Why I might be kind of a dick

Kinda lame

Two things happened which generally made everyone weepy; however, I found them kinda shallow and confusing.

After they clinched the AL West division, the California Angels hoisted a jersey of dead teammate Nick Adenhart and poured cheap beer and champagne on, on top and around it.

Then the team left the clubhouse and met at centerfield where there's some memorial in honor of Adenhart.

OK, first off, it was weird because Adenhart was killed in an auto accident with a drunken driver. The Angels can try to explain that away until their blue in the face, but that's kinda weird. It's like wearing a Nazi uniform at the funeral of a Holocaust survivor and claiming that it was in honor of the deceased.

However, I think the bigger point is that it's a cheap tribute. It's good for photos and to make headlines on TV, radio and in print, but are you honestly honoring the guy like that. Isn't there a better tribute. How about no champagne and beer? How about simply going to the pitcher's mound and bowing your head for a moment of silence.

Instead, the Angels treated it like a cheap, Irish wake.

The other moment of the week that didn't impress me was the Jeff Pearlman story on veteran catcher Sal Fasano.

Fasano was hoping to play one game in the Majors this year because, if he does, his insurance kicks in. This is important because he has a son with a heart condition that is extremely expensive. Like $1 million expensive.

Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for the kid. It sucks. I hope everything works out nonetheless.

However, I don't necessarily feel sorry for Fasano in terms of him trying to make the Majors for the insurance.

The guy made $300K at the very tail end of his career in 2008. He claims 46 percent of that was taken for taxes leaving little to purchase Cobra health coverage. The story notes that Fasano and his family living modestly. Fasano has never made much. Probably near or at the league minimum for 12 years. So at his peak he was making $425K and at his lowest it was closer to $100K.

Here's the issue, I realize that millions in medical bills is crazy, but I also realize that there's thousands unemployed right now. And there's millions and millions that aren't making anywhere near $100K (or $300K) a year with kick-ass insurance (it is not noted if Fasano's wife works or not).

Somehow, those people are making due. Granted, they're in debt, but they're doing it. These people exist and continue to do so despite not being called up by the Colorado Rockies.

It stinks because Fasano seems like a sweet guy, but this isn't the end of the world. If he's so likable, surely he can get another gig in the media or managing. If you're waiting to pay cash on the barrel head for millions in hospital bills, then join the rest of the country as millions struggle to deal with a faulty healthcare system and a downturn economy.

Sorry, it's hard for me to shed a tear for the guy.