The biggest pig
The case is laid out in this morning's column: the top contenders for the title of Most Selfish Athlete are Kobe Bryant and Roger Clemens, and I proclaim Clemens the winner.
What do you think? Is Clemens really deserving, or is Kobe's selfishness being shortchanged? Or are there other, more worthy candidates? Put some thought into this. Don't instinctively say Terrell Owens, for example, especially since he seemed to be on his best behavior at Cowboys minicamp yesterday.
Let me know by e-mail or by replying here. Polls are open indefinitely.
For what it's worth, Dave Stewart isn't impressed with Clemens' team spirit, either. And Stewart, who actually has earned his reputation as a big-game performer, has some credibility in this.
Coming soon: a suggestion to correct the westward tilt of the NBA playoffs. Hint: It involved eliminating the Eastern Conference entirely.
Comments
I have to choose Clemens. Nothing Kobe ever did made me nauseous. But watching Roger at Yankee Stadium with that microphone in his hand made me hurl my Texas chili.
Posted by: andyinfells | May 13, 2007 10:20 AM
kobe is the king boar of all pigs!!! he takes about 80 shots a game and gets praised cuz everyone else on his team is terrible!!! a real player plays with the team...dederduh
Posted by: thomas | May 13, 2007 10:53 AM
None of this is really Clemens' fault. The Yankees and Astros are at fault for offering him his luxury package. He's not at fault for jumping on that.
Posted by: guy | May 13, 2007 12:55 PM
Clemens by a snout. (So do we call this award the "Alec" in honor of Alec "You're a rude, thoughtless little pig" Baldwin? I think we can easily make this an annual competition....)
Posted by: Vic Arpeggio | May 13, 2007 8:43 PM
Let's say you're a sought-after writer and every major media outlet in this country can't wait to obtain your services. If this were the case, wouldn't you act like Clemens and dictate your terms? It's not selfishness when your suitors give you so much empowerment. As for Kobe Bryant, who don't you east coast media guys lay off the guy, already. You said that his teammates don't like to play with him. Could you be more specific? I don't know a single Laker that wants out of LA because of Kobe. If you do, please enlighten me. It's easy to blast a star athlete from afar because you don't have to deal with any local backlash. As far as the Colorado incident is concerned, the only two people who knows what really happened is Kobe and the accuser. From what I've read, she made off pretty well after the incident. What is she doing in his room at 1am, anyway? As for selfishness and connection to criminal activities, look at your own Ravens.
Posted by: David Le | May 13, 2007 10:14 PM
Clemens get this one. Hands down.
Posted by: The Greatest American Hero | May 14, 2007 9:48 AM
Clemens is by far the most selfish athlete in this era. He makes Kobe look like a saint. At least Mamba has to drag himself to the arena every game.
This one isn't even close.
Off topic: I doubt he pitches his first game in Fenway. Just my gut instinct. This is a guy who was afraid to pitch at Shea just a few years ago. I can't imagine Torre is wanting to throw him into that firepit so soon.
Posted by: Justin | May 14, 2007 1:18 PM