Queen of Sports

Sports Date Of The Week: MLB Opening Day

The baseball season was ushered in with the opening series last week in Japan, and the St. Louis Cardinals are taking on the Miami Marlins tonight, but we’re calling tomorrow the official Opening Day for the MLB.

Seven regular season games are on the schedule, and baseball fans from coast to coast are gearing up. The Empire State Building was lit up red, white and blue to mark Opening Day, and the new Marlins ballpark is getting prepped for its big debut.

Here’s the schedule of games for tomorrow:

• 10:05 am PST-Boston Red Sox vs Detroit Tigers
• 10:10 am PST-Atlanta Braves vs New York Nets
• 10:35 am PST-Philadelphia Phillies vs Pittsburgh Pirates
• 11:20 am PST-Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs
• 12:05 pm PST-Toronto Blue Jays vs Cleveland Indians
• 1:05 pm PST-Miami Marlins vs Cincinatti Reds
• 4:05 pm PST-Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Diego Padres

Who will you be rooting for this season?

Magic Johnson’s Group Acquiring The Dodgers For $2 Billion

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Frank McCourt announced yesterday a purchasing agreement between the Guggenheim Baseball Management group to acquire the historic baseball team for $2 billion.

The ownership group consists of controlling partner Mark R. Walter, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, film producer and minority owner of the Golden State Warriors Peter Guber, former President of the Washington Nationals Stan Kasten, and a couple other business men.

Frank McCourt will not be completely out of the equation after the sale. The Guggenheim Baseball Management group agreed on forming a joint venture with Mr. McCourt to acquire the Chavez Ravine property where Dodgers Stadium sits, for an additional $150 million.

In a press release, Magic Johnson stated, “I am thrilled to be part of the historic Dodger franchise and intend to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Frank McCourt as we drive the Dodgers back to the front page of the sports section in our wonderful community of Los Angeles.”

Photo: Steve Solis / PR Photos

Tim Tebow Offered Spot In Minor Leagues

With Peyton Manning in as the new quarterback for the Broncos, Tim Tebow‘s time in Denver is drawing to a close. While some reports say he’s being courted in his home state by the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins, other reports allege he could be headed to Green Bay or New York.

In case none of those plans pan out, Tebow has another option: baseball. The California League Champions Lake Elsinore Storm, a minor league baseball team, want to make the Broncos a trade offer for Tebow. An explanation of the trade was laid out by the team’s general manager Chris Jones, “We know that Tim was the cause for late-game comebacks in Denver and we have our own leader of rallies, the Rally Cop. We would like to offer the Broncos the Rally Cop as well as the Grounds Crew Gorilla, winner of an MiLB Golden Bobble head last season, in exchange for Tebow.”

The team has started a grassroots campaign, complete with the hashtag #TebowToTheStorm.

Photo: MiLB.com

Victoria’s Secret PINK Expanding MLB Collection

Victoria’s Secret PINK has expanded its MLB collection for the upcoming 2012 season to include all 30 teams in the league.

The addition of seven new teams: the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays will give all MLB fan girls something to wear. No more borrowing from the boyfriend’s closet, ladies.

The new collection will be available March 13 in all Victoria’s Secret stores and MLB stadium stores, as well as online at victoriassecret.com/pink.

Photo: PRNewsFoto/Victoria’s Secret PINK

Athlete Sightings At The Cartoon Network Hall Of Game Awards

Shaquille O’Neal hosted the Second Annual Carton Network Hall of Game Awards over the weekend in Santa Monica. The show, which hands out awards in categories ranging from “That’s How I Roll” to “We Got Game” will air tonight on Cartoon Network at 4 pm PST.

David Beckham beat out Giants pitcher Brian Wilson, Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade, and Serena Williams in the “That’s How I Roll” category.

USA soccer goalie Hope Solo got the “She’s Got Game” award, beating out skier Lindsey Vonn, hoops star Maya Moore, and tennis pro Maria Sharapova.

Cam Newton got the award for “Gnarliest Newb.” Other football stars who won awards: Victor Cruz beat out Novak Djokovic for the “Dance Machine” award. Tim Tebow got the “Captain Clutch” award and Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson won the “Dynamic Duo” award.

Always one to make us say, “Awww,” Tim Tebow brought a special date. Presli Collins, a 9-year-old from Colorado with a genetic tumor disorder, got to walk to “green” carpet with the Broncos star.

Photos: Andrew Evans / PR Photos

Los Angeles Dodgers Give Back With Community Caravan

Several past and present Los Angeles Dodgers players gave back to their community on the team’s 9th annual community caravan yesterday.

The day began at the Frances Blend School, the only day school day for the blind on the West Coast. The players interacted with students from the school, engaging them in music, sensory, and living skills activities. Later, the caravan headed to the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton. The players had lunch with members of the Compton College baseball and softball teams.

Later, the group headed to Lynwood where they worked on a project for Habitat for Humanity. Finally, the Dodgers, in partnership with the LA84 Foundation and the LA City Department of Parks and Recreation, dedicated a field at the Normandie Recreation Center in the team’s name. The Dodgers Dream Field was the 20th field in the city to be restored over the years.

Yesterday’s caravan was the second day of a two-day tour. On the first day, Clayton Kershaw (who moments earlier had agreed on a two-year deal with the Dodgers to avoid arbitration)  and other teammates visited Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, an elementary school, and a food bank.

Current players involved in the caravan yesterday included James Loney, Javy Guerra, and Jerry Hairston. Former players Lou Johnson, (pictured above with the Compton College baseball team) Bobby Castillo, Maury Wills, and broadcaster Charlie Steiner also participated.

Photos: PRK / PR Photos

Athlete Sighting: Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez was spotted in normal fashion last night, walking several steps ahead of his new girlfriend, Torrie Wilson, after leaving a private party at a Miami hotel.

The pair were seen hanging out at a table with Sammy Sosa and other friends. Rodriguez has been spotted all over town with Wilson, an ex-WWE wrestler. They were even caught kissing in his pool earlier this month. So, why does he still insist on leaving her in the dust if the secret’s out?

Photo: Momo/JCFL/Splash News

Athlete Sightings At Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club Re-Opening

Jay-Z made his first public appearance since the birth of his daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, last night at a star-studded bash celebrating the reopening of his 40/40 club in New York City. The high-end sports bar opened nine years ago, so to keep it relevant, Jay-Z and his investing partners revamped the club with a $10 million make-over.

The guest list included Warren Buffett, Ashanti, Swizz Beatz, Fabolous, Irv Gotti, Russell Simmons, and Spike Lee decked out in NY Giants garb. Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia and his wife Amber, pictured above, rubbed elbows with St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran and his wife Jessica Lugo.

On another note, there were rumors swirling around the internet that Jay-Z would refrain from using the “B” word in his songs now that he has a daughter. He told Rolling Stone that would not be the case.

Photos: Janet Mayer / PR Photos

Clayton And Ellen Kershaw Launch New Book

Left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw and his wife Ellen held a press conference yesterday at Dodger Stadium to launch their book, Arise. The book chronicles the couples trip to Zambia where Clayton and Ellen along with the organization, Arise Africa are building an orphanage.

“Look where we are now. We’re at Dodger Stadium talking about a book,” Clayton said at the presee conference. “There’s something to be said for that. I think that’s a platform for us. Ellen and I were talking about how awesome it is to have baseball for other things. That’s sort of the whole purpose.”

Like another very popular athlete right now, Clayton and Ellen are devout Christians and share their experiences with faith and giving to others in the new book. You can order the book here.

Photo: PR Photos

Tim Lincecum Asked For Nearly Record-Breaking High Salary In Arbitration

Tim Lincecum, the San Francisco Giants pitcher who helped the team win a World Series title, asked for $21.5 million in salary in arbitration, the highest salary asked second only to Roger Clements‘ request for $22 million in 2005.

The Giants offered Lincecum $17 million. While it wasn’t as high as he had hoped for, the offer was the highest in the club’s history. The Giants offered Derek Jeter $14.25 million in 2001.

Arbitration talks are ongoing and neither side has reached a conclusion. The Giants did, however, agree to pay slugger Pablo Sandoval $17.15 million for a three-year contract.

Lincecum agreed to a $23 million, two-year contract in 2010. The Giants are looking to get him into a long-term deal with the team.