Jennie Finch started playing softball at the age of five – developing a talent and a love for the game so strong, that it vaulted her to being a two-time Player of the Year and three-time All-American at the University of Arizona.

Finch also won two Olympic medals – a gold and silver, and has become the face of USA softball, not just because of her vicious windup and dominant pitching performances, but also because she’s become widely known as one of the most beautiful women in all of sports.

Now, as her 30^th birthday quickly approaches, Jennie Finch has decided to retire this year – and to honor Finch for her career achievements (and physical beauty), TWHS would like to provide the following mini-tribute to recognize Jennie Finch and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors, whatever they may be.

First, a few jawdropping stats highlighting portions of Jennie Finch’s career – followed by a few pictures of her throughout the years…

Jennie Finch: A Few Stats

Arizona: 2001 – 32-0 record

Arizona: Career Record 119-16

Arizona: 64 career shutouts

Arizona: 1,028 career strikeouts in 876 2/3 IP

US National Team: 36-2 career record

US National Team: Career 0.42 ERA

US National Team: 23 CG and 19 shutouts in 40 career starts

US National Team: 397 K’s in 239 1/3 IP

Career 0.15 ERA at La Mirada High School

Jennie Finch: A Few Photos

 

Best of luck to you, Jennie – and thanks for the memories!

Beer, sports and football are three of the main staples in the daily lives of many men.

Tie in TV – the way most of us catch a big game – and more than likely, we’ll see a number of comical, amusing and creative commercials on beer.

For example, there’s Dos Equis – featuring the “most interesting man in the world”.

Just in case you live in a bubble, here’s a montage:

Now that you have your Dos Equis in hand (and the concept in mind), you’ll need a little sports to wash it down – so why not do so by gorging on a little college football?

If you had to discuss some of the bigger names in college football with a Dos Equis “most interesting man” spin – how would you handle it?

Here are 12 ways that I would:

The Dos Equis Spin: The Most (Insert Word) Men in the College Football World

Lane Kiffin

He’s managed a pro job in Oakland, a high-profile college gig (while sporting neon orange) and then skipped town to nab his dream job – all while really posting what many would simply (and generously) call mediocre career numbers.

He has more connections than US Airways.

He’s Lane Kiffin…. and he’s the most unaccomplished-accomplished man in the football world.

Randy Edsall

He’s had to fit a pigskin-shaped peg into a round basketball hole for years – and done it with class and passion.

Last year, he stared tragedy right in the face and said, “Bring it on”.

His talents are just a phone call away and it won’t be long before he’s the big man on campus

He’s Randy Edsall… and he’s the most underrated man in the college football world.

Pete Carroll

For years, the NFL kept calling and flirting with this king of southern California – but he was having too much fun in the sun.

Perhaps he brought new meaning to the phrase, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” – Reggie Bush, that is.

Only he truly knows the real truth – but speculation takes a backseat to no one, especially when traveling north on the roads of the Pacific up to Seattle.

He’s Pete Carroll… and he’s the biggest escape artist in the football world.

Urban Meyer

If his passion were bottled and sold, you couldn’t keep him on the shelf.

But passion can come with a hefty price – in the form of health issues, then juggling between an ongoing coaching career and retirement.

One can’t help but notice one moment of sincerity with a talented QB that’s tears can save lives, countered with another moment of ferocity and anger directed at an innocent reporter.

Conclusion: He’s less Superman and more like a Batman character instead.

He’s Urban Meyer… and he’s the most two-faced man in the college football world.

Jake Locker

In a world where everyone tries to prove that money can indeed buy happiness, he puts that theory on hold.

Even with all the number one overall draft pick hype, he refuses to pick up call waiting when the pros come callin’.

Even when a star like Sam Bradford falls victim to a major injury, he stays put.

Money and fame are instead replaced by college, graduation and learning.

He’s Jake Locker… and he’s the most refreshing man in the college football world.

Brian Kelly

(AP Photo/Joe Raymond)

He took a non-existent football program and not only made them relevant, but put them in the BCS spotlight.

He’s not afraid to speak his mind – as his opinion on conference expansion is well documented.

He’s also not afraid to take on a big role and a huge responsibility – one where expectations are attacking him from all possible angles.

He’s Brian Kelly… and he’s the most pressured man in the college football world.

Joe Paterno

While the majority of football schools have a revolving door entrance into the coach’s office, his has a name plate written in permanent ink.

He’s charismatic, passionate, knowledgeable and experienced.

He’s also witty, feisty, stubborn and demanding.

No matter what he is, one thing’s for sure: he keeps on going and going.

He’s Joe Paterno… and he’s the Energizer Bunny of the college football world.

Nick Saban

If you ask him to “say cheese”, he’ll respond by saying “Limburger”.

If you gave him a dollar every time he smiled, he’d be more broke than MC Hammer.

Call it focus… call it determination… call it intensity.

Call it whatever you want – because no matter what, it’s working.

He’s Nick Saban… and he’s the least photogenic man in the college football world.

Adrian Clayborn

He has a tank-sized frame coupled with cartoon-like Road Runner legs.

He has the ability to change a game with one play and change a conference standing in one quarter.

He’s only begun to tap into his potential.

He’s Adrian Clayborn… and he’s the most talented defensive man in the college football world.

Terrelle Pryor

His choice as a freshman was LeBron-like in nature – and his talents are in that ballpark, too.

But to this point, he’s yet to be the best quarterback in his conference, let alone all of college football.

His potential has been growing and his game has been becoming more fine-tuned – so much that in the end, he may just match the hype he entered with.

He’s Terrelle Pryor… and he’s the most vigorous man in the college football world.

Rick Neuheisel

He stares adversity in the face and laughs at its appearance.

He’s reached settlements and gambled in the past – literally.

He renewed the passion and fire in an old Los Angeles area rivalry – all the while being the whipping boy to his next door neighbor.

Now, the doorway is open for him to walk through and own his new home – making it a one-horse town sporting powder blue.

He’s Rick Neuheisel… and he continues to be the most vindicated man in the college football world.

Rich Rodriguez

He left his former state of West Virginia feeling hot under the collar, only to plant himself in his current chair, which is hotter than Hades.

He went from six straight bowl games at WVU to the toilet bowl in Ann Arbor – taking over a legendary program and littering it with question marks, from losing records, to departing players, to rule violations.

Calling this season a “make-or-break year” is the understatement of the century.

He’s Rich Rodriguez… and he’s the most scrutinized man in the college football world.

Stay thirsty for football, my friends…

Drink Dos Equis - and maybe if you listen, the folks there will advertise with TWHS

* Also posted to my Bleacher Report page

Game over, Carmelo – literally.

After tonight, there will be a NEW WIFE in sports – as NBA superstar and Denver Nuggets small forward Carmelo “Melo” Anthony is tying the knot with TV personality Alani “LaLa” Vazquez.

It sounds like it promises to be quite an event, with plenty of well-known names attending,including newest unofficial member of the Miami Heat – and least favorite person in Cleveland – LeBron James.

The couple has been engaged since Christmas of 2004, and they have a son – Kiyan Carmelo Anthony, who was born in 2007.

It’s safe to say that a lot of us sports fans know who “Melo” is: key member of a national champion Syracuse team and later drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the third pick in the first round in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Since entering the NBA, Anthony has helped push his team to the playoffs every year.  Carmelo is also a three-time All-Star, winner of multiple Olympic medals and has scored 20+ plus points per game every season since entering the NBA.

But many ask the question, “Who’s LaLa?”

I know this because upon researching her, the majority of people can’t even spell her name correctly – including via this New York Post piece discussing their wedding.

Well, that’s the case if her official blog site is correct – which I assume that it would be.

Between “Lala” and “LaLa” or “Vasquez” and “Vazquez”, the options almost feel endless – but who is she, you may ask?

In a nutshell, Alani “LaLa” Vazquez is a former MTV VJ, a radio personality and a whole lot more, from producer to mother to aspiring actress.

On top of all that, she’s also quite striking – as you will see below in a pictorial presented by The Wife Hates Sports – in honor of the NEW WIFE in sports.

Well, officially new, at least.

LaLa Vazquez – Wife of Carmelo Anthony

 

Nice catch, Carmelo – and good luck to you both.

Image Credits: Bikini Shots SI.com – as you will see via the blown up images

Here at The Wife Hates Sports, we are huge fans of the show LOST – for its creativity, unpredictability, character development and more.

Therefore, as the series finale to the ABC hit show arrives – the interest in the show and its secrets are likely reaching a boiling point – to the point where maybe, just maybe… it’s getting annoying for some, as the fanatics are salivating and chiming in on every last detail.

So that placed me in a boat where I felt the need to brainstorm the top ways in which a LOST fanatic could annoy his/her co-workers in the office.  Call it an attempt at humor…

Top 10 Ways to Annoy Your Co-Workers During LOST Series Finale Week

10. When giving out an assignment or asking a question to a co-worker, start the conversation with the line, “Jacob has chosen you as a candidate”

9. For any male wearing dark colors in the office, refer to him as “The Man in Black”

8. Give everyone a solution to a problem in an important meeting, but follow it up by saying that it’s “not what you recommended in the flash sideways meeting”

7. Speak in an accent and call everyone at work “brotha”

6. During an important meeting in the boardroom, press your face against the glass, slamming your hand up against it – revealing the message “Not Penny’s Boat”

5. Rename all the company conference rooms after DHARMA stations

4. Set off the fire alarm and frantically run screaming, “The Smoke Monster is here, the Smoke Monster is here!!”

3. Ask anyone and everyone if they’ve heard the latest song by Driveshaft

2. Refer to your company’s competitors as “The Others”

1. Tell your boss you can’t attend that important staff meeting because you have to type six numbers into your computer every 108 minutes

If you’re a LOST fan, enjoy the finale on May 23^rd and I invite you to drop by The Wife Hates Sports to chat about the show once it’s over with.

In sports, athletes with spectacular performances earn all kinds of accolades – from MVP awards to trophies, and so on.

Here, at The Wife Hates Sports, gold stars are earned – kind of like a grade school teacher would place on a good student’s homework.

After another hot weekend in the world of sports, there were just too many great performances that yours truly had to break out the stars to honor some of the best…

Gold Stars: May 9, 2010

Dallas Braden

An extra gold star goes out to those who have even heard of the guy, as I’m willing to bet not everyone has.

Either way, Braden is a starting pitcher for the Oakland A’s, who not only shut down one of the best teams in baseball in the Tampa Bay Rays (second in runs to be exact) – but he threw a perfect game against them – the 19^th in MLB history.

On top of that, his grandmother – who raised him, was present to celebrate on Mother’s Day.

Congrats, young man.

Rajon Rondo

Honestly, Rondo is often overshadowed by a number of other point guards in the NBA – but you can’t ignore this ridiculous stat line in Game 4 against the top-seeded Cavs on Sunday:

29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists…

Yes, that’s a triple-double, and YES that’s 18 boards for a point guard.

Can we NOW put his name as one of the best, please?

Betty White

The WIFE has also put in high grades for White’s recent performance on SNL – and to be honest, I’m not a frequent viewer anymore, but the best thing that could have happened to the late-night skit show was the facebook press pushing for Betty to be host… because she was hysterical – and it was an SNL show that I laughed at consistently for the first time in a VERY long time.

Seriously… Betty may have joked that her “muffin hasn’t had a cherry since 1939”, but her performance on Saturday Night Live was the cherry on top of a few years of subpar late-night desserts.

If you haven’t checked out this Golden Girl’s performance, I’d recommend it – as a handful of SNL’ers were back to pitch in.

Orlando Magic

I’ve been saying it for days now – but amidst all the hype and desire for a Lakers vs. Cavs NBA Finals matchup, the Orlando Magic are a beast growing stronger and stronger.

Orlando remains unbeaten in the postseason, now taking a commanding 3-0 lead over the Atlanta Hawks, all of which were dominate victories.

The warning sign is this: the Magic could use some adversity.  After all, look at LeBron and Co. last year – who cruised into the Eastern Conference Finals, only to face adversity and bow out.  The same could happen if the Magic aren’t careful.

Tim Clark

Of all the other great stories this weekend, Clark’s story is right there at the top.

The PGA media is guilty of having a crush on Tiger and Phil – and deservably so as each has earned to be the talk of the town – but there needs to be more attention to the winners of the tournaments, too.

Clark, who put on a masterful performance at the TPC – earned his FIRST ever victory on the PGA Tour.

So congrats, Tim… it was a great weekend, and finally that monkey can hop off your back and take a friggin’ hike.

Mom on Mother’s Day

Finally, as this special day winds down, it’s important to acknowledge the mothers of the world.

In my case, Mom isn’t just a caring and fantastic family matriarch, but she’s grown into quite the sports fan – so much that she at times puts me to shame – which says something considering my obsession and aspirations to be more firmly cemented in the sports world.

I celebrate you, Mom – and thanks so much for everything you have done for me – and for talking sports with me, too.

And for that… the wife thanks you, too.

This has been Gold Stars… where there’s no back talk, because then we’ll have to wash our mouths out with soap.