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By Michael Lopez

Next season, the Miami Marlins may prove to be baseball's most talked about team. They've got a brand new stadium, a legendary manager, and a freshly-signed contract with Jose Reyes. According to reports, the former Mets shortstop just locked himself into a $106 million deal!

Coming off of an amazing season, Jose parlayed his All-Star athleticism into tons of free agent negotiations. Rumors ran rampant about which team the Dominican slugger may gravitate towards. But in the end, it was Miami who held the best cards.

Reyes first signed with the Mets at age 16 and since then he became the team's first National League batting champ. But beyond that, he's broken their records for stolen bases, triples, and runs scored.

So, it's not surprising to hear how much the Marlins were willing to pay. Clearly New Yorkers will be disappointed, but perhaps not as much as baseball fans in St. Louis. According to the MLB rumor mill, Cardinals' star Albert Pujols may be the next free agent to head to South Florida.

Are you a fan of the Miami Marlins? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Albert Pujols, Baseball, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Jose Reyes, Miami Marlins, MLB, New York Mets, Sports

By Michael Lopez

Miguel Cotto got a nice piece of justice handed to him Saturday night in the boxing ring of Madison Square Garden. The Puerto Rican champ took down his towering opponent, Antonio Margarito, with a TKO victory in the 10th round, much to the delight of the New York crowd.

The press had been hyping the Cotto/Margarito bout for months, particularly since the two have such a bitter rivalry. Back in 2008, Antonio beat Miguel in a very controversial fight. There were rumors about Margarito using illegal hand wraps and possible discrepancies on how the judges came to their final scores.

So this Saturday was the opportunity to clear it all up. Both fighters seemed eager to face each other again. Before the bout, Antonio seemed very confident that he would be victorious, even taunting Miguel and his fans to the press.

"I beat you before, I’ll do it again," he laughingly told Cotto in front of reporters.

But that certainly wasn't the case on fight night. By the 10th round, Margarito was in bad shape. His right eye had been beaten shut (which now reportedly requires 12 stitches to fix) and there was a point when boxing officials felt the need to call a doctor into the ring.

"It came to the point there was no vision at all from the eye," ring M.D. Anthony Curreri said. "I think it would have been dangerous for him to go out there without any visual field. He did go quite a bit with the eye impaired."

But, to Antonio's credit, he never once gave up and kept trying his hardest to deliver a KO to Miguel. Of course, that moment never came. Ultimately, with a losing scorecard and way too many knockdowns, the judges decided to call the fight in Cotto's favor.

That's when the New York crowd erupted, proudly waving Puerto Rican flags and screaming the name of their hometown hero. Miguel seemed thrilled with the response and unfazed by any of Margarito’s punches.

He also made sure to emphasize that without wrapped gloves, Antonio dealt very little damage.

"I'm still awake. That's my answer," Cotto said when asked if Margarito threw softer punches this time out. "After nine, 10 rounds, I'm still on my feet!"

Which is a lot more than can be said for Antonio.

Who were you rooting for in the Cotto/Margarito fight? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Antonio Margarito, Blogger: Michael Lopez, boxing, Chisme, Miguel Cotto, popnews, Sports

By Michael Lopez

Rah! Rah! Rah! The sports blog Bleacher Report has organized its list of the "50 Hottest Cheerleading Teams" and we couldn't be happier with the results. The Top 20 squads alone include a ton of Latin pom pom girls hand-picked from all across the country.

Topping Bleacher Report’s "Cheerleader" list was (surprise, surprise) the Dallas Cowboys' squad. Perhaps the most legendary rah rah girls in the world of sports, they are talented, gorgeous, and often times go on to illustrious Hollywood careers. One of our favorite blue and white alums is Sarah Shahi. The part-Spanish beauty danced for the team in the late 90’s and is now the star of her own USA Network series.

The #2 squad on the "Hottest Cheerleader" list is chock full of Hispanic beauties. Miami's Dolphins Girls' roster has a ton of talented Latinas and a few notable alumni too. The current host of Primer Impacto, Pamela Silva Conde, once danced for the squad, as did popular south Florida DJ, Suzy Tavarez.

In the basketball realm, the Laker Girls made #5 on the list. And this ranking wasn't just for their looks, it was also for their signature moves. Once headed by dance queen Paula Abdul, this legendary squad has one of the most diverse rosters in the league, with gorgeous ladies of African-American, Asian, and Spanish descent. Contrary to popular belief, Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa was never on the team, but did meet her hubby dancing at a music video shoot.

The Miami Heat Dancers may not have any famous faces at the moment, but they definitely have one of the best cheerleading sites on the web. Bleacher Report’s #8 ranking is right on the money, especially after watching the videos and photo galleries these ladies are starring in. Click over and you can even peruse clips of the squad's sexy bikini shoot in Barbados!

And, in the soccer world, L.A.’s Chivas Girls are tough to beat. They placed higher than any other fútbol cheerleading squad and it’s easy to see why. The Chivas Girls are primarily Latina and have an amazing tight-fitting uniform! Browse on over to their site and you can access wallpapers, videos, and tons of interesting tidbits about the girls. What's Brittney R.’s favorite food? Why homemade Mexican cuisine of course!

Kudos to Bleacher Report for prepping such an incredible list and thanks again the lovely ladies on the field, who deserve a lot of the credit for keeping the crowds on their feet!

Which sports team do you think has the sexiest cheerleader squad? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags 50 Hottest Cheerleaders, Bleacher Report, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cheerleaders, Hot Stuff, Pamela Silva Conde, Paula Abdul, Sarah Shahi, Sports, Suzy Tavarez

By Michael Lopez

Who wouldn't want to swing a nine iron amidst the vast greenery of Brazil? Or perhaps on a beachside course along the coast of Chile? Well if the Professional Golfer's Association has their way, you may see stars like Tiger Woods doing just that in the very near future.

The PGA recently announced the launch of "Tour Latinoamerica," a massive expansion of their professional tournaments, which will include 11 courses in Latin America. Seven countries will now be added to the mix, including Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Mexico.

And interestingly, the new expansion won’t just be for the club swinging pros. The PGA is hoping their "Tour Latinoamerica" will help encourage lesser-known Hispanic golfers to take to the greens and add more diversity to the sport.

"This expansion into Latin America, when combined with what the Nationwide Tour has been able to accomplish in the region in recent years, is part of the natural progression for golf which continues to grow globally," PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem said. "We see this as an opportunity to help in the further development of elite players across the region."

Finchem also said that he was very excited about the timing of this new Latin American push. Set to debut in 2012, "Tour Latinoamerica" will coincide with Brazil’s increased presence in the athletic community. Rio de Janeiro will soon host both the Olympics and the World Cup, which is certain to stir up a ton of interest with die-hard sports fans.

It is also quite possible that the expansion will shine more attention on the Latinos already making waves in the PGA world. Up-and-comers like Jhonattan Vegas and Carlos Franco are quickly becoming masters of the green and more than deserve their own EA game by this point.

And something tells us that playing against Tiger on their home turf will get them a lot closer to accomplishing that goal (and make for some very exciting televised tourneys).

Who's your favorite Latino golfer? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Carlos Franco, Cultura, Golf, Jhonattan Vegas, PGA, Sports, Tour Latinoamerica

By Michael Lopez

We have to admit, we started to get a little nervous when we heard rumors that Eva Longoria was hooking up with Matt Barnes. Particularly because we think she and Eduardo Cruz make such a good couple! Well the good news is, Longoria is denying any romance with the Laker forward, which means she and Eduardo are still going strong.

The gossip started after TMZ’s cameras caught Eva picking up Barnes from the L.A. airport. Add to that, her reputation for hooking up with basketball stars and you've got a lot a chisme rumors on your hands.

But Longoria quickly spoke out, denying any romantic relations with Matt. Writing from her WhoSays account, she said,

"First Jessica Simpson, now this. Once again, press gets it wrong, Matt Barnes and I are not dating! Why is the truth never the headline?"

Barnes just went through a very public breakup, so the fact that he's a swinging single isn't helping things. Perhaps his "bestie" Eva can help set him up with another NBA-loving bachelorette instead.

Do you think Eva and Matt’s relationship is strictly platonic? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags basketball, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Celebrities, Chisme, Eduardo Cruz, Eva Longoria, Lakers, Matt Barnes, popnews

By Michael Lopez

Why is it that Latinos always get associated with thumping "Low Riders," but never the high-classed racing machines on the stock car circuit? Believe it or not, NASCAR is wondering the same thing and is currently working on courting Hispanic drivers for their championship events.

As of right now, only one Latino is listed in the NASCAR Top 20. But Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya (currently ranked #17) is rising fast. The former Formula One racer placed 6th in this year's Daytona 500 and won the pole for the Crown Royal 400.

But in the sea of Anglo drivers, his name does tend to get lost in the shuffle. Even Juan Carlos Blum, who got a ton of notoriety for his tricked-out Pitbull car, failed to make a dent this year. Of course, that hasn't stopped NASCAR's Multicultural Development Department from figuring out new ways to add some Español to the mix.

"[Diversity] is at the very core of our business," NASCAR Multicultural VP, Marcus Jadotte said. "We believe it is essential for NASCAR going forward to further diversify the field of competitors, the drivers and crew members, the athletes at the core of our sport. It’s a leading corporate and industry initiative."

Just this past month, the racing organization held its annual Drive for Diversity event. An all-inclusive automotive training ground, the Drive program reaches out to all minorities. This year brought a ton of up-and-coming Hispanic speed demons, including Sergio Peña, Jorge Arteaga, and Bryan Ortiz.

The company has also formed an offshoot called NASCAR Mexico, which is meant to build enthusiasm among the Spanish-speaking audience. Of course, courting serious drivers in Central American countries isn't quite as easy as it seems.

The opportunity to practice on a track, let alone afford a stock car is not very feasible for most struggling Latino families. Nevertheless, Jadotte does seem optimistic about giving Hispanic fans the opportunity to pursue their NASCAR dreams.

"Most kids in [these countries] don’t have an opportunity to go to a race track and take up auto racing as a 5- or 6-year-old," Marcus acknowledged. "We are far from where we want to be. [But] we’ve made significant strides."

Would you like to see more Latinos on the NASCAR tracks? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cultura, Juan Carlos Blum, Juan Pablo Montoya, Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR, NASCAR Mexico, Sergio Peña, Sports

By Michael Lopez

Talk about a close call. Manny Pacquiao barely defeated Juan Manuel Marquez over the weekend in a 12th round decision that left many boxing fans crying foul. The judges' scorecards gave the Filipino welterweight champ a slight edge, particularly after a strong performance during the first round.

The problem is, many sports analysts believe that Marquez held the lead for remaining eleven rounds and were genuinely shocked when Manny was crowned the winner. People in the stands were so upset with the decision that drinks and food were thrown into the ring after the announcement was made.

"Honestly, the result of this fight has me thinking about retirement," Juan Manuel told reporters. "I've been doing this for 18 years. I prepared myself very well for this fight. I worked really hard. This was the biggest fight of my career. We were hoping that the judges would see the fight the way that it happened, not the way that they saw it."

Saturday's bout was actually the third time that Marquez and Pacquiao faced off in the ring. Each of their previous fights had gone the distance, leading to 12th round decisions and even a draw during their first battle back in 2004.

So, as you can imagine, anticipation was huge leading up to Saturday night. Juan Manuel bulked up to 142 pounds while he was training and he certainly delivered some devastating blows. Boxing analysts praised Marquez' swift moves and jab techniques during the match (he reportedly landed 176 of 578 punches throughout the 12 rounds).

Interestingly, Juan Manuel's finest performance came during the final round. His combos left Manny bruised and bloody by the time the bell rang. In fact, when it ended, Pacquiao literally knelt in the corner and began to pray while Marquez lifted his fists in victory.

But apparently the officials disagreed. Two out of the three judges favored Manny as the winner, leading Juan Manuel and his trainer to angrily storm out of the ring.

We imagine sports bloggers will be analyzing this fight for weeks to come, making the legendary rivalry grow even stronger. Pacquiao/Marquez rematch, here we come!

Do you think Marquez should have won the fight? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, boxing, Chisme, Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao, popnews, Sports

By Michael Lopez

Baseball fans are in shock right now after hearing the news that Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped. One of the team's most likable players, Ramos had been visiting relatives in Venezuela when he was abducted at gunpoint from his family home.

Apparently four men had approached Wilson on Wednesday night and forcibly taken him into their car. As of this morning the vehicle has been located, but there is still no sign of Ramos.

The Nationals (who picked up Wilson during a 2010 trade) issued a statement expressing grave concern for their teammate.

"Our foremost concern is with Wilson Ramos and his family and our thoughts are with them at this time. Major League Baseball's Department of Investigations is working with the appropriate authorities on this matter. Both Major League Baseball and the Washington Nationals have been instructed to make no further comment."

As of right now, there are still no ransom demands. But Venezuelan authorities did state that the car had evidence which may help in the investigation. Let's hope they find the perpetrators soon and get Ramos back safe and sound.

What do you think about Wilson's kidnapping? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Baseball, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Kidnapping, MLB, Sports, Venezuela, Washington Nationals, Wilson Ramos

By Michael Lopez

For many Latinos, the New York Giants' Victor Cruz has got to be one of the most entertaining wide receivers in the NFL. Not just because of his incredible skills on the field, but because of his lively touchdown salsa dances!

Clearly proud of his Puerto Rican roots, Victor recently told Fox News Latino about the origins of his signature moves.

"My grandmother, when I was growing up, you know how they would always put that music on during the weekends, she would grab me up and we would start dancing," Cruz explained. "We used to always get down!”

Victor had plenty of reasons to "get down" after this past weekend's game against the Patriots. The Giants brought down their New England rivals with a 24-20 victory thanks, in part, to Cruz' six receptions.

And though he might seem colorful on the field, Victor came off rather humble while speaking to the press. Commenting on his stellar season, Cruz went on to say,

"It's been exciting. It's been a rollercoaster. It feels good to be a factor on this team…I'm excited for the opportunity. I'm glad I've been making the best of it."

You can watch for more of Victor's merengue shuffles when the Giants take on the San Francisco 49ers this coming Sunday.

Who's your favorite Latino football player? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Football, New York Giants, NFL, Sports, Victor Cruz

By Michael Lopez

There is no denying that Oscar de la Hoya has led an incredible life. From his humble beginnings in East L.A., to his stellar boxing career, to his recent stint in rehab, we're sure the "Golden Boy" has many stories to tell. And now he's planning to do just that, with a self-penned tell-all book.

Oscar recently told El Gordo y La Flaca that he was in the midst of writing his memoirs. And according to the former Welterweight champ, he's planning to hold nothing back.

Yup, that means even the notorious fishnet photos could get a chapter or two. But we imagine that won't be the central focus. De la Hoya has also built up an incredible career as a businessman, with holdings that are said to be worth hundreds of millions.

We, for one, are quite curious to read Oscar's recollections. But it's interesting to note that the tell-all won't be his first foray into writing. Back in 2006, De la Hoya published the children's book Super Oscar, which proved to be very popular with Jr. boxing fans.

Would you be curious to read Oscar's tell-all book? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Books, boxing, El Gordo y La Flaca, Oscar de la Hoya, Sports, Super Oscar