By Dave Begel Contributing Writer Published Mar 09, 2007 at 5:29 AM

Stuff I hate, Part 2:

I hate that there is no loyalty in sports anymore.

Ahman Green leaves the Packers for a team like Houston. He's taking the money and passing on a chance to have his name in the ring of fame at Lambeau Field when he passes Jim Taylor. Green's got no loyalty.

His situation reminds me of the Carlos Lee situation, when the Brewers let go of their best hitter because of money. Neither Lee nor the Brewers had any loyalty there.

Ted Thompson lets Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle go in free agency and cuts William Henderson. No loyalty.

I'm not saying it's wrong. Thompson's decisions seem to be good decisions. But, they fly in the face of loyalty and I hate that.

When Brett Favre retires, the last of the loyalists may be gone forever.

*****

I hate the fact that Terry Stotts is going to lose his job as coach of the Bucks when the season is over.

I'm not saying he shouldn't lose his job, but the blame game gets me steamed. Sure the Bucks have been a surprising failure this year. But, they lost a lot of players to injuries and that's not Stotts' fault.

I ask myself what the Bucks record would be if they had another coach -- a George Karl or Don Nelson or Larry Brown. I'm not sure it would be a hell of a lot better.

But, somebody's head has to roll and you can bet Larry Harris will make sure it's not his, and that Stotts is gone once the season ends. And I hate that.

*****

I hate that Dominic James is listening to the siren song of agents and friends and family and whomever all the people are who are urging him to jump from Marquette to the NBA.

This is a kid who might not even be the best guard on his team, despite all the hype. He's good, but he's got a long, long way to go before he's an NBA-caliber point guard.

He is a classic case of a player who can really improve if he stays in college and stands a much better chance of being an actual NBA player who plays for a while.

*****

I hate the fact that WAUK has a syndicated show on during morning drive-time.

I know Mike and Mike are popular in some places, but I like my sports local with a smattering of national thrown in. One day last week I heard them talking about the Phoenix Suns. I mean, I care a little bit about them, but not a lot.

If WAUK wants to be the big dog in the battle of sports radio stations, they should move off their butts and get a good local morning show.

*****

I hate that local television stations give more time to weather than they do to sports.

Unless there is some major weather event, I only want to know what it's going to be like tomorrow when I've got a golf or tennis date planned. I don't care about the weather anywhere else. I also don't care why the weather is the way it is.

The poor sports guys are left with the crumbs of news time and I hate it.

*****

I hate the fact that there are some people who are predicting that the Brewers will win their division this year.

Haven't we learned in this city that having unrealistic expectations lead to almost constant heartbreak?

The best thing for the Brewers would be that they get picked for last place in their division, or at least second-to-last, ahead of Houston. Then, anything more than that and we are happy. If they stay in the running for the division title, we are delirious.

The Brewers PR department should instruct everyone, from the owner to the clubhouse guys, that if anyone asks, tell them you are feeling a little unsure about your chances this year.

*****

Most of all, I hate cheap shots and cheap-shot artists.

People who don't argue merits of things and make it personal. People who giggle when they try to make a point. I hate immaturity, unless you are 12.

And if captool73, who commented on last week's column, feels like the shoe fits, then you know what you can do with it.

 

Dave Begel Contributing Writer

With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.

He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.

This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.

Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.