Those Are Some Sexy Sox

So I know the All-Star teams were announced almost a week ago, which means technically I'm a little behind with my old newsbreak here, but I just wanted to take a minute to fully appreciate the hotness of the two men my Sox are supplying to this year's AL team. We all probably know by now my appreciation for the Messrs. Crede and Quentin (Q-Man especially, as I've blogged about him more than a few times over the last couple of weeks), but now that they're Stars of the All variety, they need another look. And another. And another.

Joe "I wear my socks up to my knees because I'm sexy and I can" Crede: I've been unabashedly in love with Joe-Joe, as I like to call him when we're hanging out in my head, since 2005. As soon as the socks went up, and the hair grew down, I just couldn't get enough of this cutie. And it didn't hurt one bit either that he looked like freaking Brooks Robinson in the field.

Watching him dive for line drives that nine-tenths of the third basemen in the league couldn't snatch on their best day, and make it look routine at that, has been one of my favorite parts of the past three summers. And seeing him sing "Don't Stop Believing" in a champagne soaked t-shirt wasn't too shabby either.

He broke my heart last year when his back went wonky and he abandoned us for most of the season, but the way he's been playing this year has just about made up for that. Plus he's, y'know, super hot. You can't stay mad at that forever, you know what I'm saying?

Carlos "I'm dark and brooding and can melt you with my sexy laser eyes" Quentin: He's new this year, and though I honestly didn't think all that much of him in the preseason, he's turned into a monster on the field. He's not nearly as lovable as Swish, in that "captivating because I'm so adorable and chatty and likable" sort of way, but his never smile, always brood attitude is pretty zexy (and yes, I did mean to misspell that).

What girl doesn't adore the strong silent type? Especially one that can hit a fastball as far as this guy can. So while I might not have been too keen on him early on, Q has definitely won me over in a big way. Just check out my previous blogs, and you'll see.

So there you have it, folks. The 2008 Chicago White Sox All Stars. There should have been more this year - a few of our pitchers, Danks and Floyd especially (never thought I'd say that), should have gotten spots. But we take what we can get. And boy is the gettin' hot this summer. Can't wait to see these guys sizzle in New York on Tuesday.

Winter Classic, Here We Come

So there are reports this morning that Wrigley Field won the rights to host the Winter Classic this year, snaking it away from the last-minute Yankee Stadium hoopla (man, is this the Olympics or what?). And although I hate the Cubs with a fiery passion, I do appreciate that Wrigley Field is a pretty awesome place. Old baseball fields are few and far between these days, and the brick and ivy in the Wrigley outfield really are a sight to behold. Can't wait to see what it looks like in the middle of a bitter Chicago winter with ice in place of grass.

Hawks versus Wings this winter at Wrigley-Freaking-Field. I am so ready to sell my soul for a pair of tickets to this game. Giddyup!

More Pens To Love

So Fleury signed a 7-year, $35 million extension today. Which is just making the Hossa pain all the more bearable. And in honor of this momentous occasion, I'm posting one of my favorite Fleury youtube clips. I just love the mental image of this guy stuffed into a gear bag. Hot with a capital "H" my friends!

Orpik In, Ruutu Out

More Pens updates as the day chugs to a close:

Jarkko Ruutu signed with the Senators. Sigh.

Brooks Orpik signed a six-year deal back with the Pens. Cheer! Crunch! Cheer again!

I'm feeling a little dizzy with all this movement lately, how 'bout y'all?

Malkin-Palooza

So the Pens resigned Malkin today, continuing the influx of hockey chatter flowing through the airwaves as July comes in with a bang. It's a five-year extension, according to my nifty Pens email, which is some pretty killer news coming on the heels of Hossa's departure. Not sure what the money's going to look like, but I can't imagine it's small, hometown discount or not. Who woulda thunk summer could bring so much hockey fun?

I'm really glad they didn't drop the ball on this one. Even with Crosby on your team, Malkin is still a necessity that I'm not sure the Penguins' offense could live without. Now if they could only keep the likes of Brooks Orpik (owner, as I've stated before, of the coolest name in hockey). Oh, and they signed Godard of the Flames, too. To replace Hossa you say? Maybe. Just maybe.

How come I never find the baseball off season this entertaining? I mean, first we get the "Saw" version of the Tampa Bay Lightning, complete with the hairdo himself, Melrose, jumping on the carnivalesque board. And now some genuinely exciting trade and free agent maneuvering? What's next? Dancing monkeys? On ice? Wielding chainsaws?

Hossa Gets a Pair of Wings... Red Ones

So Marian Hossa signed a one year deal with the Detroit Red Wings today. Not sure how I feel about this all the way around.

Why leave the Pens? Money, probably - not sure he was as stoked about giving a hometown discount as Malkin claims to be, and hopefully is.

Why not come to Chicago? Money, probably - after yesterday's news, not sure we could afford him anymore.

Why not go to the Oilers? Looking for a Stanley Cup contender, probably, and the Oilers just don't seem to be there yet, the Wings obviously are.

And why only a one-year deal? Money, probably - might be hoping to make more next year once the cap goes up, but he's playing with fire on that one.

So that's the end of that particular rumor mill. I suppose it's at least nice to know for sure, for Hossa, Hossa fans, Pens fans, Hawks fans, Oilers fans, and especially for Wings fans. July's looking pretty insane so far.

Brian Freaking Campbell!!!

We signed Brian Campbell! We signed Brian Campbell! We signed Brian Campbell! Read more here. Oh, and we're apparently still in the running for Hossa. July first isn't even over and the month is already starting to look pretty nice to me. Can't wait to see what's next.

Oh, and we signed Cristobal Huet as well, possibly to back up Khaby, who only has one year left on his super mega deal and who might just have one foot out the door already with this new development. So that's pretty sweet, too, I guess. Huet was really good with the Caps last year, especially during the playoff push, so if he somehow does manage to end up being our starter, I hope he's just as good for us. Can't imagine why he wouldn't be.

In short, things are really shaping up over in the Hawks camp, my friends. And with Toews and Kane panning out so nicely, there might just be something to get excited about in Chicago hockey again, other than the Calder Cup.

Slightly off topic: I'm a little bummed about the Ryan Malone to Tampa deal. Knew he was going to be gone, but it's still a little sad to see him leave. Wonder how many more hits the Pens are gonna take before all is said and done.