WHACK BACK AT VAC

Donald Nawi: I disagree with your knock on Olympic hockey shootouts. They’re enormously exciting and the alternative to a game either ending in a tie or the game’s going on possibly forever. The NHL saw what a great aspect of hockey competition it was missing and adopted the shootout.

Vac: I think shootouts are necessary (and, yes, exciting) for regular-season NHL games because there’s just too many of them to have triple-OT games in January. But elimination games decided by a shootout? That will never strike me as OK. MJ from Bronxville: The simplest solution to quickening games: Each pitcher has to face at least three batters, even if it crosses over innings. Players’ union would hate it, but trade the change for a 26th roster spot.

MV from Hillsdale: I’m not sure I love this, but it’s actually a tweak that makes sense within the overall context of the game. Interesting. @Mehaff81: Dom Smith, late on

the first day. So awesomely Mets.

@MikeVacc: I wish I could properly put words to the “facepalm” emoji, because that’s the only appropriate response to The Svelte One’s sleeping in on Day 1. Tom Bradley: Your column on

Donald “Fuzzy” Cohen hit me right in the heart, as my Fuzzy memories never left me, and never will. Thank you so much for your piece. Tears from the heart.

Vac: I’m honestly not sure I’ve ever received such feedback for a single column as I did for the one I wrote for last Monday’s Post on Fuzzy. Amazing how one colorful character could touch so many lives simply by being himself.