Trade deadline day is always fun no matter what sport you follow.
If it weren't for last-minute deals, we wouldn't have had the chance to experience the joy that was Raul Mondesi.
If it weren't for these deals, we wouldn't have seen the complete dismantling of the Phoenix Coyotes.
If it weren't for these deals, we wouldn't be able to watch the Suns completely waste away into nothing with hopes of scoring the biggest class act of the NBA, Kobe Bryant. That subject is for a completely different column.
The point I'm trying to make here is: where can I get my throwback Rasheed Wallace Atlanta Hawks jersey? He was in and out of Hotlanta so fast that it didn't even feel like he was there. That jersey would look great with my Mike Piazza Florida Marlins and Pete Rose Montreal Expos jerseys. None of those can top the Wayne Gretzky Phoenix Roadrunners hockey sweater, though he only played in exposition game for them.
The point I'm trying to make here is that trading players back forth from team to team is hell on the marketing people for these teams. The Suns marketing team had to go into full "Marbury-who?" mode earlier in the season. McDonald's signs and Gorilla standees covered any shot of Marbury that may have been around America West Arena.
There is a bright side to this all these players changing teams: all the jerseys of the soon-to-be forgotten are now on sale. You can get old school jerseys for new school prices.
Stat of the week
According to the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25, all eight of the Pac-10 softball teams are in the Top 25. UCLA, California, and Arizona control the top three spots respectively. The Sun Devils is the lowest ranked team at no. 22. Good job, girls! Keep up the good work!
Commendation of the Week
I would like to commend the Chicago Cubs for signing pitcher Greg Maddux and keeping him out of the hands of the New York Yankees. Maddux started his career there, and I think it is only fitting that he ends his career there. He'll provide some leadership that young, strong pitching staff was in desperate need of.
What the #%**@& of the Week
Maurice Clarett, on advice of his mother, decided to not work out at the combines this week. How does he expect to prove that he is the second coming of Michael Vick when he is apparently too out of shape to run a 40-yard dash. This is just more proof that Clarett is nothing more than a selfish child who failed P.E. and will more than likely be the second coming of Dimitrius Underwood for the team that drafts him.
Ryan Eilders has a no-trade clause in his contract. He'll only lift it if the Kansas City Royals come knocking. Tony Peña, you can reach him at ryan.eilders@asu.edu.
