"Liars!"
"Cheats!"
"Plagiarizers!"
That's all I could think while reading the Daily Wildcat and assistant sports editor Shane Dale's article "Anatomy of a Cats-Devils matchup."
The article is laid out on a minute-by-minute basis sort of like Web Devil sports columnist Nick Kramer's "Running diary from ASU vs. UA men's basketball" column that ran over a week before Shane's.
All sports rivalries to the side, we're talking about major violations of any kind of journalism ethics. I had to get to the bottom of this.
I called last night around 6:30 or 7:00. In my most official voice, I asked to speak to Shane. I informed the person who answered the phone who I was and off I was transferred. I was thinking he was waiting for me to call and had his speech prepared.
Shane picks up the phone. I let him know who I am and start questioning him about the column. He said he didn't know about Nick's article until a few days before it went to press when his editor pointed it out. I still had that feeling he was waiting for my call.
After a few minutes of mindless chitchat, he told me about his right-thinking political affiliation. I had to feel sorry for the guy. Not that I'm right or left, I just couldn't imagine being right wing in Tucson.
So, Shane, if you're reading this, keep up the good work. If the Wildcats make it into the tournament, hopefully they'll lose in the first round to the likes of Jake Delhomme's University of Louisiana-Lafayette.
Commendation of the week
I'd like to send my thanks out the NBA coaches for not voting to put Lebron James on the All Star team.
Am I the only person who doesn't buy into the whole Lebron phenomenon? Let's face it; this kid was playing against high schoolers. Just because Bill Walton busts a nut every time Lebron goes for a slam doesn't exactly make for a future leader of a team.
If Lebron were so good, the Cleveland Cavaliers would at least be a number five seed if the playoffs started today. That honor currently goes to Denver rookie Carmelo Anthony. That kid is the real deal who was unjustly snubbed by those same coaches who snubbed Lebron.
'Melo came in and immediately made the Nuggets better. Hopefully he will pull an Amare Stoudemire and beat the early favorite in the rookie of the year voting.
What the f#@k of the week
Ivan Rodriguez, formerly of the World Champion Florida Marlins, signed a four-year $40 million dollar contract with Magnum, P.I.'s favorite team, the Detroit Tigers.
Rodriguez is everything that is wrong with professional baseball. He is the epitome of no team loyalty and only playing for the dough.
This was a bad move for the Tigers. All of Rodriguez' numbers well below average last year. He also had more strikeouts last season than any other season. Also, from what I've read, Comerica Park is not a real hitters-friendly ballpark.
I think the Tigers will improve. I don't think they'll break .500.
Ryan Eilders is the boss of theWeb Devil. Reach him at ryan.eilders@asu.edu.
