Faboulus For Jade And Jersey (shirt)

I can see the T-shirts now: Let Carl Run! First a judge ruled that he could run, but now New Jersey’s Secretary of State is blocking former Olympic star Carl Lewis for running for one of the state’s senate seats. Secretary of State Kim Guadagno ordered Lewis’ name off the June Democratic primary ballot because, she said, he did not meet the state’s four-year residency requirement to run for office.

Lewis, of course, will appeal the ruling, and possibly challenge the constitutionality of the residency requirement in court.

Guadagno, who is also New Jersey’s lieutenant governor under Gov. Chris Christie, noted that Lewis said he paid income taxes in California, was registered to vote there until recently and has business offices there. He owns a home in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Lewis said the ruling would be challenged. The former track star had told The Philadelphia Inquirer that Christie tried to talk him out of running.

“What’s really clear to me, is that first the governor called and tried to talk me out of my race, now he’s trying to use his power to do it,” Lewis said. “I didn’t realize I was going to be running against the gov in my 8th District race.”

Lewis said it seemed as if the governor pressured his lieutenant governor to rule against him.

“I’ve been in competition for a long time so nothing surprises me,” he said. “What’s sad, though, is who’s talking about the people of the 8th District? The kids whose schools are struggling? The seniors who are having trouble paying their taxes?”

Well, he certainly sounds like a politician. Look New Jersey, you’re losing the Nets to a Russian, you’ve already lost The Sopranos, and now you’re going to let this happen? If you’re not down at the statehouse in force to protest by late this afternoon, you’re not the state I thought you were.

And if this fails, I have a Plan B. One resident of New Jersey’s 8th Legislative District (Nutley), whom I happen to know has lived there way longer than four years, is none other than Martha Stewart. New T-Shirt: Draft Martha!

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Carl Lewis Can’t Run For Senate, New Jersey Says [Huffington Post]

As a baseball fan, going to a game isn’t complete without dressing up in your favorite Minnesota Twins garb. At my age, wearing a jersey isn’t my thing anymore. I prefer a sweatshirt or t-shirt with that famous TC logo.

However, many Twins fans of all ages love to put on their replica or authentic Twins jersey and head to the ballpark. Some even think wearing the jersey brings them a little closer to the game.

While you wouldn’t think of Twins jerseys as hot commodities, the jersey of catcher Joe Mauer(notes) was the second most-sold jersey in 2010, according to Major League Baseball.

That’s saying a lot for a player who plays in fly-over country and doesn’t have the benefit of playing in a big city that dwarfs the entire population of Minnesota.

Mauer is second to only Derek Jeter(notes) in terms of jerseys sold. That is a pretty good compliment for the Minnesota-bred star who since being signed in 2001 has won three batting titles and an MVP award.

Jersey popularity is a good measure of a player’s performance and his credibility among fans, especially younger fans.

Here is a look at the most popular jerseys of 2010:

1. Derek Jeter
2. Joe Mauer
3. Roy Halladay(notes)
4. Chase Utley(notes)
5. Cliff Lee(notes)
6. Albert Pujols(notes)
7. Josh Hamilton(notes)
8. Justin Pedroia
9. Alex Rodriguez(notes)
10. Tim Lincecum(notes)

All of these players, except Hamilton and Rodriguez, are squeaky-clean ballplayers who kids look up to and grown men want to be, if even for a day.

While I don’t wear jerseys, if I was to wear one you better believe it would be the uniform of Mauer, who despite injury issues, is the type of guy you’d want your daughter to date and show you how to hit a curveball.

Blair Reynolds is a lifelong Twins fan who sold tickets during the 1998 season to pay his college tuition.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

The New England Revolution’s landmark week continued Friday when the club unveiled a new sponsorship and marketing agreement with UnitedHealthcare, which will feature on the front of the club’s jerseys beginning with Saturday’s game against Sporting Kansas City.

New England was one of only four MLS clubs that had never sold the real estate on the front of its shirt.

The deal, under which the health insurer will pay the Revolution an undisclosed amount, was the second big announcement of a week that may help change the fortunes—and the perception—of the franchise.

On Tuesday, New England signed U.S. national team midfielder Benny Feilhaber through the league’s allocation process. The club’s willingness to spend the reported $375,000 this year and $450,000 in 2012 for the 26-year-old was a good sign for fans growing frustrated with the team’s reputation for penny pinching.

The Revolution is one of only four clubs that has not made use of the designated player exception and has been tagged, fairly or not, as an organization lacking ambition. The small crowds at Gillette Stadium (New England is last in the 18-team league in average attendance), the apparent lack of movement on a soccer specific facility and the reliance on coach Steve Nicol’s uncanny scouting acumen to unearth talented bargains has contributed.

This week, however, it appears New England has joined the major leagues. Feilhaber is a big name who represents a commitment to winning and a marketing opportunity, as well as adding some much-needed talent to a 1-2-3 team, while the jersey sponsorship will boost the bottom line and the club’s relationship with the business community.

“There is no more significant brand placement in sports than across the chest of an athlete and we’re proud that UnitedHealthcare has chosen to partner with the Revolution in this way,” club owner Jonathan Kraft said.

The arrangement includes “community leadership in healthy living education through in-stadium activities, public service announcements, community soccer clinics, and youth instructional programs aimed at getting more children active and making healthy lifestyle choices,” the club said.

The five MLS teams now with sponsor-free jerseys are the Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew (both of which had partners in the past), Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City.

MATERIALS NEEDED:
– Powder blue Manny Ramirez #24 Rays jersey shirt.
– Five short pieces of masking tape.
– Three longer pieces of masking tape.
– One black marker.

DIRECTIONS:
Arrange the five short pieces of tape on the back of the Manny Ramirez #24 Rays shirt so that they form a #5 over the top of the #24. Then, take the three longer pieces of masking tape and arrange them across the back of the shirt so that they cover up the word “RAMIREZ”. Finally, take the marker and write “FULD” in large black letters on the longer pieces of masking tape.

You are now ready to wear your DIY Sam Fuld jersey shirt. Take it to Tropicana Field and sit down in the box seats so that after Reid Brignac goes deep into the hole at shortstop and throws out Ramon Castro at first, you will be seen on TV wearing it.

(The Canadian Press)
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1 day ago

VANCOUVER — Vancouver Whitecaps coach Teitur Thordarson doesn’t want to see any more stripping from designated player Eric Hassli.

“My message to (Hassli) is to keep his shirt on,” said Thordarson.

Hassli was sent off after he received his second yellow card for taking off his jersey and throwing it into the crowd after scoring a penalty kick against New England.

He picked up an automatic one game suspension as a result and stayed in Vancouver trained with the club’s residency program players while his lost in Houston 3-0 last weekend.

He will return to the Vancouver’s lineup Saturday as the Whitecaps (1-1-2) try to get back on the winning track against winless Chivas (0-2-2).

“It was too difficult for me to stay at home and watch my teammates on the field,” said Hassli, speaking in French.

Hassli was also ejected against Philadelphia on March 26 and was forced to sit out Vancouver’s dramatic 3-3 tie with Sporting Kansas City on April 2.

When he’s on the pitch though, Hassli has been very effective, with three goals in as many games.

“He has been very good — absolutely great,” said Thordarson. “He’s extremely good at keeping the ball up for us, he’s a good passer of the ball and he’s a goal scorer. I would much rather have him on the pitch. There’s no question about that. He has shown in the games that he has played so far that he gives us something that has been missing. So I really hope that we can have him on the pitch from now on.”

The 29-year-old native of Sarreguemines, France said he received red cards in his younger days but has never taken two in such a short timespan. Hassli said he has learned that he must not throw his jersey into the crowd and must not be so foolish, but vowed to keep playing the way he always has.

“I’m not going to change my game,” he said. “I can’t change my game — and that’s that.”

Considering the limited playing time, Hassli, who had never been to North America before entering MLS with the expansion Whitecaps this season, said he is happy with how his campaign has gone.

Noting he fell in love with Vancouver as soon as he saw the city, Hassli said he has had no trouble adjusting to the city, although he understands English but declines to speak it until he takes more lessons.

Midfielder Terry Dunfield, who will also return to the Vancouver lineup after missing Sunday’s game in Houston with a groin injury, said Hassli has been anxious to play all week and the suspensions contradict the character of the “gentle giant.”

Thordarson stopped short of confirming that Hassli will start against Chivas. The Whitecaps have four talented strikers at their disposal now that rookie Omar Salgado, 17, an El Paso, Texas, native, has been permitted by FIFA to play outside the U.S. before he turns 18.

The coach said one option might be to keep rotating his forwards. But he acknowledged that Hassli is the type of offensive player who can’t be held out of the lineup long.

Hassli, who shares the team goal-scoring lead with Camilo, is a key contributor to a Vancouver team that has scored nine goals in five games. Although the Whitecaps have allowed 10 goals, Thordarson said suspensions, injuries and fatigue have been the main factors. He wants his side to continue to its attacking style at home, where Vancouver is undefeated.

Notes _ Salgado, the first overall pick in this year’s MLS super draft, will suit up for his first home game after debuting in the second half Sunday in Houston. … Whitecaps midfielder Koffie, 19, is still away with Ghana’s under-20 team and will miss his second straight game. … Chivas has scored just three goals this season. … Midfielder Michael Nanchoff (groin strain) remains out of the Vancouver lineup while defender Jay DeMerit (groin), who missed the second half in Houston, and MF Shea Salinas (knee) are questionable. Dunfield said he may sub in rather than start. Defender Greg Janicki (hip) is doubtful. … Chivas will be without forward Tristan Bowen (sprained left ankle) and MF Blair Gavin (hamstring).

Copyright © 2011 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.