Boston Red Sox Pitcher Clay Buchholz Hooks Up with Penthouse Pet Erica Ellyson

Let's add Clay Buchholz to the list of athletes who are dating high profile celebrities. Buchholz, the 23-year-old pitching phenomenon from the Boston Red Sox, who last year threw a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles, has been romantically linked to Penthouse Pet Erica Ellyson, according to a story in the Boston Herald.

Buchlolz is an up-and-coming pitcher for the world champions, and he will be integrated into the Red Sox rotation this coming season after going 3-1 with a 1.59 ERA for the team in a late season call up last year. According to pitching coach John Farrell, Boston will try to increase Buchholz work load to about 180-190 innings this year, a logical progression given the talent and pitch repertoire of the young Red Sox ace.

On the other hand, Erica Ellyson made her way onto celebrity status in totally different fashion, and without the benefit of a fastball or curve. Her claim to fame is being Penthouse magazine's 2008 "Pet of the Year." The award is roughly equivalent to Playboy's magazine's "Playmate of the Year."

Though a great story for the gossip pages, this definitely will not be the first nor last time that a star athlete has been linked to a high profile celebrity, nor to someone whose picture glossed the pages of a magazine. Among the most famous of these hook-ups are the following:

Tim Couch-Cade McNown-Heather Kosar:

Back in 1999, both Tim Couch and Cade McNown were first round draft pick quarterbacks in the NFL, and Heather Kosar was the 1999 Playboy Playmate of the Year. Both Couch and McNown made a play for the reigning Playmate, who eventually married Couch. Couch and Kosar have a child, Chase Scott Kosar from the marriage.

Tony Romo-Carrie Underwood-Jessica Simpson:

Last football season Cowboy starting quarterback Tony Romo made waves during the football season when he dumped American Idol winner Carrie Underwood and took up with singer/actress Jessica Simpson shortly before Thanksgiving. The Romo-Simpson romance took a tabloid turn for the worse when he famously lost a game with Simpson watching from the stands in a pink football jersey. Right before the playoffs, the romance caused waves again when Romo and Simpson were spotted in Mexico together on a day off. Romo promptly lost the playoff game.

Adriana Lima - Marko Jaric:

Brazilian supermodel and Victoria Secrets girl Adriana Lima caused her own waves when she hooked up with basketball player Marko Jaric. It was a romantic hook-up which clearly benefited the lesser known Jaric, who responded by playing better basketball.

Tom Brady- Bridget Moynahan- Gisele Bundchen:

Also putting in a fabulous year after hooking up with a top flight model was Tom Brady, who after fathering a child with actress Bridget Moynahan, hooked up with Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Brady, who had dated Moynahan from 2004-2006, went on to break the NFL record for most touchdown passes in a season with 50 in 2008.

Source:

"Twist regarding this turn?",www.boston.com

"Marko Jaric Confirms Adriana Lima Fling," www.sports.aol.com