What an amazing night of baseball!

No, my team was not involved in last night's fun....mostly cuz their season ended before it began. Nevertheless, no matter what team you root for, last night was an amazing night for Major League Baseball. Wow! The Red Sox and Braves were fighting for their playoff lives, the Cards and Rays were hoping to capitalize on the Sox and Braves epic collapses....and it turns out, things went the way of two of those teams....

The Red Sox epic collapse down the stretch will go down in history as one of the worst in all of MLB. Nine games up at the beginning of this month, they somehow managed to let that slip away, making Game 162 the biggest game of the season. Their game with the Orioles was rain delayed nearly two hours....so, they got to see the Yankees/Rays game, I'm sure. Rays were down SEVEN TO NOTHING in the 8th. Hope was nearly gone and then.....the unthinkable happened. Rays got it to 7-6 going into the ninth. In the bottom of the 9th, with two outs and two strikes (literally down to their last strike!), a pinch hitter whose name I've forgotten already, smacks a home run to tie the game....and send it into extras. Totally improbable...yet it happened. By this time, the Sox/Orioles game had resumed and the Orioles came back to beat Boston...just a couple of minutes later the Rays Evan Longoria hit a home run to win the game....and shut the door on Boston. Boo frickin hoo. GO RAYS!

On the NL side, the Braves were working on their own historic epic collapse....which would soon go down in history as the biggest collapse in NL history. Up 8.5 (I think) at the beginning of the month, they managed to win like 7 games the whole rest of the month.....and let the Cardinals claw their way back into things. Now, as you know, I'm the biggest Cubs fan there is, BUT, I do live in St. Louis and my entire family and most of my friends are Cards fans, so, I put my baseball pride aside and actually rooted for the Cards. Well, that and the thought of Skip Schumaker for another three or so games was quite appealing. Yes, I'm that shallow. Oh and due to my belief that teams with epic collapses down the stretch do not deserve to get into the playoffs (and, yes, I would say that if it were my Cubbies in the same position. You just don't give up an 8-9 game lead the last month of the season!).  The Cardinals TCB'ed by spanking baseball's worst team, the Astros 8-0. Done and done. Then they hung out in Houston to watch the Phillies/Braves game....all thirteen innings of it. The Braves had a 3-2 lead in the 9th, victory was within their reach.....but you never, ever count out the Phillies. They are good at baseball. Obviously, the Phils tied the game, sending it into extras. And in those extra innings, the Braves had a few chances to put it away-and didn't (it really was like watching a Cubs game). Finally, in the 13th, the Phillies scored...the Braves were unable to in their part of the inning and the game was over. Epic collapse #2. I was totally ok with that for two reasons-1. I love the Phillies and 2. the tomahawk chop is the most annoying thing ever and if I had to watch playoff baseball listening to that, I might have poked my own eyeballs out

A champagne and beer soaked man hug? Yes please.

Skip Schumaker and Albert Pujols

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE post-season baseball? I don't care what teams are in it, I watch them all. Today is the day I pick new, albeit temporary, allegiances. While my team is packing their stuff and getting ready to play some winter ball (they ALL need to be, just sayin), other teams are getting ready for the games of their lives. So, below are the match ups and my thoughts on each. Obviously, I am loyal to the National League. Will I be loyal to the NL Central as well? Read on.....

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Rangers-vs-Rays. This one is hard for me because I like both teams. The Rays are just an amazing story and, Joe Maddon's new mullet is amazing. That said, Josh Hamilton is one of my favorite players in all of MLB, so rooting for the Rangers should be a no-brainer. No, in this match up, I'll be rooting for both teams, whoever wins, I'm cool with it.

Yankees-vs-Tigers. This feels like a no-brainer. I detest the Yankees (although I do love Joe Girardi) so...Tigers it is. Plus...Justin Verlander is amazing. A-MA-ZING.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Brewers-vs-Diamondbacks. I can't honestly name one person on the Diamondbacks...but I hear they have a real feel good story. The Brewers. Oh the Brewers. I'm not fond of them, but they ARE in the NL Central and I feel like I should stay loyal to my division. I'm not sure who is going to win this one, should be a good series, I think I'll be rooting for the Brewers (my God that feels dirty).

Cardinals/Phillies. This one is the one I'll be struggling with. As has been documented numerous times, the Phillies have been my #2 team for the last few years. It started with my love for Chase Utley, but as I watched the games and followed the players, I grew to love the team as a whole. Plus, Ryan Howard is representin the 'Lou. Holla! On the flip side, I live in St. Louis, AND, my entire family loves the Cardinals AND...quite honestly, I would love for my nearly 84 year old grandfather to get to see the Cardinals win it all again. Yes, I would root for the enemy just to see my family happy. Truly. Plus, more Skip Schumaker time? Sign me up please! AND....it'll be the battle of the Lafayette High School grads (where my niece and nephew will be going, by the way), Ryan Howard on the Phils and David Freese on the Cards (who ain't too bad to look at, I'm just sayin). And, have I mentioned I love Skip Schumaker?

The playoffs start tomorrow and this baseball fan is super duper excited! I LOVE OCTOBER BASEBALL!!!!!!!!

Cubs rookie hazing 2011.

I have no words other than.....this is the GREATEST PIC I'VE EVER SEEN. Oh holy bejebus is this funny! I don't recognize all of them, but the box of fried rice is Darwin Barney, the Hannibal Lector is Casey Coleman, the dude in the blue jumpsuit is DJ LeMahieu, the dude in the back and gold is Andrew Cashner, in the lovely lime green is Tony Campana and in the red, black and yellow dress is Tyler Colvin. I don't know who the giant penis is.

Happy Carlos Pena Day!

Since it's foggy today in St. Louis, I think the odds of us being able to recreate this pic in person are good, don't you?

The Cubbies are in town for the last time this season! Bittersweet-glad this horrendous season is coming to a close....but sad I won't get to see my boys until Spring Training. And...I don't even know if Rami is playing or not this weekend so I may never see him play in a Cubs uniform again. It's been a great eight years Rami! This could also be the last time I see Carlos Pena in a Cubs uniform (I'd like to see him OUT of any uniform, but that's a convo for another time. There could be children reading this). Carlos worked the Cubbie blue like no one ever has. Ever. Damn he's hot.

We are sitting in the section behind home plate tonight, totally within shouting distance of the players. I'm not sure I can promise to behave. I drank caffeine today for the first time in about three weeks and I am WIRED. It should carry me straight through tonight. Watch out.  My girls and I are wearing matching Cubs shirts purchased at Victoria's Secret (yes, they sell sports apparel). We are super cool.

There isn't much to celebrate for this season, BUT, lil Starlin Castro could get hit #200 tonight. That's a pretty big deal, right? He's leading the NL in hits, and only 21 years of age, that's pretty impressive. It'll be super cool to get to witness it. I think Carlos Pena is nearing 30 homeruns as well, so that would be cool to get to see. Other than that, I'm just gonna be ogling hot Dominican asses. Don't judge me.

We will be going to the game on Sunday as well, not close enough to stalk the players, but still on the first base side (ya hear that Carlos and Albert? We.Will.Be.Watching.Your.Hot.Dominican.Asses.).

It's Hot Carlos Eve!

I chose this pic because it may be the last one we see of Rami and Carlos together in a Cubs uniform. Makes me want to weep.

Happy Hot Carlos Eve everyone! The Cubbies are coming to town this weekend for the last time and, like good little stalkers, my friend Robin and I are going to two of the three games. It's what we do.  First on a non-Carlos related topic-hearing Rami say he probably won't be back kinda breaks my heart. I've loved him since 2003, he's been my favorite player (and not just because he has a nice ass), and the thought of him not being in a Cubs uniform makes me sad.  On that same note, this may be the last time we see Carlos in a Cubs uniform as well. Luckily for him, he looks hot no matter what uni he has on, but it sure has been nice to have this nice piece of eye candy to watch all summer long. Especially since the Cubs season was over in April. Carlos Pena is basically the only reason I'm still watching. That, and my favorite hottie football player has been out.

So, tomorrow night we have pretty sweet seats, close enough that Carlos will most certainly hear us yelling at him. If you are watching the game on TV tomorrow night and you see someone storming the field, it may, or may not, be us. Bail money is set aside, just in case.

Also.....the Cubs crappiness could allow the Cardinals to get into the f'ing playoffs. Right? Dude....how did that happen? GFY Braves, can't hold on to a 10 game wild card lead? WTH? I'm not a fan of this arrangement, but whatevs. I just want to see Carlos Pena. And maybe that sweet lil Jailbait boy. I hope we will get to witness Starlin Castro get hit #200 tomorrow night, he's at 199. Leading the NL. Not bad for a 21 year old, huh? He is our "star". Pun intended.

GO CUBS GO!

Today's Carlos Pena Pic Of The Day

I apologize for the CPPOTD hiatus. Things have been a bit hectic around here. I realized today the one thing I needed to improve my mood-a pic of Carlos Felipe Pena (yes, that's really his middle name).

Carlos doing what he does best-standing there and looking pretty.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my brother!

Today is my "baby" brother's birthday. He's 28. Considering our age gap is nearly 8 years, this makes KD feel incredibly old. That said, I hope you have an amazing day, Timbo Pistachio!

Today's Carlos Pena Pic Of The Day-It's Two For One Friday!

check out those guns......

Yes please.

Are you ready for some football????

The 2011 NFL season officially started last night with the defending Super Bowl Champion Packers beating the Saints. Aaron Rodgers is a beast.

Who cares about them. I'm excited about my Rams! Sure, they may not set the world on fire, but I think this is going to be a very different team than we've seen in the past few years. I'm going with the prediction of a 10-6 season. Mark it down. I was right about the Brewers winning the NL Central, wasn't I?

Their first game will be a tough one-against the Eagles. Pshaw. Michael Vick is a mouthy punk. I hope our D sacks him 20 times.

I couldn't help but include this pic of baby Kendall, terrified of the Rams mascot, Rampage. Poor baby girl. It's still a great pic!

I will be glued to the TV at noon on Sunday. Go Rams Go!

Today's Carlos Pena Pic Of The Day

I wonder if we'll ever get a post-World Series pic of him in a Cubs shirt......

Rest in peace, Pavol Demitra

Ugh. Horrible news today. A plane carrying an entire Russian hockey team crashed today, killing the entire team (reports say that one of the crewmembers survived and that one of the team members originally survived but later died in the hospital). On that plane was former St. Louis Blue Pavol Demitra. He was one of my favorites during the eight years he played for the Blues. How crazy to think of an entire team just gone in the blink of an eye. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of everyone that was on that plane. So, so sad.

Today's Carlos Pena Pic Of The Day-we're back!

Yum.

Bonus Carlos Pic.....because today sucks and I need a pick-me-up

A Carlos booty shot is a DEFINITE pick me up......

Today's Carlos Pena Pic Of The Day

Emulating Ronnie's heel click?

Rams 4-0 in the preseason for the first time since 1979. Whoa.

Are you ready for some football? I sure am!

I know, I know, I know, the preseason doesn't count. BUT, the Rams have looked pretty darn good, haven't they? I'm super excited for the season....and cautiously optimistic. I know they have a tough first half of the schedule and face the Eagles in Week 1. BUT, I feel like this team can compete. With anyone. I feel like the crappy NFC West is theirs to lose (not that that would be a difficult feat, but, you know someones gotta win it). I can't wait for the day when Sam Bradford is recognized as the best QB in the NFL. It's gonna happen. He is eerily poised for a 23 year old and damn smart about football.

I love my Rams, it's true. I love them even more since I have a crap-ton of them on my fantasy football team. So, uh, guys, I'm gonna need you to perform because I may, or may not, have been talking some fantasy football smack last night and may have indicated that I planned to dominate. My brother's girlfriend and I are the only girls in our league and we are gonna kick some booty!!!!

Football is coming! WOOOO!

Jury duty blows

To those people that get excited when they get summoned for jury duty, I have this to say to you: Are you effin crazy? I had jury duty yesterday and it was the most God-awfully boring day of my life. Hands down.

When I got the summons about a month ago, I immediately started thinking of ways I could get out of it. None of them panned out. So, bright and early yesterday morning, I headed for downtown STL to the courthouse...even though I had no idea where it actually was. Luckily, they do shuttles from the parking garage so I was transported to courthouse. And then, my boredom began. EIGHT HOURS of sitting. EIGHT. OMG. I read magazines and nearly finished an entire book. I never got called. So, I sat there with about 300 other city of St. Louis residents all....day....long. Several people fell asleep. Then they gave us an hour and 45 min for lunch? Really? Is this how our government really operates? Nearly two hours for lunch? Sounds about right. When I started hearing rumors that we were gonna have to come back today, I nearly cried. Luckily, at 4pm, the deputy lady said we had served our time and didn't have to come back. Thank you baby Jesus. I am not one of those people that at all care about my civic duty.  They say I won't get called again for at least another 12 months. That better be true. I seriously would have rather been at work. Now that's bad.

Today's Carlos Pena Pic Of The Day-I'm so sorry you've had to live without this for two whole days!

To make up for my lack of CP posting, I present to you an oldie but a goodie......

Ah yes, hot, sweaty, steamy Carlos. Te amo.