Four high profile awards were given to professional athletes in the last week, three of them to athletes who displayed despicable behavior.

First came Tiger Woods, who was named Athlete of the Decade by members of the Associated Press, right in the middle of the biggest scandal of the year.  Then nice guy NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson was named AP’s Male Athlete of the Year, followed by Serena Williams as AP’s Female Athlete of the Year.  Finally, Michael Vick was awarded his team’s Ed Block Courage Award.

Are these the people who should be glamorized this year?  Wood’s “transgressions” are still being found out, his own statement was “I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person”.

Serena Williams certainly dominated her sport, but she is still paying the largest fine in her sports history and is on probation for her incredible tirade at the US Open.

Michael Vick is still on the comeback trail after serving a jail sentence after outrageous cruelty to animals. His response when accepting his award was a joke, "I've had to overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can bear".  Oh really?  I can think of a lot of people who have overcome much more than a self-inflicted, 2-year sentence in a prison camp, with a million-dollar contract waiting on you when you get out. Here’s an idea, visit a military hospital and see what those individuals have to bear and overcome.

Of these award winners, only Jimmie Johnson has displayed public behavior this year which could be considered worthy of someone to look up to.  He dominated his sport, was humble, gracious, had his wife by his side, was good to his fans, and set a good example for all to follow.

Many would say these awards are given to these athletes for their performance in competition, not their personal lives.  I say “bull”. Tiger Woods did not receive the “Athlete of the Decade While On The Golf Course Award”.  Serena Williams’ antics took place on the biggest stage of her sport, in the midst of competition.  Michael Vick is not even a starter on his own team.

Perhaps the AP writers should step out of the box and think about who they really represent, the readers, rather than pander to the big names just for the sake of headlines. Maybe athletes would behave better if they were rewarded for good behavior as much as they are glamorized and publicized for their transgressions.

Thank you, Jimmie Johnson, for giving us at least one true winner in the bunch.

Major League Baseball announced this week 3 new players are being added to the Hall of Fame.  With all due respect to Rickey Henderson, Jim Rice, and Joe (Flash) Gordon, WHO CARES?

The MLB Hall of Fame has turned into a politically correct popularity contest. Sure, there are great players in the hall, the newest additions included, but it still does not contain one of the undisputed great players of all time... Pete Rose.

Pete Rose has spent the last 19 years under a ban from baseball for gambling.  Let me get this straight, it is okay to alter the game by using corked bats, scuffed balls, tar, steroids, and other forms of cheating, but to bet on your team to win deserves a lifetime ban? Give me a break.  I’ll take a half dozen players like Pete Rose on my team over any 6 Hall of Fame players you can name. Give me Charlie Hustle as a role model over a drug addict any day.

Pete Rose the manager did wrong. No doubt.  He broke the rules in his personal capacity.  No question.  But, it could also be said he put his money where his mouth is. We love pro football players and coaches who guarantee a win, why do we hate a manager who guarantees it with his wallet?

Pete Rose the player still holds many records. He is the all-time hits leader, the only active players who look like they can possibly match his numbers will still have to play at a high level for another 10 years.  He won the MVP award, two Gold Glove awards,  three World Series, and played in 17 All-Star games at 5 different positions! 

Yes he broke a rule. Yes, he was arrogant about it. Yes, he denied it until he got caught. If these are the guidelines to ban people from baseball, we will have a hard time fielding teams.

Let it go, baseball. Grow up. Twenty years is a long time to hold a grudge.