Sports fans we need your help.

The sports department is putting together a "Kern County's All-Time Most Wanted Team," for its upcoming high school football preview. We're looking for Kern County players that went on to have outstanding/ prolific college careers. Carr at Fresno State, Porter at Colorado, etc.

We're NOT looking the greatest Kern County football players in H.S. or the Pros. We want college careers only. Some of those players will likely be among the group but we're looking for some of the top college players that might not have made it in the NFL or pros.

Either comment on the board or send your nominations to me at: rpriest@bakersfield.com.

Let me preface by writing, I don't know J.R. Henderson, errr J.R. Sakuragi. Never met him, his family or any of his former East High teammates. I'm sure what you're about to read will likely incite a few of his family members or close friends to ask for more than my head. Let's hope we can be civil. I'm sure J.R. is a great guy, a hell of a basketball player, and a caring, thoughtful philanthropist, but after reading Andy Kehe's column in Sunday's sports section, I can't help but think he's a sellout.

A sellout to the people in Bakersfield. To the state of California. To the United States of America. At what price do you sell your last name to become an Olympic athlete? Actually, we need a For The Record: He's not an Olympic athlete. He's just a member of the Japanese National Men's Basketball team. They haven't qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, yet.

To give up your surname, all for the sake of basketball. It's absurd, ridiculous, preposterous. Heck, it's down-right, well, un-American. I know he's considered a duel citizen after passing the rigorous Japanese citizenship exam -- he failed five previous times -- so I'm sure it was challenging. But to lose your identity, so you can fulfill a dream to play in the Olympics?

It isn't Benedict Arnold or Julius Rosenberg, but it's betrayal to not only your name but your country. What if Japan does manage a berth in the 2008 Olympics? What if J.R. and the Japanese play the U.S.? Is it really an honor, or part of your dream, to play against your homeland?

Cassius Clay and Lew Alcindor changed names for religious reasons. Both already excelled in their respective sports. Martina Navratilova became a U.S. citizen -- she defected from Czechoslavakia -- after winning two Wimbledon titles. So we can't compare J.R.'s decision to those iconic athletes.

J.R. you might have furthered your basketball career but you sold yourself and your country in the process.

This game doesn't count! I don't care what Bug Selig and the public relations/spin doctors at Major League Baseball keep pitching to fans.

Alex Rodriguez pulled up almost 10 feet in front of home plate as soon as he realized catcher Russell Martin had the ball as was waiting to tag him.

Pete Rose barrells over catcher Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star Game. A-Rod tip toes to home plate and slaps Martin on the posterior after getting tagged out.

The players don't care who wins. It's an exhibition game. So would MLB stop with the "This Time it Counts" nonsense.