How Bad Are Tampa Sports Columnists?

Answer: St. Petersburg Times columnist Gary Shelton has had a long time fetish with Tampa Bay Rays player BJ Upton. In a 2004 column, Shelton predicted that Upton would be the American League MVP. Shelton made predictions about his seasons in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

In the year 2011, Upton will drive in 106 runs. Remember him in your Rotisserie League.

In the year 2010, Upton will hit 24 home runs. It will not be his best season.

In the year 2009, and you can trust teammate Carl Crawford on this, "He'll be one of the best shortstops in the league, and he'll be getting ready to play in the All-Star Game."

Upton never panned out at shortstop. He is now playing centerfield. In 2010, Upton hit 18 home runs and 62 RBIs. Upton is a lifetime .257 hitter. Shelton continues to write articles on how Upton will one day turn the corner and become a superstar. Enough is enough. If Shelton believes that then he doesn't know enough about baseball to cover the sport.