A-ROD LANDS A BOX

Yesterday, Wheaties unveiled a special-edition box honoring one of the hottest Athlebrities alive, Alex Rodriguez. The box was unveiled during Major League Baseball’s All-Star FanFest. In a somewhat ‘scripted’ statement, the reigning American League MVP said “It’s an honor for me to join the great Yankees legends who have appeared on the Wheaties box through the years. Every athlete dreams about one day seeing themselves on the cover of the ‘Breakfast of Champions’ package.”

SPEAKING OF BOXES…Mine was on fire last night when Derek Jeter and Johan Santana cruised into the ballpark for the All-Star game. And that’s my complete All-Star game review.

BARRY ZITO SUPPORTS OUR TROOPS

Metro-sexual Oakland A’s All-Star pitcher Barry Zito, announced he will donate $500 for each strikeout thrown during last nights MLB All-Star Game. Strikeouts For Troops, which was founded by Zito, assists America’s wounded soldiers who have returned from the front lines of that asinine war we are fighting. It provides some “comforts of home” as the soldiers heal at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Hospital and other military hospitals. The organization has also funded holiday dinners at military hospitals, bought Christmas gifts for families of patients unable to afford them, and helped build a hospital children’s center where kids can stay while their parents tend to their medical needs. Founded in April of 2005, Zito has raised more than $190k through his own contributions and those of his smoking hot teammates. “The All-Star Game is filled with festivities and showcases some of baseball’s finest stars who are proud to represent their teams,” explained Zito. “I don’t want this date to pass without recognizing our country’s brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardsmen and Marines who are America’s true All-Stars and who represent our country with honor while fighting for our freedom.” Other 2006 hotties who are participating in the Strikeouts For Troops are A-Rod, Manny Ramirez, and Jermaine Dye. For more info, visit: www.strikeoutsfortroops.org.

JAMES BLAKE SERVES UP SOME LOVE

Sexy tennis beast James Blake has launched a nationwide charitable program, based on his “J-Block” fan support network, which will benefit the USTA Tennis & Education Foundation. Blake is partnering up with Nike to develop a line of “J-Block” merchandise which can be found at the events he competes in during the U.S. Open Series. All proceeds will go to the foundation, which supports local tennis programs in the Series’ host cities.

ESPY GIFT BASKETS

Why is it that Athlebrites and celebrities get free stuff when they can easily afford to buy it all? As you know, the ESPY Awards, hosted by Lance Armstrong, airs this Sunday night. And to show their appreciation the ESPY’s are giving away a stellar gift bag. The following is the complete list of gifts that each recipient will receive: An assortment of Under Armour apparel; a Gemini 402 Camcorder; Passes to Disneyland, the iGroove all-in-one digital music speaker system; luggage; an Edgetech “Pocket Surfer”; free movies from Blockbuster for a year, a full day of Handyman Service; unlimited yoga and free gym for a year, a countless number of personal grooming products, Invicta watch from the “Anatomic Collection”; A coffee pot and free coffee; A “Harmony 550″ Advanced Universal remote; complimentary two-night stay in a deluxe ocean front suite plus spa treatments; a Signature MVP Treatment deluxe signature hot towel shave, haircut and fingernail clip n’ clean (gross); a custom-made shirt; a custom ESPY Messenger bag; personalized hand-stitched stationary; An MP3 player; a Hydrafacial; perfume; multiple games from Hasbro; Star Wars Vintage Figures; free music downloads; Bose headphones; a customized leather golf bag; a facial; a limited edition tee and leather belt; an ionic hair dryer for travel; admission for four to Six Flags; two-night hotel suite stay in the Mondrian Scottsdale; a gift card for an online language subscription; a Dirt Devil “Reaction” Vacuum; a gift certificate for a choice of shower fixture from the Movario line; sunglasses by Coach, Fendi, and Michael Kors; an NBA Inspired Warm Up Jacket; Lasik surgery; ESPN Golf Schools 3-Club Tour; complimentary two-night stay in the Salon suite at the Palms in Las Vegas; one-year VIP membership to Gamefly; a by-invitation-only program membership for premium level service and exclusive access to Sony personal shopping program; a ton of books including Natural Selection Real Men Don’t Apologize; Education of a Coach; Baseball Sudoku; Rules of the Red Rubber Ball; a 2006 ESPN Sports Almanac; Home Depot gift cards; Nikos Jewels Selectrum Pendant; teeth whitening; and gift certificates for tanning. Whew- no wonder they look so good- they get free gym memberships, kick ass luggage, free suites at the best hotels, free facials, teeth whitening and tanning. Im in the wrong line of work….

CARMELO LOVES HIS 420
And yet again, the po-po found marijuana in Carmelo Anthony’s car during a traffic stop, and although Melo was not in the car, it is registered to his aptly named company Melo Enterprises. Melo’s roommate and toke buddy, Tyler Brandon Smith, was pulled over late Sunday 20 miles northeast of Denver. He was cited for (OH NO) marijuana possession and 3 traffic infractions. After the ultra-savvy police “smelled marijuana and found a small amount in the center console of the car” he was given violations for “driving in the passing lane when prohibited, failing to drive in a single lane and failing to present proof of vehicle insurance.” Silly po-po, dude was high, you can’t expect him to stay in one lane. Lets hope this doesn’t hurt Melo’s pending contract extension. He is set to sign an $80 million, five-year contract extension today.

CAMILO VILLEGAS IS TEEING OFF
We have some upcoming lawn crawls coming our way as Camilo Villegas conquers the greens during the John Deere Classic, which runs from July 13th- 16th in Silvis, Illinois. Villegas played nine ‘practice’ holes with lucky, lucky, Michelle Wie. “I had fun playing with Michelle (in Hawaii). She’s a good girl, a good player.” The envy in me grows…Kitty-kat saw Wie around the clubhouse and asked her to join him for practice. “Out here we’re all trying to get better. I’m just trying to learn and have fun, playing it one shot at a time” purred Villegas. “That’s what I told Michelle: Make sure you have fun.” Note to Camilo, you know I love you, but I get the impression that Wie is the poster child for “fun”. Advice is nice, but perhaps it’s misdirected here. Next time you need a ‘practice partner’ call me, I can introduce you to a new kind of fun.

WORLD CUP SHAKE UPS
Judging from the post World Cup activities, Im getting the distinct impression that there is a massive amount of pressure involved in the Cup politics.

First we have Berlins top World Cup official, Juergen Kiesslin, a 65-year-old widower that shot himself in the head, leaving behind two suicide notes. Citing a police source, the Berliner Zeitung reported the official had “political problems” and remains in serious condition.

Next, Italy’s coach, Marcello Lippi resigned after leading the hotties to their 4th World Cup title. This doesn’t come as a big surprise, as Lippi suggested weeks ago that he would resign. “At the end of an extraordinary professional and human experience, experienced as the head of an exceptional group of players … I believe my role is over as the guide of the Italian national team,” Lippi said in a statement.

Now, German coach Juergen Klinsmann has also stepped down from his post. Klinsmann told reporters he was leaving to spend more time with his California-based family. “I feel burned out. I have a great wish to be back with my family and my children.” Rumors are already flying that he may take over Bruce Arena’s role as the US coach. If only we could be so lucky…

The biggest reject in Mensa history, Zinedine Zidane is expected to speak publicly for the first time tonight (in France) about his asinine chest-butt and red card that followed. ZZ will appear on the French station Canal Plus, where he is going to bury himself deeper into the hole and explain his mentality during the incident. Or so it’s reported…

UPDATED 11:20 PST: A LAME EXCUSE
This just in…..French soccer reject Zinedine Zidane apologized for head-butting Materazzi during the World Cup final, saying Wednesday that he was provoked by insults about his mother and sister. “I apologize to all the children” who watched the match Sunday. The children? How about apologizing to your team? Or your country? This was Zidane first comment about the “act of violence that marked the end of his career.” Zidane did not specify exactly what Materazzi said that pissed him off, but that it was insulting to his sister and mother. Oh, I can only imagine, those Italians can be quite creative with their insults. Regardless, isnt insulting each other, or someone’s mama, sister, daughter or girlfriend part of the game? I can tell you this, whatever Materazzi said, I’d gladly fly to Rome to take him up on it.

In a brilliant twist capitalizing on ZZ’s actions, Stein Travel in Ireland is using ZZ on their website with the logline: ‘Use Your Head”. Gotta give love for this clever marketing scheme. www.steintravel.ie

GOLDEN BALL COULD GET YANKED FROM ZZ’S HANDS
The latest: FIFA president Sepp Blatter says Zinedine Zidane could be stripped of his Golden Ball award for the best player at the World Cup due to violent conduct. Its about time! “The winner of the award is not decided by FIFA, but by an international commission of journalists,” Blatter said in Wednesday’s La Repubblica. “That said, FIFA’s executive committee has the right, and the duty, to intervene when faced with behavior contrary to the ethic of the sport.” Ya think? The biggest crime in World cup history was giving that award to ZZ. I dont know why they didnt re-vote before making a mockery of it. The press voted at half-time-obviously counting thier “chickens” too soon.

Thats it for now. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda