Even as a devout sports fan, sometimes you just gotta say, “Screw it. Let’s look at some cute animals.” Fortunately, in the Venn diagram of “sports” and “cute animals,” there is a significant amount of overlap thanks to overzealous pet owners and the plethora of animal mascots in both pro and college sports. So turn off your thinking cap, enjoy the puppies, and don’t forget to talk shit about how ugly your rival school’s mascot is.

25. Bevo

It’s pretty unfortunate that UT’s mascot is an animal that is so widely regarded as delicious. Though this season, it’s pretty apt.

24. Red Sox Dog

“I am not opening my eyes until this curse is broken!”

23. UGA

The Georgia mascot is nothing but awesome, but it’s unfortunate that their dog has the shortest life expectancy of any breed. I think they’re on the 523rd UGA this season.

22. Smokey

Has an animal ever better encapsulated the ethos of an entire state?

21. Ralphie

My second favorite candidate for “mascot that will go wild and make headlines in a catastrophe.” Who’s number one? Keep readin’, pal.

20. Traveler

I like this mascot because it’s WAY less homoerotic than USC’s other mascot (on its back).

19. Tusk

“Tusk” has no tusks. Sweet irony. I was going to criticize the school for not dressing this guy up, but I wouldn’t volunteer to do it.

18. Peruna

This mascot was very apt for a long time. A Shetland pony for a Shetland football program.

17. Raiders Dog and Owner

Who is walking who here?

16. Ohio State Dog

Ohio State should be proud to have this bad-ass dog wearing its colors.

15. USC Dog

Not the most intimidating of animal fans, but representative of many of the pets of USC alums.

14. Prince Redoubt

The strangest name for a mascot on this list. Someone prove to me this name wasn’t lifted by UW from “Best in Show.”

13. Handsome Dan

Best name for a mascot or bulldog EVER. Moving on…

12. LSU Tiger

My number one candidate for horrible mascot-related tragedy. Granted that animal is in a cage, but it’s only one ill-advised Tiger fan away from sweet, sweet freedom.

11. Butler Blue II

Bulldogs are the new black for mascots.

10. Jack the Bulldog

Oh snap! This dog just got iced!

9. Miles

It’s kind of uncanny how much this image resembles the Broncos’ helmet logo.

8. Mach 1

Sweet name for the Air Force falcon. I would be sorely disappointed if this guy can’t do barrel rolls or at least buzz the flight deck.

7. Politically Active Dog

May their song never die…

6. Mets Dog

A rare baseball-related animal costume. And why should these animals be relegated to football costumes? God bless you, unknown Mets dog owner.

5. English Soccer Dog

The fact that this dog isn’t a bulldog is kind of killing me right now.

4. Saints Dog

If you can’t imagine this dog leading a parade, playing trumpet on “When the Saints Come Marching In,” then you’re just not trying hard enough.

3. Bears Dog

I know that look from dogs. That dog is pooping on the couch. We just can’t see it.

2. Miami Dog

Never has an animal’s expression encapsulated the emotions of so many fans.

1. Buckeye Dog

This guy looks really upset cause his mom and dad went to Michigan, but he doesn’t know how to convey that to his Buckeye owners.

What makes the win even more impressive is that it came against an all boys team.  Now that her story has gained international recognition, it is just a matter of time before she signs with an MLB team.  She will even be at the Mets game this weekend to throw out the first pitch, who knows they might even put her in for some middle relief.

Mackenzie looks to have a bright future in the sport as long as she stays away from the juice.   Good luck Mackenzie, enjoy your new found fame.

What is the reaction to this from Yankees fans? You would think that if your team lost it’s best hitter for any amount of time, the feeling would be doom and gloom. I am a Mets fan (yes I know the Heimlich maneuver), and if one of my star players went down (Beltran, Wright, Reyes), I would be freaking out. Not to mention that the Yankees don’t really have a suitable replacement for Alex, unless they play Texiera at third and let Swisher play first.That would be a lot of pressure on Mark Texiera might I add. More than likely they will live with Cody Ransom for the time of Alex’s absence. You would think the Yankees fans would be a little bummed, you would think they would be in a little bit of a panic. Nope. Not a chance.

I have been listening to sports radio all day, and the genuine consensus seems to be, “Good we don’t need him anyway”. Really? You don’t need him? Please stop. One guy actually called in and said to cut him and eat the money (I am not making that up). Please lay off the acid. Yea I am sure the Yankees front office is going to eat 9 years of a contract at 27.5 million per year. Get a grip people. This guy is your best player hands down. I have heard all the garbage: he doesn’t hit in the clutch, he isn’t a true Yankee (whatever that means), he doesn’t get it done in the postseason, he only hits home runs when the Yankees are up 10-0, etc.

Are Yankee fans that arrogant, that spoiled, that stupid , that you truly believe you are better off without Rodriguez? You can’t be serious.  This guy has won two MVP’s in the 5 seasons he has played for you. I don’t want to hear about the steroids for two reasons. One, this anti A-Rod attitude has been going on since he got here. Two, from everything I have read there were a lot of other guys on steroids too, which in my mind levels the playing field.

I want to be clear that I am not singling out all Yankees fans. I know a lot of you, and many of you understand Alex’s importance in this lineup . I also want to let you know that I take no pleasure in this just because I’m a Mets fan. The fact is I just don’t understand how any of you can say you don’t want him here. The “he doesn’t get it done in the playoffs” line of reasoning is a load of crap too. I am not saying he gets it done, but if I recall correctly in 2007 the Yankees don’t even sniff the playoffs without him. The problem is this. Yankees fans are ungrateful, you think it is your birthright to win a World Series every year. Instead of being satisfied and appreciative of what this franchise has given you, you all have your hands out looking for more. This guy is a hell of a player, maybe the best in the game today. I am not saying he is perfect, I think he does have mental problems, I think he is a horrible public speaker, and he has definitely made mistakes. However, he is as close to perfect as it gets on a baseball field. All that should matter is whether or not he helps your team win, and there is no debating the Yankees are a better team with Rodriguez than without.

The bottom line is this, Yankees fans need to appreciate what they have. You need to get behind this guy and cheer for him. I am sure none of you boo birds out there would ever realize that maybe all your criticism has actually perpetuated some of A-Rod’s failures because he is obviously sensitive to it.  My advice is lighten up on this guy, cheer him, accept him, drop all the true Yankee chatter. It is only going to make him worse not better. If you choose not to, that’s fine, but I don’t want to hear you bragging years from now or see you on your feet clapping when he starts hitting all those milestone home runs (whether they are tainted or not). Just don’t be a hypocrite , because that’s worse than being a mindless moron.

The Yankees patch (Right), depicting the new Yankee Stadium, looks good, its simple and to the point.  It will definitely be a nice addition to the classic pin stripe jersey.

Behold, the new New York Mets patch that will represent their new stadium, Citi Field.  What a work or art, who knows how many long hours it took to create this masterpiece.  Word on the street is that it actually cost 150 million dollars to make, which is why they couldn’t afford to pay C.C. Sabathia.

It seems to look a little like the Dominos Pizza logo don’t you think?

Another page has been written in this historic rivalry, only this time it is unclear who the real winner is.

If the MLB wants parody then they better find a way for large market teams as both the Yankees and Mets spend their money.

GO RAYS GO, It will be great for baseball if you win.  From worst to first!!!!!!!

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The Mets New York Mets plan on targeting Derek Lowe and Brian Fuentes in the free agent market, an NL executive who has talked to team officials told the Post.

The Mets are promising to be creative and explore many avenues. But Lowe (a dependable innings eater) and Fuentes (a proven closer) fit the Mets’ top two needs, and are going to be pursued by the organization this offseason.

Lowe, 35, has made at least 32 starts and won at least 12 games in each of the past seven seasons. He is a groundball artist and has experience in the Northeast/playoff cauldron for the Red Sox. He is a Scott Boras client who will have plenty of suitors, including the Yankees New York Yankees , and probably will take well into the offseason to sign.

Fuentes, however, could come off the board quickly because, executives say, his market of around three years at $36 million-$39 million has been established. The Mets have indicated they don’t want to pay a big salary to a new closer in addition to paying Billy Wagner Billy Wagner , who will miss all of 2009 and whose $13 million contract is not insured. But they have determined their need is great enough and the top closer on the market, Francisco Rodriguez, might cost too much to sign.

Fuentes has 111 saves over the past four seasons, including 30 last year when he pitched to a 2.73 ERA and struck out 82 in 622/3 innings.

He does have an unorthodox delivery, however, that leads to questions about his consistency and susceptibility to injuries.

Source: NYPost.com