This could be a tough one for A-Rod, as many people credited Hudson with his transformation into a cuddly superstar and the Yankees World Series win on the fact that he was dating a seemingly normal likable, Hollywood actress who he wasn't cheating on all the time. It's a pretty remarkable feat for Rodriguez, who managed to side-step the Kate Hudson curse, one that's given trouble to most men who have bedded her in recent years. Chris Robinson and The Black Crowes went from multi-platinum selling artists to jam band also-rans during his marriage to Hudson. Golfer Adam Scott came down with an incurable case of the yips. Owen Wilson turned into Dylan Thomas after he was cuckolded by her. But A-Rod? He became downright lovable, more "human," they say during his Hudson relationship. Poof.

I was asked by a friend of mine, who is begrudgingly covering the break-up, to assist with her story via IM. I was not helpful:

And that's how you annoy your writer friends on deadline.

****

Thanks for your continued support of Deadspin. Even though there are many valid arguments for giving him the award, try not to let Tiger win the SHOTY, wouldja? Plus, we got more Hurdy Gurdyness on tap for this week.

And now...cocaine Christmas music!

A reader writes:

Last night, some friends and I decorated a dorm room Christmas tree/Hannukah bush/secular winter holiday shrubbery with homemade ornaments dedicated to some of our heroes. Because this is a University of Wisconsin dorm, we naturally included the likes of Barry Alvarez, UW hockey's goalie (and total boss-tycoon) Shane Connelly, and the finest mascot in sports, Buckingham Badger.

However I wanted to add my own touch to the tree by honoring one of my heroes of 2008: Bode "Baby Mangino" Lubber. After putting the image of future SHOTY 2008, and realizing none of my friends got the joke or read Deadspin, I decided to share some photos of our tree with people who would actually understand it [no viruses, I pinky promise].

Hope you guys enjoy them.

Nico Savidge

It'll be our merriest Christmas ever!