No Sparing A-Rod

Hell hath no fury like a city of coffeehouses scorned.

Ken Daley of the Dallas Morning News reports that if Alex Rodriguez wants to maintain the holiday cheer his new $252 million contract evoked this month, he would be wise to steer clear of his own official Web site (www.arod.com) for a while. The bulletin board there still is spewing venom from hundreds of missives reacting to his move from Seattle to Texas.

There is the expected name-calling, with A-Rod being referred to as A-Fraud, Betray-Rod, Pay-Rod, $-Rod, Fake-Rod and A-well, you can probably guess.

Then there are the messages: “(Roger Clemens) brushed you back in the ALCS and you never got your confidence back. Go to Texas, we will see what happens. Tell your other pathetic friend Joey Galloway hello for me, too.”

“Isn’t it fitting that the (Rangers) owner’s name has “Hick” in it? (Rangers fans) can have ticket prices like the Yanks and Red Sox. Enjoy the $10 beers.”

In fairness, only about 98 percent of those posting messages on A-Rod’s site seem to truly despise him. An author named Charleen wrote, “I’m not going to badmouth A-Rod. I have to admit, I’m gonna miss seeing that charming smile and those twinkling eyes wearing an M’s uniform. Hey, I’m just a woman, and he’s still a babe.”

He should give them away

Incidentally, Daley adds that the official A-Rod store on the Web site has discounted the autographed pictures of Rodriguez in a Seattle uniform from $69.95 to $55.96. And his autographed Mariners jerseys - described as “limited edition” (no kidding?) - have been slashed from $599.95 to $479.96.

Real sentimental guy

The approaching demolition of Mile High Stadium left Bernie Lincicome of the Rocky Mountain News seeking ways to say goodbye to the Denver landmark.

In doing so, Lincicome recalled another, less-than-emotional farewell.

“The old cowboy, Gene Autry, was asked what he wanted done with Champion, the Wonder Horse, after Champ had died,” Lincicome wrote. “Autry pondered the question. He was told Roy Rogers had Trigger stuffed.

“Autry considered how fitting would be such a gesture for the animal and companion that had helped make him rich enough to buy most of Orange County and his own baseball team. Autry inquired about the cost of such a tribute. He was told it would run into several thousands of dollars, if done right.

Autry didn’t hesitate: Just bury the nag.

The last word …

“New England is ranked 26th in the league in rushing offense, 23rd in rushing defense, but first in cornerbacks getting caught with Ecstasy.”

- Dan LeBatard of the Miami Herald