As some of you may know, the USA beat Puerto Rico last night in the World Baseball Classic and it was kinda a big deal. So to honor the big win, we thought, why not feature our favorite Team USA hotties? (Sorry, Bee!)
It appears that fans aren’t the only people missing baseball season. This parody, created by MLB, stars Miguel Cabrera and Adam Jones and features a whole slew of supporting MLB figures, including Jim Palmer, Buck Martinez and Luis Gonzalez.
The only thing that would make this better is if we find out that Miguel Cabrera was the one actually singing. Amazeballs.
Josh Reddick showed off his beard and belt?
One of the best parts of spring training is team photo day! Lucky for us, many teams had their official photo day yesterday giving us some great shots of our favorite guys. (I suggest thumbing through the Getty Images’ photo gallery.) As I was perusing through the pictures, I came across some real gems, including the insanely crazy picture of Josh Reddick above. I did some Googling and found out there was a story behind the photos.
My kitchen is terrible. The oven is never the temperature it’s supposed to be, and the one big burner on the stove likes to shut off at random times. I can’t make most of the things I find on Pinterest* but here’s one thing I did make: Chocolate- and peanut-butter bananas.
*Did you hear? We’re on Pinterest!
STEP ONE: Take your laptop into the kitchen and fire up an episode of Friday Night Lights.
Totally sports-related.
Time for my homer pick! Apparently Eric Hosmer has only been mentioned on this site one time in history, and it was when he was too young for the Ladies… to officially think he was attractive. Life sucked then. But this is now, so let’s DO THIS.
From his very brief stint in my town, in front of my camera.
A quasi-regular feature for the month of December in which Lady Bee provides you with gift ideas you won’t find in the Williams-Sonoma catalog.
It’s a blanket! It’s a stocking! It’s…the hell?!!
I’m guessing the Snuggie has lost its appeal now that you can find it at your local Dollarama. This would be where the attractive stocking blanket comes in. Why settle for merely a blanket or *shudder!* a throw, when you can pretend you are a live human stocking stuffer? And why settle for just any stocking, when you can declare your love for the Yankees (or Phillies, or Red Sox. Sorry, Nationals fans.) with this: a 69-inch polyester stocking with arm and leg holes, so you don’t feel like a caterpillar?
Currently $15.97 at shop.mlb.com. Cheesy, yes, but it will keep you warmer than this.
Congratulations, Mets fans (and BUFF!) David Wright is officially yours for the next eight years. Let’s mark the occasion with an appearance in the Ladies… Advent Calendar of Hotness. You deserve something to cheer about. Continue reading
A belated congratulations to the San Francisco Giants on winning their second World Series championship in three years with a 4-3 win over the Tigers last night, cementing the sweep and making me feel like that drubbing of my Yankees was all for naught. But to paraphrase Games Mistress, is it just us or was this series zzzzzz….? Mind you, Game 4 was probably the game I should have watched last night. But after our boy Verlander’s disappointing performance in Game 1, my heart wasn’t quite in it. The two shutouts didn’t help either. Yes, I know, Sandoval had a terrific series and Scutaro was a hero, but it would have been nice if Detroit showed up (in the first three games, at any rate).
So baseball is over and we’re all sad now. Let us know what you loved about the season, what you didn’t, and whether we are totally off base on our assessment of this 2012 World Series. Also, stay safe and dry my NYC area Ladies… and to our readers in Sandy’s path.
Let’s see, my beloved Sooner women’s basketball team lost a heartbreaker Tuesday, then yesterday there was You-Know-Who to the Jets, oh, and you might remember my boyfriend’s a Saints fan… it’s been a frustrating sports week.
Here are three things making me happy.
1. Brittany Griner and the Baylor Women’s Basketball Team. I suppose I should hate them since they smoked my girls twice this year, but they’ve smoked everyone this year (at 36-0, their margin of victory was in the single digits only 4 times; 3 of those victories were over Tennessee, UConn, and defending champion Texas A&M). The Bears, and star player Brittany Griner, are so good that you can’t help admiring their skill. I know accusing ESPN of bias is nothing new, but let’s just say that if this team had “UConn” on their jerseys we’d be hearing a lot of “Best Women’s Team Ever” talk out of Bristol. Do yourselves a favor and check out one of their tourney games in the next couple of weeks.
(Photo: Mike Carlson/AP)
The Yankees weren’t exactly making a huge secret out of the fact that they were shopping A.J. Burnett this offseason, so none of this came as a huge surprise to me. What actually surprised me was that a team was willing to freaking take him. So thank you, Pittsburgh Pirates, Good Samaritans of Major League Baseball, for being willing to give up a couple of prospects and a milk crate of batting practice balls knowing what you are getting into. Because even though this is going to cost the Yankees nearly 20 Raul Ibanezs, it is worth not worrying which pitcher will show up every five games: Good A.J. or Bad A.J.
So why do I feel bad about this? Continue reading
The Mariners’ pitchers and catchers reported last weekend (I guess they need lots of extra practice), almost everyone else reports this weekend — baseball is almost back but we’re still a few weeks from even exhibition game play. Never fear, I have the perfect book for those of you who need a real-game-action-fix now: The Baseball Codes by Jason Turbow with Michael Duca. (The book was released in 2010 so I’m a bit behind. Blame my brother who “meant” to get me this as a present last year, then never got around to sending it to me. He did get me two books this year, of which this was one.) Most baseball fans know of the existence of most of these rules, but few realize how far some players go to enforce them — nor how saturated the day-to-day business of the major leagues is with the business of teaching, following, enforcing, and (as sometimes proves necessary) breaking these unwritten codes.
My brother lives in Calgary and attends a bunch of Flames games. I'm a little jealous right now.
Yeah, I think I just started another new feature. Here’s five favourite things that got me through the week, and a thing or two that I’m looking forward to this weekend: Continue reading
Your TV, radio and internets are being bombarded with Year In Review posts and specials as I type this. Well, guess what? It’s no different here at Ladies… We took a few moments this week to reflect on our favourite memories of this past year. Some will be hilariously obvious, others may surprise you. All of them will make you warm and fuzzy, like a delicious flute of champagne.
Unfortunately for me, there is a bit of a dearth of yumminess on the Brewers. Its such a shame, really. But one of the completely underrated cuties is backup catcher George Kottaras.
Honestly, the absolute best thing about Kottaras is his accent. He’s Canadian and while he’s been playing in the MLB and minors for awhile, every once in awhile the Canada comes out it and its great. You can hear some of it when he answers the second question in this video
He’s also of Greek descent and is fluent in Greek – so there’s always that chance he’ll whisper sweet nothings in your ear and take you for fabulous vacations on Crete.
And if that doesn’t do it for you, Kottaras hit one of just two cycles in Major League Baseball this season.
Follow the jump to peak in on this Canadian cutie
Thank heavens for the New York Post. Without them, how would he know that Derek Jeter sends his single-serving ladyfriends away with gift baskets?
He used to give out t-shirts. True story.
But hey, trends spread like wildfire in baseball. By now, stars all around the game are in the post-booty gift basket game. Step into my office; I’ll show you the baskets I’ve been able to unearth so far.
Continue reading
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.
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.
Hughes proved his worth in the bullpen in 2009 when the Yankees last won the World Series. Ah, those were good times.
Ah, crap, so we’re a day behind. Let’s just get my requisite Yankee selection out of the way, shall we? It’s Phil Hughes, he who won back his role as a starter in 2010, and he who was sadly on the mound in Game 6 of the ALCS when Joe Girardi decided that intentional walks were the Best Idea Ever. No, I am not bitter.
The California native had, in my view, one of his best seasons in pinstripes in 2010. His 4.19 ERA was, well, meh, but Phil went 18-8 with a not-too-shabby 146 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.25. If only AJ Burnett was that reliable.
Check out the pitcher who hasn’t had a truckload of money dumped in front of his house after the jump. Continue reading
On a beautiful April day in Cleveland, Ohio I had the privilege and fortune of attending my very first opening day. The fans in their new team gear, the smell of grilling flesh, the way the afternoon sun sparkles on the fresh outfield – I could not have been happier. Apparently, this was the first time in years where the city of Cleveland wasn’t covered in snow for opening day, so I feel rather like a good luck charm!
Immediately I was reminded of a very simple truth – there is nowhere on the planet I’d rather be between the months of April and October – than a baseball stadium.
I was also reminded of a few not so beautiful things about baseball season, and that’s what I’ll be sharing here.
I want to go to there.
It rained all day Tuesday in New York, it was cloudy all day Wednesday, and by the time this posts we’ll be in the middle of yet another snowstorm/frozen rainstorm. I really can not deal with talking about sports played on snow and ice today. Let’s look in on spring training again, why don’t we?
Chris Carpenter can report here anytime. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
In between squeals of delight over Johnny Weir and the Norway curling team’s pants, we happened to notice that SPRING TRAINING IS UNDERWAY!
I would have loved to have had a Friday Foodie for you, but with my recent vacation, the two night classes I’ve been taking and the usual mama and work stuff it’s been too hard to find the time.
But you know who does it better anyway? The original author of our Football Foodie Fridays, The Starter Wife, who has been busily dishing out 14 days of delectable Super Bowl eats, including Sugar Pie. Sugar Pie! I didn’t know people outside of French Canada made this! Youpi!
Speaking of countdowns, Fack Youk has been counting down the days until spring training begins, pinstripe-style. If you love baseball history, check it out over your lunch break. It’s good reading!
The Ladies… also salute those who gave us a kind shout-out in the blogosphere in recent days, like Stumptown Magazine whose writers discuss everything Portland, Oregon. Like Rudy Fernandez.
We also thank the ladies at the funny and feminist Not My Gal for including ours among their My Gal Blogs of the Week. It’s where you’ll find an insightful piece on that ad. Regardless where you stand on the issue, check it out.
Mens’ hockey is fun to watch and all, but we’re really excited about womens’ Olympic hockey! CuteSports linked you to Team USA’s profiles a few days ago. Here’s where you can learn more about Team Canada. I wonder if it’s too late to order a Wickenheiser jersey for next weekend.
And now I give you stretching Saints…
(Reuters Photo)
Enjoy the game Sunday!
The Super Bowl’s not for another week, the Olympics aren’t for another two, and I don’t care about the Pro Bowl. I think this calls for a post topic that’s completely silly and unrelated to anything, don’t you? Luckily I’ve been saving one up, ever since I saw this post on one of my favorite dance blogs. For those of you who don’t feel like following the link, all you really need to know is that the title is “I WANT CC SABATHIA TO BE ON DANCING WITH THE STARS.”
Um, you may need to stretch more than that to pull off a tango, CC.
There is usually at least one athlete contestant on DWTS every season, but none of them has been a professional baseball player. Ignoring the pragmatic concerns about whether the timing of the DWTS filming would conflict with baseball season (because: silly post), would CC be a good fit for the show?
Pros: Very first contestant from baseball, Yankees would probably encourage it if only to keep him in shape during off season.
Cons: Size (height, too, this is not a fat joke!) might make it difficult to find a compatible partner, might have a hard time getting votes if DWTS fans turn out to be anti-Yankee.
Follows in the Footsteps of: Warren Sapp, Evander Holyfield
But I didn’t stop there! If scheduling conflicts were not an issue, here are some other contestants I’d like to see on the dance floor.
Stat-nerds have been falling all over themselves in adoration of Franklin Gutierrez’s astounding CF defense, which is so stunningly awesome that the Mariners are hanging on to him for four more years. But don’t leave the F-Gut lovin’ to the statheads* – he’s someone the Ladies… can appreciate as well. Behold:
He is the WORLD. It says so right on his jersey.
*I, much like Crane, proudly belong to that set of people. Give me FanGraphs or give me death!
Oh come on! You knew I would include him eventually.
Please accept our apologies for extreme lateness, but we Ladies… have been busy with everything from final exams, to holiday shenanigans (shopping, parental visits, eating our weight in cheese), to dealing with ridiculous snowstorms as they muck up travel plans.
So we hope that this final installment of Hanukkah Hunks makes up for the missed nights.
Continue reading
Five sleeps away from Christmas morning, and 56 sleeps until pitchers and catchers report! Awesome! Today’s Advent Calendar of Hotness reveals the Yankees’ newest addition in the outfield: Curtis Granderson!
Luke Schenn, Maple Leafs first-round pick in the 2008 draft. I couldn’t resist a little bit of homerism, but honestly, I don’t think you’ll mind. More after the jump.
Ladies... 