This Is The End

Well, I guess we all knew this was coming. Nothing lasts forever, not even the oogling of hot athletes doing what they and we love most. Actually, that will last forever. I mean, can you just stop admiring Grady Sizemore’s smile of Rafael Nadal’s ass? No? Well, we can’t either. It’s just the writing of it that will stop.

So I have the unlucky task of breaking the news. It’s with a heavy heart that I say that some of our ladies will be leaving Ladies… Don’t fret though, because Miss Minda and Games Mistress will be continuing on and keeping up the Ladies… standard. For right now some of us would like to say a last word to all of you. Hit the jump for our last words.

Hump Day Hottie: Larry Fitzgerald

So the Cardinals being in the NFC Championship game is a surprised huh? And hosting the game as well. Frankly, it’s just a little too much to take. I mean, these are the Arizona Cardinals here. For the entirety of my life they’ve been hapless and pathetic. Now they’re one game away from the Super Bowl. It’s almost a little too much.

You know who isn’t too much though? Larry Fitzgerald. I remember him at Pitt and was kind of upset for him when he got drafted by the football Cardinals. I thought he would surely be traded because Arizona just didn’t do pro football well. That just goes to show you what I know.

So, ahead of the championship game this weekend, let’s take a look at the hottie down in the desert.

Yes, I like the team photo. Sue me.

Historic Hotties

Remember when I told all of you about the Ladies… fantasy football league? Well, sorry I didn’t give an update, but there’s one now! In a race that wasn’t so close, our two invitees, Thistle Warrior and Pam, crushed the Ladies. For real, it wasn’t funny. In the end it was between the two of them to see who would win. And our winner was…

Thistle Warrior! Her prize is a free post on this here blog. So without further ado here is TW.

I owe much of my sports fandom to my dad. He instilled in me with a love for sports, particularly its history. Over the years between my dad’s stories, documentaries, and countless books I have noticed that sports are an absolute hotbed for hotness. So without further ado, here is my Top 5 Historic Hotties:

Our Year End Hump Day Hottie Spectacular!

Chances are you’ll be reading this in 2009. That’s okay. It’s a holiday and you were preparing yourself for the New Year’s Eve celebrations. But if you are reading this in 2008 then let’s go through a review of what happened this year. Specifically what happened every Wednesday of this year. Yes, we’re going to be taking a look back at the Hump Day Hotties that have graced our blog in the ’08. Why? Because how could you not want to take a trip down memory lane and remember Ryan Lochte?

So let’s go back through the year that was and enjoy our hotties one more time before we sing “Auld Lang Syne.” And if you’re reading this in 2009, remember when Lochte was so smoking in 2008 he made the Ladies… HDH? Yeah, that was awesome.

Hump Day Hottie: Robin van Persie

It’s almost the end of the year so we only have a few more HDH’s of 2008. Hopefully we can end this right. But how can you not end it right when we’re dealing with hot athletes?

Anyway, there’s a certain reason our HDH is Arsenal’s Robin van Persie this week. It’s a welcome back gift for someone. Her favorite team happens to be Arsenal and considering I’ve already done Cesc Fabregas I’m going with another hottie from the Gunners. So welcome back you. I hope van Persie can put you in the right Ladies… frame of mind.

The Ladies… Gift Lists

Chances are if you’re reading this blog then you are a sports-minded lady. Do you know what to ask for from your family and/or friends? Maybe you have a certain special female  in your life that love sports more than you? Do you know where to start in purchasing her the perfect gift this holiday season?

I thought not. So take a gander at the Ladies… gift lists and get inspired. It’s not all tickets. Someone wants this.

Hump Day Hottie: Marat Safin

Usually I don’t really pay attention to tennis until the French Open, but ever since the Tennis Master’s Cup Final happened in November I’ve been longing for the sport. I have no idea why. I’m thinking it’s my Rafa obsession but who knows? Anyway, I’m counting down the days until the new year when the season gets started again. But just because we’re not in season doesn’t mean we can’t make one of tennis’ hottest ballers our HDH. So Marat Safin, welcome to the Ladies… HDH club.

Your Thanksgiving Day Viewing Schedule

You know what the best part of Thanksgiving? It’s not the family or the food or any of that. It’s the sports you’ll be watching to get away from your family. Okay, and maybe the food. So I thought, when you’re half paying attention to your job or any news as it is today, that I would give you a highlight on some of the games that are coming tomorrow. You can be with your family during all the Black Friday stuff.

I find Dwight Howard to be totes adorable. He'll be adding to your sports viewing tomorrow.

Hump Day Hottie: Chris Paul

I have no idea why I’m on this NBA baller kick. But who cares when they’re really cute NBA ballers. I think I’ve said this before, but when Paul was at Wake Forest (for more than one year at that!) I hated him. Mostly because he was really good and played on a rival team, but the point is I didn’t like him. He also hit another players in the…man area. Way uncool. So when he finished his college career with an overtime lost (granted it was a great game) to West Virginia I was giddy in my hate.

Now, however, I really like Paul. He seems like a genuine good guy who loves basketball and Winston-Salem. And somehow through the hate I didn’t notice how hot he was. What a change in jersey can do. So I offer up to you the hotness that is CP3.

Hooray! College Basketball Is Here!

Yes, I’m a bit overexcited. But who cares? College basketball, after it’s long, long, long hiatus, is finally upon us. We’ve had a few games played already and a 24-hour ballathon soon (excuse me while I squee in delight) maybe it’s time to scoop out the hotties by conference. And since me and Miss Christina’s favorite conference is the ACC, let’s start there. Here are a few of the hotties you should know about. Starting with Tyrese Rice, from Boston College.

Hump Day Hottie: Dwayne Wade

Chitown Chick and I seriously debated about, if Barack Obama won the Presidential election, making him the HDH this week. We were both for it and at about 11:30 PM last night I was thinking about all the great Grant Park speech pictures I could put up here (Chitown Chick was actually there last night. So. Jealous.). And then I realize that while CtC and I would love to have an Obama HDH, not every one of our readers might like that. There’s a reason why some (ok, a lot) people don’t like a mixing of sports and politics. And in the end it might be best to not have our lovely little blog be overrun with a bunch comments that have nothing to do with hot athletes.

So I thought I would go with another hottie from Chicago, Dwayne Wade. I actually don’t have much to talk about D-Wade with today as the NBA season is really just getting underway and I’m still on a politics high, but I thought it’d be cool to spread the Chicago love. And he somehow hasn’t been our HDH yet so it’s time to change that.

The Ladies… Fantasy League

So like every other person in the world we here at Ladies have our own fantasy football league. The thing is, I’m typically a lazy person and just didn’t tell all of you about it. I did, don’t get me wrong. But being lazy is so much easier than writing a post about a league where the commissioner started out sucking and is just now getting on track and is within looking distance of the leaders.

Ahem.

So I think this is the perfect week to get everyone updated on the status of the league and some of our, um, interesting team names. And a little surprise on who else is in the league.

1000th Post Countdown…Number Five, Number Five

If our favorite athletes were made up of a scent what would it be? I once told someone (and she agreed) that one of my absolute favs (who’ll come later on this list) probably smells like roses and lilacs. I would like to think that they would smell as good as Chanel No. 5, only 10x better. Oh, and the fragrance would be for women, obviously. Yep. Because who likes musky scents for men? Nobody. So yeah, hot athletes smell like all the greatest perfumes out there. And none of that sweaty mess after they actually play their sport.

I can dream right? And I’m all over the place. But whatevs. Our fifth hottest men are after the jump.

1000th Post Countdown…The Nine

Does anybody else remember this show? It was this group of (wait for it) nine people who were in a bank during a robbery. I faintly remember seeing an episode or two and recognizing that guy from “Party of Five,” even though I never watched that show. I kinda wished it had more episodes during it’s run because when ABC canceled it the show was getting good.

Too bad the networks don’t come up with a show about the Ladies… #9 hotties. That show would never get canceled. Hey networks, you’re welcome. I expect to be compensated properly. Anyway, the Ladies… top nine guys are after the jump. They just keep getting better and better.

Hump Day Hottie: Cole Hamels, Part 2

With the NLCS starting tomorrow I thought it was appropriate to feature a hottie on one of the last four teams in. Who better than Phillies ace Cole Hamels. I know, he’s been a HDH before. But that doesn’t mean he can’t be one again. And the way he’s been pitching (and looking hot along the way) he kinda deserves this. So we salute you Cole, for being our only two time hump day hottie. At least so far.

Hit & Run-Who Needs Debates When You Got Sports?

Yes, the Vice Presidential debates were last night. That’s nice. You know what else was on? Baseball. And football. And football. And baseball. It was a damn good night of sports, even those who teams didn’t perform the way they had wished. So let’s get to a few of the unpleasantness (like Georgetown having to cancel a game because of norovirus) out of the way first, starting with the Cubs.

Who's winning? It ain't the Cubbies. Sorry Chitown Chick.

Hump Day Hottie: Johan Santana

Poor Mets fans. I just looked at the MLB standings today and saw that the Phillies are in the lead. When did that happen? Seriously, when did that happen? Wasn’t they leading like last week? Anyway, I’m sure the Metropolitans faithful aren’t going through the easiest of times right now, so for our own Metschick and all those who root for them, I give you Johan Santana. Maybe his hotness can put a smile on your face.

Hump Day Hottie: Cesc Fabregas

I’ve wanted to make Cesc the HDH since June during Euro, but just never got around to it. But as the Premiere League is back in action this is the perfect time to showcase him. Cesc makes me want to pay attention to soccer. Well, at least Arsenal football. I can’t be expected to watch an entire weekend of action.

So anyway, here is Cesc. He has helped make my birthday a good one.

Very Superstitious, Writing’s On The Wall

One of the best parts of being a sports fan is the superstitions we come up with. How so? Because where else in life can you completely rationalize some of the crazy stuff we do in the name of “not jinxing” our teams? And it just doesn’t work in other parts of life. There aren’t too many sales associates that won’t say the name of the city they’re in so they won’t jinx that next sale.

Or something. I don’t think that analogy works, but you know where I was going with it.

Anyway, superstitions are fun. They make all our crazy behavior during games normal. And those among us without a silly superstition about their favorite baseball or hockey team? They’re the crazy ones.

So I asked the Ladies… what are some of the superstitions they have for their favorite teams. Add yours in the comments.  

Hump Day Hottie: US Open

With football about to get started this week and the Olympics winding down to a close (not to mention the continued play of baseball) you might not have realized that the last tennis major of the year has started. Yes, the US Open has begun (with a damn good first night match I might add) and with that the return of all the gorgeous men that play the sport. I’ve made known my love for Rafael Nadal and we’ve shared the hotness that is Novak Djokovic. I’m sure everyone here knows all about Andy Roddick and James Blake and Richard Gasquet (underrated hottie in my opinion). But how many of you know of Paul-Henri Mathieu?

That’s why this week’s HDH is going to profile the tennis players seeded lower than 10 at the US Open. There are some downright hot players out there that don’t have all the limelight on them. Shame really.

Dear Tigers, It’s Been Swell

Hey Detroit Tigers. Remember me? Well, I decided this year that I wanted to root for a baseball team and picked yours. It was just more convenient for me to. I didn’t want to root for the Atlanta Braves and I was already a big fan of the (somewhat) local college football team, University of Michigan. So, you know, it was just easier to hitch a ride on your train.

But every since August hit I’ve kinda been pulling away from you. Don’t get me wrong, I check out the box scores every morning, see how the team did. I root for you still. But my full attention hasn’t been on you lately. And I think it’s time we parted ways.

One of the few times the Tigers smiled all season. Sigh.

Who To Watch: USA

Chitown Chick and I are going to interrupt your regularly scheduled Hump Day Hottie post for more Olympic goodness. CC and I were talking last week and we thought doing a watch list of all the athletes the general public haven’t heard about would be fun. We’re going to start off with the USofA (CC will be bringing you the world). Everyone knows about the US Men’s basketball team, Michael Phelps, and Ladies… favorite Ryan Lochte. And that’s fine and good. But do you know of Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss? They’re rowers who finished second at the Olympic trials earlier this year and won gold at the Pan American Games in 2007.

So let’s look at a few more athletes the United States is sending who you should be getting up early and watching before heading out to work. Or your daily three hour “writing” time at Starbucks. Not that I would know anything about that type of stuff. Yeah.

Hit & Run-Because There Really Isn’t Anything Going On Right Now

Seriously, nothing of remote interest is playing on television right now. I mean, I guess I could say Cubs-Brewers, but it’s a late July series. Do Cubs fans and Brewers fan really see this series of great importance? I mean, more than all games being of great importance?

Actually, don’t answer that. The point is I’m bored out of my mind right now with sports and I’m pretty sure most of you are as well. So let’s do this, shall we?

So maybe the little bit about the Cubs and Brewers were just an excuse to post a Rich Harden picture. Am I wrong in doing that?

Hump Day Hottie: Troy Dumais

The Olympics are a little over two weeks away. And while the event may turn out to be a complete disaster, the athletes going are making up for it. Especially those in events where little to nothing is being worn. And water is involved. Yeah, it makes up for it. One of the American Olympians is former Texas Longhorn Troy Dumais. This is his third games he’s attending. Congratulations Troy.

Michael Young, American (League) Hero

Thank you Michael Young. A nation of sleepy, blurred eyed baseball fans thanks you for putting us out of our misery ending the longest All-Star game in MLB history last night/this morning. You did us a favor because the other options (continuation or a tie) were too sad to discuss. Even if Buck and McCarver kept bringing them up. I have to be honest with y’all, I didn’t tune into the game until the 7th inning and saw J.D. Drew’s homerun. Up until that time I was blissfully pissed off at the world for screwing me over once again. So thank you baseball for taking my mind off of that. And killing my growing fondness for your game.

Anyway, I’m too tired (and still angry) to do anything substantial. So let’s take a look back at the All-Star game that was. Hey, did you guys know that it was the last All-Star game ever in Yankee Stadium? Huh, did ya?

The sac fly from Young…

Hump Day Hottie: Joe Mauer

All of you will have to excuse me this week. I had to fight the urge to do another Rafael Nadal HDH. And I do mean fight. I was so close to just giving in and doing an All–Wimbledon version. But I didn’t because my obsession fandom should not be a burden to Ladies. Instead I decided to go with an All-Star we haven’t covered yet. You all saw Cinnamon Girl’s All-Star post showing that really hot wall picture of Joe Mauer. Well, I was hooked. So here’s much more from the Minnesota cutie.

Hump Day Hottie: Euro 2008

I’m pretty sure everyone out there knows of Euro 2008. And even if you’re not a soccer fan you’ve watch a little of the action so far. So in honor of the European Championship this month I decided that our HDH this week will involve the uber hotties running around in Austria and Switzerland. Here’s the thing-with 16 teams and probably more hotties that I could ever handle playing not everyone is on this list. But does that really matter?

Programming note: liveblog of Portugal and Czech Republic happening over at This Is Extra Time Noon EST, 9 AM PST. Come join us, it’ll be fun. How could commenting on how much Cristiano Ronaldo is a douche great player not be? (Sorry Mistress Christina! Love ya!)

Let’s start with my favorite player (so far) in this thing-Nuno Gomes from Portugal. Favorite in that he’s gorgeous and his family is adorable and that makes him 10X hotter than his normally hot self.

Red Wings Atop NHL Mountain!

For the fourth time in 11 seasons the Detroit Red Wings are in possession of Lord Stanley’s Cup. Congratulations to the Wings and all their fans out there. Enjoy your championship. Especially since some of us who root for other Michigan teams are looking at the possibility of a long while without the chance at seeing a championship (*grumble*stupid Detroit Tigers*grumble*). And Pittsburgh Penguins fans don’t hang your heads. The way I see it y’all have a young team that looks like it has quite a few years to win the Cup for themselves. This is only the beginning.

One thing y’all know about me is that I love championship pictures. And I’m pretty sure you all know that’s what’s coming up. Congratulations once again to the Red Wings and their fans.

Ask The Ladies…: Turning The Girlfriend Into A Sports Fan

Welcome to the first edition (of hopefully many) of “Ask the Ladies…” in which you, reader of our lovely little piece of the internet, ask us any question regarding sports or relationships or whatever strikes your fancy. It’s like “Dear Abby” only with multiple responses and more practical advice. If you would like to ask us a question just send hit the email link to the side and send us your question(s). If you want to remain anonymous please state so otherwise all names/nicknames/commenter names will be used.

Our first question comes from the comments of ChiTown Chick’s post last week on what’s it like being a female sports fan. From Rockabye:

I’m a sports fan. The girlfriend, amazing in pretty much every way but this one, is not.

How do I go about turning her into one?

Rockabye and the Mrs. 30 years from now. Maybe.

So how do you turn a non-sports loving female into one? Well, let’s ask the Ladies!

Hump Day Hottie: Rafael Nadal

The French Open started this week which means we get to fawn tennis hotties again. And who better to make our HDH this week then the king of clay Rafa Nadal? We love him around Ladies… headquarters and we’re sad that he hasn’t been able to play an entire set yet (much less a match) because of the rain in Paris. French weather-get your act together! There is only so many days we can go without the smoking Spainaird.

So here’s the HDH to tide you over until we get some Rafa goodness.