Yes, it was a hot one
The temperature at BWI-Marshall Airport reached 91 degrees Tuesday, setting a record for the most 90-degree days in a calendar year and topping off more than eight months of weather extremes in Maryland. Since last winter's blizzards and record accumulations, 2010 has brought drought, crop losses, rising numbers of heat-related deaths and the hottest summer on record for Baltimore. Above, Kelly West tried to beat the heat in July with an egg custard snowball on North Bethel Street in East Baltimore.
Concerned that police departments nationwide fail to fully investigate rapes, a congressional committee will examine the issue next week at a hearing spurred partly by a Baltimore Sun examination of the systemic underreporting of sex crimes.
For 10-year-old Jacob Krause, getting ready for the new school year wasn't a simple matter of back-to-school shopping. It also involved working out logistics for getting to the bathroom as many as 20 times during a single school day.
Perhaps the best part of blogging or the internet in general is the occasional discovery of something unexpected.Over on
Baltimore Reporter and Conservative Thoughts is a great and thought provoking article by Robert Farrow.I hope you will follow
this link and read this great post.
from conservativecontracts.com
I love your blog
Once again - as happens so often - I have been positioned here on the living room couch, immersed in your blog. You are
better than Fox News.
Kevin Dayhoff
Awards and Rankings:
Voted one of the best local blogs:
Baltimore Examiner: 2006
Voted Top 10 most influential blog in Maryland in 2007.
Blog Net News
Yesterday I started a post with “Dude….seriously?” when I wrote about Obama being his narcissistic self. I could most definitely start this one with the same exclamation.
Faced with mounting national opposition to his party’s platform, the president reminded voters the real reason the trillion-dollar stimulus package still hasn’t reduced unemployment to 8 percent as promised: Bush did it, and it’ll take a lot of time to undo it.
“The country cannot return to the “dereliction of duty that helped deliver this recession,†Obama said. He added that the previous administration’s role in the economic meltdown was the “real outrage.â€
Recall Jake Tapper asking the White House mouthpiece…isn’t it time for Obama to man-up and quite whining:
TAMPA, Florida (Reuters) – The Pittsburgh Steelers captured their record sixth Super Bowl by defeating the upset-minded Arizona Cardinals 27-23 Sunday on a dramatic touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes with 35 seconds left.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger drove the Steelers 78 yards in eight plays and found Holmes on a six-yard scoring strike in the far corner of the end zone to provide the winning margin.
Holmes, the game’s most valuable player, caught nine passes, including four in the final drive.
“I want the ball in my hands no matter what, no matter where it is,” Holmes said he told Roethlisberger before the final drive.
“I wanted to be the one to make the play.”
Pittsburgh was cruising 20-7 in the final quarter before the Cardinals made a late charge under the guidance of gritty veteran quarterback Kurt Warner.
Larry Fitzgerald caught a one-yard pass from Warner to trim the lead to 20-14 with less than seven minutes remaining. A safety with three minutes left then pulled the Cardinals to within four points on a chilly night at Raymond James Stadium.
Warner then hit Fitzgerald on a short post pattern, the All-Pro speedster finding the end zone virtually untouched to give Arizona a stunning 23-20 lead with 2:37 left.
Roethlisberger then took over, guiding the Steelers to the game-winning drive. For the game, he completed 21 of 30 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
Prior to the Steelers’ final drive, Roethlisberger said he told his team mates: “It’s now or never. You’ll be remembered forever if you do this.”
The loss was bitter for the Cardinals, who were making their first Super Bowl appearance. (more…)
(Reuters) – The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens 23-14 in a bone-jarring AFC Championship game Sunday to set up a Super Bowl XLIII clash against the darkhorse Arizona Cardinals.
The Steelers will be seeking their sixth Super Bowl crown in the NFL title game in Tampa on February 1, while the Cardinals booked their first trip to the season finale with a 32-25 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles to claim the NFC crown.
In a game of ferocious hitting between the top two defenses in the league, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu stood out.
Polamalu flew around the field making crunching stops, leapt over the line to squelch Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco’s fourth-and-one sneak and scored the final touchdown with a 40-yard interception return, his dreadlocks whipping the air.
“I was just running for my life,” Polamalu told reporters.
A violent hit by safety Ryan Clark on Ravens running back Willis McGahee late in the fourth quarter brought the game to a somber close.
McGahee, who scored both Baltimore touchdowns on short runs, was flattened by a high-speed, helmet-to-helmet collision that snapped his head back.
As a cart and stretcher were sent to take McGahee off the field, players from both teams bowed their heads praying he was all right. Officials said McGahee had significant neck pain but was able to move his limbs.
“It’s always the same against them,” Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “This is a 12-round slugfest. It’s violent from start to finish. That’s the nature of this rivalry.”
RUGGED RAVENS
Pittsburgh went against pre-game expectations by relying on the passing of Roethlisberger rather than try to move the ball on the ground against the rugged Ravens.
They surged to a 13-0 lead during the first half on field goals of 34 and 42 yards from Jeff Reed followed by a 65-yard catch-and-run by Santonio Holmes.
The Ravens fightback was sparked by a stunning 45-yard punt return by Jim Leonhard that set them up at the Pittsburgh 17 yard line. Three plays later McGahee burst three yards for a touchdown that closed the gap to 13-7 at halftime.
Reed gave the Steelers some cushion at 16-7 with a 46-yard field goal with 3:38 left in the third quarter after an 11-play drive that covered 51 yards.
The Ravens, who had lost by three points in overtime and by four points in two regular season jousts with Pittsburgh, clawed back again, taking advantage of a weak punt by Mitch Berger that gave them the ball at the 37.
A double-reverse run by Mark Clayton and two completions to Derrick Mason put Baltimore in striking range. (more…)
Yahoo News. – The Baltimore Ravens are rolling down a familiar road. It’s a route they once took to a Super Bowl title. They expect it to lead to the same place.
In January 2001, the Ravens stuffed their wild-card playoff berth down the throats of four opponents to win their only NFL crown. One of the teams they beat was Tennessee.
On Saturday, the Ravens eliminated the Titans, the AFC’s top seed, 13-10. That followed a 27-9 victory over Miami in the wild-card round.
Next up is another division winner, their archrivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who beat Baltimore twice this season to take the AFC North. Pittsburgh defeated San Diego 35-24 on Sunday.
“It’s great to make our own history, our own path,” linebacker Bart Scott said. “That team was great. We can’t be compared to that team. That team had its own identity, and we’re trying to create our own.
“We’re not through yet. We’ll evaluate all that stuff when it’s over with.”
To a man, the Ravens (13-5) believe it will be over after a successful trip to Tampa, the same place they beat the Giants for their previous Super Bowl championship.
The leader of that team was Ray Lewis. He still is: an All-Pro with viable Hall of Fame credentials and a mean streak that epitomizes the Ravens.
“We always have got one philosophy to this defense,” Lewis said after Baltimore forced three turnovers and a slew of other blunders by the Titans. “If they don’t score, they don’t win.
“I was here in 2000. It was physical then. Both ballclubs are built kind of similar. That is why the game came down to what it was. We knew that coming into the game.” (more…)
The Baltimore Ravens’ much-vaunted defense smothered Miami on Sunday as the Dolphins’ Cinderella season ended with a 27-9 defeat in their AFC wildcard clash.
The Ravens intercepted Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington four times and forced a Miami fumble before cruising into the divisional playoffs at Tennessee on Saturday.
“Our defenses gave us a bunch of chances today,” Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco told reporters after Baltimore secured their 10th win in 12 games.
“We can’t wait to get down to Tennessee and see them again,” he said of the Titans, who beat the Ravens 13-10 during the regular season.
Ed Reed had two of Baltimore’s interceptions, returning one for a game-changing 64-yard touchdown in the second quarter. His second interception halted a third-quarter drive by the Dolphins, who had won five consecutive games and nine of their last 10 in the regular season after going 1-15 last year.
“That (first interception) was a great play by Ed Reed, over the shoulder. Not too many safeties make that,” Pennington told reporters.
Of the four interceptions, three of those I felt really good about,” Pennington said.
SPECIAL YEAR
Pennington, who became the Dolphins’ leader after being released by the New York Jets in August to make way for Brett Favre, said it was hard to stomach the defeat.
“It has been a special year,” he said. “That’s why it (the loss) hurt so much.”
Baltimore also took advantage of a Miami fumble for a third-quarter touchdown as they scored 20 consecutive points after the Dolphins had taken a 3-0 lead.
Miami finally found the end zone on Ronnie Brown’s fingertip grab of a two-yard pass from Pennington early in the fourth quarter.
That ended 11 postseason quarters without a touchdown for the Dolphins, who were playing in their first playoff game in seven seasons.
But the frustration continued when the extra point attempt was blocked. (more…)
President Bush Inaugurates New Washington, DC Ballpark!
WASHINGTON – MARCH 30: US President George W. Bush walks on the field to throw out the first pitch during the Washington Nationals opening home game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park March 30, 2008 in Washington, DC. President Bush attended the home opener which was the Nationals first game in their new stadium. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)
President George W. Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch before a sold out crowd at the Washington Nationals season opener, as they host the Atlanta Braves Sunday, March 30, 2008, at their new home field at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
Residents of Washington who were familiar with what this part of town used to look like (photos here) can only be pleased at the change.
also:
Iranian Influence on Cease Fire?
The tabloid newspaper McClatchy has a report out today that two lawmakers from the Iraqi government, one from Maliki’s party and another from the Badr party, went to Iran to negotiate a end to hostilities in Basra.
BAGHDAD — Iraqi lawmakers traveled to the Iranian holy city of Qom over the weekend to win the support of the commander of Iran’s Qods brigades in persuading Shiite cleric Muqtada al Sadr to order his followers to stop military operations, members of the Iraqi parliament said.
The backdrop to Sadr’s dramatic statement was a secret trip Friday by Iraqi lawmakers to Qom, Iran’s holy city and headquarters for the Iranian clergy who run the country.
There the Iraqi lawmakers held talks with Brig. Gen. Qassem Suleimani, commander of the Qods (Jerusalem) brigades of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and signed an agreement with Sadr, which formed the basis of his statement Sunday, members of parliament said.
Ali al Adeeb, a member of Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki’s Dawa party, and Hadi al Ameri, the head of the Badr Organization, the military wing of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, had two aims, lawmakers said: to ask Sadr to stand down his militia and to ask Iranian officials to stop supplying weapons to Shiite militants in Iraq.
Which, if true, is fascinating. On the one hand this means Iran can turn off the internal fighting when and where it wants to. So, as Jules Crittenden puts it, Iraq is Iran’s bitch in the absence of American forces. But the same article does say that some of Sadr’s thugs have said they have no intention of standing down. How much influence then does Iran really have? I’m guessing the coming days will tell us.
On the other hand can anyone still claim Iran is not the one stirring the pot in the first place AND not supplying those who attack our troops? (more…)
Wow! What a game. Eli Manning and the Giants have stunned the “best team in history” (sure thing) and did it in with 35 seconds left in the game.
MVP should be the Giants defense, shared with Eli of course.
The Giants had the perfect answer for the suddenly imperfect Patriots: a big, bad defense and an improbable comeback led by their own Mr. Cool quarterback, Eli Manning.
In one of football’s biggest shockers, New York shattered New England’s unbeaten season as Manning hit Plaxico Burress on a 13-yard fade with 35 seconds left in the Super Bowl. Sunday’s 17-14 win was the Giants’ 11th straight on the road, and the first time the Patriots tasted defeat in more than a year.
It was the most bitter of losses, too, because New England (18-1) was one play from winning, but its defense couldn’t stop a 12-play, 83-yard drive that featured a spectacular leaping catch by David Tyree, who scored New York’s first touchdown.
When was the last time we sat down to watch a sporting event and saw a true gesture of sportsmanship, especially in professional sports? Was it back in a bygone era when men like Jim Brown, John Unitas, Lenny Moore, Bart Starr, Art Donovan and Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson took the field? Today, if someone would roll out the old game films, you wouldn’t see Jim Brown, Lenny Moore, or John Unitas dancing, pointing fingers, mugging for the cameras, spiking the ball, or pounding their chest in celebration after scoring a touchdown, or completing a pass. Of course, Art Donovan would probably be the first to admit that, even in his prime, trying to imitate some of today’s celebratory gyrations and dances would indeed have been a scary, if not a downright frightening sight.
To understand true sportsmanship, we first need to comprehend what defines a sportsman. Several definitions appear for sportsman, but it seems that “a person who can take loss or defeat without complaint, or victory without gloating and who treats their opponents with fairness, courtesy and generosity,†seems to be most appropriate here. Thus, sportsmanship possesses the qualities and behavior befitting a sportsman. But, those qualities should extend all the way from the playing field to the front office.
I had never met Art Donovan, but certainly knew him from my younger days and being an avid Baltimore Colts fan. When he left the playing field behind, I often saw him on various Baltimore sports programs and “filling†the screen in some very funny and memorable commercials. It wasn’t until sometime in the late 90s that I finally had the opportunity to meet him in person. He was seated alone at a table at the Turf Valley
Country Club, an invited guest to the retirement party of County Police Chief Jim Robey.
I walked over, extended my hand and said, “Sir, I would consider it an honor to shake the hand of one of the last real men to play the game of professional football.†In what could only be described as “True Art Donovan†he threw his head back and howled. A moment later he said, “Pull up a chair and sit down.†For the next thirty minutes I carried on a conversation with a man I suddenly felt like I’d known all my life. He was as genuine as an exquisite diamond, but truly a man who didn’t take his celebrity too seriously. Art was, and still is a Baltimore Icon, but that night he proved that he was as humble as he was big. Art Donovan, the Baltimore Colt and legend, was as down to earth as the everyday working man, and was willing to share his time with someone he’d never met. Indeed, he acts a great deal like a true sportsman.
One thing I learned from our conversation was, Art Donovan doesn’t much care for the antics of today’s athletes. I applaud his views and say that I spend far less time watching professional sports then I did many years ago. It’s not that I’ve lost interest in the games themselves, it’s just that I’ve grown weary of watching the actions of so called grown men on the field of play. After making a tackle, sacking an opposing quarterback, or scoring a touchdown, some of them act as though they are auditioning for a part in an upcoming Broadway dance revue. The hip swiveling, fist pumping and head bobbing goes on and on, while the camera crew ensures that viewers are treated to the entire performance. I watched Jeremiah Trotter give his rendition of a rooster that had just conquered the hen house after he’d sacked the opposing quarterback, and his team was trailing by 24 points. With his team being embarrassed on almost every play, maybe the King of the Rhode Island Reds should’ve been benched instead of being treated to air (more…)
Here’s an article I wrote for the DC Sports Box about Cal Ripken and his send-off, hope you enjoy..
***
Although the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area is pretty much awash with the red, white and blue of the Nationals, lest we forget many in the area for about four decades rooted, cheered and followed the Baltimore Orioles.
Our neighbors to the north have not had a lot to cheer about for the past decade, as the Orioles have had nine straight losing seasons, a dramatic decline attendance, and fan dissatisfaction towards owner Peter Angelos.
However, on Tuesday night before a match-up with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, fans got a chance to relive the glory days of the past as the Orioles honored Cal Ripken, Jr. in a “send-off to Cooperstown†celebration.
A crowd about 43,000 strong celebrated a universally-respected man who was not only a great baseball player, but also a part of Maryland heritage.
The crowd last night was boisterous, decked in black and orange, and you saw the number “8″ abound on jerseys, shirts and whatever else you could find.
With an elaborate display setup of a large inflatable jersey of Ripken’s number in center field, the number “2632†posted on the warehouse to commemorate the number of consecutive games that he played, along with a podium and seating in the infield, Tuesday was all about Cal.
Although the start time of the game was set back more than half-an-hour, dignitaries such as Baltimore mayor, Sheila Dixon; fellow Hall of Famers and former Orioles Eddie Murray, Brooks Robinson, and Earl Weaver were on hand to support and honor Cal Ripken.
Fans were shown a continuous loop of footage of the future Hall of Famer on the video screen in centerfield; therefore, as he was announced, Cal sat in a pristine Chevrolet Corvette as it drove along the warning track, waved to the crowd and tossed a few baseballs to a few lucky fans.
Like a scene out of a movie, fans watched and stood with amazement as they took photos, video and tried to get as close as they could to the field.
Cal addressed the crowd and spoke for about ten minutes with thoughts of his career, his upcoming induction to the Hall of Fame, and his work with kids via Ripken Baseball.
Afterwards, he threw out the first pitch of the ballgame to former teammate, Eddie Murray. (more…)
According to ESPN, Joe Girardi today turned down the Orioles’ offer to become their new manager…
After thinking he might join early this week, I had a feeling he’d turn it down because of the state of the team and as well the chance of other, more high profile jobs opening up. As well, I don’t know if he was willing to uproot his family from the Midwest to come work in Baltimore…
I guess it leaves the possibility of Davey Johnson coming back.
Also on the docket may be Dusty Baker and Rick Dempsey.
At this point, considering how things have come about with the Orioles, anything can happen…
Well, I’m going to give the boys at the Roar from 34 Blog credit for this post, as they they forwarded me this article from the Cumberland Times-News.
Matt, I cannot thank you enough.
How a paper of out of a small town in western Maryland could get this, and a paper like the Sun couldn’t, I don’t know.
Some of the quotes you’ll see here are in stark contrast in what you have seen so far from the media in Baltimore and Washington.
To be honest, I was quite surprised I read what I did.
Mike Burke in his article, “Orioles Fire Perlozzoâ€, has an exclusive interview with the former Orioles manager where he is nothing short of blunt with the state of the organization and the team.
Quotes:
· About his meeting with both Mike Flanagan and Jim Duquette, he says: “I didn’t say a lot to them,” he said, “although Jim Duquette said he had heard I felt (the front office) should have said more on my behalf, and I said, ‘Well, now that you brought it up, let me get a couple of things off my chest.’ – basically, he felt that considering his tenure with the team, he should have been told what was going on.
· About the lack of public support from the front office: “I told them they should have stepped up,” he said. “When all this talk became public, and they didn’t step up … That would have resolved it. But they didn’t step up, and no matter what, you don’t do that to me. You don’t do that to a guy who has been in the organization for 12 years and has done so many things for this organization.”I told them they should have stepped up and said, ‘Sam Perlozzo is our manager.’ And then if they want to fire me two days later, fine. Just resolve it. But they didn’t. You don’t do that to me.”
· When Sam asked about what he did wrong to the front office in the exit interview: “I asked them to be specific and tell me what I did wrong, and they couldn’t do it.”I told them I can go out and make every right move – which I believe I did – and still fail because we don’t hit, or the bullpen breaks down, or whatever it may be. And in that instance, there are two things you can do:”One, the organization steps up and says, ‘He’s not the problem. He’s got one-and-a-half years on his contract, so don’t even ask because we’re not talking about this again.’ The problem is the players aren’t producing.”Or, you can say nothing. Because if you do say something, then you’re going to take the heat for the players you signed.
· The statement that got me: “It doesn’t matter how many right moves you make and it still doesn’t work. The manager gets fired. But not with the Dodgers. They fire their hitting coach. Here, we keep reshuffling managers.” (Brings up a very good point, what about Crowley?)
· About the signings and his role in it: “Not really,” he said. “Walker, Bradford, Baez, Williamson, they never asked me. I told them not to sign Williams. But they went out and signed four guys without asking me.”They asked me to go to lunch with Aubrey Huff (in December) to see what I thought of the guy. I told them, and they signed him. I told them Jay Payton would help us.”We re-signed Kevin Millar right off the bat last winter, and they wanted Huff.”
· The offensive problems: “Every night, we’re dealing with a one-run deficit, and we’re scoring four runs, three runs, three runs, four runs … We score three runs in the first three innings and we’re done for the night. You need to score more than four runs.” … “Melvin Mora is hitting 40 points below his career average,” Perlozzo said. “Miggy doesn’t hit home runs or drive in runs anymore. Huff just started hitting and he has four home runs. … “Kevin Millar has a high on-base percentage, but doesn’t hit home runs. Do you want me to start him on the bases? Check the on-base percentage and the runs scored. It doesn’t jibe. We need three hits to get him in. You want me to start running Kevin Millar, Jay Gibbons and Aubrey Huff?†… “Plus, we’re without (catcher) Ramon Hernandez for six weeks. You want me to rotate these guys, but they can’t hit.”
· The flaws in the team: “The flaw for me?” Perlozzo asked. “Baez going south and the offense. When Danys went bad it threw the team into the kilter, and we had to overexpose (other pitchers). The offense doesn’t score enough to make up for any deficiencies. When you can’t score five runs playing in the American League East, you’ve got problems.â€
· About the status of Leo Mazzone: “I’m not sure,” he said. “Leo and Eric were pretty emotional today. Leo told them if they want to talk about it to talk to his agent. Again, he was pretty emotional.”
· The other quote that got me: “I knew what I was getting into. I just thought I would have more backing from some people.” (more…)
It’s late, but I wanted to post what I think of the organization. I don’t think at any point I have been more disgusted with the Baltimore Orioles than I am now. For team that was one of the elite franchises back a generation ago, the boys in orange and black are nothing more than a national joke and disgrace in the sports media.
I’d like to be positive, but after today I am now more convinced than ever this organization is more screwed up than I ever imagined.
It sucks that Sam was fired, but sometimes change is good. However, a good man was fired, and now more than ever, the players need to look in the mirror.
In my honest opinion, expect a lot of changes from now until next season. This team will be blown up and rebuilt.
Andy McPhail is the new COO, and will probably have a lot of say in baseball matters, considering he was president of the Cubs and had some success there; moreover, he spent many years in Minnesota in the mid-80’s and 90’s building up that team and winning.
I see him having a lot of control, and if he could get Girardi in town, how business is conducting within the Yard will change — a lot.
This team needs a plan, and honestly needs to forget about contending for a year or two.
Kiss 2007 goodbye, and Mike Flanagan and Jim Duquette (who I really like) should be on watch.
I think Leo has done a lot of good with the starting pitching in light of the failures of the bullpen, and he may stay or go.
I see him possibly leaving considering the friendship with Sam Perlozzo and the lack of fire by his players.
Half the team needs to look in the mirror and ask themselves what role they had in getting Sam Perlozzo fired.
The free agents have been a bust for the most part, and the bullpen, well, — that does not need any more explaining. After modest goals this season, the Orioles have just plain tanked and have not done anything in June.
Folks, the season is pretty much over unless the Orioles can tap into some Yankee magic; however, this team does not even have the talent to sustain a run like that.
“It is the middle of May and, quite amazingly, one inning has created such a quantum shift in perspective that Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo’s job security is suddenly a hot topic of conversation on all the fan Web sites and — presumably — in the club’s front office.†– Peter Schmuck, ‘Thanks to Hindsight, Manager’s Status Cloudy’
Well, I am a blogger (obviously), and I often check out Orioles Hangout, Camden Chat, Oriole Magic, and the many other excellent blogs that cover the team. In conjunction with the so-called mainstream media (ala, the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post), I check them out daily for the latest in news concerning the Orioles, and sometimes find them a value resource than what I read in print.
Last night, I read Peter Schmuck’s article, “Thanks to Hindsight, Manager’s Status Cloudyâ€, and for the most part I enjoy his work; however, but yesterday, and he perhaps a few other media members seem to have taken fans to task for wanting Sam Perlozzo deposed of as the Orioles’ manager.
Do the fans not have the right to be angry with Sam Perlozzo?
Is it just because you’re part of the media and have ‘access’ that we don’t, you seemingly have the right to pontificate about how you feel and degrade us at the same time?
Look, I didn’t want him fired (I am in the minority); however, when 95% of people want him gone, the public just might be right.
As for all of us follow baseball know, today is earmarked as celebration of Jackie Robinson and the 60th anniversary of his first game. Today, in about 200 players throughout baseball, including the entire Los Angeles Dodgers team, and at least one representative of each team will be wearing the number 42 to honor him.
What Jackie Robinson did for African-Americans and even more or less, minorities in society, was nothing short of extraordinary. He was not only a special person in terms of baseball, but in the American lexicon.
He did more than simply play baseball; he sacrificed himself to allow us not only to play a game, but also allowed many to garner to strength to stand up against injustice and hate.
Even though things in society are not perfect, he made things better – a lot for all of us. America is still not where it should be or could potentially be in terms of race relations, but keeping your memory alive is a step in the right direction.
Jackie, even though I was not alive to see you play, I am glad you were able to step on a field 60 years today.
You made the game brighter and opened the door for many great players such as Frank, Roy Campanella, Lou Brock, Larry (Doby), Reggie, Joe Morgan, Junior (Ken Griffey, Jr.), D-Train, Ryan Howard, and countless others.
As I get older, you sometimes have to take a step back and analyze why things are the way they are. I love baseball, and played it and as well have caught maybe close to a thousand games in my game. Being African American, I do find it sad that the numbers of us in baseball are dwindling; however, the game is more incredibly diverse with the influence of Big Papi, Soriano, Tejada, Ichiro’s, Albert’, and Dice-K all a part of it.
This evening, a diverse crowd numbering about two hundred or so gathered at the GeorgeWashingtonUniversity to celebrate “The First,” the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s landmark integration of African American players into major league baseball.
The event was a celebration and reflection of the influence of Jackie Robinson, not only in baseball, but in the American lexicon. University officials, professors and historians spoke at length and with reverence about him; therefore, at times it was highly entertaining, while highly educational.
The author of the book, ‘Boys of Summer’ and the keynote speaker, Roger Kohn, spoke at length about Jackie, at times with great emotion about him and legacy on the culture at large. Kahn has a shared history with Jackie Robinson, having covered him and the Brooklyn Dodgers as a sportswriter for the New York Herald Tribune during the 1950s.
As well, there were quite a few stories about Kahn’s personal interactions with Jackie that made you get an even more intimate sense as to who Jackie really was.
National Baseball Hall of Famer, and former Major League manager, Frank Robinson was the recipient of first annual Jackie Robinson Society Community Recognition Award to acknowledge citizens who have made outstanding the contributions to the District of Columbia and the nation.
As the recipient of the award, he spoke at length for about fifteen minutes about the influence Jackie Robinson had on his career, and more importantly, his life.
In addition to speaking about Robinson’s legacy, he spoke about his time in Cincinnati and Baltimore as a player, as well as a manager with five organizations, especially with the Washington Nationals (he spoke about the city and team with a lot of fondness), and as an executive with Major League Baseball.
In the end, it was a great night to catch stories about baseball, as well as a needed history lesson, but the night was about Jackie Robinson and honoring his legacy.
Notes:
It’s highly recommended you read the “Boys of Summerâ€. I read a little of the book while I was home sick in anticipation for the event. Such a great read…
Frank Robinson spoke quite a bit about his time in WashingtonD.C. He said that there were questions if baseball would go over in the nation’s capital – Frank believed that it could, and it has so far.
He said the 2005 season in Washington was amazing.
He was 11 or so when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, and Frank noted that the event made him aware if he had the skills, he could play in the major leagues.
Frank Robinson spoke a little about his time in Class A ball, where he played in ColumbiaS.C. and described it as a painful experience, this considered quitting baseball. That obviously did not happen, but he spoke vividly about being heckled by fans in the South.
He spoke with Jackie for the first time in 1956, but not at length until 1957. When Frank spoke with Jackie, he was told, “I want you to be the bet person you can be in society, and be a good person on the field, but even better off the field.â€
Frank spoke about the value of teamwork, and giving it your full effort.
He said baseball was in his blood, and his goal was to play one year in professional baseball, not to become a Hall of Famer, or a manager or executive.
Frank got into managing as he spent 6 years in winter ball while he was playing before he got his shot in 1975 with the Cleveland Indians.
Today, I went to Oriole Park at Camden Yards and tried out to be a ball boy this afternoon. I’d estimate a crowd of 100 or so people signed up for the opportunity to lead the crowd and snag some grounders during the game. Fans were pumped up to have the opportunity, and while a lot were nervous, everyone was glad to have spent a few hours of their attention to perhaps be chosen to be on other side of the stands – the playing field.
Well, I arrived at the ballpark an hour early and spoke with several fans, along with tossed a baseball to warm up and cure our boredom.
Anyhow, we got escorted into the stadium and got taken to the lower levels into an auxiliary locker room where we given an orientation, filled out paperwork and were explained how the day would work out.
Thereafter, we went in teams of 10 and were taken from the locker room into the tunnel and onto the field. The group was escorted into the third base side dugout where we called one by one onto the playing field and got interviewed American Idol style, were we had to say our names, numbers we were given along with a short Q&A.
Then we got onto to show our fielding prowess and being in a big stadium (you can only imagine it filled with people) was daunting in my eyes. Now imagine writers, cameras, microphones and media flanked out all over.
The adventure began.
I had to field as there was a guy who hit balls with a fungo bat, and another who caught the ball.
Maryland Men: In a game that provided action, a comeback and a thrill-a-minute drama, the University of Maryland Terrapins defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 89-87 on a snowy Sunday in College Park.
As we are down to the homs stretch of the basketball regular season, the Terps have solidified their spot in the NCAA Tournament after starting out in ACC conference play 2-5. The team has won five straight games, and now is ranked in the Top 25, in the 24th spot.
The red-hot Terps play at Duke’s intimidating Cameron Indoor Arena tonight at 9 p.m. It will be a tough game, as Duke is always a formidable competitor and under the tutelage of Coach Mike Krzyzewski. He’ll have his troops ready and rearing for battle.
Maryland Women: Not to be outdone by the men, the Lady Terps are ranked number 6 in the women’s poll, as they head to the ACC & NCAA Tournament play. On Monday, the Terps beat Boston College 76-60 to finish 26-4 in regular season play, and 10-4 in ACC play.
The Terps are in the third seed going into ACC Tournament play, and are hoping for a repeat of last year’s success – the NCAA National Championship.
Recently, the Baltimore Orioles have instituted a new policy about talk radio and the fans who call into the various shows in the city and the surrounding area. According to WBAL, Orioles management, including Jim Duquette and Sam Perlozzo have been barred from taking calls from fans from stations besides CBS affiliates, ESPN 1300 or WHFS 105.7 (from wbal.com).
Steve Davis, a radio host on WBAL alerted the fans after finding out the new policy:
He says “They’re both great guys and wonderful interviews, and enjoy their interaction with the fans. I’m very disappointed for the listeners and callers. We had people call in to talk to them, as they always have, and Perlozzo and Duquette were told by the Orioles that they couldn’t interact with the listeners.”
Davis says he’s expressed his concern to the team saying “The fans deserve to have their questions and concerns addressed, and not to be stonewalled by O’s brass. I hope the Orioles reconsider this decision.” (wbal.com)
Like the mythical “Big Brother†in the novel, ‘1984’, it seems like the Orioles in order to have further control of their product want a greater say in what their employees say to media outlets.
In a corporate sense, I can understand why it is done.
However, in the world of sports, and especially talk radio which is fueled by debate and much as chatter, what the Orioles are doing sets a real bad precedent.
Fans who buy the $9 seats to those who have spent tens and hundreds of thousands on corporate suites, the customer has the right to hold someone accountable for the product on the field and have a line open to voice complaints, or praise.
The team is taking people’s money, and traditionally talk show radio has been a way to voice their concerns.
Now, the new policy has taken the people’s voice away. That’s fine, and I understand why the Orioles would do it from a business viewpoint, but it is horrible customer service.
This is not an issue about winning or about the last nine years of losing — it’s about fan interaction, accountability & the feeling that the higher ups care what the fans think, whether it be positive or not. I’m a huge O’s fan, and have been for years and it seems every year it’s harder to like the organization in spite of the losing.
Maybe the Orioles’ brass will reconsider the new policy, but taking away the privilege of the fans to interact with team executives (a staple of talk radio) only adds to a further disconnect between the team and the fans today.
If anyone from the organization reads this blog, hopefully you’ll reconsider the new policy – you’ve upset a greater number of fans out there.
Ray Frager is excited about Gary Throne, and so am I. He’s a great play by play guy, and it’s was a great coup by MASN to get him. He also gives his take on the startup network and other news tidbits.
The chances of him returning to CharmCity are not likely, as the Ravens only $3 million in cap room, and unless several players want to restructure their contracts, it’s a foregone conclusion he’ll go somewhere else.
He’s valuable because of his ability to play all the defensive positions. Several teams including the 49ers, Patriots, Browns and Packers are looking to sign the multi-faceted player.
However, Thomas is open to returning to the team if a deal can be worked out.
As we are into the home stretch of the Terps’ regular season, the next few games will determine if they find a way into March Madness (The NCAA Tournament), or play again in the NIT.
Although the Terps may have done well enough to find themselves in the tournament, it’s a priority they win their last games of the season. Although the Terps stumbled out of the gate badly in ACC play, they have won 4 in a row to bring their record to 7-6 in the conference.
However, the team has a tough test in the next few days that would be equivalent to being thrown in the Lion’s Den.
The Terps have the North Carolina Tar hells at home and Duke in North Carolina, each win was vital in hopes of the Terps advancing to the postseason. Simply put, if Maryland can take those 2 teams to the limit, and get wins from one or both, the Terps are in great shape for March.
Rams WR Clayton thinks he can be ready Sunday (AP)
After one practice, new St. Louis Rams wide receiver Mark Clayton thought he'd be ready in time for Sunday's opener against Arizona. Rookie quarterback Sam Bradford was optimistic, too, after seeing Clayton in action on Wednesday. Bradford said it appeared Clayton already had a "great grasp" of the offense.
The Pack is back: Panel of former NFL players and coaches say Green Bay is the team to beat (SportingNews.com)
While Sporting News Today officially picked the New York Jets over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl 45, a panel of former NFL coaches and players has other ideas. The Green Bay Packers lead the pack as the team picked to win it all in 2010, with the Baltimore Ravens as a close-second favorite. Brian Baldinger, former offensive lineman: "Packers over Ravens. I think Aaron Rodgers and that offense is the best in football and will carry them start to finish all year, much like Drew Brees did with the Saints a year ago." Steve Beuerlein, former QB:...
NFL division races: AFC North (SportingNews.com)
A look at the strengths, weaknesses, rehab issues and what to expect in the AFC North, as provided by SN's NFL correspondents: Baltimore Ravens The strength: The Ravens play outstanding run defense. They have two great run stoppers in DTs Kelly Gregg and Haloti Ngata, and they have linebackers who can run in Ray Lewis, Jameel McClain, Terrell Suggs and Jarret Johnson. Most important, seldom do you see their linebackers off their feet. The weakness: The secondary is suspect because the Ravens lack a legitimate star in the starting group.
McNabb will play Sunday, talks about Haynesworth (SportingNews.com)
Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb will start against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 despite the fact that his ankle isn’t 100 percent, he told ESPN980. “Yes, I will be starting this weekend, and I look forward to it,” McNabb told the radio station. “Is it 100 percent? No. … But it’s getting better. McNabb returned to practice Monday after spraining his ankle 2 ½ weeks ago in a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. He also told the radio station that he’s still getting multiple treatments every day.
Week 1 matchup: Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets (SportingNews.com)
Three story lines 1. How rusty is Revis? The Jets get back holdout cornerback Darrelle Revis, but will he be a little bit rusty after sitting out 35 days during the preseason? The Jets cannot afford that, as his suffocating man coverage is what allows the Jets to send their trademark blitzes. 2. Is Flacco ready for the next step? The Ravens expect QB Joe Flacco to be more of a game manager this year, especially with a team whose defense is banged up going into the season.
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