Published Letters and Op-Eds from
COK’s Writers Group

Brats Fielder Can Have

New York Times
May 4, 2008

Re ''A Vegetarian Slugger in the Land of Brats,'' April 27: I would add one thing to Alan Schwarz's otherwise balanced and delightful article about Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder's recent conversion to vegetarianism and the buzz it has caused in the baseball world: assurance to bratwurst-loving Milwaukee fans that embracing a meat-free diet by no means necessitates swearing off sausage.

There is an assortment of vegetarian (and vegan) sausages on the market. So tailgaters can join Fielder in taking a stand against animal cruelty -- without discontinuing any of their brat-centered cultural rites.

Katharine Merow, Seattle