Wacko of the Week, 03/31/07

( NOTE: Second Place, Democratic Senator Jim Webb and his assistant Philip Thompson who between them tried to smuggle a loaded gun into the Senate were considered for this week's honor, but our selection had to go to someone else.)

UGETH (Ugueth) URBINA

Tiger hero now a convicted criminal.

I used to get great pleasure watching this guy pitch. I thought he threw so smoothly and so cleverly. When he was taken by the Tigers as a relief pitcher, a friend of Pudge Rodriguez, they made a very good "battery" for the Tigers and won many games.

When he was traded to Pittsburgh for Placido Polanco, I thought the Tigers had made a terrible mistake. But, now, that looks like a genius trade.

With fame and wealth, with money to buy land and position, he lived a great lifestyle in Venezuela, his home country. But, this week, he was sentenced to 14 years for attempted murder of some guys who made him angry. A fool and his freedom are soon parted.

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