For so long, I've had the deepest respect for Mr. Magee. So much, that I rarely call him Jerry. As recently as last week's Sycuan boxing card, I've referred to him as that, while talking to him.

TAKE FIVE Union-Tribune columnist Nick Canepa looks into the future and gives us his take on the five stories we'll be talking about this coming week: 1. Al Davis fires interim coach Tom Cable after being told by a member of his coterie: “Al, you should have at least met the guy.” 2. After hiring Harry “The Hat” Walker as hitting coach, Padres are dismayed to learn he passed away in 1999. 3. Ricky Williams, saying he's realized a dream, pooh-poohs the jinx surrounding those who make the cover of “High Times.” 4. Roger Goodell reinstates Professor Moriarty. 5. President Hu Jintao issues an edict: “Everyone in China is 16 years old. Got it?”

Tennis, boxing, football is his forte. And yes, mixed martial arts. The last sport being one that he adapted to within a three-year time frame. How amazing is that? Writing articles on a sport, while learning the vernacular on the fly.

For years, I've sent his boxing articles to people on the California State Athletic Commission, knowing that they would get a good view of the San Diego boxing scene from his columns. He is a sports enthusiast. The man plays tennis, still. He, like most humans, enjoys a good sweat – whether from returning a volley or making newspaper deadlines.

Many a boxing promoter can thank Jerry Magee for keeping the “sweet science” alive in San Diego County. I can't remember a time when he would put his personal thoughts about a boxing promotion into his article. It was always for the betterment of this sport.

Thank you, Mr. Jerry Magee. The world will not stop because your articles won't be in this paper. It may slow down a smidgen, though.

MIKE MILLSAP, San Diego

BACKING BRANSTETTER: The Poway High School athletics department would like to acknowledge our colleague Wayne Branstetter. Coach Branstetter has had to endure some unfortunate and inaccurate accusations during the past week; accusations that appeared without investigation.

Sports letters Address: Sports Letters, The San Diego Union-Tribune, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191 Fax: (619) 260-5078 Email:sports@uniontrib.com The San Diego Union-Tribune welcomes letters to the sports editor. To be considered for publication, a letter must include a daytime phone number and, if faxed or mailed, be signed. Letters may be edited. Letters submitted may be used in print or in digital form in any publication or service offered by the Union-Tribune Publishing Co.

First, we would like to acknowledge that Coach Branstetter and the wrestling team earn every bit of their success the right way. Wrestling is a demanding sport, and nobody works harder than his wrestlers. His coaching career, 30-plus years, speaks for itself.

Coach Branstetter eats, sleeps and breathes wrestling and still has time to be a great husband, father and grandfather. He doesn't have any time left in his day to recruit or ask someone else to do it for him.

We are people who are with him on a daily basis and are saddened to see accusations such as these come out in print when we know they are untrue.

Our Poway High community would like San Diego County to know the truth from the people who know him best. Wayne Branstetter is a first-class coach, and we will always be proud of his program and his actions.

Poway High is a great school. It is filled with outstanding students, athletes, teachers and coaches. Coach Branstetter will continue to be right there with us, doing what he does best – coaching kids the right way.

In addition to myself, this letter is being signed by current and former Poway coaches Jay Trousdale, Mark Embrey, Evi Yarnell-Valles, Aaron Little, Damian Gonzalez, Duane DeStefani, Gene Morris, Phil Burian, Robert Champion, Dan Schaitel and Bob Parry.

DAN CRANE, Poway

NO FAMILY OF HIS: Consider it a citizen's divorce from John Moores. That makes two for him. Many of my friends and family feel the same way. This team will only decline further into oblivion under the continuing Moores-Sandy Alderson-Kevin Towers stewardship.

Next year, the club will have a smaller payroll. Competitive is out the window now. This club will barely hang on to last place next year. The Padres now must be considered the San Diego State Aztecs of major league baseball; namely, barely worth a look. I've had to jump on the USC Trojans bandwagon to get my college football fix.

Now . . . and this is hard for a native San Diegan Padres fan to admit . . . I'm actually rooting for the Dodgers to win the World Series. At least the Dodgers organization is trying to win championships. Look what the addition of Manny Ramirez has done for them.

I will consider returning to the Padres family when Moores swallows his stubborn pride and sells the team to an owner starving to win.

PAUL CONRAD, Clairemont