Dedeaux? In a sport like baseball, in which the most important player--the pitcher--starts every four or five days, this is an improbable achievement.

R. JAMES MYLROIE

Los Angeles