The Fox Sports blog community was built off an ambitious premise, namely enticing thousands of readers to participate by dangling the opportunity to join the ranks of the columnists already employed by the website.

 After all, what self righteous sports fan doesn’t know more – especially when concerning said fan’s favorite team or player – than Fox resident analysts Charley Rosen, John Czarnecki, and even newly acquired Jason Whitlock.

Never mind the years spent towards a degree, or in the scouting or coaching world, that qualify these people to make sound, well thought out opinions and present in a way as to inform and entertain you.

While this community of sports fan generally produces a positive experience (as well as a great way to kill time during an unfulfilling job), what most do not realize is that it takes a certain mindset to be a journalist of any type, let alone sports.

The problem for people writing about these athletes is that more often then not we spend our time chronicling the accomplishments of others rather than our own.  Perhaps this is why ‘the media’ is all too eager to witness another mans fall from grace.

Having such a station in life as a reporter, it’s apparent why all too often every incident gets analyzed to the minutest detail so that is appears to have a profound impact on our world. We all want to think that our life’s work made a difference.  

Sports are a reflection of society.  No doubt that phrase was first uttered, or perhaps written, by a sports journalist.  The statement and its implications have been overblown and repeated so much it has become cliché. 

I will be the first to admit that the best and worst of the human spirit are often on display through the games we play.  But to imply that these recreational activities have such vital roles within our society is ludicrous.  

Yet here we are, in the midst of a time that is sure to be remembered as the summer of sports discontent, and our government and press are spending valuable time and resources invested in seemingly every professional sports league.

That an effort is being made to clean up our sports, following some of the most reeling scandals in recent memory, is commendable.  But the amount of effort, given the attention and resources (or lack thereof), is beyond ironic – it would be hilarious if not for the implications.  That sports are a reflection of society merely speaks to how poorly that society sets its priorities.

Some food for thought:

As the steroid witch hunt reaches McCarthy-like proportions (research red scare if you are unfamiliar with our nation’s history), federal and state governments have been more than aggressive in keeping steroids out of the hands of our youth.  Even going so far as to require steroid tests in school athletics.  

Yet the flood of recreational drugs that have flooded our schools and ruined many a lives remains largely unnoticed, put to the backburner.  While it certainly is a waste to see steroids ruin the body of our future athletes, what about the drugs that stricken the mind of our potential leaders?

And while there is a federal investigation concerning a referee (by the way, quit whining Suns fan) who may or may not have affected the outcome of a couple games, where are the headlines covering potential bribes that affect the outcome of government elections?  Or government policies (cough, cough, oil.  Cough)?

To tie the preceding paragraphs back into my opening statements (for all those who have aspiring journalists listed in their bios, this is an important aspect of writing – your lead states your point/argument and the rest needs to eventually tie back into it), most journalists cover the who, what, when, and where of a story.

The best writers cover two more W’s: the why, as in “why is this important”.  And what’s next.  The aim of any good writing is to entertain, inform, and provoke action.  So why is this important to this community and what do I propose happens next?

It is important because the overwhelming number of rants that occur on this site have exposed a bitterness that I’m not sure is healthy, and something that I have seen reflected in society.

Step back and read some of the blogs that have been produced regarding the Michael Vick situation.  While there are a couple insightful thoughts that help to provoke intelligent discussion, most are venomous and unintelligible.  

His actions?  Deplorable for sure, but read some of the proposed punishments circling around the board.  They range from putting Vick in a pit full of pit bulls (catchy and rolls of the tongue, I know) to Lock him up and throw away the key. 

On whose moral authority has the court of public opinion been made to stand as judge, jury, and executioner?  Regardless of where your ethics are derived from, we should all agree that if Vick makes the effort to reform he should be given a second chance.

Christianity is based around forgiveness, which is what Jesus preached.  Our justice system is predicated on reform.  The NAACP is right (for once), we should help Vick rehabilitate his ways and, once he has paid his debt to society, be offered a chance to rebuild his life.  Otherwise, why not just end it right now.

But alas, the purpose of this article is not to discuss Vick, but to point out how the media and public has overblown the whole situation.  Sure, the dog killings has sparked outrage on its own merits (deservedly so).  And the situation demands proper attention.

But from here it seems that we are more angry that it was an athlete who committed a crime than we are at the actual crime itself. 

You can argue the last statement, but how much outrage has his cohorts faced?  And who among you cared about dog fighting before it hit the front page of a sports section? 

The problem with sports is that people have so much of their life invested in it that inevitably our priorities get #### up.  People bemoan that athletes fancy themselves above the law, but who places them on that pedestal in the first place.

When did sports, not brains or hard work, become a ticket to success?  Somewhere out there is a little leaguer or wife discouraged because their loved one is too preoccupied with their favorite sports team to notice anything else. 

Back in the golden age of sports, when Babe Ruth was belting homers, people turned to sports as a way to escape the hardships of reality.  Somewhere along the way, sports became too much of our reality.

Detroit -- Following an internal investigation by Major League Baseball, sources close to Commissioner Bud Selig confirmed that the substance on 41-year old Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers was neither mud or pine tar.

Pending further inquiries and chemical analysis of the game balls, a press conference will be held later on this week to announce the brown substance on the pitcher's left hand was, in fact, doodoo.

"After reviewing tape from the clubhouse security cameras, and creating a detailed timeline of his activities on game day, we have concluded that the only rule Mr. Rogers violated was a failure to wash his hands," Selig said.

Game 2 of the World Series was sparked with controversy when FOX television cameras picked up a brown smudge just below the thumb of Rogers pitching hand. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa immediately notified the umpires and the foreign substance was removed after the first inning. Plate umpire Alfonso Marquez, who "observed" the alleged dirt on Rogers hand, failed to closely inspect the smudge, claiming he could smell it a mile away.

When questioned about the conflicting reports after the game, Marquez, who was seen earlier with Boston Celtic's coach Doc Rivers and NBA guard Sebastian Telfair, apologized. "I went into crises mode, trying to protect a player, the game, and prevent a circus," said Marquez.

Major League officials refused to comment on the umpire's actions, preferring to handle all punishments after the World Series. Rogers has drawn many allegations of cheating over the post season, which have arisen from the fact that at the ripe old age of 41, Rogers has allowed no runs in three starts after previously holding one of the worst playoff records through the course of his career.

Further fueling the speculation are reports of Rogers working out with Moises Alou during the offseason, even going so far as to have Alou with him in the club house. Alou, in case you have forgotten, is an admitted hand doctorer -- Alou admitted to urinating on his hands before games instead of using batting gloves.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland denied any intent of wrongdoing, or extra advantage gained from #### matter present on Roger's hand. When asked if this past incident changed any plans, Leyland stated that Rogers would keep his normal spot in the rotation, although pregame handshakes were now optional.

"He's had a little bit of a wiping problem since the All-Star break," Leyland said. "We're working with Kenny and the pitching coaches to alleviate the problem."

Rogers continues to maintain his ignorance of the matter, claiming he was just following normal customs for the city of Detroit. When asked how he could walk around without noticing a large blotch of doodoo on his left hand, he replied, "Cause as you know, I'm a professional athlete. And as we all know, our (doodoo) don't stink."

Major League officials have not decided yet if doodoo would be added to the banned substance list, but Commissioner Selig added that every clubhouse must now carry a sign in the restroom stating, "All Employees Must Wash Hands."

(NOTE: Most of this stuff is probably not true, in fact, it's not even well written. It's pretty much a joke, although not a very good one)

Hey Boston, do you like apples?  Well savior centerfielder Johnny Damon just signed with the evil empire New York Yankees.  How do you like dem apples?!

Only minutes after the defection was announced the radio airwaves were saturated with the heavy accents of Beantown and Big Apple natives.  Each were trying to explain why Johnny Damon being a Yankee was the greatest thing in the world for their respective teams. 

Numbers and variables were thrown around, including age, projected production and salary cap economics, as if this were one of the complicated equations solved by Matt Damon in Goodwill Hunting.  But this is a story that stats cannot explain, and as is the case when the Yankees-Red Sox, logic goes right out the window because there is so much passion in these two franchises that it blinds all rationale to begin with.

The Logic

If you look at the move from an objective perspective, this is a no-win situation for both teams.  Red Sox, how can your team possibly be better off losing your All-Star centerfielder without filling the void?  Boston fans can bring up salary cap implications, age and prospects all they want, but none of these things are going to replicate the production of Damon over the past few years.  With a roster loaded with veterans such as Schilling and Ortiz, the prospect of cutting salaries is not exactly an appealing sign.  The BoSox are officially in the dreaded rebuilding mode, the idiots is over.

For the past few years the Yankees have had the services of Bernie freaking Williams, one of the greatest clutch centerfielders of his time.  Until 2004, 'Jesus' was known more for his hair than anything he'd done on the field.  It's difficult to see how adding Damon into what was an already imposing lineup the previous year is going to somehow shore up the pitching rotation that plagued the Yankees all year long.  Now well over $200 million in payroll, the Yanks have even less money to throw at quality pitchers.  The Yankess are no closer today than they were last year to a world title.

Why It Won't Work

Throwing stats out the window, there is still some solid evidence that suggests the Damon experiment in New York will fail miserably:

1.) The Hair: A disturbing trend among men losing their hair, dating back to biblical times, shows that when famous hair gets clipped a reduction in power is not far behind.  As a member of the A's, Giambi was an MVP with long hair and stylish goatee, a rebel and anti-Yankee.  But he lost his 'do (and to be fair, his juice) and became a mere mortal.  The Mullet, AKA Randy Johnson, was as dominating a pitcher as he was until the Yankees trimmed his ways, not to mention his 'stache.  Now the world must wonder: WWJD (What Will Johnny Do?).

2.) He's an ####: New York is as snobby as it gets, and their is an old money saying that "all the money in the world cannot buy you class".  The Yanks pride themselves on being the classiest organization in the league, Damon prided himself on being one of the original "idiots" of baseball.  Can Cowboy up work with just the the f---- up?

3.) The A-Rod Factor:  Call it the curse of Rodriguez, or whatever you will, but every team that Alex Rodriguez left has improved dramatically following his departure and not a minute before.  The Mariners had the best record in baseball and the Ichiro era after A-Rod departed, The Rangers are  now even a team with hope.  The Red Sox had Rodriguez for a brief moment before negotiations fell apart and look what they transformed into after they lost A-Rod.  Although this doesn't involve Damon directly, it's still a fun factor to throw in.

4.) The Return of the Savior: It is foretold somewhere that Jesus would die, but the savior would return to lead to the promised land.  Ironic how Damon (who was called Jesus) would depart at the same time Boston's second original son (the first being Ted Williams) would become available.  With Damon's contract off the books the Sox now have room to make a run at Roger Clemens.  Will he return?  Somewhere it has already been foretold.

5.) It's Just Wrong!!!: Years ago, when the Yankees first lured Giambi away, I recall making a smart #### prediciton.  I remember telling my father, "watch, they're going to lose and keep spending.  Next they're going to lure Alex Rodriguez to play third base, while signing Nomar to play second.  Then, just for fun, they'll sign Randy Johnson to be their ace."  (I swear on anything that this is not a lie)

Of course, I was only half-kidding when I spoke this, just recently heartbroken that the Yankees had broken up my favorite Athletics team.  But as we can see, there are always half-truths in every joke. 

So this is where we are, the Red Sox believe they are setting up for progress in addition through subtraction.  The Yankees are arguing that there is no such thing as overkill.  Neither side will give, but baseball will be caught in the crossfire.  The only question is, which side do you stand on?