Carlos Delgado: Missing the boat all together

In this day and age it is important for Americans to bond together. As another anniversary of 911 draws near, major league baseball is doing their part by playing "God Bless America" during the seventh inning stretch of ball games. Baseball started doing this three years ago as their games were the first to resume after those horrific attacks on our nation, and is starting to do so again as the third anniversary of that dreadful day in America's history is about a month away.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Carlos Delgado has chosen to sit in the dugout during the playing of "God Bless America" and claims it is his own silent way of protesting the war in Iraq. First off, America is a free country and Delgado has the right to this. However he could not be more wrong, and should not be surprised when fans boo him and shout obscenities at him like they did in a recent series against the Yankees.

Sitting a out a song that symbolizes a cry and hope for God to Bless this great country is unpatriotic, ignorant and flat out stupid. There are other ways to protest this mess of a war that Bush has put us in, but this is not it.

The singing of "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch at baseball games is meant for a time for people to unite and reflect on a day were thousands lost their lives and all of our lives were changed forever. Delgado not realizing this should be ashamed of himself and should not be allowed to earn any sort of living, let alone millions of dollars per year, in a country were is so quick to sit down on.

Kobe about to get what he deserves

The tandem of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal is no longer and Bryant could not be happier with finally getting what he wants. Shaq is now a member of the Heat, leaving the Lakers all to Kobe and he wants to prove to everyone that he did not need Shaq to win those three titles.

Kobe better be careful what he wishes for and it is going to be enjoyable to watch the Laker dynasty crumble right on top of Kobe's huge, Hollywood, "me first", ego. Kobe Bryant is a disgrace to the game of team basketball and is going to find out in a hurry how much Shaq meant to the Lakers. They had so much success together, winning three NBA titles, which in this day and age equals a dynasty that was only getting better.

Yet, the two could not coexist and Kobe made it quite clear that he would not come back unless Shaq was traded and Phil Jackson was fired. The Lakers gave him both his wishes and Kobe has the Lakers all to his lonesome just like he wanted.

Kobe made his bed and now he must lye in it. It is obvious he rather look good, put up big numbers and lose, than take less shots and win. There is simply no other way to explain it.

Shaq made Kobe and to a certain extent Kobe made Shaq. Kobe will not win without him, and contrary to his own belief he may have a more difficult time even putting up bigger numbers.

There are a few "poor man's" Kobe Bryant's' out there, but there is only one Shaq. There is no player in the NBA or the world that can come even close to the sheer strength, size and power of Shaq.

Yes, there are more shots now for Kobe, but without the big man in the middle, Kobe better get used to being doubled and tripled team for 48 minutes a night. Kobe previously was able to drive to the net and have opposing defenders back off, weary of challenging him, because of the threat of him dishing to Shaq (even though he rarely did), but without Shaq that all changes.

Defenders are surely not going to worry about Kobe dishing off to Vlade Divac or Derek Fisher. Kobe is the only player on the Lakers teams need to stop this season.

There is no question that Kobe is great and one of the best in the game, but with Shaq he could have been one of the best ever.

He would have zero titles if it were not for Shaq and he is not going to win anymore without him either. Minus Shaq, Kobe is just like Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter or Allen Iverson, a great player that without help cannot win a title.

Over hype of Armstrong

Lance Armstrong is an exceptional athlete and winning his sixth consecutive Tour de France is an impressive accomplishment to say the least, but enough already about a bike ride in France.

Armstrong is the most dominant rider ever in the history of his sport. Okay, fine leave in at that, but to take it any further is ludicrous. He is able to ride a bike better that anybody else and his recent come back from cancer was a wonderful story.

We do not need to hear it compared to other monumental sport achievements such as Michael Jordan winning six titles with the Bulls or the Yankees in their title runs or better yet compared to Muhammad Ali in boxing. Please!

What Armstrong did was great and for the five people in America that actually give a hoot, it probably brought a tear to their eye. As for the rest of us, nobody really cares and I'm tired of hearing it all over Sports Center 22 times a day. He won the damn bike race and dominates his sport and that is it.

What's next, the hyping up of a horseshoe player who is unbeatable or 10 time defending hop scotch champ, because these are the equivalent to a bike race.

Hey Lance great job and we are proud of you, but can the media and anybody else who can not get enough "Tour de Lance" give it a rest.

Have and questions or comments?Agree/Disagree?Send all responses to blkovack@yahoo.com.