It’s Saturday night, I’ve had a lot of wine and baked brie, and I came home to…football on the NFL Network? I guess that would be the best place for it. So have some images of unfortunate Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder.
I can't decide which part of the picture is more hilarious: the Whalers jersey, Pronger's mullet or Burkie.
With the news that Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger is out for the remainder of the NHL season, I figured fans of the Dryden, ON native might appreciate a post devoted to the Stanley Cup Champion-Olympic gold medalist-all-around devastating presence on the ice. Suffice to say that Pronger is no angel – he’s made his own negative impact on a few hockey careers. And this doesn’t necessarily mean his career is over…yet. But nobody likes to see a career shortened on account of a head injury, or any injury for that matter.
The dialogue on head injuries in the NHL has always been simmering, and I for one would love to just see this boil over already. In the last week, we’ve seen Claude Giroux, Jeff Skinner and a number of other players sidelined on account of head injuries – this, not long after Sidney Crosby put the brakes on his comeback after an 11-month hiatus, and not long after these revelations about Derek Boogaard. Habs legend, former Leafs president and former MP Ken Dryden wrote a thoughtful essay on the issue for Grantland this week that’s worth a read. I just hope Bettman read it too.
Oh…photos! I forgot this was about Pronger! Continue reading
I seem to have crazy football jinx powers lately (did you see last week’s Saints game?), everything baseball related just reminds me of You-Know-Who and the Team He Is No Longer On (I figure after Chrismas I’ll be over it. Maybe.), and I have done most of my favorite basketball players in previous years. A hockey ACoH it is, then!
Today: Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard
Source: JackDetroit
Continuing on my second year football men trend, I accidentally stumbled on this adorable gem in my photo research for yesterday’s ACoH Ryan Mathews. I have to be honest – I’m not really a Broncos fan, so I sadly missed wide receiver Mr. Eric Decker up until now. If you’re familiar, you will certainly enjoy the abundance of photos I have collected. If you aren’t familiar yet, just thank me later ;)
Now, I know what you’re thinking – hey Buffalita, why would your pick for the ACoH hottie today be a running back that somewhat stomped all over your beloved Bills yesterday? Well, for two reasons – it’s intra-conference so it doesn’t really mean much since they’ll only play each other once every few years (plus let’s be honest – I had a bit of a hard time Billeiving that my poor team could pull one off against a team whose record is a tad closer to 500 than ours). Plus, I figured I should show a little appreciation for one of the only useful running backs left on my fantasy team. Smell the bitter from there? Sure, maybe I’m a little bummed that without Peterson or Peyton Hillis for most of the season, my lineup was relatively useless. But at least I could count on cutie Mr. Ryan Mathews of the San Diego Chargers to keep my head afloat.
It’s my turn to be a complete homer. So much of a homer, in fact, that many of these photos are my own handiwork. Today’s hottie is Manuel* Pina, a catcher in the Royals’ system who caught a few games in the Majors last season.
That hair...
*He’s listed everywhere as “Manny,” but a little old bird told me he hates being called that.
You’ve been patiently waiting to open the door on Day 9, so we’re happy to deliver this sweet piece of perfection: veteran Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver. Never mind that the Houston native has had a fantastic Super Bowl-winning career and still has a few magnificent moves in his arsenal despite the years: we love him for his commitment to kids, as you’ll notice here. We also love him for his commitment to battling homelessness (a challenge he and his family dealt with when he was a child) through the Donald Driver Foundation.
So now you have an extra reason to cheer as the Pack continues their drive towards a perfect season Sunday against the Raiders (like we didn’t give you enough reasons last December…) Continue reading
Today’s ACoH selection was inspired by the last two weeks of New Orleans Saints games and my boyfriend’s growing mancrush on tight end Jimmy Graham. Since becoming the starter last year, Jimmy has become one of the Saints’ biggest offensive weapons — and this year, he has become one of the best tight ends in the entire league.
I don’t have many opinions about the New England Patriots. Really, I don’t. Out here in the safety of the AFC West, I don’t have to think about them much. One thing I do think is that Aaron Hernandez is kind of pretty just unfairly hot? I don’t know. Don’t judge me.
Off we go.
"Aaron! Over here!"
Well hello there! So sorry for my absence – I have missed reporting on the status of my beloved Bills and ogling gents across multiple sport lines to an unreasonable amount, but I am finally back! And what a great way to celebrate my new marriage to Mr. Buffalia (aka Hawk) then to jump right on in to the ACoH!
Say ohai to tennis player Marat Safin!
I can already hear you saying “Bee, this is the Advent Calendar of HOTNESS! Where is my well-chiseled bare chested hunk? Because…for gawd’s sake, did I really wait all day for TIM THOMAS?!!” Continue reading
OK, y’all. I try not to be too much of a homer for ACoH, but surely I am allowed one Cardinal — especially this year. So, I hereby appoint as Day 3 ACoH your 2011 World Series MVP, David Freese.
Hi CJ! HIIIIIII!!! (Photo: Jonathan Zizzo)
Missing baseball yet? I sure as heck am! Fear not, readers – the Advent Calendar has a few boys of summer hiding behind its (virtual) cardboard doors, like this offseason’s Most Eligible Starter, C.J. Wilson.
My tree is up, the big tree down in Rockefeller Center has been lit, it is Christmastime here in the city (and everywhere else), and thus, it is also once again time for the Ladies… Advent Calendar of Hotness!
Today’s ACoH is Houston Texans running back Arian Foster.
Hockey season is in full swing, I’m 6-and-0 in the Ladies… Fantasy Football League (what the @#$!), the World Series begins Wednesday and in the NBA…yeaaaah, anyway, it’s a busy sports week here at Ladies… I promise I’ll return to some NHL Hotness Profiles soon, but in the meantime, enjoy these stories written by other people:
Finally, I have to tell you I came thisclose to buying these tonight, until I realized that I probably wouldn’t receive them in time for Hallowe’en. Are they not awesome? If only I could hop into my invisible jet and pick them up myself in Pennsylvania.
I’m a giant bundle of nerves for the Brewers’ Game 5 tonight, so excuse the hit and run style of this post.
I wanted to point you all to the story of Brianna Amat, senior from Pinckney Community High School outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan.
On October 1 she was named the school’s Homecoming Queen. Less than an hour later, she kicked the game-winning field goal during the Homecoming football game.
An outstanding soccer defender, Amat became the first girl ever to play on Pinckney’s varsity football team.
By the way, Amat also has a 4.0 and is treasurer of the Student Council.
She missed an extra point early in the game, leaving her team with a slim 6-0 lead. But her field goal in the third quarter was the difference, as her team went on to win 9-7.
She has nothing but positive things to say about her time on the varsity football team, which warms my heart. She could have encountered derision and difficulty, but they seem to have welcomed her with open arms. And she’s having a ball.
(Subtitle: Probably I’m Overreacting, Since They’ve Certainly Blown Plenty of Other Games This Season, And Anyway If They Make The Playoffs We’ll Never Get Rid of La Russa and AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.)
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go stare at Rafa in his underwear. I find it clears the mind.
Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
I am rooting for Clayton Kershaw these days. And no, it’s not just because he’s on my fantasy team. He happens to have just slid past Johnny Cueto for the NL ERA title — although it’s a slim enough margin that a bad inning could knock him right back into second. I still bear Cueto a grudge for kicking Jason LaRue in the face and ending his career last season, so I would prefer he not win anything for quite some time. Of course, at the moment Cueto’s on the disabled list and hasn’t yet pitched enough innings to qualify for the ERA title, so it may become Kershaw’s anyway. Karma’s a bitch, Johnny.
Baseball’s regular season is winding down, but there’s plenty of other things to root for:
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The running shoes that guided me through my first 5K and many others. Enjoy retirement, smelly Zoom Vomero+ 4s! (Photo: Bee)
17 months ago, my sister bought me the sneakers pictured above as an early birthday gift. This all stemmed from a conversation we had about how I always wanted to run the CBCF Run for the Cure and tried to learn to run but never quite got past a couple of tries. She thought it might have been the shoes, so she treated me to those pricey Zoom Vomeros.
I took them for a trial 1K run in a subdivision near my place during an unusually warm April afternoon…and thought I was going to die. I wasn’t sure what possessed me to agree to this commitment: I was never considered athletic or even remotely coordinated. I was the classic Last Kid Picked On The Team and never played sports in high school or college. I even have a distinct memory of one of the snobby girls in 9th Grade making fun of how I ran around the bases in softball during phys ed. So knowing all of this, how did I ever expect to run a 5K?
17 months later, with a number of 5Ks under my belt, I am aiming for my first 10K. 2010 Bee’s head just exploded after reading that.
With the Terry Fox Run coming up this Sunday across Canada (shameless plug to sponsor me can be found here), I thought I’d share with you, dear readers, some advice on how I got over that hump and turned those best intentions into action and water blisters. These tips may not be for everyone, but they worked for me. And if they work for even one of you, then my purpose for this post will have been fulfilled. Just don’t blame me for your occasional spending sprees on cute workout gear. Continue reading
Hallelujah! (Photo: Paul Sancya/AP)
News so fantastic, it had to announced in ALL CAPS without spaces between words and punctuated with THREE exclamation points: the stupid, stupid NFL lockout is officially OVER! Commence the planning of fantasy drafts and opening weekend tailgate spreads post haste.
What with the liveblogging early this week, and an unexpected trip out of town this weekend, I’ve barely had time to catch my breath. Here’s a couple of quick, fun pictures before I get up and resume packing.
Boris Struebel/Getty Images
The US Women are in the World Cup final, and Abby Wambach has another beautiful header goal. The Final is Sunday right when I’ll be heading back from my trip, but I’ll be with them in spirit.
Tonight, the Crown Jewel of the All-Star Break: The Game Itself.
Come on, you know McCarver and Buck taking this game way too seriously/acting like no one in the audience knows who any of these players are is a lot easier to enjoy in the presence of some snarky sports lovin’ ladies and their friends. Join us here!
Our annual Home Run Derby liveblog commenceth! Fielder! Ortiz! Many explanations of just why, exactly, Albert Pujols isn’t here! Just because we love it doesn’t mean we can’t be snarky!
Would you like to join us?Click Here
Hope Solo shall have none of your silly goal scoring nonsense. (Photo: Getty Images)
We hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend! I’m still unpacking and cleaning up gear from the Great Island Campout of 2011, in which I did not end up on Princess Kate Watch and did not get to celebrate Brad Richards signing with the Maple Leafs.
And tonight? It’s warm! Summer warm! Finally! Also building heat is Team USA, who defeated Columbia 3-0 yesterday in Women’s World Cup action in Germany. The win clinches them a spot in the quarter finals. They face Sweden tomorrow at 2:45 ET.
Back to hockey for a minute… Continue reading
The face that launched a thousand crushes in the 90s, including mine.
My post this week was originally supposed to be about the NHL Draft until Tuesday when I learned that JESUS LORD DOUG GILMOUR IS GOING TO THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME!!!
You’re damn right that deserves to be written in all caps. Doug Gilmour is one of the biggest reasons I became a Leafs fan, although I admit that even when I was still hanging on to my childhood affection for the Canadiens, I already had a crush on Killer. What sane girl didn’t? And for that matter, what sane guy? Because there is no platonic man love like the love of a Leafs fan for Dougie Gilmour. Just ask Don Cherry once you get past the jump.
As excited as the Ladies get for baseball’s All-Star festivities, we tend to ignore the Celebrity Softball game. I may have to at least DVR it, however, now that Chris Pratt (Parks and Rec, Everwood) has been announced as one of the celebrities. Chris is in the Moneyball movie as one of the A’s prospects, so he’s presumably had at least some movie prep coaching. If he brings MouseRat to sing the national anthem, I’ll even watch it live.
Also on the celeb roster:
Game 7 is on! The Cup’s here, Games Mistress and Lady Bee are here, all that’s left is for you to join us by clicking here.
The calm before the storm.
Given how much we love hockey around these parts, we had to do something special for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. So join us back here Wednesday night, for our Stanley Cup liveblog — reader comments are not only allowed, but encouraged!
I wanted to watch Game 4 of the Stanley Cup last night, but couldn’t, because it was on Versus, which I don’t have. (NBC opted for Celebrity Minute To Win It, with Steve-O and some other guy from Jackass. If that’s a bigger ratings draw than the Stanley Cup, the NHL still has a lot of work to do.)
I believe I have made my displeasure about playoff games being on cable channels known before, but I still find it ridiculous. So since I’m battling some serious writer’s block, here are other things which I am finding ridiculous today.
Continue reading
The Bruins Saturday night in Vancouver. Boston will try to get back into the Stanley Cup Final series tonight with Game 3 at home. (Photo: Getty Images)
Just a quick hit to give you something to read between periods tonight.
Know how I always talk about the East Coast’s love for all things Boston? Here’s an article from the Globe and Mail that backs up my point, but only to a certain extent. See, what I got out of this was a) Bruins fans in the Maritimes consist of old guys who are missing their own teeth and b) the Maritimes consist solely of Nova Scotia…oh, wait, they threw PEI a bone. So this story drove me crazy all day. Yeah, I know it’s customary for Canadians in my part of the country to kvetch about how the rest of Canada views us. When national publications talk East Coast, they’re really just talking about Halifax (so we think). And the national CBC is even worse, as when they talk about the East, it seems to end at the Quebec border. Grrr.
So here’s a footnote to that Globe article. New Brunswick is home to two Bruins greats: Don Sweeney, who spent the better part of 15 seasons with Boston, and Willie O’Ree, who broke the NHL colour barrier. For the record, I know far more Bruins fans out here than actual Canucks fans (apologies to those cheering them on because they’re the last Canadian team standing).
And many of them are women.
Here’s something to make you smile, speaking of Boston: one kid honouring his uncle’s memory with an assist from the Red Sox. I can’t hate on them when they agree to do stuff like this.
This is from a few days ago, but Star Wars fans will enjoy this tale from our pal Andrew Bucholtz at Sporting Madness.
And now back to some seriousness: keep Nathan Horton in your thoughts, OK? God, I hate seeing anyone being carried off on a stretcher.
