Sports reality better than TV

Nowadays, that "new programming" is reserved for the latest "reality show" drivel - from "So, You Think You can Dance?" and "Dancing with the Stars" to "Fear Factor" and "Survivor."

Personally, I hate reality shows. Oh sure, every now and then and show will catch my fancy, I do enjoy "Inked" and "Miami Ink" (who knew there would be demand for two reality tattoo shows?), as well as "Hogan knows best."

But I recently came to the conclusion that I've been watching reality shows for years. Isn't sports on television the ultimate reality? Completely unscripted, winners, losers and, when off the field, enough drama and comedy to keep anyone interested.

Just look at these items plucked from the sports pages if you don't agree with me:

They just don't get it: The San Francisco Giants claim they are going with a youth movement, yet in their latest move that makes you say, "huh?" the organization sent down a decent Jason Ellison in favor of a below-average Michael Tucker.

Ellison, who was a starter at the beginning of the season, saw his playing time dwindle with the acquisition of Randy Winn. But he was hitting .277, had the ability to play all three outfield positions and gave the Giants some speed. He had his troubles in the outfield, but none of the errors committed were from a lack of trying or a lackadaisical attitude.

Instead, the team kept Tucker who is hitting less than .250 and who really doesn't bring any pizzazz or sexiness to the team.

The Giants claim they're going to get younger but keeping an aging, boring Tucker in favor of an exciting, raw Ellison is sending the wrong message.

The kids are all right: For all A's fans who believe their team is sinking fast, relax. True, Oakland had lost seven of eight games heading into Wednesday night's game against Detroit, but coming off a streak where the A's had won 50 out of 60 games, or something ridiculous like that, they were bound for a letdown.

Don't worry, the A's will be fine. Considering they were 15 games under .500 and just as many games out of a playoff spot, Oakland is in great position. The A's are only 3 1/2 games behind the American League West-leading Angels and a game behind the Indians and Yankees for the wild card spot. Once the A's catch their breath, they'll make another push. First, however, they had to get in a position to make a charge. Now that they're there, they'll pick it up again.

Bad timing: What is wrong with the San Diego Chargers?

First, the team played hard ball with tight end Antonio Gates, who became a Pro Bowler last season with a record-breaking season and was holding out of training camp this year wanting more money.

Usually, I side with owners on contract holdouts, but in this case, I believe Gates was in the right. They wanted him to sign a one-year deal for less than $400,000. After the season had last year, the offer should have been triple that.

Then, the Chargers issue Gates an ultimatum: Be in camp and sign the $380,000 deal by Saturday or you're suspended for the final two pre-season games and the regular-season opener. Gates missed the deadline, reporting on Sunday when he signed the contract and was suspended.

Finally on Monday, it was announced that Gates had agreed to a six-year contract extension. No figures were released but I'm sure Gates will be set for the rest of his life.

So, in three days the Chargers and Gates accomplished what couldn't be accomplished for the past six months?

More bad timing: University of Cincinnati men's basketball coach Bob Huggins was forced to resign Wednesday after a power struggle with the school's president.

Apparently, she was fed up with the image Huggins and the basketball presented and told Huggins to resign or be fired. A few years ago, the Bearcats' basketball team had the worst graduation rate of all Division I programs, they were placed on probation for lack of institutional control and Huggins was arrested for drunk driving last year.

On one level, I agree with the school. Huggins may be a great coach, but not in the college environment. On another level, however, he had done nothing recently to embarrass the school and graduation rates were climbing. I just question why the ultimatum was issued now and not in the past when Huggins and the program were at their low point?

A couple of good 'ol boys: By no means am I a big NASCAR fan. But I can't help but root for Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin, who will both be retiring at the end of the season.

Both have been integral in the sport's explosive growth over the past decade and I would like nothing better to see one of these guys knock off all the new young guns and win the Nextel Cup championship.

It's not too far fetched. Wallace is currently fourth in the standings and Martin is fifth. The top-10 point leaders become past of the "Race for Cup" when the points are thrown out and the last 10 races of the season determine the champion. Expect Wallace and Martin to make one last run for glory.

Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this column? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.