We're taking bets that sportsmanship is a lost art...

You may or may not have heard about the incident that happened in Oakland yesterday. If you haven't here is a quick recap. The saintly Oakland A's fans were mercilessly taunting the Texas Ranger bullpen and Frank Francisco freaked out. He threw a chair into the stands that hit one guy and knocked another lady off of the temple. There was a lot of bleeding and a 19 minute melee ensued. Freaking-out Frank was arrested and charged with assault. The taunting Oakland fans claimed innocence and put back on their halos.

Now I wonder who is to blame. Since it was Oakland and they have perhaps the worst fans on the entire planet (English Soccer fans excluded) there is absolutely no way they were innocent. Frank had to have heard something to piss him off. Here is a couple of examples of what I think was said...

"Hey Frank!!! Your Mom!!!"
"Frankie... The Frankenator... Frankarama... Beans and Frank... Frank"
"You throw like a girl!"
"You Suck"

Any of those statements would definitely have warranted the throwing of a chair or at least sticking your tongue out at someone. What Frank did not realize that his best comeback would have been... "I'm rubber and you're glue. What you say bounces off me and sticks to you." I think the time has come for people to only yell out good and encouraging things. Here is a couple more examples...

"Derek Jeter, although I hate you because you are a Yankee you really dress nice."
"Error smerror (insert favorite player's name) at least you are not a Yankee."
"Don't give up batting .150 isn't like batting .000"
"I love you. You love me. Let's hang a Yankee from a tree."

Each one of those are encouraging and good. They bring happiness to the world. Sportsmanship is really about three things.

1) Cheering for your team
2) Not taunting the opponent
3) Hating everything about the Yankees.

As I end this column I am going to nominate someone for the Sportsmanship Hall of Fame. Randomly over the next year I will be doing this. Hopefully it won't happen often, but we all know it will.

SPORTSMANSHIP HALL OF FAME

The entire organization of the Indianapolis Colts: For repeatedly saying after they lost to the New England Patriots that the best team didn't win. They have not beaten the Patriots in their last three attempts, therefore they are not the best team. Give the team that beat you their due. You lost because well the better team beat you. :)