A commentator on Yahoo said that Kate Upton is the reason Justin Uplander gave up five runs in his first, and only, inning of pitching during the All-Star Game in Kansas City Tuesday Night.
Despite Verlander's status as the reigning American League MVP and a Cy Young winner, he gave up two walks, four hits, five earned-runs. This contributed to an 8-0 win for the National League team, meaning that the National League has earned the home-field advantage in the World Series later this year. The pitcher blamed his poor performance on throwing too hard, too early."That's why I don't try to throw 100 (mph) in the first inning," he said during a post-game interview. "Usually doesn't work out too well for me."
In the opinion of the Yahoo commentator expressed doubts, writing, "No. That's not it. Verlander has thrown 100 mph early in games during his career." The writer offers another reason for the pitcher's lack of prowess. "Blame it on Kate Upton, who reportedly spent at least Thursday and Friday with -- or in close proximity to -- Verlander," he said. "That's the only way to explain it. Clearly, she stole his mojo." He later explains that he's kidding.
This isn't the first time that a very attractive, high-profile girlfriend has deminished an athlete's abilities, as an article in the Los Angeles Times points out. Jessica Simpson was / is blamed for Dallas Cowboys's quarterback Tony Romo's lack of a superbowl ring, just as Rihanna is given credit for the Dodgers bad season while she was dating Matt Kemp. Caroline Wozniacki, the once top-ranked tennis player in the world, and Roy McIlroy, winner of the 2011 U.S. Open golf tournament, have both fallen from the pinacles of their respective sports since they joined forces as a couple.
There is an upside to Upton's possible effect on athletes for fans of the New York Jets. It was rumored that the 20-year-old bikini model was dating quarterback Mark Sanchez, but if she's with Verlander -- as some believe has been proven by his lackluster pitching -- the Jets might rebound from a "mediocre year" in 2011/2012.
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