By Dave Begel Contributing Writer Published Oct 14, 2008 at 5:29 AM

While waiting for the Packers and Seahawks to kick off on Sunday afternoon, I killed time watching the Jets and Bengals play. That's normally a game I wouldn't give two hoots about.

But, watching it made me think about all the things I wish for in the world of sports.

I wish Brett Favre was still our quarterback. Look at the stats. Watch him play. This is a guy with unbelievable skill and he is clearly the man in charge. I like Aaron Rodgers as much as the next guy. But Favre is a guy who can carry a team on his shoulders. And this year's Packers team needs to be carried a little bit. No matter what happens, I will never forgive Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy for not bringing Favre back. I think they made a huge mistake and nothing that happens will change that feeling.

I wish the Badgers had beaten Ohio State and Michigan, two games they should have won. I just think that then the result against Penn State would have been different. Wisconsin is a team on the downslide and it showed against the Nittany Lions. Losing by a 48-7 margin is not what we've come to expect of the Badgers. They are better than that. Right?

I wish I cared about the World Cup. The American team won over the weekend, crushing Cuba, 6-1, in the opening round of qualifying. Now we can wait until next year for the next round. Are you kidding me? Next year? And then the Cup gets played the year after that? Soccer officials wonder why we don't pay much attention to their game. Well, the fact that the showcase event of the sport takes three years to play might have something to do with it.

I wish CC. Sabathia would stand up and say: "The City of Milwaukee welcomed me and my family warmly. This team has lots of potential. We could win a World Series. The owner has made me an offer of more money than I could ever spend in a lifetime. So, I am signing with Milwaukee." Of course, I also wish Hale Berry would call and ask me out for dinner.

I wish, oh, how I wish, that the Bucks would turn into a winning team. My greatest fear is that people are getting to the point where they just don't care about this great franchise anymore. If the Brewers have shown anything, it is that a team that wins will draw fans and create excitement. The Bucks, with their new bosses, new players and new uniforms, need to find a way to be a winner. That's how you get the fans to come back.

I wish Milwaukee had a hockey team. Even a minor-league team. I mean, the game is so exciting and so damn popular around the whole country, especially on that exciting Versus channel on television, that I really feel like we are being cheated here. Oh, wait! What? You say what? Nah. You're kidding, right?

I wish I could remember the name of the new Marquette coach.

I wish I was a member of the D-List.

I wish sports gambling was legal in Milwaukee.

I wish they'd outlaw the dunk in college basketball again.

I wish all those racecar drivers would stop fighting, except for Danica Patrick.

I wish I knew the name of the heavyweight champion.

I wish Lance Armstrong would move to France.

Dave Begel Contributing Writer

With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.

He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.

This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.

Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.