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Show Your Sports PAGE B7 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2005 Letter to the postman Landon Smith Sports Writer Courtesy Graphic Jose Canseco is finally releasing his book and the content may do more bad than good. Canseco is losing more than fans "Speaks com' from page B8 and Alex Rodriguez have accomplished since), only deepening my awe for the muscle-bound Canseco. But little did I know then, that over the next decade or so I would come to despise everything that he stood for. When you watch your favorite sports hero, at times (especially when you are young) you either look past or do not understand that your hero is flawed. In Canseco's case at times he has taken an almost reckless abandon in tarnishing not only his place in our hearts as fans, but also in ensuring due to those actions that he is no longer in the good graces of the Major League's hierarchy. As Canseco has shown that he has no respect for those that have come before and after him in baseball, he has gone from being a hopeful Hall of Famer, to being regarded with the same disgust and hatred previously only reserved for Pete Rose. The day that Canseco retired, he announced that he would be releasing a book detailing the rampant steroid use in baseball. As the years passed, it looked like maybe Canseco was finally realizing that his place in baseball lore was in jeapordy. But after teasing his book release this Tuesday by leaking that he supposedly helped Mark McGwire and others acquire and use steroids. He is dangerously close to being black-balled in the same manner as Rose. As MLB tries to distance themselves from the steroid scandal, Canseco appears to be trying to reopen the wounds. After being one of the most powerful players to play the game, he instead now is looked upon as a traitor to the game. Why after receiving so much from baseball, does he continually stab it in the back? If he keeps it up, he will not only lose all of his fans, but also his place in history. As he is losing his credibility and his respect, he can always remain in the spotlight by joining fellow outcast Pete Rose at his yearly desecration of baseball's most hollowed place the Hall of Fame. But most likely though, Canseco will do as he has always done. Not give a single care or thought to anyone but himself and in the process, alienate himself from his friends and fans. After growing up idolizing Jose, I now have a new favorite baseball playing Canseco; his twin brother Ozzie. t Super Bulbs * Super Price • Super Service Karl Malone has decided to retire instead of pursuing a championship ring and the NBA all-time scoring record with the San Antonio Spurs. Being a life-long Utah Jazz fan, Karl Malone was always my favorite player alongside John Stockton. With that being said, I wanted to write an open letter to the greatest power forward in the history of the NBA. Dear Karl, I just wanted to thank you for all the memories and excitement that you provided for me and all the other Jazz fans throughout your NBA career. During your 18 years with the Jazz, and one with the Lakers, you helped me experience every emotion imaginable. There was so much joy and happiness when the team was finally able to get to the NBA Finals. When the Jazz finally were able to get over that hump and beat the Rockets for the franchise's first trip to the finals, I cried because I was so happy. I stayed up all night talking to friends and listening to the post game call-in show. When Stockton hit that shot, 1 had never seen you so excited and you could just tell how much winning meant to you. That's why I supported you when you decided to sign with the Lakers. There were many people that felt that you had betrayed the team and the fans because you went to the hated rivals, but realistically there was no chance of winning a title in Utah and the foundation was set for you to help Shaq and Kobe win another title. Things didn't work out the way you wanted; I still feel that it was the right move for you personally, and have no hard feelings about you wearing the gold and purple. Seeing you win the gold medal in the Olympics twice with Stockton was also amazing. I had so much pride and 1 ;28 Sou* Sto'c St • Orcro, Uf 84097 . (801-221 TANN DIAMONDS, etc\ \ I// V \ 4 pifBi.ir ^ 390 North University. Provo, Utah I WHOII: SAI.I- TO THE (801) 375-3822 • (801) 836-8808 This small ad saves \iro SSSs A night of enchantment in Europe Courtesy Graphic Retiring Karl Malone wore #32 for the Jazz for 18 years. I was glad that you were representing me and every other American. Now our players can't even win the gold. Even during the heart wrenching losses in the conference finals to the Blazers, Sonics and Rockets, you still kept your head up and persistently worked hard to try and win that ring for you and all the Jazz fans. I always had hope that the Jazz could win when you were on the team. Karl, we were close. So close it makes me sick. But even though there are no Championship banners hanging in the Delta Center, there is still a sense of pride and accomplishment because of the great things that you did for the organization. Even now it's hard to get excited for the games like I used to. Last year it was fun to watch the young guys play because it was such a different style of basketball. But this year I have caught myself thinking about how nice it would be to have a team with a leader who is not afraid to take control of the game and play tough defense. You were not perfect. There were plenty of mistakes and errors on your part. There were many off nights and missed opportunities. You drove me crazy with your fade away 17 foot jump shot. But you always gave an honest effort, and no one could ever question your desire. Many people will say that you didn't do enough. I'll never forget the battles that you had with Dennis Rodman, Shawn Kemp, Brian Grant, Otis Thorpe, Charles Barkley, David Robinson and Chris Webber. But now that you're finished with your basketball career, I know that you will keep yourself busy being a lumberjack, highway patrolman, trucker, hunter, exercise instructor, sporting goods retailer, or whatever else you decided to do with your life. But you will always hold a special place in this sports lover's heart, and I'll never look at a postal worker without thinking about you. Come and |nin us fi>r an International Showcaso and A Taste of SUvic Cuisine Sponsored by International Student Council l:t>r mow lnfi\ contact BU 100 L-b: S 4.00 (with ITVSC ID) ami S 6.00 (Cctwral Public) lull liiMi'V S i u l c (oilcot; ' • • . • * - ; • . • r v %•_•',•: ; < £ - . : The TRUTH .V.i1'.--. , - •' - «!'"> ••.X;\->-; ^ S ' \TAROT > •"•-••-C Hl ; Flee an enemy who knows your weakness, i' TUB TRUTH TheTRUTH — 55*; •5S7.T RUTH tact No.11: Many smokers successfully quit every day. utahquitnet.com |