ANTHEM LIVE!

Every year, James Blake lives up to his commitment to support cancer research. And every year the hotties merge to support his Anthem Live event. Last year, Andy Roddick chilled with Blake, and this year, his good buddy Andre Agassi is teaming up with him. The fourth annual Anthem LIVE! will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006 at Old Dominion University’s Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk.

Since its inception, Anthem LIVE! has raised more than $1.8 million for cancer research. Blake’s father died of cancer and he dedicated last years event in memory of him. “When cancer touched my family, I was lucky enough to have friends help me through a difficult time,’ said Blake. “Last year Andy Roddick agreed to play Anthem LIVE! with me. This year, it is my good friend Andre Agassi.” What he didn’t mention, is that last year David Wright (R), John Mayer and Gavin McGraw were a few of the delicious side dishes served. Tickets for Anthem LIVE! will go on sale tomorrow and will be available through www.constantcenter.com or (888) 411-4TED, or the Constant Center Box Office. Ticket prices will range from $15 to $100. Courtside box seats for six are available for $2,500. Yes please!

DAVID WRIGHT IS RIGHT
During the Mets-Phillies telecast last Tuesday, Keith Hernandez sounded washed-up as he pontificated David Wright and his off-court appearances. “I know when I played I didn’t want to make an appearance at noon or 1 o’clock then have to play at night. (Public) appearances are just going to wear you down. The most important thing now is performance on the field.” Jealous much Keith? It ain’t the same game anymore, these young, hot, Athlebrities can do it all.

“I think what I do off the field never affects the way I prepare myself on the field,” Wright said, responding to the Mets analyst. “There hasn’t been much off the field, as far as doing appearances or doing camps or clinics or anything,” said Wright, “I haven’t done any of those. I’m just struggling. I feel fine; I’m not any more tired than anybody else in this clubhouse at this point in the year. You get into late August and everyone’s going to feel a little bit fatigued. As far as excuses, there are none. I don’t think I’m doing too much off the field.” Neither do we David, neither do we.

IMPOSSIBLE
She said what? CBS tennis analyst Mary Carillo said that she believes Roger Federer “was not trying to win” his second-round match last week against Andy Murray at the ATP event in Cincinnati “in order to get more rest for the U.S. Open,” according to Marc Berman of the N.Y. POST. Fellow analyst John McEnroe responded, “Are you saying he threw the match?” Carillo: “Yeah, I watched that match. He wasn’t trying to beat Andy Murray that day and he wasn’t trying to win. He went there because he had to.” She added, “Is it better than Roger pulling out of the whole tournament? Yes. But those kind of results are going to happen when the schedule allows itself to maintain its nuttiness.” After losing, Federer was asked if he “likes having the extra time for the Open.” Federer: “No, I would have preferred to win.” Mary Carillo= Mensa reject.

F1 SOCCER HOTTIES
A sexy charity soccer game went down in Athens yesterday between Nazionale Piloti and All Star Greece. Competing in the event were several noteworthy non-soccer hotties, Renault and Ferrari F1 team drivers.

Renault F1 team driver Giancarlo Fisichella tried to control the ball as I tried to control my libido after getting a look at his tan, strong, hairless (?) legs. Ferrari F1 team driver, Michael Schumaher (R) Giancarlo Fisichella (C) and Jarno Trulli really, really need to get on the soccer field more often.

FREDDIE MOVEMENT

Freddie Ljungberg was on the field for Arsenal. And no, I don’t care what the score was. Dudes hot even when’s he mad- what more could we want?

SAY WHAT?
Jerry Rice is shopping a reality TV show The Underdog, which “would focus on Rice helping to motivate people and communities.” Huh? Rice credits his Dancing with the Stars gig with “helping him raise his profile outside football.” Rice: “I reached a whole different audience by being on that show.” Yeah, my grandparents.

GOT BAWLS?
My attention was drawn to a press release with the “balls” and Miami in the same sentence. BAWLS Guarana is the Official Energy Drink of the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL). Yes there is such a thing-who knew? Bawls announced a new sponsorship deal with pro paintball team Miami Rage for the remaining 2006 NPPL Super 7 World Series tournaments in San Diego and Los Angeles. The announcement marks BAWLS’ first-ever pro team sponsorship.

So I thought, what the hell, a combo of my favorite city and Bawls, why not check into what kinda hotties play paintball. I found one delicious morsel, fierce, sexy, and sporting some wicked dreads…keep in mind that the Miami Rage is ranked third in the world and the team’s signature “305″ jersey is the highest-selling in the world. Miami Rage Manager Art Mendoza. “They might be the only team out there with bigger BAWLS than us! Together with their superior product and our superior play we should make for one heck of a Miami connection in the paintball world.”

NO BALLS HERE
Jeff Krantz has spent more than $250k to build a shrine to Barry Bonds. Everything from the jersey Bonds wore when he hit his first home run at Pac Bell Park to his cleats from the ’96 All-Star Game, and now, the reject is bitter because he feels that “Bonds falsely told the FBI that many items in his collection are fakes.” (If he falsely told them they were fake, doesn’t that mean they’re real?)

Regardless, all the items are for sale on an Internet auction at Lelands.com and bidding ends tomorrow. According to the SF Chronicle, Kranz bought “most of his memorabilia from” Bonds’ former business manager Steve Hoskins, who is a prospective witness against Bonds in all this perjury bullshit. Bonds’ attorney told an FBI agent in July ’03 that Hoskins had been forging Barry’s name to merchandise and then pocketing the money. Hoskins was later exonerated from these accusations. However, Kranz said, “He destroyed the market single-handedly by telling everyone the stuff was no good.” And you Jeff Krantz have just earned Mensa reject status. Not too long from now, you’re gonna wake up and realize what the hell you just sold off. It’s called a piece of history.

Ask D&D will publish tomorrow. Questions keep rolling in…..more please! delinda@athlebrities.com OR debbie@athlebrities.com

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