Brownie Points: Movie’s depiction of Baer unfair

Instead of shelling out $45 to see the pugilist formerly known as Mike Tyson Saturday night, I went to see "Cinderella Man," Russell Crowe’s gripping depiction of Depression-era boxer James J. Braddock.

It’s an excellent flick, another Ron Howard masterpiece that gives sports some rare, kid-glove treatment. The only disappointment was the ruthless treatment given former champion Max Baer, who was depicted as a classless, ugly man with few redeeming features. In fact, Baer — while highliving and flamboyant for his time — was popular and championed his Jewish faith, beating German Max Schmelling years before the Braddock matchup.

THAT SON RO-MINE

There’s something to be said for legacies. Kevin Romine helped Arizona State to its last national baseball championship in 1981. Sunday at Cal State Fullerton his son, freshman shortstop Andrew Romine, hit his first home run as a Sun Devil to kick-start the slaying of the Titans and send ASU back to the College World Series.

After beating the defending champs on their home field, the Devils open the College World Series against — you guessed it — Nebraska in Omaha. But you get the feeling these cocky Devils wouldn’t want it any other way.

WALKING THE PLANK

The Arizona Rattlers didn’t sniff a fourth straight ArenaBowl this year, but their title-game jinx remained intact Sunday. The Colorado Crush used a field goal on the last play to beat former Rattlers assistant Doug Plank and his Georgia Force 51-48.

The game drew only 10,822 fans in Las Vegas — almost 5,000 under capacity — in the league’s first neutral-site title game. Bad idea from the start. Georgia had the best record and drew 15,000 fans a game. The league’s showcase game needs that atmosphere.

QUICK HITTERS

• After quitting against Kevin McBride Saturday night, Tyson said he’s retiring because "I don’t want to disrespect the sport I love.’’

Too late, Mike. Ten years, eight fights, four disgusting press conferences and one earlobe too late.

• Good luck to Alex Rodriguez as he attempts to win an MVP award on a fourth-place team with a $200 million payroll.

• A-Rod now has 400 home runs. I’m trying to recall one of them.

• Last one out of the Diamondbacks’ bullpen, please lock the gate. When you get undressed all weekend by the Kansas City Royals — yeah, that would be the bottom of the barrel you’re feeling.

• All the experts say the Suns lost to the Spurs because they can’t play defense. So tell me, why can’t the Pistons beat the Spurs? Something tells me it has to do with scoring 70 points a game.