Hat Trick Fam's Choice - Top 10 Chick Pics

To the surprise of...nobody...the Chick Pic feature in the Hat Trick introduced this past spring has gotten the biggest response of any regular entry on this blog. Let's face it, sports is a male targeted topic. Beautiful women are male targeted visuals. Even guys who don't get overly excited about sports have their attention spans widened when beautiful women are involved in sports, no matter how loosely.

Thank to the super awesome features of Google's Blogger application, it is incredibly easy to see which pictures you wolves out there like the most. Through July, 2012, here are the top 10 chick pics of the year. 

#10 University of Kentucky Cheerleaders

On their way to winning the NCAA Men's Basketball championship this past April, the Hat Trick posted a photo of four members of their cheerleading squad hanging out and having a good time. Clearly, you guys had a good time watching them have a good time. I think they had a better time in New Orelans just days after this was posted.

UK cheerleaders: a picture of togetherness.

#9 Danica Patrick - May 7, 2012

Danica Patrick is a bad ass. I love it! The good ol' boys of NASCAR, apparently, didn't know what was coming when Patrick left Indy Car to devote her full-time energy to stock car racing. Perhaps Sam Hornish, Jr. thought he could pick on and intimidate pretty little girls in a man's game. He was wrong!

This picture was a tribute to Mrs. Patrick, literally, sticking it to the man, specifically Hornish.

Too bad she can't compete in this gear. I'd never miss a race on television!

#8 Marlins Mermaids

Miami is a different kind of place. There are 30 MLB teams, so the Marlins may not be alone, but I am unaware of any of Major League Baseball team with a cheerleading squad. Since moving to the new Marlins Park, the team has been renamed the Miami Marlins Energy Team. I have got to catch a series if I am ever in South Beach during the summer!

This is a team from a past season, but you get the idea.

#7 Shonna, (Oklahoma City) Thunder Girl

Late in the 2012 NBA regular season, Metta World Peace of the Los Angeles Lakers delivered a vicious blow to the head of Oklahoma City Thunder sixth man James Harden. It was the talk of the sports airwaves for several days. I suggested that a visit from this lovely Thunder Girl (dance team) member, Shonna, could raise Harden's spirits.

Seeing her could probably raise more than Harden's "spirits", but this is a family show!

#6 Danica Patrick - July 12, 2012

I don't need my arm twisted to post pictures of NASCAR driver Danica Patrick to the Hat Trick. She is far and away my personal #1 hottest female athlete. The excuse I used, which you readers appeared to approve of, was her appearance at the 2012 ESPY awards, by ESPN. I could talk about how Mrs. Patrick is every man's perfect combination of beauty, personality, and bad ass-ness. But why tell you when I can show you?

♫ "Beautifu-ul! I just waant you to kno-ow...you're my fav-vorite gu-uhrl! (Oh! Uh oh ohh! Yeah! Yeah, yeah, yeah!)" ♪

#5 Adrienne Williams Bosh

Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat and his wife, Adrienne, had their first child together during the past season. While I don't understand the mechanics yet (Bosh is 6'10" and his wife is barely five feet tall), I understand why Bosh will either be having more children or practicing the act of making them in the near future.

See, I don't think (the almost seven foot tall) Bosh could join her in the tub unless their tub is more of a miniature swimming pool.

#4 Keri Hilson

For a short time, there were rumors circulating about NBA star Kevin Durant dating singer Keri Hilson. Those rumors proved to be false; Ms. Hilson has been engaged for quite some time, not to Durant. Still, the curiosity of the readers made the pictures posted of Ms. Hilson #4 among the chick pics.

I wouldn't blame The Durantula for trying!

#3 Chelsea Cain

Your searches to get a look at San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain kissing his wife, Chelsea, after pitching a perfect game restored some of my faith that guys, as a whole, aren't a bunch of skin seeking wolves who only want to look at a woman in a bikini or a provocative pose. Then again, I have no idea what you guys expected to see before opening the link.

Most of our chick pics aren't so wholesome. This one could not be anything but.

#2 Nikki Sapp on June 13, 2012

You people just kept coming back for more! So much that I mistakenly thought you guys wanted to read my analysis of the NBA playoffs or some profound sports social commentary I made. WRONG!

In the words of the late Tupac Shakur, I ain't mad at cha!  And I don't blame ya, either! So I figured you all would want an encore to the Nikki Sapp pictures from the prior week. I was right. 

I would say you guys broke my heart if I weren't as guilty of take a peek for the second time...or the third...or fourth!

#1 Nikki Sapp on June 8, 2012

First and foremost, let me say that this is a little misleading. While the Hat Trick did not start the Chick Pic section as a regular entry until this past March, we have posted pictures of beautiful women. The number of times you, the readers, have reached the Hat Trick looking for pictures of Tigers Woods' ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, and Lucy Pinder & Erin Drewes (rumored to have been dating Tim Tebow) dwarfs every last one of the chick pics referenced in this posting. However, those pictures were posted prior to the Chick Pic becoming a regular piece here.

Second, Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra may be the most criticized championship winning coach of this decade. However, you guys admire something about him, his lady! I can't say I blame you. She...is...FINE! Still, Nikki Sapp made both #1 and #2. So just remember that while you may have a problem with how Spoelstra manages his bench, none of you would complain if you woke up one day with his situation in the bed!

Don't hate the player; hate the game!

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

All images from prior editions of The Daily Hat Trick, citations therein.

Jose Reyes Gets Some Relief

Now that former Miami Marlins shortstop-turned-third baseman Hanley Ramirez has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, there is no jilted lover in the clubhouse with current Marlins shortstop and 2011 National League batting champion Jose Reyes. He can stop looking over his shoulder, unless he's checking a baserunner.

Reyes' reputation as a ladies man is widely publicized on the Internet. I am going to assume Reyes is no longer involved with model Bentley Matthews, but the two were rumored to be an item during his playing days in New York. All I can say is that if he blows through and moves on from women like this, I'd like to buy his cologne and wear it...one bottle at a time!



The lady in red...! 1



Red is a nice color on her. Actually, anything is a nice color on her! 2



I don't think she works at Hooters...not anymore. 3

Once again, The Hat Trick delivers another woman who looks great with (some) clothes on. 4

And without them.... 5

1, 2, 3, 4) Images from www.obsessedwithsports.com
5) Image from http://secure.modelmayhem.com

Retweet of the Day - July 25, 2012

The approach of the Major League Baseball trade deadline is in full swing. On Monday, the New York Yankees aquired Ichiro Suzuki from the Seattle Mariners. Yesterday, the Los Angeles Dodgers made their own power move by aquiring 2006 National League Rookie of the Year, 2009 National League batting champion and three time All-Star Hanley Ramirez (.246, 14 HR, 48 RBI) from the Miami Marlins.

While Ramirez has remained a threat with his power, his batting average has plummeted during the past two seasons. It was painfully obvious that Ramirez did not want to be in Miami last season. It only got worse when the Marlins acquired 2011 N.L. batting champion Jose Reyes and moved Ramirez from shortstop to third base. The Dodgers are rolling the dice in hopes that Ramirez just needed a change of scenery to get his groove back. I happen to agreee.

Enough of all of that analysis. Today's retweet looks at a lighter side of the Ramirez acquisition by the Dodgers. Los Angeles had another high profile hired gun named Ramirez come to town, in 2008, before showing himself the door two years later. Today's retweet is from DodgersGM (@DodgersGM) (not the real Dodgers GM, Ned Colletti).

"Management wants me to acquire Hanley Ramirez so we can sell remaining "Ramirez 99" merchandise from Manny era. #Dodgers"

History repeating itself...sort of.

Image from www.theurbandaily.com

Miami Marlins Cheerleaders

Only in Miami?

I was unaware that there were any dance or cheerleading units in MLB. But the Miami Marlins feature the Miami Marlins Engergy Team, formerly the Marlins Mermaids. And they were having attendance problems in the past because???

I mean, really, if this didn't bring guys out I guess they had no choice but to build the new stadium! 1

1) Image from www.mowtownsports.com

The Wizardry of Ozzie

Ozzie, Ozzie, Ozzie…you went and “done it” this time! Last Wednesday, the Hat Trick, correctly, predicted that there would be a circus in South Beach sparked by the arrival of Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen. What I could have never predicted is that Guillen would be in trouble less than a week into the season.

New city...same Ozzie! 4

OPEN MOUTH, INSERT FOOT

In a recent interview with Time Magazine, Guillen was quoted as saying, "I love Fidel Castro. I respect Fidel Castro. You know why? A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that (expletive) is still here."

The line that was repeated (over and over and over AND over again) was the “I love Fidel Castro,” line. That went over like a lead balloon in Miami, with a substantial Cuban-American population, many of whom have loved ones who escaped Castro’s regime or were tortured, imprisoned, or killed by it. For those of you unfamiliar with Cuban culture in South Florida, just imagine someone making remarks of admiration, regardless of the context, about Adolf Hitler or Osama bin Laden.

Guillen, who is himself Latino, has said a lot of off color things in his managerial career. It makes him interesting. I don’t think Guillen had any clue of the kind of powder keg he lit with his remarks. I don’t think I have every seen Guillen offer as much as a token apology for any of the dozens of whoppers he has served up in the soundbite department during his career. Yesterday, Guillen came to Jesus.

Guillen's shoe leather might be a bit overcooked, from that expression. 3

WORDS

What does this teach us? In a day and age in which it is popular to defy political correctness (until the consequences of doing so come to fruition), words still matter. They can describe, explain, opine and regale. They can also inflame, agitate, hurt, and offend.

Still, the consequences of using offensive words should depend on each individual situation. No two situations are the same. Ultimately, I think the biggest driver of a reaction to offensive comments should be the apparent intent of the offender.

It is often said that being a repeat offender (for any offense) works to that person’s detriment when the consequences are implemented. In the case of Ozzie Guillen, whose track record of making controversial, often pithy, statements is as long as the day, I think his history works to his benefit.

Ozzie is Ozzie. The Marlins’ management knew when they hired Ozzie, that they hired a guy who would shoot his mouth off. I doubt they thought the topic would be, possibly, the Holy Grail of topics to avoid in Miami. I also doubt management thought they would have to get in front of an Ozzie Train less than a week into the season. All of that said Guillen’s past lends credence to the notion that he bit off more than he could chew with his remarks and that he was naïve to the sensitivity of the Castro topic in Miami. I think that by invoking the fact that people have unsuccessfully tried to kill Castro for decades supports the notion that Guillen was attempting, badly, to be glib and ironic.

That entree of crow doesn't look very appetizing, does it Ozzie? 2

PAY THE PIPER

Guillen’s remarks triggered protests within Miami’s Cuban American community. Of course, some people called for Guillen’s job. The Marlins elected to suspend Guillen for 5 games – roughly a week of baseball. I personally think that after Guillen’s contrite, hour-long Tuesday press conference, the initial flames from this controversy cool off; the Marlins will be able to get back to the business of baseball.

I also think that Ozzie will get back to the business of being Ozzie. But, unlike the past, Guillen knows that politics is a “no-no” topic. He acknowledged so in his own words. Let’s hope that his future words reflect that.

The axiom, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," comes to mind. 1

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

1) Image from www.ethicsalarms.com
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Must See Sports - Fifth Weekend of March 2012

Last two week's advantage/disadvantage record: 7-3
Must See Sports 2012 record: 41-28

This week, someone will cut down the nets in New Orleans to "One Shining Moment" and MLB is back!

Thursday, March 29


NBA

Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat

This rematch of the 2011 NBA Finals means more for the Mavericks than for the Heat, but expect it to be a contentious affair tonight. The Mavs are 2.5 games back of 3rd place in the Western Conference. Unfortunately for Dallas, the Heat have only lost twice at home all year and LeBron James (27 PPG, 8 RPG, 7 APG), who dislocated his finger on Monday, is going to play tonight, according to Associated Press reports. Miami is simply too good, especially at home.

Advantage: Heat


Saturday, March 31

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

Final Four – National Semifinals

(4) Louisville Cardinals vs (1) Kentucky Wildcats

It has been like a civil war in Kentucky. Big brother Kentucky versus little brother Louisville. Former Kentucky Wildcats coach Rick Pitino versus longtime rival coach John Calipari. Louisville as David…Kentucky as Goliath. The winner plays for the National Championship.

I had the rare honor of being able to interview Coach Pitino in person back in January. In his own words, he said he didn’t think anyone could beat Kentucky, except possibly Syracuse. A part of me is rooting for him, but I am going to hold Coach Pitino to his word. And I agree with him. Kentucky looks bulletproof.

Advantage: Kentucky

Calipari, left, and Pitino, right, will "take it to the mattresses" on Saturday. Kentucky vs Louisville is all out war! 1

(2) Ohio State Buckeyes vs (2) Kansas Jayhawks

This is a true clash of the titans. Ohio State has looked, at times, to have potential similar to that of Kentucky. However, they have been tripped up by some unexpected underdog opponents at unexpected times, suffering rare home losses to Michigan State and Wisconsin and an inexplicable loss to Illinois. They have already lost at Kansas once earlier this season.

The head to head matchup of two of college basketball’s best players, Ohio State’s Jared Sulinger (18 PPG, 9 RPG) and Thomas Robinson (18 PPG, 12 RPG) of Kansas, should offer viewers a one-on-one battle between two for the game’s most powerful inside players. Kansas has not lost a regular season game since February 4th. I think they have just a little more than the Buckeyes have.

Advantage: Kansas

Thomas Robinson of Kansas, Jared Sullinger of Ohio State, Peyton Siva of Louisville, and AP Player of the Year Anthony Davis of Kentucky 2

Sunday, April 1

NBA

Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder

The team with the best record in the East travels to play the best in the West. This could be a preview of the NBA Finals in June. This one is not a though one for me to pick. MVP candidate Kevin Durant (28 PPG, 8 RPG) has scored 25 or more points in four consecutive games while Derrick Rose (23 PPG, 8 APG) of the Bulls has missed eight straight games with a groin injury. The Bulls have played well in Rose’s absence, but they have not played the Thunder.

Advantage: Thunder

Derrick Rose, right, was quoted as saying Kevin Durant, left, is the front runner for the 2012 NBA MVP award. 3

Monday, April 2

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

Final Four – National Championship Game

This game will be previewed after Saturday’s National Semifinal games.


Wednesday, April 4

MLB

St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Marlins

The Great American Pastime is back! The defending World Series champion St. Louis and Miami will debut the MLB season on American soil. Starting pitchers have not been officially announced yet. However I would be stunned if Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright (20-11, 2.42 ERA, 213 K in 2010), who missed all of 2011 recovering from Tommy John surgery, did not face off against Josh Johnson (3-1, 1.64 ERA, 56 K, 60.1 IP in 2011) of Miami, whose red hot start to last season was interrupted with a shoulder injury in May. The Marlins went down in flames after a good start and quickly fell out of the pennant race following Johnson’s injury.

Miami made a host of additions during the offseason, coinciding with their name change from the “Florida” Marlins, uniform change, and new stadium. The Fish added former Chicago White Sox ace Mark Buehrle (13-9, 3.59 ERA in 2011), 2011 National League batting champion Jose Reyes (.337, 7 HR, 44 RBI in 2011) from the New York Mets, and lights-out closer Heath Bell (3-4, 2.44 ERA, 43 SV in 2011) from the San Diego Padres in the offseason. By the way, they acquired former World Series champion manager Ozzie Guillen from the White Sox.

Miami is loaded. They are pumped. And they are at home to start the season.

Advantages – Game: Marlins, Series: Marlins

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

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The Hot Stove is Warming Up

The World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals game us a seven game battle royale with the American League Champion Texas Rangers that baseball fans will remember for years. While the images from that titanic series will forever be frozen in time through the miracles of modern media, the teams and their rosters are not frozen. Contracts expire; players get traded.

The big free agent, Albert Pujols, will be flying with the Angels next year instead of Redbirds. A number of significant free agent moves have also taken place. Closing pitchers and other role players have already begun to move teams. Meanwhile, big sluggers, like Prince Fielder, are seeking the best opportunity to cash in on their career resumes.
Here are the big transactions in this offseason’s hot stove:

Los Angeles Dodgers

Matt Kemp, CF - 8 years, $160 million - This was a resigning that the Dodgers absolutely, positively had to make happen if they were to return to a competitive state. Many argued that Kemp should have been the National League M.V.P. That number has likely increased in light of reigning N.L. M.V.P. Ryan Braun's positive test for performance enhancing drugs. This was one mega-deal that few critics questioned the wisdom of.

Jerry Hairston, Jr., SS - 2 years, $6 million - The well-traveled Hairston offers the Dodgers an often unsung asset - a shortstop who it consistent and competent with the stick. At age 35, Hairston hit .270. Barring an unforeseen and dramatic drop off, the Dodgers got better with this move.

Kemp may not be with Rihanna anymore, but he has 160 million friends to help him move on. 1

Texas Rangers

Joe Nathan, CP – 2 years, $14.5 million - The defending two-time American League champions have to shake off the enormous missed opportunity (being one strike away, twice, from winning) in the World Series. Singing a top tier closer in Joe Nathan and promoting a young star who may have too much potential to remain a closer, 2010 A.L. Rookie of the Year Neftali Feliz, to the starting rotation are the progressive steps that the Rangers need to take to make a third run for the MLB mountain top.

With Feliz moving to the starting rotation, he can better help his team recreate moments like these. 2

Cleveland Indians

Grady Sizemore, CF – 1 year, $5 million - Five million dollars is a lot of money for an outfielder with above average power, but below average contact and below average health, approaching age 30. It is even more puzzling considering that the Indians were a team in first place for most of the year, but sputtered after the All-Star break in 2011 as Sizemore has not played 110 games or more since 2008. Still, there is something to be said for retaining talent. Sizemore functions in a leadership role in the Indians clubhouse and should he stay healthy and/or return to his pre-2009 form with the bat, his contract will appear to be a small risk in hindsight.

Kansas City Royals

Jonathan Broxton, CP – 1 year, $4 million - When a team like the Dodgers, with financial problems, resigns its star to a long term, $20 million/year contract, other talented players have to be allowed to leave. When a team like the Royals, which has taken baby steps over the past two year to be more competitive, can pick up a piece like Broxton, one of the better closers in the majors, it is a win-win for baseball.

Chicago Cubs

David DeJesus, RF – 2 years, $10 million - The Cubs have crippled themselves with bad signings in recent years. Committing $10 million in payroll to a 31 year old outfielder whose batting average dropped by nearly 80 points from the prior year, and 40 points below his career average, falls in line with that pattern.

Colorado Rockies

Ramon Hernandez, C - 2 years, $6.4 million - With the defection of long time catcher Chris Iannetta to the Los Angles Angels to join MLB's version of the "Dream Team", the Rockies may have been backed into a favorable free agency corner. The 34 year old veteran catcher, formerly with the Cincinnati Reds, is coming off of the best two year stretch as a contact hitter of his entire career.


Miami Marlins

Heath Bell, CP - 3 years, $27 million - Lots of style....

Jose Reyes, SS - 6 years, $106 million - ...How much...

Mark Buehrle, SP - 4 years, $58 million - ....substance?

Miami: A city doomed to repeat history. 3

Minnesota Twins

Matt Capps, CP - 1 year, $4.8 million - In Louisiana, our Governor, Bobby Jindal, has a catch phrase, "Doing more with less." The Twins are doing just that. After losing long time closer Joe Nathan to free agency, the Twins picked up a very capable closer, in Capps, and committed $9 million less in total payroll and close to $3 million in 2012 salary (compared to Nathan) to do so. For a team with very capable starting pitchers, this was a prudent move.

Josh Willingham, LF - 3 years, $21 million - Willingham will offer the Twins some of the bases-clearing power their lineup has lacked since Torii Hunter left for Anaheim four years ago and Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau began having assorted ailments, causing the stars to miss games.


San Diego Padres

Huston Street, CP - acquired via trade with Colorado Rockies; 1 year, $7.5 million remaining -

The Padres are another team trying to do more with less, with one of the smallest payrolls in the majors. That is why picking up the big dollar contract of a declining closer in Street is a head scratcher.


Boston Red Sox

David Ortiz, DH - accepted salary arbitration - Big Papi expressed that it was time for a change after the Red Sox were eliminated from the playoffs on the final day of the 2011 regular season. I guess his watch was fast.


Milwaukee Brewers

Francisco Rodriguez - accepted salary arbitration - Just because K-Rod accepted arbitration does not mean he will be in Milwaukee next season. There has been speculation in the sports media about the possibility of the Brewers dealing Rodriguez, post-arbitration.

Aramis Ramirez, 3B - 3 years, $36 million - As I mentioned, the Cubs signed a lot of players who under delivered. Ramirez was not one of them. His bat is going to help replace some of what the Brewers will lose with the imminent defection of Prince Fielder.

Toronto Blue Jays

Kelly Johnson, 2B - accepted salary arbitration - The Blue Jays have had trouble retaining talented players. There is no better way, in MLB, to show a player the money than arbitration.


Los Angeles Angels

Albert Pujols, 1B - 10 years, $254 million - Last name "Ever,"...first name, "Greatest"? Possibly. The Angels paid a fortune of a premium to acquire the game's best player. This deal may prove costly at the back end of the contract. However, in the American League, the Angels will be able to move Pujols to the designated hitter position as he approaches age 40 and begins to slow down. Big risk...big reward.

C.J. Wilson, SP - 5 years, $77.5 million - The Angels made power moves in both aspects of their game: hitting with Pujols and pitching with former Rangers ace C.J. Wilson. Some analysts have argued that Wilson is not the prototypical MLB ace pitcher (particularly last postseason, while frequently being compared to Cliff Lee of the Philadelphia Phillies), in spite of being consistent and successful over the years. With the arrival of Pujols and the return of Kendrys Morales from a nearly two year hiatus, due to injury, Wilson will have plenty of run support to afford to be "almost" a "true" ace.

Right now, the Dodgers are the "other team" in Los Angeles. 4

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

1) Image from www.mrsgrapevine.com
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4) Image from http://www.nasorb.com/