There’s a New Crown in D-Town.
Well, for only $146,800 a game. Guaranteed. For the next nine years. The Tigers have landed their man. Nearly 2 decades after his dad, Cecil, trotted onto the field with Detroit sprawled across his chest Prince Fielder is about to do the same.
After the Tigers were told they would have to play the 2012 season without Victor Martinez one questioned loomed. Who would replace the sure-fire DH? Well guess no more—the hefty first baseman from Milwaukee is poised to take the job.
So what do we need to know about Prince?
- He really is baseball royalty. His father Cecil spent 17 years in the league, seven of which with the Tigers.
- Fielder just garnered himself the fourth-largest contract of all time. Albert Pujols’ recent $252 million contract with the Angels still holds the top spot.
- He has spent seven years in the MLB, playing all of those with the Milwaukee Brewers.
- Fielder is a three-time All-Star participant and two-time recipient of the Silver Slugger Award.
- In the 2011 season he finished with a .299 batting average and .415 on base percentage.
- He posts a career .282 batting average and .390 on base percentage.
- The Tigers have now guaranteed $338 million for the upcoming years to three 1B/DH types in Fielder, Miguel Cabrera and Martinez.
- Detroit’s original first baseman, Cabrera, will now most likely be moved to third base.
- This move literally shocked the baseball world.
The Oscar Goes To.
The Oscar nominations were announced in the wee hours of the morning Tuesday and Hugo came in as the big winner. The Martin Scorsese film was nominated for 11 gold men while the silent film, The Artist, followed closely behind with 10 nods. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was surprisingly left off the Best Picture list, while Leo and Ryan Gossling were notably left of the Best Actor list. The biggest shocker though? I’ve actually seen five of the nine films nominated for Best Picture! Normally the Academy and I don’t see eye to eye of these things.
Best Picture
- “The Artist” Thomas Langmann, Producer
- “The Descendants” Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers
- “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” Scott Rudin, Producer
- “The Help” Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers
- “Hugo” Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers
- “Midnight in Paris” Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers
- “Moneyball” Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers
- “The Tree of Life” Nominees to be determined
- “War Horse” Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers
Actor in a Leading Role
- Demian Bichir in “A Better Life”
- George Clooney in “The Descendants”
- Jean Dujardin in “The Artist”
- Gary Oldman in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”
- Brad Pitt in “Moneyball”
Actor in a Supporting Role
- Kenneth Branagh in “My Week with Marilyn”
- Jonah Hill in “Moneyball”
- Nick Nolte in “Warrior”
- Christopher Plummer in “Beginners”
- Max von Sydow in “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
Actress in a Leading Role
- Glenn Close in “Albert Nobbs”
- Viola Davis in “The Help”
- Rooney Mara in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”
- Meryl Streep in “The Iron Lady”
- Michelle Williams in “My Week with Marilyn”
Actress in a Supporting Role
- Bérénice Bejo in “The Artist”
- Jessica Chastain in “The Help”
- Melissa McCarthy in “Bridesmaids”
- Janet McTeer in “Albert Nobbs”
- Octavia Spencer in “The Help”
For more nominees click here.
It wasn’t just fantastic. It was Gronktastic. It wasn’t just greatness. It was Gronkness. It wasn’t just … oh, whatever. You get the point. Let’s move on to more important matters, like this one: Where do I sign up? I want in. I want to join the Gronk Nation.
Click the picture for more from NFL.com writer Jeff Darlington.
There is a ying for every yang. An ebb for every flow. And a worst for every best. Just because they are famous doesn’t mean these—albeit beautiful—women didn’t make a fashion faux paw.
- Piper Perabo (Theysken) - Maybe she was trying to smuggle the Globes out under her dress. If that’s not the reason for this dress choice I have no other words.
- Sarah Michelle Geller (Monique Lhuillier) - Never let your two year old daughter pick out your award show dress. The end.
- Evan Rachel Wood (Gucci Premiere) - I thought she looked like the child of a mermaid who slept with a black swan.
- Jessica Biel (Elie Saab) - I didn’t hate this dress. I just barely disliked it. But I feel like the future Mrs. Timberlake never shows off her bangin’ body. It was a pretty dress it just did nothing for her or her skin tone. Plus, how bummed were you we didn’t get a glimpse of that new ring JT put on it?
- Michelle Williams (Jason Wu) - Is she twelve? Does she have to wear a headband all the time? This Jason Wu creation made her look so matronly. Nothing like Marilyn Monroe, the woman she won a Globe for portraying.
- Natalie Portman (Lanvin) - I feel like Natalie got by with some so-so fashion choices last award season because she was preggers. Well, you’re not pregnant anymore Nats and this dress looked just like a Valentine exploded.
- Zooey Deschanel (Prada) - I had such high hopes for the self described adorkable “New Girl.” Boy did I feel let down. It may have been custom Prada but this was a big fat nada. The sideburn bangs did not help the sitch either.
- Dianna Agron (Giles Deacon) - I usually love my Glee girls, especially Dianna and Lea, but Dianna’s dress this year was just a hot mess of laser-cut swans. From the neck up though, gorge.
- Naya Rivera (Vera Wang) - Appropriate for a sexy funeral? Maybe. For a hot twenty-something at the Golden Globes. Nope. I don’t get how Vera can create both Sofia Vergara’s stunner and this sack.
The Golden Globes were hosted Sunday night in Beverly Hills and officially kicked off award season. Fabulous movie stars were forced to mingle with the lowly television stars—but no one really noticed because the alcohol was a flowin. George Clooney won big, taking home two awards for The Descendents and Stacy Keibler. But enough with the awards and fluff, lets get down to business. It’s all about the fashion.
- Trend of the Night:There was a lot of nude and blush tones taking over the red carpet at the Globes, but more than half of the ladies on my best-dressed list brought it with a pop of color.
Best Dressed
The Reds:
- Reese Witherspoon (Zac Posen) – Marriage does her well. From sexy bed-head to beautifully manicured red nails Reese was perfection. Her red Zac Posen gown hugged her in all the right places.
- Stacy Keibler and George Clooney (Valentino) – A potato would look gorgeous on the arm or George Clooney but Stacy Keibler looked absolutely stunning all on her own. Her hair and makeup were flawless as was the fit of her fab, red Valentino dazzler.
The Purples:
- Jessica Alba (Gucci) – The definition of a MILF in this dress. Can you believe she had a baby four months ago? The pale lavender was a perfect accent to her absolutely glowing skin. I mean it really glowed. Flaw-less.
- Shailene Woodley (Marchesa) – My how she’s grown from the days when she played Marissa’s little sister on The OC. I thought her Marchesa gown was gorgeous, especially the diamond accent in the middle of the bodice. Surprisingly the uber-pale lavender was a nice compliment to her pale skin tone. One thing I would’ve changed—the hair. I think it could have been a little softer.
- Octavia Spencer (Tadashi Shoji) – The Help actress took home a trophy for Best Supporting Actress but is also walking away as a bonefide fashionista. Her make-up picked up the purple of her dress. Her jewels complimented the jewels on her reusing. Totally figure flattering. From the couch last year to the carpet this year, Octavia was a knockout.
The Nudes:
- Charlize Theron (Dior Haute Couture) – One of the benefits of having a million dollar contract with Dior? You get to wear pretty little diddies like this to award shows. Her mile long legs were highlighted by the ginormous slit in the front of the dress. But, my favorite part was big bow at her hip. It was retro elegance done right.
- Kate Beckinsale (Roberto Cavalli) – Stunning. Glowing. Wearing a million dollars in diamonds. Perfection.
The Jewels and Metallics:
- Sofia Vergara (Vera Wang) – The fishtail gown made by Miss Wang is the perfect compliment to Miss Vergara’s bangin’ bod. Can you believe she has a 20 year-old son? With the dress having such an intricate bottom I thought it was perfect she kept her hair and makeup down and simple.
- Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum (Maria Lucia Johan) – The Tatum’s were one of the best-dressed couples of the night. I loved how Jenna complimented the jade of her dress with purple and blue jewels. Plus, who doesn’t love the couple that met filming Step Up?
- Lea Michele (Marchesa) – Lea’s dress was really hit or miss for a lot of people this year but I was on the “hit” end of this conversation. I thought the appliquéd top was gorge flowing into the liquid metal skirt. Paired with appliqué-matching earrings, jade accents and nude lips, I thought the Glee actress looked fabutastic.
Honorable Mentions:
- Angelina Jolie (Atelier Versace) - I wasn’t all up on Angelina’s grill like the rest of the world seemed to be. I personally thought she looked like the Ice Queen celebrating Valentines Day. She just seems so cold. However, her dress was perfectly tailored.
- Ariel Winter (Dolce and Gabbana) – Why this may not have been one of my favorite dresses of the night, the Modern Family star makes the cut because she was completely age appropriate. The tea-length frock with bow-accented shoes was a perfect fit for the thirteen year-old.
- Jessica Chastian, Diane Lane, Freida Pinto
Jon’s awesome article:
Here’s one “Michigan Man” who knows how to deliver a postgame handshake.
And yes, that’s Will Gholston who is on the receiving end of Brady Hoke’s grasp. The same Gholston who punched one of Hoke’s players and has come under criticism for playing dirty in the Spartans’ win over the…
Today Nike unveiled their Pro Combat uniforms Michigan State will wear during the Michigan game. For those non-football fans out there, Nike decided to create nine Pro Combat uniforms for the chosen universities to wear during their biggest games. The uniforms are supposed to be the “next-generation” in battle armor and pay homage to the “unique heritage and history of the individual college football programs.”
Those universities chosen by Nike to wear the 2011 Pro Combat uniforms are
- Oregon — duh, how many Nike uniforms does Oregon need? (vs LSU, Sept. 3)
- Georgia & Boise State (vs each other, Sept. 3)
- Michigan State (vs Michigan, Oct. 15)
- LSU (vs Auburn, Oct. 22)
- Ohio State (vs Wisconsin, Oct. 29)
- Stanford (vs Notre Dame, Nov. 26)
- Army & Navy (vs each other, Dec. 10)
So, with the unveiling of MSU’s uniforms today the reaction by the public was less than stellar. I’ll admit, while they have grown on me I still don’t like them! The official Nike statement regarding the uniforms:
“Nike Football and Michigan State University have officially unveiled the Spartans’ 2011 Pro Combat System of Dress. MSU’s Athletic Department says the new uniforms feature “an authentic strength and durability synonymous with the Spartan name.”
The strongly-colored dark green jerseys and black pants are accented with hits of metallic bronze that are symbolic of the weaponry, armor and strategy that originally made Spartans legendary warriors. Embroidered on the inner neckline are the words “Molon Labe,” an Ancient Greek phrase that translates to “come and take them.” The Pro Combat gloves can be clasped together to form a proud bronze Spartan logo.”
Footwear is once again represented by Nike’s Zoom Alpha Talon and Zoom Vapor Carbon Fly. Both cleats feature bronze and green colorways with a shielded Spartan logo centered on the tongue.
The Spartans will wear their Pro Combat Uniforms against the rival Michigan Wolverines on October 15th.
An article written on MLive.com today sums up my opinions to a tee. In summation:
“What is up with those bronze helmets?”
As corny as the press release was regarding the utilization bronze, the uniforms grew on me throughout the day. The shield, the helmet, it’s supposed to recognize Spartan warriors. I get it, and I’m okay with it.
Interestingly enough, something few Spartans fans know is the football team used to wear black and gold jerseys with winged helmets in the 1930s and 40s. So there is SOME tradition to the decision.
But no white outside of the shoes? It just looks strange. The “Go Green, Go White” chant will be at least a little awkward.
Yes, I would have loved to have white incorporated into our uniforms. But lets not forget, this is only for one game. At the end of the day we are still Spartans. We are still one. And we were still chosen.
A Chat With Friends: Michigan State Football 2011.
My first try as a guest blogger!! So exciting!
I have been looking forward to this post for awhile now, largely in part that the season opener is now less than a week away, but also because I am bringing in some of my college buddies to help co-author this post. Amanda Harper, a fellow Spartan and close friend, joins me today as well as my old roommate David Schlaudt. We’ll share our opinions on the upcoming season and give you some insights on who to keep a close eye on this year.
Amanda runs her own blog, writing about all things sports, entertainment and fashion. Be sure to visit her blog!
1. What offensive player are you most looking forward to watching?
AH: The offensive player I’m most looking forward to see this year is the man himself, Mr. Kirk Cousins. Not only because he’s a total hottie, which he obvious is, but I really think (and hope so much) this year is his year to shine uber-brightly. He only took a few snaps his freshman year as Hoyer was the starter. The start of his sophomore year began with the Keith Nichol controversy — don’t even get me started on that, if he didn’t want play for MSU in the first place then he shouldn’t be allowed to weasel his way into a starting QB role. Obviously Kirk won the starting role, but was only able to lead the Spartans to a 6-13 record. The 2010 season was Kirk’s “ah-ha” season. He didn’t lose his first game until Halloween, tossed it over 2800 yards and led the Spartans to a co-Big Ten title and another bowl game. However, he still threw 10 INT and lost another bowl game — correction got spanked, and then spanked again by Alabama. While Cousins has already impressed me with his Big Ten luncheon speech, now I’m ready for him to dazzle me on the field. I’m hoping in his senior season he can lead MSU to a Big Ten championship, a place in the national spotlight and, fingers crossed, a bowl win.
DS: Kirk Cousins because of the attention he has been getting, it would be awesome to have a QB drafted high next year.
BD: I will be watching Kirk Cousins this year to improve on his stats and intangibles from last season and even compete high enough to garner a Big-Ten POTY (Player of the Year) Award. But, the offensive player I am most looking forward to watching can be found 6 feet behind Captain Kirk. RB, Edwin Baker. Baker, common referred to as “Rock”, has shared the carries for the Spartans with Larry Caper, Le’Veon Bell and an emerging Nick Hill all spring and summer. I think it’s safe to say that we all know what we can expect from Kirk Cousins, but Baker remains a bit of a question mark. Dantonio has consistently said that the runner with the hot hand will get the ball. For the sake of Spartan Nation improving on the feats of last year’s campaign, we need Baker to be that hot hand. “Rock” has already come out in camp this year and proclaimed the goal of amassing 2,000 yards rushing and 20 TDs. If Baker can get close to those numbers, along with Cousins, I’d say we have a damn good shot at making it to Pasadena.
And the Disco Ball Goes To.
Dancing with the Stars has announced their cast for the 13th season of the show. Like every season there’s the good, the bad and the ugly. Who’s your pick to win it all?
David Arquette - A 39-year-old Scream star and husband/ex-husband (I’m not sure) ofactress Courtney Cox Arquette.
Ron Artest - The 31-year-old LA Lakers starter is no stranger to the spotlight, or controversy.
Chaz Bono - Sonny Bono and Cher’s 42-year-old child who recently underwent a very public gender transition. Bono will be the first transgender contestant in the show’s history, and will be partnered with a female.
Elisabetta Canalis - Does this 32-year-old do anything but date and get dumped by George Clooney? Let’s hope she can dance!
Kristin Cavallari - You hated her on Laguna Beach season 1, loved her on Laguna Season 2 and didn’t really know what to think when she moved to The Hills. Now the 24-year-old reality starlet is best known for getting dumped by Bears’ QB, Jay Cutler.
Nancy Grace - 51 and annoying as ever. I’m hoping the star of The Nancy Grace Show—clever—is one of the first ones gone. And you thought her head couldn’t get any bigger than during the Casey Anthony trial.
Rob Kardashian - Keeping up the Family. Following in the two left footsteps of his big sis, the 24-year-old reality star and all-around lazy butt hopes his reign will be longer than Kimmie’s.
Carson Kressley - The 41-year-old gay best friend, celebrity stylist and fashion guru is hoping to dazzle in sequins and spray tans.
Ricki Lake - Although the 42-year-old shined as Tracy Turnblad on Broadway’s Hairspray that doesn’t mean the former daytime-talkshow host can wow us on DWTS.
J.R. Martinez - Apparently he’s from All My Children and a former soldier?
Chynna Phillips - She can sing but can she dance? The 43-year-old is the front woman of musical group Wilson Phillips.
Hope Solo - At 30 she’s already the reigning hottie on the Women’s US Soccer team, but can she defend other celeb’s taking shots at her and the mirror ball trophy.
About me
A girl's view on everything sports, fashion & entertainment.**Photos are not owned unless stated.
