The Braves and Phillies kicked off the 2009 Major League Baseball season tonight, and Opening Day for quite a few more teams takes place tomorrow. To mark the occasion we thought we’d take a look at some of the arm candy on display around MLB. Baseball players live the high life in every way imaginable. It’s arguably the best professional sport to make a living in, with a huge salary pool and an environment that lends itself towards a player being able to enjoy that cash post retirement. Unlike, say, the NFL where injury is a fact of life and your brain can turn to jello after concussions become a regular part of life. MLB groupies are outstanding too, with only the NBA giving them a run for their money. The crème de la crème become wives, and we’ve got 25 great ones here for your enjoyment. We did our best to rank them, but when they are all this hot you could easily rearrange and mix and match and still have a pretty defensible list. Enjoy!

25. Alejandra Tejada

Miguel Tejada has been embroiled in steroid controversy of late (he’s also had to answer questions as to whether he’s actually a couple of years older than he claims – a somewhat common problem for Dominican players), but it’s not all bad. He’s got his huge bank account and ridiculously hot wife to go home to at night.

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24. Alicia Rickter

Mike Piazza had some questions following him around questioning his sexuality for a number of years (the New York Post put the rumor in print at one point), which made it somewhat comical when he married former playmate Alicia Rickter. Piazza was so concerned with the rumors that he actually made a public statement asserting his hetero-ness, and I like to imagine that he felt that didn’t do the trick so he went and married what he figured the most red blooded hetero man would be attracted to: a Playmate. She’s hot though, and they’ve had a kid, so yeah, maybe not gay after all. The world may never know for sure.

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23. Kelli Pedroia

Dustin Pedroia has had a couple of great years, despite being one of the smaller guys in MLB. He’s managed to be a little larger than life when it comes to his social life, snagging Kelli here.

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22. Ashley Eckstein

David Eckstein has had a mighty charmed life. You can’t help but be impressed with a guy who stands 5′6 and weighs 170 who manages an eight season (and counting) MLB career, a World Series MVP, and a woman like Ashley Eckstein. Also, he’s a worse baseball player than Dustrin Pedroia, but he’s done a little better in at least one facet of life.

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21. Erica Ellyson

Erica is dating Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz. Buchholz threw a no hitter in his second major league start, but he’s struggled since, and will actually be starting the ‘09 season in AAA. Erica is hot enough that we’ll overlook that for now, and Buchholz will almost certainly be up later this year.

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20. Emily Kuchar

Emily Kuchar is engaged to Zach Greinke, an interesting Royals pitcher who’s struggled with depression at times, despite having dated Kuchar since high school. He seems to have realized his good fortune of late however, turning in a much improved 2008.

19. Heidi DeRosa

Fantasy Baseball Dugout named Heidi baseball’s hottest wife last year, and she certainly makes a convincing case. Heidi works as a model professionally under the name Heidi Miller.

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18. Heidi Hamels

Cole Hamels just won a World Series and he’s married to Heidi here. He’s gotta be loving life.

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17. Jennie Finch

Jennie Finch is, of course, one of the most famous female athletes in America, and one of the hottest as well. We had her number five on our list of hottest female athletes of all time. She’s married to Casey Daigle, a journeyman pitcher who’s spent time at the major league level with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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16. Jennifer Lopez

No, not that one. This J-Lo is married to Felipe Lopez, a shortstop who’s played for the Blue Jays, Reds, Nationals, and Cardinals.

Click here for The 25 Hottest Wives And Girlfriends Of Major League Baseball Players 15-1