I’m the first to admit that I’m not a big NBA fan.  I do enjoy the college game, so I don’t hate the game.  I’ve taken issue with some aspects of the pro game in recent years, so I gave up a bit on the NBA.  Don’t get me wrong, I do follow the Wizards since they’re the closest team to me geographically speaking, but I’m not at the point where I have to watch every single game.  I do find myself following guys that I loved while they were in the NCAA, and that’s what brings me to this post.

I’ve found myself on more than one occasion watching Blazer games. (Probably because of this guy!)  I’ve also discovered that this team is not only fun to watch, but they’re kinda hot!  So take a trip with me to Rip City after the jump.

Up first…it has to be Brandon Roy

Then we have my dirty little crush -

Joel Pryzbilla

Then we have the adorable Jerryd Bayless

Now move over Rafael Nadal…there’s a new Mallorcan in town!  My new crush…

Rudy Fernandez

Ok so you may not find him the hottest, more like hideously goofy, but I had to include some love for the reason that I now love the Blazers: Steve Blake.

and because of I love pictures of men holding babies…here’s Steve with his son.

Now indulge me for a second here…but thinking about Steve Blake brings back fond memories of my sophomore year of college when Mr. Blake and Company led the Terps to their first ever National Title.  I was in Atlanta for the Final Four that year, and it was my greatest sports moment.  Ahh the good ole days!  Here is some love for Steve and the two greatest plays in his years at Maryland.

It’s definitely a Monday and I’m forgetful, so forgive me for this quick post.

Instead, give us a caption for this crazy picture of T.J. Houshmandzadeh:

and follow the jump for another entertaining picture that I decided wouldn’t produce captions safe for the viewing public…

Frankly, I’m a little surprised NFL.com put this up as a picture of the week, but maybe I’m the only one with a dirty, dirty mind. Either way, it put a smile on my face this Monday morning.

This actually makes me cringe.

I was recently sharing with the Ladies… one of the few beefs I had about my visit to Yankee Stadium in September: the womens’ wear shop. Now mind you I was on a mission for something very specific (a womens’ cut Swisher or Hughes tee) and the chances of snagging it were slim. Needless to say, I didn’t find it. I did find an awful lot of pink tees, caps, bats and foam fingers. And Jeter and A-Rod shirts. And rhinestones.

Fortunately MLB.com has plenty to offer according to one’s taste, but some of the selections still leave us scratching our heads. Join me as I play second-rate fashion critic after the jump.

Cutesports brought this lovely Brewers bag to our attention. Very LL Bean, but very impractical to lug a ball game. Trust us: unless it’s water-resistant and full of snacks to keep the kids occupied, the big bag needs to stay home. The big bag also needs to stay home when you’re at a rock show (Sorry. That was directed at the sadly inebriated student that kept bumping her big purse into my friend Karen at a Joel Plaskett show late this summer. It was annoying! Let’s get back on topic…)

It’s also $99! Save the money for a jersey.

Speaking of jerseys, I’m glad to see that MLB.com makes them available in a womens’ fit. But…pink? I have nothing against pink – really, none of us do (see: our banner). But until the Yankees actually adopt pink as a team colour, I’m not wearing a pink jersey. I can live with a tee, but not a jersey. I mean, have you ever seen a pink cardinal?

My point exactly!

Now here’s a use of pink that doesn’t completely turn my stomach, though I will understand if Cutesports does not want Santa to leave this in her stocking:

One beef I have with MLB.com is the inconsistency of item availability for women. Put it this way: if you’re a fan of teams like the Yanks, Sox, Dodgers, Cards, the selection of clothing and accessories is outstanding and varied. But if you’re a fan of say…the Royals, not so much. What gives? Every woman deserves cool fan gear in the team of their choosing. This situation could use a bit of improvement, so we hope you’re listening, MLB.com. I found seven womens’ ball caps in the MLB.com Royals store: only three were blue, and one of them looked like this:

This is courtesy of Alyssa Milano and her Touch line. Again with the rhinestones!! I’m sorry! The sight of rhinestones on ball caps brings back cheesy memories of Mary Hart in her studded L.A. Kings cap watching Gretzky when he was with the team. Mercifully, Alyssa’s cap is less gaudy.

And of course this crap isn’t limited to ball caps. Here’s a selection that brings together two of my least favourite things: Swarovski Crystals and the Red Sox:

If you expect me to handwash that to keep the crystals from falling off the hoodie, get real! (Too bad, because it’s a nice hoodie in spite of the team logo..)

Back to Alyssa for a moment. I feel a tad hypocritical for feeling the least bit annoyed when I see her modeling a Yankees hoodie. After all, she’s like us: a gal who blogs about baseball and daydreams about dating a few of these fine men. Except…she actually did date a few of these guys, and then there’s that whole “Who’s The Boss” thing, and then there she is infiltrating other professional sports with her fashion line. I’ll work on that internal struggle, but I think we can all agree that Alyssa hits a home run now and again. This Phillies jacket, while a bit petite, is awfully cute:

But this…?

Who wears velour pants to a ball game, Alyssa? With those shoes? Maybe I’m just getting old, but this look tends to be relegated to my bedroom. Or the yoga studio.

Here’s a tank that’s neither pink nor studded. But holy high contrast pattern, Batman! Are we cheering for the Mets, or going sailing?

For all my complaining, I still like to shop on MLB.com because quite frankly, I can’t get this kind of selection at my local Sportchek in Canada. I don’t have an issue with the exchange rate – it’s fairly decent for us right now. I don’t care for the international shipping charge that gets slapped on my annual purchase but I deal with the trade-off. It’s the only cross-border shopping I do in a year.

Now, if I was a Jays fan, I could shop online in the special Jays shop with Canadian pricing and no evil international surcharge. MLB.com’s store links to this in the U.S. Jays team shop. It’s worth a visit, since the womens’ wear selection is sad on the U.S. side (yes, it’s unfair). Only in Canada can you score this:

Crane would like one with Halliday’s number on the back, thanks.

Now this is cute! Stylish, comfortable, easy to care for, and makes excellent use of team colours and Baltimore’s mascot. I’m not an Orioles fan and yet I would totally wear this. But $44.99?! It’s 50/50, for heaven’s sake!

It should not cost that much to look awesome.

I’ll conclude by saying that I appreciate MLB.com for making the effort, because we didn’t have so many attractive options for fan gear even five years ago. The NHL could take a cue from this (we’ll save that rant for another day) I just wish manufacturers would realize that women are not crows – you don’t need to put shiny things on T-shirts to get us to buy them. Just make them stylish, tasteful, practical and easy to care for. And please resist the urge to dip them in pink. Please.

What do you love about fan gear, and what do you loathe? Are we being too hard on those who dig a little bling on their hoodie? On what occasion should I wear those velour pants? Have at ‘er below.

]]> http://ladiesdotdotdot.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/what-not-to-buy-the-ladies-this-holiday-season/feed/ 10 Lady Bee Photobucket LL Bean anyone? Cards in pink Brewers cap Royals cap Red Sox top Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Retro Jays Photobucket http://ladiesdotdotdot.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/friday-foodie-hot-reuben-dip-spicy-micheladas-and-oh-yeah-yankee-lovin/ http://ladiesdotdotdot.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/friday-foodie-hot-reuben-dip-spicy-micheladas-and-oh-yeah-yankee-lovin/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:13:19 +0000 THE blonde bomber http://ladiesdotdotdot.wordpress.com/?p=6360 ]]>

So that happened… my boys in pinstripes won the World Series, Godzilla took home the MVP and all is right with the world.  It’s a bitter sweet feeling, harassing Sox fans since just hasn’t had the same feel.  Is it spring training yet???

But not to worry, I hopped in the kitchen, thought about football and got right back in the swing of things.

So today I bring you another delectable treat, perfect for your tail-gaiting and football spreads!

I adore Reuben’s, a little corned beef, a little cabbage, it’s like an ode to my Irish heritage, even though I’ve recently been informed that no one in Ireland actually eats that!  Anyways, Reuben’s rock, and things in wee form rock harder… so here is double the fun… hot Reuben dip!

1 c Swiss cheese, shredded
1/2 lb corned beef, shredded
1 8 oz package cream cheese, room temp
1 8 oz package sour cream
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp spicy mustard
1/2 c sauerkraut, drained
1 package rye cocktail bread squares

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl combine half of the Swiss, corned beef, cream cheese, sour cream, ketchup, mustard and sauerkraut.

I cannot stress the importance of making sure the cream cheese is room temp and making sure that the sauerkraut is completely dry! Makes a world of difference.

Pour the mixture into an oven proof pan, a pie dish works best.  Top with the remaining Swiss cheese.

Bake for approximately 20 minutes. Turn on the broiler and brown the top.  Be sure to watch, as it browns extremely quickly.

Let sit for a few minutes, then enjoy!

I’m a simple girl… I like beer and whiskey… but for those moments when I tamper with perfection… I crave a Michelada.  It’s like a Bloody Mary without the vodka and tomato, with beer instead!  Well… sort of like a Bloody Mary!

The beauty of this drink is that you can alter it a million ways to make it your own.  Play with the amount of each ingredient, salt the rim, add Sriracha, try it without lemon juice, add Clamato.. whatever!  I’ve seen these made a million ways, and I am in no way saying this is the definitive recipe… just how I like it.

In my house I have a strict NO light beer policy.  I would suggest using a light Mexican beer for the most authentic taste… I don’t like to play by the rules… so Yuengling it is!

Half lime, juiced
1/8 of lemon, juiced
Tabasco
Soy sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Salt
Pepper
Beer

Slice lime and squeeze into bottom of a pint glass.  Squeeze lemon slice.  Add ice.  Add dash of soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce.

Here’s where it’s really up to you.  I go for about 8 dashes of Tabasco, but this is totally dependent on the level of fire you would like on your lips after!

Add a dash of salt and several grinds of pepper… Get heavy with the pepper!

Mix well and then top with beer! Enjoy!!!

I have some very happy neighbors, not to mention fellow Ladies, this morning.  (And one not so happy Lady — my condolences, Maggie!)  The Yankees won their 27th World Series last night; Hideki Matsui won the series MVP after tying the record for RBIs in one World Series game (6).  But before we officially adjourn to the baseball off-season, let’s vote on some stuff!

How about the Series MVP?  (Hey Tim McCarver gets to vote for the actual one, why shouldn’t we award our own?)

There’s also an issue of pressing importance that has been nagging at us Ladies the entire postseason.

The Yankees fans among us may want to revel in this season a bit longer, but here’s one final poll for the rest of us.

Oops, that last poll got away from me a bit.  Um, congratulations Yankees!

So I came up with this feature as a new twist to “Caption This!”  See, a coworker and I were looking at Fatheads for no apparent reason.  When you click on one, it will give suggestions for others.  Well this lovely LeBron James Fathead popped up as a suggestion.  We both thought it was sorta inappropriate.  It kind of looks like he’s thrusting his crotch in your face.  So then we thought of some other sports pictures that would make inappropriate/funny Fatheads.  And the idea was born.

Follow me after the jump to see some funny and highly inappropriate Fatheads. 

Brandon: Gee Mommy…I really want a Brett Favre Vikings Fathead!  Can you puh-leeeze get me one?

You really have to look at this one, but I bet Mommy wouldn’t approve…well she might, I guess, if she had a dirty mind.

Brandon: Dear Santa…I really want a Ray Lewis Fathead for Christmas. I swear I’ve been a really good boy.

Santa: Nice try, Brandon.  You’ve been a brat…so you’re getting a CrackHead for Christmas.

Brandon: Hey Dad…I really want a Fathead of teammates celebrating a great touchdown reception.  Do you think they have a good one?

Dad:  Well son, I know you love the Panthers, so here ya go!

Brandon: Dad, do you think A-Rod and Jeter are really best friends?  Billy and I think they’re truly great friends, and we want to grow up and play for the Yankees and be best friends just like them!  I want a great Fathead that shows how great of friends they really are!

Dad: Ok, son, I’ll find the best A-Rod and Jeter Fathead they make!  We’ll hang it in your bedroom, and you and Billy can be just like them!

Brandon: Mom, I really love hockey! It is sooo cool!  I want to be a big defenseman and beat people up!  The best, big defenseman in the NHL is Zdeno Chara!  I really want his Fathead.  Can you please, please, please, puh-leeze get me one?

Mom: Sure thing Brandon!  Let me get on the Internet and order you one right quick!

**Warning: You might want to shield your eyes.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!**

And just to be clear…the kid’s name is Brandon…I didn’t make that up.  It says so on his bookshelf!

Yep. Giants sucked. Jets sucked. Yankees didn’t do it tonight (Monday). Mets…let’s not go there. Sometimes it’s tough being a New York sports fan. After watching an exciting Game 4 of the World Series (which I’m still holding to my Saturday prediction that the Yankees will take the Phils in 6 and it’s now looking quite possible), I had to reflect back on what a different season my 2 New York baseball teams had. After the jump, the truth – in photos…

So let’s begin with the better of the two, naturally. The New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers. The Pinstripers. Ending their regular season with 103 wins and 59 losses, this moment above really captures the excitement and the typicality that is The Yanks. Here they are winning their 40th AL pennant against the Angels…

…and here is one of the more amazing moments in franchise history.

These are some of the moments that defined Yankee season of ‘09.

On the other hand…

This is Jeff Francoeur. Some of you may remember how I threw a hissy fit when the Mets traded Ryan Church for this hack. Some defended him. Others were with me. And above is why I stand by my feelings (thanks FanIQ). Oh and this just in – Franheart just had thumb surgery. I guess when you shy away from balls like a champ, some minor appendage is bound to mess itself up. Here’s to a speedy recovery, pal. Not like it actually made you a better hitter or anything.

And then we have this.

This is Fernando Martinez, aka F-Mart. Go ahead. Google Fernando Martinez. One of the top strings that google will suggest in Mozilla actually says ‘Fernando Martinez Faceplant’.

And with 70 wins and 92 losses, these are the kind of defining moments the Mets had for their 2009 season.

(and some of my loyal readers wonder why I can’t shake the childhood love of the Yanks)

PS – A Burnett can bite me. Yeah I said it.

While plenty of these young men are hot, hot, hot, I feel a little like a creepy old woman calling college boys hotties, so this on-going look at the pretty faces of college hockey is going to be about the cuties!

First up, half of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The conference is a bit on the larger side, so we’re doing this one in two parts.

Today’s post features Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Denver College, University of Alaska-Anchorage and Bemidji State.

First up, Wisconsin’s Aaron Bendickson. He’s a senior forward from Theif River Falls, MN.

Next is Badger Cody Goloubef. Cody’s from Ontario and played for Canada in the World Junior Hockey Championship’s last year. He was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It’s difficult for me to talk about some of Wisconsin’s opponents in positive terms, but a few of these other WCHA cuties could definitely soften my disposition toward the rest of the conference.

This is Minnesota’s Mike Hoeffel, who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils.

Here’s Alaska-Anchorage’s Kane LaFranchise

and his teammate, Swedish cutie Mitch Bruijsten

This is North Dakota’s Chris VandeVelde

And his fellow Sious teammate Evan Trupp

This is Bemidji State’s Bradley Hunt

and his teammate, another Swedish cutie, Emil Billberg

and last, but not least,

Meet Denver’s Dustin Jackson

How are you spending your Halloween?

On one end of the spectrum for the Ladies…, Miss Minda is off partying it up in Madison, combining college football and one huge Halloween party. On the other,  I’m doing absolutely nothing. But whatever you’re doing today, you can appreciate some awesome sports-themed carved pumpkins.

Raven suggested the idea, so follow the jump to see her attempts as well as a few more sports-inspired pumpkins.

First is Raven’s Baltimore Oriole pumpkin

I’m not sure anyone can top this one – here’s Raven’s Alex Ovechkin pumpkin:

Seriously, girl – that’s hard core!

Next is an awesome Bucky Badger salute that I saw on Bucky’s Twitter feed:

The next is a friend of mine’s made using the handy templates the Brewers provide on their website: (do other teams do this? They should!)

Here’s a Blue Jay Crane found via Twitter – another great mascot!

And one last one I found on our newspaper’s website that proves you don’t need to make a single cut or deal with any inner-pumpkin goop to get a cool pumpkin:

Share your favorite do-it-yourself or professional versions in the comments!

Is that Matt's hand on Kurt's...?! (Photo: Getty Images)

It’s Week 8 of the NFL, readers! I was going to choose a picture of our favourite douchewaffle in celebration of his upcoming visit to Lambeau, when I found…this. It’s a couple of weeks old, but hey, you need something to do before donning your Balloon Boy outfit to go pumpkin sacrificing. Happy weekend!