I write in response to the state of sports in our area as put forth in several pieces in last Sunday’s Sun Journal (Oct. 24).

Kalle Oakes may be surprised to learn that his column “for all the wives who’ve coerced their husbands” made me – a dad, a husband, a New Englander and man, last time I checked – an honorary member of the cranky wives’ club he took such relish in mocking.

My wife and daughters have been Red Sox fanatics for years. I have remained clueless until the current fervor where I have become engaged in the series if only to preserve my life when out with my family. All the same, I am much more inclined to watch and ask why these guys can’t groom themselves better and refrain from gorging on fistfuls of chew when they know that they’re being televised to billions of living rooms the world over. What would their dads say?

And, secondly, the revived tradition of parading Edward Little’s football team through the streets for homecoming. I have no beef at all with these boys, but I will just say this: It will be a happy day in my household when the school administration pleads with student groups to construct a float for my daughters’ fabulous, under-watched teams – field hockey and soccer – with win-loss records that would be the envy of their male peers.

We could all take a lesson from girls and sports. I know I have.

Kirk Read, Auburn