It’s almost here!

The rosters have been set. The teams have played their friendlies before making the trek to South Africa. Heck, we’ve even made it through Eurovision. (Congratulations, Germany.)

A week from now? It’s finally time. The group stage of the World Cup kicks off, and even America cares about soccer for at least five minutes. Me? I’ll be eating, sleeping and breathing international soccer until the very last second runs down.

Yes, I love soccer, but there’s just something about International play (and the World Cup in particular) that elevates the game. It turns the already rabid soccer fanbase into a bunch of flag-and-bunting-bedecked lunatics. I challenge anyone who doesn’t like or understand soccer to start watching the World Cup from the beginning. Trust me, you’ll come out at the other end swearing at the Abruzzi for being a bunch of diving whiners or being amazed at just how fast Portugal can move (Damn you, Ronaldo. Damn you to hell.) or harboring a secret love for the Orange.

And you know what else is great about the World Cup? International Eye candy. Above? Spain’s Fernando Torres.

More hotness after the jump.

Write your own caption, you want one so damn much.

Winning the NL East three years running? Smoking hot.

Foodie Friday: Blue-Jay-Berry Cobbler

Roy ponders the idea of enjoying a delicious serving of cobbler just as soon as he finishes pitching another complete game.

I realize this edition of Foodie Friday doesn’t exactly scream “Food for Boozy Sports Gathering”. But if you need something to bring to a girlfriends’ potluck, a family reunion picnic, or damnit you just want comfort food, this cake-y dessert fits the bill nicely. Besides, wild blueberry season is approaching (at least in my neck of the woods) I usually buy a 5 lb. box and spend the better part of six months making this, or muffins, or pancakes. If you want, I’ll dig out those recipes another day (good for football brunch!) For now, enjoy a recipe inspired by the hapless Jays after the jump.

It’s good news/infuriating news day here in Phillies country.

Well, it’s all over, including the shouting. Voting in the Final Vote contest has ended and the results have been tabulated. This year’s All Stars, after days of furious campaigning (more on that later) are Philadelphia center fielder Shane Victorino (and his million kilowatt smile) and Detroit Third Baseman Brandon Inge. (This lady is convinced that Inge is actually thirteen years old and potentially ineligible to work, much less in the Majors, but that is neither here nor there.)

Victorino finished with the greatest amount of votes for any single player in the history of the Final Vote campaign with 15.6 million. (The previous record holder was Evan Longoria with nine million. Once again, the Phillies roll to victory over the Rays. Suck it, Tampa.)

Take Us Out to the Ball Game: The Ladies…do Nationals Park.

You may have noticed that your Ladies…have a bit of a baseball problem. It’s a sickness. We’re sad, strange people incapable of planning a road trip without checking the baseball schedule in our destination city. This summer alone, the Ladies…will be visiting ballparks all over this great nation (and possibly Canada!) and you get to reap the rewards. Planning a visit to new Yankee Stadium? We’ve got you covered. Wondering what you should eat at Miller Park? We’re on it. Need to know where not to sit at Fenway? We’re there.

This week, we take on baseball in our nation’s capitol. That’s right. A Phillies/Nationals game at brand-spanking new Nationals Park. Or, frankly, Citizen’s Bank Park South.

Heat on the Ice: les beaux gars

So we’re headed into Victoria Day weekend here in Canada, where we celebrate the birthday of our current reigning sovereign  by opening up our cottages and drinking mass quantities of beer. As for me, I’m spending a long weekend WITHOUT MR. BEE AND THE KIDS in beautiful Montreal visiting family. Hello, H&M. Bonjour, poutine (above).

In celebration of my little vacation in la belle province, here’s a few of our favourite NHL players who can call Quebec chez nous.