HERE KITTY-KITTY

The EDS Byron Nelson Championships begin tomorrow in Texas, and we all know what that means. Camilo Villegas begins crawling at 10:10 am. To date, Camilo has taken us through 12 breathless events, made the cut 8 times, and earned three top ten finishes. The sexy lawn-kat tops my list of hottest Athlebrities, but can he crawl his way into victory? Todd Budnick interviewed Camilo Villegas yesterday. Budnick is a great reporter who is obviously in tune with the fact that Camilo is making a huge impact on golf, and us, the estrogen-laced fans. Q: Can you talk a little bit about the unique way you crouch lining up the putts, and what started that and what do you think you see from that angle that you wouldn’t see from another angle?

CAMILO VILLEGAS: Well, last year on the Nationwide I wasn’t putting the ball very good. I thought maybe reading the greens better was going to help me. Middle of a round, go straight down, felt good, clicked, and I’ve been doing it ever since. I just think you get a better look from down there.

Q. What have been the most popular pants or outfit that you’re worn this year? I’ve seen orange and yellow. Is there anything you won’t wear? CAMILO VILLEGAS: I don’t know, I’ve had some requests for photos for the yellow ones. I think they like those.

With a little luck, and a big push, Camilo may get a Big Break?
The next season of The Golf Channel’s “Big Break” reality show will, for the first time, feature both men and women. The male winner will receive a sponsors exemption to play Champions Tour events in ’07, and we don’t care about the female winner. “The Big Break VI: Trump National,” debuts September 26, and will be held at Donald Trump’s Trump National Golf Club in L.A.

ERIC STALL GOES G.Q.

His second N.H.L. season has been hot for the 6-foot-4, 204-pound Eric Staal. Mad love to this up and coming Athlebrity, who has been credited as one of the major reasons the Hurricanes lead the Devils, 2-0, in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series. More love coming his way when sexy Staal appears in a photo layout in next month’s GQ magazine!

BEN ROETHLISBERGERS FIRST TRIP OUTSIDE THE US.

Ben Roethlisberger, the super hot quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, held a media conference for the ‘Swissroots’ organization in Lauperswil, Switzerland, on Monday. This is the hometown of Bens great great grandfather. ‘Swissroots’ assists people of Swiss descent living all over the world to trace their ancestral roots.

Ben carries a fake “Unspunnen” stone, a stone that is thrown during the traditional stone throwing competition.

DAVID BECKHAM ON WAYNE ROONEY

David Beckham spoke. God had this to say about that little injured bulldog Wayne Rooney. “We are a better team and squad with him (Rooney)…What we have to remember is we have other great players and other captains - great midfielders, defenders and forwards in our team. We’ve got players who have played in big games so we have to step forward now…People have said there is a lot of pressure on Wayne Rooney. But he is a footballer for Manchester United and England - of course there is a lot of pressure…He is the best young player in world football at this present time and there is a lot of expectation there…We can talk about it and talk about it until he is fit for hopefully one of the games in the World Cup but we’ve all got to stay positive. I know he’ll stay positive and that is the most important thing because of course we need Wayne Rooney - you want your best players on the team and he is one of our best players…I spent many years at Manchester United and the medical staff are very good there…They will look after him, the manager will look after him and make sure he is not going anywhere unless he is fit because I’m sure he doesn’t want him coming back next season having the same problems…He needs to take care of himself which he will do. He’s working very hard to get himself fit because he knows what it means to himself, the team and the country but I think the most important thing is his health.” Uh, sorry Becks, were you speaking?

CAMPIONATI INTERNAZIONALI D’ITALIA
Tennis hotties are in Rome Italy spanking each other on clay courts.

Sexy Rafael Nadal of Spain (left) smiles after wiping the court with fellow hot, hot, hot, countryman Carlos Moya during the first round of the ATP Rome Masters on Tuesday. Nadal moves on to face Filippo Volandri. And Andy Roddick (right) defeated someone! Marcos Baghdatis went down during the second round to Roddick 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. And as usual, the AP insists on taking photos of Andy ala St. Vitas Dance.

I WISH I DIDN’T SEE THIS

Yesterday, Manu Ginobili was treated by a team trainer in game two of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals. What he should have been treated by was a DENTIST! I love ya Manu, but pa-leeze clean up those pearls.

HOT ATHLETES IN DEEP WATER

Glaceau, makers of Vitaminwater, Fruitwater and Smartwater, has signed endorsement deals with the following hot athletes: David Ortiz, Brian Urlacher, Ray Lewis, LaDainian Tomlinson, Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson, Baron Davis and Ray Allen. As part of the deal, Glaceau “offered ownership” in the company, which is reportedly worth more than $350M.

McGrady: “I was drinking it for a long time, and when I heard they were willing to give me ownership, it made a lot of sense.”

ANYONE WANNA BUY DEREK JETERS BIG PINK BAT?

MLB has granted permission for players to use phallic pink bats on Mother’s Day this Sunday as part of a weeklong program to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. More than 400 bats were dyed at the Louisville Slugger factory for use by 50-plus players including Derek Jeter, David Eckstein, Jim Edmonds, Marcus Giles, and David Ortiz. The bats, (pink) home plates and (pink) lineup cards, will be autographed by the teams and auctioned off later with the proceeds going to the Komen Foundation.

NEW FATHEADS

Fathead.com is now carrying NBA hotties. Some of the hot pin-up athletes include Ben Wallace, Dwyane Wade, Allen Iverson, Shaq, and even a Kobe Fathead (target practice?) If you haven’t gotten yourself one of these life size wall stickers, check out www.fathead.com. Fathead has answered the pleas from fans of hot male athletes and has given us a way to bring them home. Fathead has also added NASCAR products, however, no drivers yet, just the hot-rods they drive.

That’s it for today. As Always, thanks for reading. Delinda

CAMILO VILLEGAS GETS CRAWL TIME
May 11th through the 14th Camilo will be crawling the greens at the EDS Byron Championship for his chance at the $6.2 million purse. The match takes place at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas, Irving, Texas. The contact number is (972) 717-1200.

TV coverage is as follows: Thursday, 5/11: 4-6 p.m. ET on USA; Friday, 5/12: 4-6 p.m. ET on USA; Saturday, 5/13: 3-6 p.m. ET on CBS; Sunday, 5/14: 3-6 p.m. ET on CBS. If the stations don’t give us enough Camilo coverage, which they never do, you can contact CBS Sports at (212) 975-5230, or email them at firstinitiallastname@cbs.com, attention Vanessa Hambidge (Director of Programming and Marketing.) If the USA network overlooks Villegas, their contact info is (212) 664-7121, or email a request for more coverage to the attention of J. Kevin Landy (V.P. Sports programming) at firstname.lastname@nbcuni.com. It’s vital to our emotional well being for tournement executives to know how many of us are following the hot Columbian rookie. Without an established and growing fan base, Camilo may not get the coverage he deserves. Power to the people, let’s bring Camilo Villegas to the limelight, enough is enough!

**DAVID BECKHAM ALERT**

adidas is taking no prisoners in its pre World Cup advertising battle against Nike. Adidas bought the largest outdoor poster site in Europe (Birmingham, England.) The space is bigger than a soccer field, takes up nearly an acre of advertising space, and is visible from more than a mile away. Best part, the hottest adidas endorsers David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Gary Neville are featured in the ad. The images of the athletes have been used to make the poster look like a World Cup sticker book. Individual pictures of each hot-hot-hottie are depicted side-by-side, with a final space for one further “sticker” to be collected with an outline of the World Cup showing the missing image awaiting the England team’s victory.

GOT BECKHAM? Yes! After years of waiting, David Beckham has finally shot an ad for the Got Milk? campaign. I am awaiting a copy of the ad and will “share” it with you as soon as I get my paws on it, drool for a while, and then post it. The ad is scheduled to run at the end of August in conjunction with the World Cup.

WAYNE ROONEY GOES TO THE MARKET

The UK-based supermarket chain Asda signed England’s hot bulldog Wayne Rooney to a $5.57M deal less than a month before the little guy broke his foot. An Asda spokesperson said that the injury “did not change the importance of the deal.” Rooney has already starred in his first campaign for the company and “will do some other things as the summer progresses. He’s still very well known, he’s a star player and there’s no change there.” Despite his injury, Rooney is on England’s World Cup roster, which was released yesterday.

SPEAKING OF THE WORLD CUP…we’ve all noticed that the monkey who’s running this country has spread world-wide anti-American sentiment. I can deal with it but not when it affects the safety of our hot athletes. For “security reasons,” the U.S. team’s bus at the World Cup “will be the only one for the 32 teams that will not have the nation’s flag adorning the outside of the vehicle.” Hey Bush, thanks for ruining the fun.

JEREMY BLOOM IS QUIET

Hot Eagles draft pick, sexy Jeremy Bloom has been “declining most interviews since he was drafted.” Icon Sports Group CEO Andy Carroll, who reps Bloom for marketing, said Bloom “doesn’t want to be a distraction” to the Eagles. Carroll said of Bloom’s earnings through endorsements: “seven figures is a fair number.” Bloom has deals with Under Armour, Rip It, 24 Hour Fitness, and others. Carroll said of Bloom’s endorsement opportunities: “My phone has been ringing a lot, but we want to get him in Philly, settled down and make sure his teammates are comfortable with him. … We want to minimize the sideshow effect.” Am I going to have to publish Mr. Carroll’s phone number so we can support the sideshow? After all, what’s an Athlebrity without some off-field love?

RANDY MOSS CANS DANTE DITRAPANO… Randy Moss has canned agent Dante DiTrapano and made Tim DiPiero, of DiTrapano, Barrett & DiPiero, his sole agent. Great idea- stick with the same firm! As you all know, DiTrapano and his wife Teri were busted in March on felony crack cocaine possession charges. DiPiero has represented Moss as an agent and attorney since ’95 and allegedly DiTrapano, Barrett & DiPiero has “distanced itself” from DiTrapano, “taking his name off the sign outside the Charleston offices and removing his biography, but not his name from its Web site.”

RANDY JOHNSON GETS YANKED AND SPANKED… Crusty Yankees pitcher Randy Johnson “abandoned a legal demand” that his baby mama repay nearly $100,000 in day-care expenses. A Washington state court clerk said that Johnson’s motion seeking the repayment was dismissed after it was laughed out of court.

CUTE NEW BOBBLE HEADS

The Double-A Eastern League Connecticut Defenders, (who?) formerly known as the Norwich Navigators (that doesn’t help) will have a bobble head promotion called the “Rehab Series.” The bobble heads of Andy Pettitte, Bernie Williams, Roger Clemens and David Cone, (all of whom played for the Navigators during their rehabs) “will sport a band-aid in the area where the player’s injury occurred.” Too bad none of these hotties pulled a groin muscle.

DEREK JETER A HOMEBODY?

Super fine Derek Jeter appeared on CBS’ “Late Show” last night where he thanked Letterman for inviting him on the show. Jeter: “You haven’t had me on since we won in 2000. When you start losing, you can’t get back on the show.” Jeter was asked what he does after a night game and said, “Is this currently or like a couple of years ago? … I’m a homebody now.” Not buying it Jeter!

That’s it for now. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda

RATINGS DROP WITHOUT CAMILO VILLEGAS COVERAGE?
CBS earned a 2.3/5 overnight Nielsen rating for its coverage of the final round of the PGA Tour Wachovia Championship, down 39.5% from last year’s 3.8/9. Here’s a thought…why not give more “coverage” to the new breed of young, hot, hip golfers? Ratings would have been though the roof if CBS tapped into the overlooked and often forgotten audience of women who want to watch great golf, but prefer it were delivered via Camilo Villegas(left) or Adam Scott (right).

THE TRUTH OR A FREE CONDO?
Athlebrity baller Paul Pierce recently purchased a Boca Raton Luxury Condominium in Las Vegas as a second home. Pierce chose the Caravella model, which is a two-story condo with a private entrance and parking space.

The hot 28 year-old Boston Celtic has been an NBA All-Star for five consecutive seasons. (Take that Steve Nash) Pierce, who was given the nickname “The Truth” by Shaq, spoke about his latest purchase. “I’ve always loved Las Vegas, and I am excited about my purchase of a home at Boca Raton,” Pierce said. “During the off-season I want to be in a place where I can relax yet still be close to the action, and with everything that Boca will provide, I know I will be set.”

SUPER-FIGHTERS UNITE, FORM OF…
Superfighter is a new sports entertainment event serving us the talents of some of the world’s hottest heavyweight fighters in an atmosphere ala “gladiator meets Mad Max.” Scheduled for July 9th at Melbourne Olympic Park, the live event will be broadcast for our viewing pleasure on the eve of July 8th. Here how it works: 8 of the world’s top heavyweight boxers duke it out, all on one card, all in the one day…8 men enter…one stud comes out. The event lasts four hours and the winner will have spanked three opponents in one day before being crowned World Superfighter Champion and getting a piece of the $20 Million prize money. Any bozo, of any fighting discipline and technique can make a stab for a spot in the inaugural event. The official news conference and launch will take place on May 22 at Gotham Hall,1356 Broadway at 34th St at 11:00 a.m (EST) in New York City. All of the hot fighters in the July 9 tournament are expected to be on display during the launch. For more info check out http://www.superfighter.tv

GUYS LOVE GRADY SIZEMORE TOO
The Indians have got a hot commodity on their hands. Center Fielder Grady Sizemore. He’s young, hot, loaded with charisma and is driving the ladies wild. He’s so hot that he turned down a college football scholarship for baseball.

The team drew 37,496 fans on April 29 for a Sizemore bobble head giveaway, the largest non-opening day crowd in April at Jacobs Field since ’01, and the team’s souvenir store sold out of $279 three-foot bobble-heads of Sizemore last month. Anyone out there wanna send one my way? And how about those t-shirts I mentioned a while ago? Yes, the hottest selling T-shirt in the stores read ‘Mrs. Sizemore.’ Adding a somewhat more interesting layer to this craze is the fact that a “growing number of boys are wearing ‘Guys Love Grady, Too’ T-shirts.

ESPN2 F***S UP!

ESPN2 really needs to check the credentials of its announcers. Last Tuesday on “SportsCenter,” soccer analyst and eternally hot Athlebrity Eric Wynalda was deciphering the U.S. World Cup roster for us, problem is, the ESPN Mensa reject who introduced “Wynalda” made a major mistake and introduced him as “Wylanda.” You may think this is no big deal, but even my dog knows that Eric Wynalda is the U.S. national team’s all-time leading goal scorer-and an employee of ESPN2.

BECKHAM COMING TO MIAMI?
We all should send thank you cards to Dr. Ismael Roque-Velasco. Why? Because the doctor has teamed up with Real Madrid and the city of Miami to put on a summer soccer camp called the Soccer Academy of the Americas at the Orange Bowl in July. Miami Mayor Manny Diaz said that this is “just the start of a long-term partnership” between the team and the city. Diaz said Real Madrid “wanted to get a foothold in the [U.S.], and what better place than Miami, the gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean…kids from Latin America coming up to train here with Real Madrid coaches, the Real Madrid team playing friendlies here, it could be really exciting.”

I FOUND THE BALCO LEAK

The S.F. Chronicle and reporters Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada received subpoenas to testify before a federal grand jury about “leaked court documents used as the basis for articles that linked well-known athletes to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.” The subpoenas tell the pair “to provide any grand jury transcripts in their possession” related to the BALCO investigation, and also asks them to “provide the packaging in which they received any transcripts, as well as any information they have regarding the identity of the person or persons who leaked the documents.” If only the grand jury could see the obvious, the writers simply pulled the information out of the their assess.

ITS GOOD TO SEE BARRY BONDS SMILING
BARRY BONDS countdown continues…the hot slugger hit his 713th homer Sunday night, moving within one of tying Babe Ruth for second place on baseball’s career list.

“It’s overwhelming,” Bonds said. “It’s a little bit larger than a single-season home run record. It’s big. It’s really, really big.”

OSCAR DE LA GOLDEN BOY

Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya and his CEO have made it their mission to clean up the corrupt image of boxing. “The public perceives boxing as a circus, and that’s the problem. You must view boxing like a stock. From an investing point of view, I found it to be like a highly mismanaged and neglected asset.” De La Hoya said, “Once [promoters Don King and Bob Arum] hang up their hats, it’s going to be a lot easier to approach network television, to approach corporate America. That’s one of the primary reasons why we became promoters, because the promoter has a lot of power. I’m going to use it as a vehicle to clean up the sport.” Hopefully, De La-Licious will wipe the face of boxing as brilliantly as he wiped the ring clean with Ricardo Mayorga last Saturday night.

**TV REMINDER**

Tonight, don’t miss sexy David Blaine emerge from his water-filled sphere after a week in the aquarium. Blaine says he’s in “pretty bad shape” as he nears the end of his latest feat, but vowed to go through with his finale of holding his breath underwater for nearly 9 minutes. “Everything is still on as planned, and I’m going to give it my best shot,” Blaine said Sunday. The sexy man of mystery told AP Television News he “will do his best” to complete the feat despite peeling skin, sharp pains in his joints and a severe earache. Blaine plans to put on 150 pounds of chains and handcuffs, remove his oxygen tube and then escape while holding his breath longer than the record of 8 minutes, 58 seconds. “If I don’t get out of the chains and I black out in 9 minutes, which is about the length of time it would take these guys here (who) have been preparing a stretcher to pull my body out and do what they have to do, so I have to have faith that they know what they are doing,” Blaine said. “Drowned Alive” airs tonight on ABC.

That’s it for today. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda

Camilo Villegas needs to stop flirting and get his game back on the golf course. Athlebrities favorite kitty-kat didn’t make the cut at the Wachovia Championships but did make the cut in photographs. It was a struggle to get my paws on new images of Camilo, and after some crafty searching I hit the Camilo Villegas photo jackpot.

In order to ensure that Camilo Villegas is properly photographed, followed and fed to us on a silver spoon, I urged you to contact tournaments and organizations to voice your need for Camilo coverage. I want to thank all of you who wrote to me and requested contact information for his upcoming tournaments. Prior to each tournement, I will post the pertinent information and we can all strike at once.

SAYING GOODBYE TO EARL WOODS
On Friday, May 5th, Earl Woods was laid to rest. Following the burial, a reception was held at the Tiger Woods Learning Center in California.

Tiger Woods, center, and wife Elin Nordegren, left, and his mother Kultida arrive at a reception.

Left to right, Hot Athlebrity surfer Laird Hamilton and wife, Gabrielle Reese , former basketball player Charles Barkley, Peter Ueberroth, former baseball commissioner and current chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and his wife Virginia also attended.

LAKERS GET SPANKED OUT OF FINALS

Hot Arizona Cardinals quarterback, and Josh Duhamel look-a-like, Matt Leinart watches the Los Angeles Lakers get spanked out of the first-round NBA playoffs.

Kobe listens to the sound of defeat as the the Suns spanked the Lakers 121-90 and Steve Nash earned the MVP Award for the second consecutive year.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA TKO

Ricardo Mayorga, right, falls victim to Oscar De La Hoya during the sixth round of their WBC super welterweight championship boxing match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas last night. Mayorga was TKO’ed by De La Hoya during the hot testosterone-gone-crazy event.

DAVID BLAINE DROWNED ALIVE

David Blaine is so hot I cant belive the water isnt boiling. In his latest stunt “Drowned Alive” David Blaine slid into his snow globe-like “human aquarium” last Monday at Lincoln Center in NY, and has been submerged since then in the water-filled sphere.

This weekend a spokesperson for Blaine said: “Doctors are concerned that he’s weakening. They are going to work with him through the weekend, trying to stabilize both his diet and his training regimen…his skin is peeling very badly on his hands. Those are our biggest concerns right now,” The spokesman said Blaine, 33, is “telling the people ‘I feel great,’ … and he’s determined” to see his seven-day stunt through to the end.

Tomorrow night, the sexy man of mystery will remove all his tubes and attempt to hold his breath underwater for a minimum of 8 minutes, and possibly break the world record of 8 minutes, 58 seconds. While doing so, he will also try to escape from 150 pounds of chains and handcuffs during the breath-holding finale, which will air live in a two-hour ABC special, “David Blaine: Drowned Alive.” “As a kid, I always was obsessed with Houdini,” Blaine said last week, “I don’t think about death, but I am prepared for it,” he said, adding that his only fear is “the fear of the unknown.” Blaine started his training in December, with help from some hot U.S. Navy SEALS. He lost 50 pounds so that his body would require less oxygen and the water in the sphere has been kept at a balanced temperature to help keep his core temperature near 98.6 degrees.

And Kelly Ripa (above) landed the interview of a lifetime when she took a dip inside the sphere to an interview the sexy Blaine for “Live with Regis and Kelly.” Don’t miss the stunning and yummy finale, Monday night on ABC.

That’s it for now. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda

Mad love to those crazy Philly fans for being the most creative hecklers in sports.

Barry Bonds made his seasonal debut on the East Coast today while enduring some of the best steroid-related heckling yet-to-date.

While in left field, Mensa rejects in the bleachers behind him chanted, “Just retire” and “Just inject me.”

Creative points to the fan that wore a white T-shirt in which he wrote in orange and black marker, “Giant Cheater” on the front and “Disgrace” on the back above the No. 25.

No creative points to fans that carried signs with that tired old asterisk on them.

Cute move by the guy who wore a fat suit that was supposed to represent Bonds with the Giants, and his skinny friend who was the pre-pumped Bonds with the Pirates.

Nice try to the fan who wasn’t allowed to bring in a sign that read: “Got Roids?” But, props to the dude who snuck passed security with a sign that said: “Got Juice?”

Now this is creativity at it’s best.

But the award for most creative heckling while capitalizing on the steroid issue goes to Mike Hayes. The genius sold foam rubber syringes outside the stadium before the game between the Phillies and the Giants today. Brilliant!

Hey Philly, thank you for bringing some fun back into the game.

As always…Delinda

EL HOMBRE ARANA
Camilo Villegas is in great shape as he crawls the greens at the Wachovia Championships, unfortunately, his game isnt going as well as his social life. As Villegas stood on the ninth tee yesterday, a young woman standing along the ropes said, “Camilo, are you going to hit your driver?” After hitting his shot, Camilo cheated on us and “drifted over to the ropes” and chatted with this beotch and her three “attractive” friends.

I have a strong suspicion that there is a conspiracy among PGA photographers at the tournament in reference to Camilo Villegas. Why? Because finding fresh pictures of Camilo Villegas is like finding a needle in a haystack. As evidenced by the throngs of horny woman hot on Camilo’s trail, he is the ideal poster child to sell Golf. I suspect the PGA is attempting to hide the sexy Columbian in order to avoid distractions on the course. I urge all of you Camilo Villegas fans to contact every tournament he plays in, and bombard them with emails, letters and phone calls pleading for more coverage of him. Power to the people, we want our Camilo Villegas, and we want him crawling.

DID NIKE BREAK WAYNE ROONEY’S FOOT?

With one great twist of an ankle, Nike gets in trouble. Last Saturday, England’s little bulldog, Wayne Rooney, broke his foot during a match in which he wore his new Nike’s for the first time in competition. Now, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will ask Nike to review the Total 90 Supremacy football boot which Wayne Rooney was wearing he broke his metatarsal, in order to determine whether the shoe played any part in the injury. Nike insists that the new boot was not responsible. “Wayne was involved in the testing for the boot,” said a spokesperson. “Neither he, nor any of the other players who tested the boot, experienced any problems in testing.” But Ferguson is hot on the heels of Nike to scrutinize the boot’s performance again. “I watched the video again and he has come down heavily on his foot and at speed,” said Ferguson. “I have complained [in the past] about the type of boots that are coming out and in particular the type of studs they are using now. Over the last few years these boot companies have been coming out with some nonsense - fancy white boots, red boots, tartan boots, you name it. Everything is coming out to sell it to young kids. But there has to be a dividing line between what is marketable and what is sensible.”

IS WORLD CUP TRAUMA INSURANCE SENSIBLE?
Nut-ball English football fanatic Paul Hucker has shelled out $195 for an insurance policy with britishinsurance.com “in case he suffers mental trauma if England gets knocked out in the early stages” of the ’06 FIFA World Cup. If England is eliminated in the first round, the insurer “will turn to five sports commentators to judge if their exit is premature.” Hucker would then have to prove, medically, that he has suffered severe mental trauma as a result to get his seven-figure payout. He whined: “I find when it goes to penalty shoot-outs it gets very difficult and I wanted to insure myself against psychological trauma.” *The policy does not cover England failing to progress through the tournament as a direct result of players being out due to metatarsal injuries ala Wayne Rooney style.

OAKLAND A’S GET DOWN AND DIRTY

In conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, Oakland A’s third base coach Ron Washington, left, and hot pitcher Huston Street helped build a new home to benefit a displaced family affected by Hurricane Katrina prior to the game against Cleveland on Wednesday.

NO TRAIN RIDE FOR ALLEN IVERSON

Athlebrity favorite, Allen Iverson lost his bid yesterday to give testimony in Philadelphia instead of Washington in a lawsuit stemming from a fight in the Eyebar club in Washington last year. Two patrons and two security guards at the club joined together in the suit after alleging Iverson and his security entourage assaulted them during a confrontation over seats in the bar. Allegedly Iverson whacked one of the patrons over the head with a bottle for not giving up the seat, which is understandable. The “victim” Marlin Godfrey, claims he suffered a concussion as well as injuries to his eardrum and right eye. The U.S. Magistrate-Judge pooh-poohed the crying by Iverson’s lawyers that the hottie would have to get up early and hire a driver to bring him to the deposition May 10. Poor baby.

CROWN YOURSELF ROYAL

Oh how I love me some Crown Royal. Especially now! Diageo, which makes the yummy Crown Royal whiskey brand, will run a contest giving a fan a chance to have his/her name as part of the title of the spring ’07 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Richmond. The race will be called “The Your Name Here 400 presented by Crown Royal” until next year’s Daytona 500, when a winner will be selected from a pool of ten finalists. The winner’s name will be “recognized by NASCAR and on television as the race’s official name,” and the winner is also “expected to present a trophy to the race winner in Victory Lane.” Now how hot is that!

OSCAR DE LA HOYA ICELINK WATCH

IceLink Watch will sponsor Saturday’s Oscar De La Hoya-Ricardo Mayorga boxing match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Sponsorship terms for the fight, which marks delicious De La Hoya’s first ring appearance since ’04, include 750 hot, limited edition watches, which are available at the MGM Grand and select Las Vegas jewelry stores. Guess who wants to get her paws on one of these!

MARK PRIOR GETS FOULED OUTTA COURT

In Will County Illinois, Judge Herman Haase ruled that Cubs P Mark Prior “owes nearly $31,000 to a Naperville store that paid him to sign autographs for fans.” The judge however, didn’t believe that Prior “used profanity and acted rudely” toward fans who attended the ’04 autograph session.

BJORN BORG TO BE ASSIMILATED?

The Swedish tax office claims that tennis hottie of yore, Bjorn Borg, owes more than $1.9M in unpaid taxes after the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter reported Borg put royalties from Borg-branded products in a bank account in the Dutch Antilles. Looks like we may be back to selling those Wimbledon trophies after all?

That’s it for today. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda

HERE KITTY KITTY
Camilo Villegas has finally gotten his fine self back on the green at the Wachovia Championships this week. Our favorite Columbian completed his first round of play yesterday and finished 27th place with two over par. Villegas bogied four times, birdied twice, and crawled across my lap more than once.

I came across a delicious interview of Camilo Villegas in which the sexy lawn cat discussed his clothes-you know, the clothes we want to rip off his body? Camilo likes to wear things that make him comfortable and doesn’t necessarily sport a “classic” PGA Tour look- thank god. “I try to be myself,” purred Villegas, who is also reported to be very organized. Camilo hangs up all his gear according to color and style and, get this- even numbers his socks! “I spread all my stuff out and match this with that,” he said. “That includes my belts. For two weeks, I might take 10 belts…Oh, I have lots of nice shoes,” Villegas said. “I match those up, too…I don’t want to be known for what I wear,” he said. “I want to be known for playing good golf. I don’t want fans to come out and talk about my clothes. I want fans to talk about my golf.” Oh, indeed we are talking Camilo. And it ain’t about your golf or your clothes. Just crawl baby crawl!

LANCE ARMSTRONG

Lance Armstrong deserves all the love. This week’s SI features Lance Armstrong with three cancer survivors on the cover. The headline “Lance Now: Attacking His New Career Like He Did The Tour De France And Closing Ground On Cancer; He’s Becoming A Political Force Unlike Any Other Athlete In History.” Need I say more?

PISTONS DINE ON BUCKS

The Detroit Pistons ate the Milwaukee Bucks for dinner last night as the hot ballers from Motown handed out a 122-93 spanking. The Pistons’ Ben Wallace and his edible arms will play the winner of the Cleveland-Washington series.

THERE IS ONLY ONE KING JAMES

Yes, he is only 21 years-old, and he is royalty. King Lebron James delivered a lay-up with less than a second left in overtime last night and put Cleveland up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Demanding Athlebrity love, King James scored 45 points, made 17 of 18 free throws and showed us what the hype is all about. The Washington Wizards put up one hell of a fight last night against Cleveland, so don’t count them out just yet.

MISSION RETARDED

Paramount Pictures has signed a sponsorship deal with the NBA to promote “Mission: Impossible III,” with the movie taking over the league’s Web site for 24-hrs tomorrow. The NBA created this “digital roadblock” to promote the opening of the movie, which stars the “digitally road-blocked” actor Tom Cruise. Cruise also appears on the May cover of G.Q. magazine, which features “The All Stars of NBA Style” including LeBron James and Steve Nash looking mighty hot.

THE NY MET’S PARTNER UP WITH BARBADOS

Let’s go to the islands…The Barbados Tourism Authority has signed on with the New York Mets, to promote the Caribbean island at home and away games. The hot partnership includes a chance for New York Mets fans to win all-expense paid trip giveaways to Barbados each season. The “Mets Lucky Home Run Inning presented by Barbados” will provide one lucky fan the chance to win a free trip to Barbados when a Mets hottie hits a homer during the designated inning. A single contestant is randomly selected among the fans in attendance at all 81 games played at Shea Stadium. Fans watching the locally broadcast road games can also participate by registering online at www.sny.tv/barbados. The BTA is also inviting Mets Season Ticket Holders to an exclusive New York Mets-themed weekend in Barbados. The offer comes with a one-of-a-kind gift bag packed with New York Mets souvenirs, a voucher redeemable for two free tickets to a future Mets game and Mets autographed memorabilia. A hot New York Mets player will also treat participants to a special appearance during the weekend-long festivities. And yes, I would love to go, thanks for asking.

IT’S COBI WITH A “C”
Sexy Los Angeles Galaxy striker Cobi Jones will team up with Max Bretos, Nick Webster and Christopher Sullivan as co-host of this Friday’s edition of “Passport to Germany.” Jones will also share his expert commentary and thoughts on the 2006 FIFA World Cup’s Group E, which features teams from Italy, Ghana, Czech Republic and the United States. Jones currently ranks as the Galaxy’s all-time leader in games played (234) and goals (62). During his 14 years with the U.S. Men’s National Team, Cobi Jones was one of only two players to have played every minute of the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup. He holds the record as the U.S. Men’s National Team’s most capped player with 164 game appearances, and as one of the hottest athletes to kick a ball.

“Passport to Germany” focuses on the 32 nations that have qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Each week, the show analyzes each country’s hotties, how they qualified and what their chances are to win it all. It’s a great program if you need a little eye-candy and World Cup tips. Catch Cobi Friday, May 5 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern/5:00 p.m. Pacific.

BAD MOVE FOR BARRY BONDS?

SNAC System, a supplement company formed by BALCO Founder Victor Conte, continues to use Barry Bonds’ likeness to market nutritional supplements. SNAC’S website features a photo of Conte with his arms around a smiling Bonds and Bonds’ personal trainer, Greg Anderson. Bonds said, “I didn’t even know he had a Web site at all. I don’t have any problems with it. I don’t even know (Conte) that well. I don’t. There are other people who use Barry Bonds on Web sites for all kinds of stuff. Why should that be any different?”

BOYD TINSLEY COMPOSING FOR WIMBLEDON

Boyd Tinsley, the happy, 420 friendly violinist for the Dave Matthews Band, has been selected to compose the theme music for ESPN’s coverage of Wimbledon.

That’s it for now. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda

First and foremost, condolences to Tiger Woods and his family, who lost a great man to cancer, Earl Woods. Earl Woods will always be a hero in my mind, and will be missed by many.

“My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply,” Tiger Woods said on his Web site. “I’m overwhelmed when I think of all of the great things he accomplished in his life. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him, and I’m honored to continue his legacy of sharing and caring.”

WHO WANTS SOME SMUT?

This might be the best video footage to come out of the sports world in years. In case you haven’t seen it, Nuggets horn-dog Reggie Evans grabbed Chris Kaman by the balls during a game. Of all the hot athletes who play for the Clippers, why in the world would you choose Neanderthal man to feel up?

MATT LEINART SOLICITED PROSTITUTES?

Anyone catch Sunday night’s episode of MTV’s Punk’d? Matt Leinart fell prey to Ashton Kutcher and his pranks as several “vice cops” busted an unsuspecting, and wickedly hot Leinart for solicitation of prostitution. When Leinart was “arrested” for the crime, he explained himself to the vice cops: “First of all, I’m not that stupid. At this point in my life to do something (beep) stupid like that? You think I need to solicit prostitutes a month before the draft, no, I’m not gonna do that. I’m a smart kid. I’m whatever…I make good decisions.” While Leinart does make phenomenal eye-candy, he doesnt, however, make good decisions. Leinart was “outted” in Las Vegas for dating Paris Hilton! Yes, the hot couple went public Tuesday with their romance in Las Vegas. Paris “flew to Las Vegas to join Leinart’s post-NFL Draft party at Pure nightclub at Caesars Palace.”

TED LIGETY GETS GEARED UP

Hot, sexy blond U.S. Gold Medal-winning skier Ted Ligety has signed a two-year sponsorship deal to compete with Rossignol skis, boots, bindings and poles. Equipment manager Ken Sowles said that Ligety chose Rossignol from five suitors after testing the gear. He added that a deal taking Ligety through the 2010 Vancouver Olympics would have made sense for promotional purposes but not necessarily for performance reasons. Sowles: “I’m just nervous with a young guy and a long-term deal because things change. They wanted to do four years.” Let’s translate that sentence: “I’m just nervous he’s going to crash, burn, and party his talent away ala Bode the Mouth Miller style.”

BARRY BONDS: TWO UNTIL SECOND

Athlebrity favorite, Barry Bonds is two home runs shy from tying Babe Ruth’s total for second place on the career list. Bonds slammed his 712th homer in the Giants 5-3 loss to the Padres on Tuesday. The homer was served up ala fastball to Bonds from Scott Linebrink and flew an estimated 440 feet. Linebrink is the 419th pitcher to give-up a home run to Bonds. “The fast ones I’m able to see. The slower ones I’m missing,” Bonds said, smiling. “He challenged me one time too many.”

SPIKE TV
Last night, Spike TV aired “Up For Grabs,” a interesting documentary by news cameraman Michael Wranovics, who filmed the two fans who fought over Barry Bonds’ 73rd home run ball in ’01.

Spike TV isnt giving up on Pro’s vs Joes either. Spike TV has gotten the go ahead for another 10-episode season of the sports- themed reality series. Pros vs. Joes, features regular men competing in a variety of sports against an incredible array of hot sports legends. Season one included Jerry Rice, Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker and favorite Athlebrity bad-boy Dennis Rodman among others. The new season debuts in March 2007.

WANNA BET ON THE OUTCOME OF THE DUKE RAPE SCANDAL?
WagerWeb.com, one of the Internet’s largest and craziest sports betting sites, posted odds yesterday for the trial outcomes of the Duke Lacrosse team players Collin Finnerty and Reade Sleigmann. “Our customers have called and e-mailed us, requesting these odds be available to them during the trials. They are very interested in the outcome for these cases,” says Dave Johnson, CEO of WagerWeb.com. Both Mensa rejects are accused of first-degree rape, first-degree sex offense and first-degree kidnapping. The odds ask bettors if either of the men will be convicted of one, two or all three counts as well as the option to pick not-guilty on all three counts or a mistrial. Payouts for each player are as follows: Guilty on all 3 counts +100 (Risk $100 to win $100); Guilty on 2 counts +200 (Risk $100 to win $200); Guilty on 1 count +300 (Risk $100 to win $300); Not Guilty on all 3 counts -200 (Risk $200 to win $100); Mistrial +800 (Risk $100 to win $800).

IT’S RAINING HOT HISPANIC ATHLETES
PepsiCo is launching it’s new “Sky Baseball” campaign with a TV spot in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico, featuring hot Hispanic MLBers Manny Ramirez, Carlos Delgado and Bobby Abreu playing baseball in their parachutes while sky diving. The long overdue campaign also includes a billboard with close-ups of the players’ faces in midair and a parachute holding a cooler full of Pepsi dangling from the billboard as though snagged while descending. Pepsi wanted to run it in the U.S. as well but apparently U.S. rights to the three players were too costly. And for the record, the hotties didn’t actually skydive, doubles were used for that.

DIEGO MARADONA GUILTY OF TREASON?
Former Argentine soccer player Diego Maradona appears in a commercial for a Brazilian drink called Guarana Antarctica. In it, Maradona is wearing Brazils familiar yellow shirt and singing the Brazilian national anthem. He then “wakes from his nightmare and cries: ‘I must have drunk too much Guarana Antarctica.” Now, it seems that the spot has caused a furor in Argentina, with hundreds of people calling talk shows to accuse Maradona of treason.

LOST GOSSIP
I’ve been getting some great gossip about the cast members from “Lost” and thought some of you might dig it. On Easter Sunday, Evangeline Lilly and Dominic Monaghan visited a popular ‘spa’ near the North Shore for massages. Sweet, innocent Evangeline bounced into the spa wearing cute bunny ears for the holiday. At this point, its important to warn you, that bunny ears are a sign of insanity. A few days ago, Ms. Lilly, sans the bunny ears, “caught” Sir Monaghan “talking to one of the local girls” at a dive bar in Punaluu. According to witness, Lilly went “completely nuts” and started a fight with the local gril before they all got thrown out. Jealous much Lilly?

And some juice on Lost hottie Josh Holloway. Mr. Holloway apparently has a taste for Mai Tai’s. Over the weekend, the scruffy beast rolled into a popular local bar, wasted, wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and baseball cap with wisps of his please-pull-me blond hair hanging out. After ordering two Mai-tai’s “with an extra shot of Meyers rum” in each, he was reminded by the bartender that the drinks already contain an extra shot. Mrs. Holloway enters the scene, insists on the extra shots, three bottles of water and leaves. Deciding to give Josh and his wasted wife a stiff drink, the bartender instead added three extra shots to each drink. “Let me know how you feel after these two” she said. Holloway replied “I don’t think we’re gonna make it after these.” The happy couple haven’t been spotted there since that night.

That’s it for today. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda

JASON TAYLOR GETS ATTACKED BY A FREAK

Super hot Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor and his wife, Katina, were driving home from church Sunday night when a red pickup truck backed up at an intersection and blocked the path of their car. As hottie attempted to pass, the driver of the pickup “intentionally swerved directly at Taylor” and caused him to run off the road. The passenger in the truck allegedly got out and started to bang on the hood of Taylor’s trunk. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound linebacker then got out of his car and was confronted by the scariest Mensa reject in recent history. After grabbing Taylor’s shirt, Redmond Charles Burns allegedly went back to his truck, got an “unknown metal object” and tried to stab Taylor with it. Taylor was spry enough to avoid major injuries and both retards jumped back in the truck and took off. JT followed and called 911. He lost the truck in, of course, a trailer park! (Taylor later ID’ed freak boy in a photo line-up). Taylor, who played in a charity golf tournament Monday in Tampa, said in a statement issued by the Dolphins that his injury was minor. “My wife and I were the victims in an unfortunate incident last night, but we are both fine,” Taylor said.

REDMOND CHARLES BURNS THE SCARIEST MAN ON EARTH?
In this photo provided by the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Charles Burns scares me. Burns faces hate crime charges stemming from an ‘alleged’ assault on hot linebacker Jason Taylor.

BOUNCING BABY GIRLS
How cute…Kobe and Shaquille both became fathers again Monday as their wives gave birth to girls six minutes apart. Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant was born at 2:03 a.m. in California and Mearah Sanaa O’Neal was born at 4:57 a.m. in a South Florida hospital.

CUTTINO MOBLEY TAKES A BATH

Cuttino Mobley of the Los Angeles Clippers chills out in a whirlpool bath before game five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2006 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets. After the game it was a different story. Elton Brand #42 of the Los Angeles Clippers high fives teammates Walter McCarty #0, Vladimir Radmanovic #7 and Vin Baker #34 on the way into the locker room after they spanked the Denver Nuggets out of the NBA Playoffs. Mad love for the Clippers, who hadn’t taken off thier shirts or won a playoff series since 1976.

DENZEL WASHINGTON JUNIOR
During the NFL draft, the St. Louis Rams snapped up John David Washington, son of sexy actor Denzel Washington. John David Washington, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound running back was among 10 undrafted players signed by the Rams. He played for Division II Morehouse College last year. “This is all a good story,” Rams coach Scott Linehan said. “I hope he’s a good running back.”

Interesting little tid-bit for all you six-degree-of-separation fans, Coach Linehan’s brother-in-law, is hot actor Jim Caviezel, best known for his portrayal of Jesus in The Passion of the Christ. Coincidentally, Caviezel just finished a movie with Denzel Washington that is set to come out next year. Linehan joked that Denzel Washington and Caviezel might make a nice little “sideshow” at training camp. Indeed they would.

THE NHL COULD USE A LITTLE CELEBRITY “SIDESHOW”
Desperate for courtside celebs to cheer on their teams, the NHL instigated a new program for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The plan is to give about 50 celebrities, or what the league calls ‘key influencers,’ “VIP access to any playoff game they want to attend.” The league is scouring Hollywood for celebrities and has “urged teams to get involved, and to alert the NHL when stars would be passing through the gates.” So far, the NHL has only been able to drag Will Ferrell to a Canadiens game and “Survivor” host (who?) Jeff Probst to a pair of Kings games. But no one else is biting. The Office” star Steve Carell passed on the offer, as did eternally hot George Clooney, (he’s strictly a basketball, baseball and football guy), Justin Timberlake, Mark Wahlberg, Jamie Foxx and producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

JEROME BETTIS

Miller Brewing broke its new ad campaign for Miller Lite. The ads revolve around group discussions starring hot men, including Jerome Bettis. Yummy! In the spots, the men debate “‘Man Laws,’ the rules by which men should ideally govern themselves.” There is “no raucous behavior and no sexual innuendo, other than one veiled reference to ‘Brokeback Mountain.’” Miller Brewing VP/Marketing Erv Frederick: “We’re trying to position it as a smarter, more intelligent light beer.” Visit www.manlaws. com for more info.

ECKSTEIN CEREAL?

What a great way to start your day. You get the ice cold milk and your box of new EcksO’s, a honey-nut toasted oat cereal named for Cardinals SS David Eckstein, and settle down to eat breakfast. You decide to read the box of EcksO’s, and what do you find? Information designed to raise awareness of organ donation!!! The cereal is available for order on PLB Sports’ Web site. They also carry other hot athlete related edibles…including those yummy Carmelt-in-my-mouth-Anthony Mello candy bars, Flutie Flakes and Big Ben Beef Jerky.

GET A LIFE
Over 200 wives have joined the Professional Sports Wives Association to provide current and former wives of pro athletes, coaches and sports execs “a place to discuss their concerns.” The group provides marital guidance, financial planning, career goals, household and groupie management tips.

BEST-DRESSED NBA HOTTIES

Left to right, hot ballers Eddie Jones, Jerry Stackhouse and Chucky Atkins show us why this dress-code rule is a great thing.

JOHN TERRY GETS A BOO BOO

Chelsea defender and Athlebrity pin-up boy, John Terry will miss the rest of the Premier League season with a leg injury, but is expected to be fit to play for England at the World Cup. The Chelsea captain needed stitches to close a gash in his right shin, picked up in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Man-U. On Monday, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said he would let Terry chill for the last two games this season. “He is improving every day and he will be ready physically to join the national team on the first day,” Mourinho said.

LANCE KEEPS DISCOVERING

Lance Armstrong and the Discovery Channel Team recently launched the “Race to Replace” campaign, which ends with a bicycle race August 12 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The lucky winner gets to ride as a Discovery team member at the U.S. professional championship in September. Proceeds will be donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Discovery Networks personalities such as “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin and Dr. Drew Pinsky will appear in ads promoting the event. Webisodes start May 15 and will run on team.discovery.com and provide profiles of current Discovery riders.

JOHNNY COME LATELY

As expected, Red Sox fans displayed their unusually low I.Q.’s during Johnny Damon’s virgin Yankee appearance last night against his ex-team. Of course there was double the amount of security at last night’s Yankees-Red Sox game at Fenway Park, not just because of Johnny Damon, it was simply due to the Yankee’s being in town. Mensa reject Red Sox fans threw money at Damon on the field- didn’t anyone tell them it’s too little, too late?

ATHLEBRITY LOVE
People magazine’s “World’s Most Beautiful People” list includes, among others, Mets CF Carlos Beltran, NFL Cardinals super hottie Matt Leinart, NHL Rangers G Henrik Lundquist, and sexy Hornets G Chris Paul (below).

OK! Magazine names nine “Sexy Sluggers” which include Beltran, Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, Barry Zito, Andy Pettitte and delicious Mark Mulder.

TIKI BARBER EATS WITH CONDI
U.S. Secretary of State and antichrist Condi Rice had lunch with Tiki Barber yesterday. Rice invited Barber to lunch “after she learned that he would attend” last Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Oh Tiki, you have forced me to deduct Mensa points.

That’s it for today. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda

TIGER JAM IX
On Saturday, Sting, joined Tiger Woods for his annual benefit concert, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The Tiger Jam IX is the latest installment of the Tiger Woods Foundation’s annual benefit-weekend. The Jam featured golf outings, gourmet food, auctions, celebrity appearances, and a sold-out benefit concert from Sting. Tiger Jam has become one of the premier fundraising events for Tiger and his foundation. For more info check out www.tigerwoodsfoundation.org

VLADE DIVAC

Vlade Divac may be retired, but he’s not forgotten. The ultra-hot Athlebrity baller will be participating in the NBA Jam Van. The Jam Van tipped off its tour of 17 Chinese cities, on Saturday in Shanghai. The Van features a 52-foot truck that transforms into over 10,000 square feet of free basketball activities.

JOHNNY DAMON

New York Yankees’ Johnny Damon celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run homer during the action against the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday April, 29 2006 in New York. The Yankees won the game 17-6. Damon is headed to Boston for the first time tonight with his new team. You know the team, the Yankees? The team that wanted him and gave him a four-year $52 million dollar contract. Red Sox fans are expected to greet him in true Boston style. Creative t-shirts that read “Looked Like Jesus”, “Throws Like Mary,” “LOYAL Like Judas” and “Johnny B GONE!” are expected to be worn by a plethora of Mensa rejects. “I expect them to cheer what our team accomplished back then. Winning the World Series was pretty awesome,” Damon said. “I expect them to boo the fact that I’m here. That I went over and that I’m playing with a team that truly needed me, truly wanted me.”

VINCE YOUNG “KNEW”

Reebok wants Vince Young as much as we do. Thankfully, Reebok signed the hot Texas QB and Titans first-round draft pick to a multi-year deal. Young will wear the Pump Down & Out cleat and Rbk Triple Impact compression apparel. Better yet, Young will appear in Reebok’s new NFL campaign, titled “I Knew…,” a spin-off to their “I Am What I Am” marketing campaign. At 6′5″ 228 lbs, young, hot, and rich, Young is poised for a major Athlebrity breakthrough. Look for his hot “I Knew…” ad to break this fall.

MLB WEBCAST MIDDAY
Bored during lunch? MLB.com is now offering fans of hot baseball players a chance to slack off every weekday! The company has just debuted a new free video webcast “MLB.com MIDDAY” which airs daily 12:30 p.m. ET and is hosted by Casey Stern. “This is basically a midday escape from work for any baseball fan,” Stern said. “It will be a mixture of hardcore baseball, in-your-face analysis and some humor as well. Our goal is to give baseball fans the perfect way to procrastinate during work — making them laugh, giving them some great information and showing them a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite players that they simply can’t miss.”

Some sexy highlights to expect: Former Major Leaguer Brian McRae will do a weekly segment called “Access Baseball.” His first feature, which aired today, included playing mini-golf and talking baseball with one of the hottest athletes in green, Nick Swisher of the A’s. Securing a foothold in the Athlebrity realm, MLB Midday also features hottie Phife Dawg, a baseball fan best known to us music lovers as a member of “A Tribe Called Quest.” Phife Dawg will be a weekly correspondent. His first interviews are with Jimmy Rollins and sexy Carl Crawford of the Devil Rays. Check it out the action at Mlb.com.

KOBE TIME

I can’t deny it. It’s Kobe time. It pains me to give Athlebrity love to Kobe, but I have to. Kobe Bryant’s game-winning shot, in overtime, against the Suns yesterday, makes him not only Athlebrity worthy, but MVP worthy as well. Mad love and props to the one Laker I love to hate.

SAVE DARFUR
Hot U.S. Olympic Gold and Silver Medal-winning speed skater Joey Cheek appeared on Sunday’s edition of NBC’s “Today,” where he talked about his efforts to help end the violence in the Darfur region in Sudan. Cheek, wearing a green “Save Darfur” T-shirt, said of donating his earnings from the Turin Games to Right To Play, “I wanted to, one, make a gesture large enough where people would sit up and take notice, and two, I wanted to try to talk some other people into donating some money as well.”

George Clooney has also been active in the efforts to Save Darfur. Clooney appeared on “Real Time” with Bill Maher Friday night, lending massive credibility to the movement.

Singer John Rich (L), actor George Clooney (2nd L), singer Kenny Alphin (2nd R) and Joey Cheek (R) pose for pictures backstage at a rally to stop the crisis in Darfur, on the National Mall in Washington April 30, 2006. Several thousand Americans, led by religious leaders, entertainers and politicians, marched on Sunday to urge the United States to halt ‘genocide’ in Sudan’s Darfur region.

That’s it for now. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda