Doyel: Readers have strong thoughts on WNBA All-Star game, lovely memories of Bob Hammel

Indianapolis Star

a day ago

The 2025 WNBA All-Star game in Indianapolis, the most hyped All-Star game in WNBA history, didn't have Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark but did have pregame T-shirts worn by players on both teams. And that combination dominated the discourse around the event.
All of it says a lot about where this league – and that game – is headed.
I said a lot on the topic. Readers in my IndyStar text message group had their say. It's the crux of the Mailbagg™.
To get involved, come be part of the text group. I receive every text from every reader. You? You'll get only what I send out, maybe 4-5 texts a week, generally the first look at my latest work and occasional peeks behind the curtain at the way I do this job. More than 2,700 have signed up. Join us! There's a link below any of my online columns.
Doyel: All-Star game dominated by pregame T-shirts? Says a lot about where WNBA is headed
From: Doug W.
I've been told to get more money you need to show profit put better show on floor and people will come.
Look, the All-Star Game was what it was – depressing – but WNBA players (like those in the NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL) are paid for their work in the real games, not this one. And WNBA players put a tremendous show on the floor.
Re-live Caitlin Clark's rookie season with our commemorative book
From: Julie S.
You are so right about last night's WNBA All star Game! So boring. Skylar Diggins should have been MVP because she was one of very few who was hustling/ playing – and had 15 assists and the first triple-double.
I get it, players don't want to risk getting hurt – or tired – by playing hard in an exhibition. Will fans continue to pay big money to watch in person?
From: More from Julie S.
Bravo Indy organizers, Gainbridge Fieldhouse workers, sponsors, police and fans. I am so proud!
And yes, pay them! These women are way overdue and deserve it.
Amen to every bit of this, Julie.
From: Allan S.
I watched the first quarter. When no one even contested the 4-point shot, I turned it off.
Not sure you could hear it on TV, but the AT&T jingle played every time a player hit one from the 4-point logo. That's some impressive marketing there.
From: Ron G.
From a retired United Auto Worker member: Pay them! In solidarity!
Love. This. Ron.
From: Mark P.
Morning! So, I WANT to celebrate Colts QB Anthony Richardson being cleared for throwing drills in time for training camp. Yayy! But the big question is: Has he learned anything about protecting himself in the heat of the game? If not, he'll be back on Injured Reserve. Is protecting yourself teachable to a quarterback? Andrew Luck never learned that skill, nor the good sense that you need for it.
We'll see what he's learned – or decided – about protecting himself. Only game action will tell us that. He was drafted as high as he was because of his next-level athletic ability. You show that ability when tacklers converge, which is also when you risk injury. Tough line to navigate. Almost nobody can do it well.
From: Cathy R.
I've thought for a while now that Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell is a great interview. I was having a text conversation with friends during a recent game. Subject: "If you won lunch with a Fever player, who would you choose?" I said Kelsey, because I think she would be interesting to talk with. Thanks for highlighting her in your article.
Some players prefer to talk less than others. Some players talk better than others. Kelsey Mitchell is both.
Doyel: No Caitlin Clark? More time chatting with WNBA All-Star Kelsey Mitchell
Longtime Bloomington sports editor Bob Hammel is the most talented and influential sports writer in Indiana history. I visited with him recently while he was in hospice care, just visiting a friend, and came out of there determined to write an appreciation of Hammel. I wanted to give him his flowers while he was still around to receive them.
That column posted June 30. So glad I wrote it when I did. He died 19 days later.
Doyel: Wasn't able to call Bob Hammel a mentor. But I did call him friend.
From: Rick Hammel, on July 20
Gregg – good morning. Just wanted to let you know that Dad passed away last night. My family is deeply appreciative of the wonderful article wrote about dad last month – it remains a wonderful tribute. Just very grateful you had a wonderful conversation with him prior to his passing. Thank you again, dear friend.
Love this family. Met Bob at an IU game in 2014 and met his son, Rick, here on the text group. I feel very fortunate in both cases.
From: Vince F.
My uncle sent this to some family members after he received the news about Bob Hammel's passing. I thought you might find it interesting to read:
He was my first cousin and four years older than me. My family lived 1¼ miles west of Clear Creek School – and Bob's family lived just across the road from CC School.Bob spent his high school summers at our house more days than not. My dad would leave a list of things for us boys to do on the farm while he was at the factory all day. Clean the calf pens, mow the hay field, whatever he could think of. Bob would show up on his bike mid-morning, and we would attack those chores with vigor. Done by 1 p.m. The rest of our day was ours for softball, basketball, climbing to the top of the barn to kill pigeons with brooms, ride our bikes to go swimming in Clear Creek between our house and school, stuff like that.
When it was too wet or hot we had an indoor baseball game and played with marbles. Played hundreds of those games over the years. Bob kept score of every game in a scorebook all those years. He posted our stats. Bob was the Chicago White Sox, I was the Boston Red Sox, my brother Pudge the Yankees and my brother Dal the Cleveland Indians. It is a great memory from my mid-school years: Bob, In junior high, was keeping stats on all of our marble players. Great way to grow up.
Thank you Vince. Please tell your uncle this is about four steps beyond amazing.
From: Bill W.
Just wanted to say THANKS for your column on Huntington native Bob Hammel, the Herald Press sports editor for years and a legend up here.
The old-timers tell the story that after Friday night Huntington Vikings basketball games in the 1960s, coach Bob Straight and Hammel would meet at Nick's Kitchen – a local downtown diner – in the back corner booth w/coffee and Hammel would interview the Vikings coach about the previous night's game. When the interview started there was normally just a sparse crowd, but by the time it was coming to a close, Nick's was packed (SRO!) and everyone was 'leaning in' to hear Coach Straight's thoughts. What a WONDERFUL era of high school basketball!
What a wonderful memory to share. Thank you Bill.
From: Douglas S.
Was there really a King Edward of Wessex in ancient England fighting the Danes
Um.
From: Kerry D.
H,,64th h9u
Pull yourself together, Kerry. I'm still trying to decipher Douglas' question about King Edward.
From: Kerry D.
Hh
Just googled Douglas' question, and got this from AI. When AI ends the world someday, I sure will miss these easy (and questionably accurate) Internet searches:
King Edward the Elder (reigned 899-924), son of Alfred the Great, played a crucial role in pushing back against Danish incursions in England, particularly in the eastern Midlands and East Anglia. He achieved this through a combination of military victories and strategic fortification building, ultimately expanding his rule over a larger portion of England than his father.
From: Bob M.
Your work has been an acquired taste for me, but I now read and enjoy your column on a regular basis. I don't always agree with your take – for example, your defense of Greg Lansing when my ISU Sycamores were clearly seeking the upgrade they eventually got in Josh Schertz) – but I truly believe your opinions come from a good, positive place. I don't know you personally, but you seem like a good and sincere person, and that puts you head-and-shoulders above most. So … thanks for the great sports coverage you provide, and I wish you all the best in your upcoming nuptials.
One of the nicest notes ever. Thank you Bob.
Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Threads, or on BlueSky and Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar, or at www.facebook.com/greggdoyelstar. Subscribe to the free weekly Doyel on Demand newsletter.