This Week’s Man Crush: Franklin Gutierrez

What’s better than a major league baseball player running into a wall while chasing a fly ball? An international sex symbol major league baseball player running into a wall while chasing a fly ball. This week, Mariners outfielder Franklin Gutierrez has achieved both. One could also say Gutierrez has achieved the Seattle baseball fan adoration trifecta:

• Bobblehead night? Check (July 24).
• Above average season at the plate? Check.
• Sex symbol status unseen since Alex Rodriguez whored around town? Check.

While some fans have called Gutierrez “dreamy” – I’m more interested in the simple pleasures of his game. Head first slides, face planting into walls, smart base running, you know, hustle plays. Gutierrez has come through in those situations while swinging the lumber (he’s hit half of his 12 HRs while hitting .386 in the last month or so). However, going head first into an immovable object has put a damper on things and the M’s outfielder has been out of the lineup since it happened a couple days ago. But you can't keep a good looking man down.

There’s no doubt the M’s marketing department is wondering when GM Jack Zduriencik is going to re-sign Gutierrez to a long-term deal. Our dreamboat is on a one-year contract for less than half a million. I mean, come on Jack, I understand you’re in the middle of a pennant race, but we’ve got future bobblehead and singles nights promotions to think about.