A-Rod obviously didn't consult Cam'ron before doing this photo shoot

A-Rod: I love you.

A-Rod's Reflection: I love me, too.

A-Rod: I love you more.

A-Rod's Reflection: No, I love you, more.

Confessions of a Damned Yankee [Details]

Your move, Cubs fans

It's good to see the Cards are making use of the landfill behind the new Busch Stadium.

Thank you, Deadspin!

Bears-Packers in a photographic nutshell

Sums it up pretty well, doesn't it?

Photo Credit: Yardbarker

It's Phinally Over Pt. 3

Papelbon strikes one more time. In yo face!

There's a part of me that wants to congratulate the Philadelphia Phillies on winning a World Series title. Even though I have no idea how hard it is to win one (because my favorite team always seems to find a way to choke it up) I do know how EASY it is to f*ck it up.

And since the Phightin' Phils didn't do that, I've gotta tip my cap to them.

However, it doesn't mean that they're exempt from getting a championship worthy facial!

I can't wait 'til next year when Jim Hendry or Lou Piniella gets a load in the face!

It's Phinally Over, Part Two

25 years of pent up...stuff!

Since the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim clinched baseball's first playoff berth, I've been enamored with these celebration photos. It's almost kinda sick. But can you blame me?

I didn't think so.

Honestly, if I won a championship I'd be spraying my fans all over the face too. You gotta share the love, dude!

Daily Dosage: It's Phinally Over!

"He said yes!"

Isn't that adorable? The Philadelphia Phillies won the city's first major sports championship since 1983. And how did Brad Lidge celebrate? By proposing to catcher Carlos Ruiz! That's cute. Now Mitch Williams can move on with his life - after being the best man in the wedding of course. More to come on this story later. Now, time for the Daily Dosage!

We must protect this house. The SIU football team gets to play three straight in the friendly confines of McAndrew Stadium and it begins with a tilt against the University of North Dakota on Saturday.

Head coach Dale Lennon should know the Fighting Sioux very well. The former UND feature running back, assistant coach and head coach is in his first year as the Saluki head boss and has brought his philosphies from the great north here to SIU.

It should be an intense battle. Don't expect a blow out. Expect a close game as the Fighting Sioux should come out with a chip on their shoulder (cliche, I know, bite me!) as they'll be looking to impress the man that recruited them.

Not only will Lennon be treated by a visit from his former team, his family is coming too. In a nice little sidebar, the Lennon family will be taking the plane ride with the UND team. That's really nice of them.

I hope Coach Lennon, who told me yesterday that he has a little bit of house cleaning to do because he's "living like a bachelor" has the house nice and clean for their arrival. I know how Mom's can get if the house is even a little messy.

Salukis prepared to defend home turf [Daily Egyptian]

Chillin' poolside. Before Saturday's game even comes close to kicking off, I'll be poolside as the SIU swimming and diving team hosts the University of New Orleans at the SIU Rec Center pool. It will be the Salukis' first home meet of the season.

It's Halloween, so I think I'll dress up as a sports writer. Maybe I'll even dress up as a good one!

Salukis back in the pool [Daily Egyptian]

Quality Linkage:

• First-grader hits puberty at sight of Erin Andrews. Yeah, she's good. Nice screen grab! [The Sports Hernia]
• MRI for Psycho T? Uh-oh, Spaghetti-oh! [Ballin is a Habit]
• Brad Lidge beats the Ghost of Albert Pujols. Ball that Pujols hit in '05 still orbiting Earth. [Bugs & Cranks]
• 24 passes caught. 421 reception yards. Six touchdowns. 1 'L.' Seriously, where's the D? That's what SHE said! [The Big Picture]
• It's OK to mix sports & politics? Whatever you say. [Deadspin]

Happy Halloween, everybody!

The Price is Right: The Rays are AL Champs!

You know what this world needs?

More clever headlines referencing one of the greatest television game shows in history and the name of the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Amateur draft.

Yeah!

Oh and more cool celebration shots like the one on the right.

I'm sure Scoop Jackson LOVES! this pic.

Anyway, I'd like to send a personal shout out to the Tampa Bay Rays, who by virtue of their 3-1 victory in Game 7 of the ALCS, put to bed any possibility of the New England area having another championship run.

I know I'm not the only one who's happy to see it come to the end.

I'm tired of the constant fellatio that is given to the Red Sox, Red Sox Nation and former Red Sox by ESPN. I'm tired of the blogosphere going all Papelbon-and-Papi over the new New York Yankees. I'm tired of Theo Epstein hogging the Moneyball era when Billy Beane should be raking in the benefits.

As for the Rays (a team without a batter with a .300 batting average and a payroll that mirrors what Ted Lilly is getting over four years) they'll be going to the World Series.

While both Chicago teams, both New York teams, both Los Angeles area teams and ESPN's love-children will be at home watching the World Series like the rest of us.

Oh yeah, and the Philadelphia Phillies are playing too.

"The Money Shot" starring Jim Thome

It started with Papelbon and ended with a Prince.

Until White Sox slugger Jim Thome came around.

My guess: Nick Swisher strikes again!

I love these celebratory pictures because they look like so much fun. One day, I hope to partake in one of these celebrations.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll be doused in champagne and ridiculed by a younger, wittier version of me.

One can only hope.

Congrats, Jim. Don't ever forget your roots, as a Cubs fan.

Paps strikes again?

Photo credit: SportsByBrooks

Look, I'm no photographer, but props to all the picture takers in the world.

Especially the ones lucky enough to capture championship celebrations of any kind.

Last week, we were treated to Jonathan Papelbon celebrating with David 'Big Papi' Ortiz in a rather peculiar way.

By the looks of this picture, Paps made a trip to Milwaukee to celebrate with Prince Fielder.

A picture says 1,000 words.

And kinda makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little.

Jonathan Papelbon is excited to see Big Papi because he really wants to celebrate

The Boston Red Sox celebrated another AL playoff berth with the team's 5-4 victory over Cy Young candidate Cliff Lee and the Cleveland Indians.

And they celebrated like any victorious team should.

By getting each other wet.

I feel sorry for the clubhouse manager. I don't know how he would get all that stuff out. It looks like a big mess and by the look on Papelbon's face, Big Papi's got some more coming to him.

I'm assuming those are some top-notch goggles, I'd hate for that crap to get in Papi's eye, causing him to miss some key games down the stretch.

Seriously, is this not the greatest photo ever?

Kudos to With Leather for the inspiration for this post.

Baseball's Newest Hand Shake

Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via TBL



Caption: Catcher Ryan Doumit offers some encouragement to starter Yoslan Herrera in the first inning last night at Coors Field. Herrera failed to make it out of the second inning.

Oh wait there's more. The apparent advice to young Yoslan:

"Don't shake off your catcher."

Um, it looks like the catcher is doing the shaking.

OK, I'm done for the rest of the day.