Sunday its Super Bowl Sunday and the media and PR folks are trying to make it seem like the New England Patriots are lucky to be in it, they are trying to make the New York football Giants "Americas Team". I don’t think so but it seems like a lot of folks hate the Pats, Coach Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and Randy Moss but I am one person who likes them. I often wonder if "Mouse" Modell had not fired Belichick when he snuck the Browns out of Cleveland to bring them to "Charm City" if Belichick would have produced here.

I think the Giants are making a mistake making predictions they are going to win. I also think Tom Brady was putting on a performance by using a boot when visiting his girl friend in the "Big Apple".

Here’s how I look at the game Eli Manning is on his way to becoming a very good quarterback but Tom Brady is already a great quarterback, a plus for the Pats.

Running back is a good spot and I like the Giants Brandon Jacobs, they also have a pair of good ones in Ahmad Bradshaw and Ruben Droughns but New England’s one-two punch of Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk gives them an edge here.

In receiving the Patriots have an edge with their trio of Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Donte Stallworth and tight end Ben Watson. The Giants Plexico Burress is great, Amani Tooner ver good but Steve Smith and tight end Kevin Boss are average at best.

The Patriots have a better offensive line than the Giants but on defense I think the Giants have an edge.

The New England linebackers might be aging but they are still as tough as they come (ex-Raven Adalius Thomas, Mike Vrabel and the ageless wonder, Junior Seau) edge to the Pats. In the secondary I like the Rodney Harrison led Patriots.

Kicking edge goes to the Giants. Special Teams I call it even. Coaching both Tom Coughlin and Belechick were on Bill Parcell’s 1990 New York Giant staff.

It could be a close one or a rout, but in coaching the plus goes to Bill Belechick (Annapolis high school graduate).

REDSKINS COACHING MESS

The Redskins coaching mess should be over shortly. I don’t think USC coach Pete Carroll was ever in the mix – remember Steve Spurrier?

The love fest with Joe Gibbs ended when he moved out of his office in Ashburn, so much for Gibbs advising owner Danny and gopher Vinnie. Gibbs advised Greg Williams to hang in there for the head coaching spot on Thursday and owner Danny fired him on Friday. Gopher Vinnie never liked either one, Al Saunders winds up with the Rams.

Where are Turk Edwards, Otto Graham, and Mike Nixon when you need them.

Is owner Danny thinking about relocating in DC? I guess someone will have a hard carching a Buffalo-Redskin game the nest time if that happens.

The Redskins and Ravens both are question marks for the next season.

Dave Campo takes over as secondary coach for the Dallas Cowboys.

Rex Ryan stays with the Ravens and besides defensive coordinator he gets a new tag - Associate Head Coach.

Clarence Brooks stays as the Ravens defensive line coach.

Next Up #5/3 Maryland at Virginia Tech (13-8, 0-6 ACC)

When: Mon., Feb. 4 • 7 p.m.

Where: Cassell Coliseum (9,847) • Blacksburg, Va.
TV: Regional Sports Network (Comcast SportsNet; Fox Sports Net South, NESN).

Radio: WMUC Sports.

Webcast/Audio: WMUCsports.com. Audio link available at www.umterps.com

• Maryland remains in the top five in the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches polls.

• The Terps boast the most wins in the nation and were the first team to 20 victories. Playing 14 games in the first 31 days of the season, they have played the most games of any team in the nation (24).

• The Terrapins have won a school-record tying 15 games at home this season and boast the seventh-longest active home win streak in the nation.

• National player of the year candidate Crystal Langhorne is looking to become the first Terrapin women’s basketball player to score 2,000 points. She needs just two points to reach t he milestone.

• Maryland has recorded four-straight 20-win seasons for the first time in school history.

• A Terrapin has earned ACC Player of the Week honors seven times in 12 weeks of the season. Langhorne is the league’s active leader with six career weekly nods.

• Maryland is one of 11 known teams in NCAA history with four 1,000-point scorers on the roster.

• The Terps have had at least one player with a double-double in 21 of their 24 games.

• Kristi Toliver is among the Nancy Lieberman’ Award Players to Watch.

• Crystal Langhorne is not done achieving firsts, despite already being first in career scoring and rebounding all-time at Maryland. Langhorne is looking to become the first 2,000-point scorer in program history, needing just two points to reach the feat.

• In the ACC all-time, there have only been 15 players to score at least 2,000 points.

• Langhorne is also looking to join an elite group.Only 105 players in NCAA history (since 1982) have scored 2,000 points and grabbed 1,000 boards and Langhorne is looking to join the club.

• Five players in ACC history have achieved the feat and only three have done so in the NCAA era.

• Maryland has won 15 home games so far during this campaign, tying the program’s record for most home wins in a season set during the 2005-06 campaign.
• The Terps are 15-0 at home heading into the Miami contest. It is the seventh-longest active home win streak in the nation. Hartford currently has the longest active streak at 18.

• A top 11 finalist for last year’s Nancy Lieberman Award, presented to the nation’s top point guard, junior Kristi Toliver has returned as an even stronger floor general.
• Spending part of her summer at Point Guard College refining her skills, Toliver leads the ACC in assists per game (8.0) and ranks third in the nation in the category. It is also tied for the best single-season average in ACC history. Maryland’s Tara Heiss own the record she set in 19 78.

• In the win over Temple, Toliver became just the ninth player in the history of the program to hand out at least 400 assists and moved into the top five all-time at Maryland in career assists.

• Toliver currently ranks fourth in program history with 498 assists, two from becoming only the fourth Terrapin to reach the 500-assist plateau.

Coming Up

• Maryland opens the month of February on the road, traveling to Virginia Tech on Monday, Feb. 4. It is the first of only five games in the month for the Terps.

• The game will be televised on the ACC’s Regional Sports Network and live on Comcast SportsNet in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area.

Three Terrapin Women Selected Midseason Naismith Award Candidates

Maryland is the only team with three candidates

Three Maryland women’s basketball players have made the midseason 30-candidate Naismith Award list, including seniors Crystal Langhorne and Laura Harper, and junior Kristi Toliver. The trio made the cut list after being selected on of 50 preseason candidates for the award.

Senior Crystal Langhorne is capping her career at Maryland with another outstanding season. After missing six of the first seven games of the season because of injury, she returned to the court and has gone on to recorded eight double-doubles, seven coming in the last 10 games. Ranked third in the nation in field goal percentage (63.7 percent), she is averaging 15.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. A three-time ACC Player of the Week, she is averaging league bests of 21.1 ppg and 11.7 rpg in league play. This season, Langhorne broke the program’s scoring record and the Maryland men’s and women’s rebounding mark. She was the first women’s b asketball player to grab 1,000 rebounds and is nearing the 2,000-point plateau, which would make her the only Terrapin women’s basketball player to achieve the feat.

Junior Kristi Toliver is the team’s scoring leader with 17.0 ppg, while averaging 8.0 assists per game, which ranks third in the nation. It currently also ties the single-season ACC record, which is held by former Terrapin Tara Heiss. One of the Nancy Lieberman Award’s "Players Making a Buzz", she leads the ACC in assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.86). Earlier this season, she scored her 1,000th point and broke the career record for most threes made by a Terrapin all-time. She also owns the school career record for free throw percentage (86.1), which also ranks second all-time in the ACC.

Senior Laura Harper makes the cut for the second-straight year. She is averaging 14.1 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game. She is shooting a career-best 62.6 percent, which ranks fourth in the nation behind Langhorne. Earlier this season, she also eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau and was selected ACC Player of the Week for the first time in her career and has had seven double-doubles this season.

The Naismith Award is presented to the nation’s top collegiate women’s basketball player. Maryland was the only team in the nation to have three candidates and one of four teams to have multiple candidates. The list includes 31 midseason candidates in all which were voted on by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The board based the criteria on player performances this season.

Fans will have a voice in selecting the winner by voting by text messaging "VOTE" to 87654. The fan vote will account for 25 percent of the selection process. Votes can be cast until April 5th. For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com.

Congratulations to the 2007 USFTL National Champions!!!!!

The 2007 USFTL National Championships were held in Kissimmee, FL on January 18, 19 & 20, 2008. There were an amazing 285 teams in 16 divisions. All teams will receive triple USFTL ranking points. Here are the results:

A-Flag: (21 Teams)

1. DOMINION (Upper Marlboro, MD) 2520 points

2. SUDDEN IMPACT (Chicago, IL) 2400

3. BLUE DEVILS (Youngstown, OH) 2280

4. DC JETS (Washington, DC) 2160

5. MATTY’S (Milwaukee, WI) 2040

- ALL MET (Landover, MD) 2040

7. ALL STARS/RED ZONE (Cleveland, OH) 1800

- RAIDERS (Columbus, OH) 1800

9. C.O. (Columbus, OH) 1560

- BIGWORDS.COM/BRUINS (Detroit, MI) 1560

- YOUNG GUNS (Beltsville, MD) 1560

- PHILLY ROAD WARRIORS (Philadelphia, PA) 1560

13. DC DOLPHINS (Washington, DC) 1080

- AFTERMATH (Chicago, IL) 1080

- BROTHERS AC (Washington, DC) 1080

- ROOKIE’S SPORTS BAR (Milwaukee, WI) 1080

17. YUNG CREW/ATFFA (Atlanta, GA) 600

- SLEEPERS (Houston, TX) 600

- PFUZION (Atlanta, GA) 600

- HITMEN (New Orleans, LA) 600

- COLEMAN CLAN (Washington, DC) 600

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SCORE: Dominion (14) vs. Sudden Impact (6)

MVP OFFENSE: Dennis Jones (QB) Dominion

MVP DEFENSE: Lonnie Moore (DB) Dominion

MVP SPECIAL TEAMS: Mike Ayd (K) Dominion

2007 USFTL National Championships A-Flag Champs-Dominion (Upper Marlboro, MD)

2007 USFTL National Championships A-Flag MVP’s L-R Offense: Dennis Jones (QB), Defense: Lonnie Moore (DB) and Special Teams: Mike Ayd (K)

Andre Turner (WR) Dominion
Rob Twigg (BB) Dominion
Deley Jacks (WR) Dominion
Chuck McCaffrey (C) Dominion
Kevin Pleasant (QB) Sudden Impact
Dan Wegrzyn (OL) Sudden Impact
Jason Hagerty (WR) Blue Devils
Wayne Hoghood (QB) DC Jets

Kenny Joppy (S) Dominion
Lester Williams (R) Dominion
Wallace Walker (R) Dominion
Dominic Marshall (DB) Dominion
Rahman Cole (DB) Sudden Impact
Jim Usher (DL) Sudden Impact
Charles Williams (DB) Blue Devils
Dave Burno (R) DC Jets

The Bob Davids Chapter, SABR’S first regional chapter, met in Columbia, MD on January 26, 2008. This is the 35th consecutive year that the chapter has met and approximately 120 members and friends enjoyed a full day of speakers and camaraderie.

The principal speakers were Nicole Sherry, the head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles, and Brent Gambill, a producer on XM Radio MLB Home Plate.

Sherry gave an entertaining and informative talk on her first year on the job, with photos of the park. She discussed the makeup of the field, including the grass, warning track and drainage system, and told the group about the upcoming scoreboard change. Her combination of technical savvy and personality were warmly received. Gambill discussed XM Radio’s baseball operation, including the various shows and hosts on the air. He told the group about how most of the hosts are in various parts of the country and not in the XM studios in DC and also talked about the range of celebrities who come to the XM headquarters, such as Paul McCartney.

Five chapter members gave presentation. Steve Walker talked about the 1969 Senators and played parts of interviews he had with some of those players. Cort Vitty talked about Hall of Famer Goose Goslin, a key member of the 1920s Senators teams. Mark Pankin used a Markov model to analyze Bobby Bragan’s unconventional lineups while he was the manager of the 1956 Pirates. David Vincent talked about umpire news during the 2007 calendar year, including the retirement of long-time crew chief Joe Brinkman. Dave Smith finished the day with his entertaining talk about requests he received during 2007 from teams and the media.

David Vincent showed the group photos he took in November at the new Nationals Park and talked about the placement of various components of the park. Scott Rogers summed up the year for the Chesapeake and Potomac Base Ball Club, which plays vintage ball in the Baltimore/Washington area.

Organizers of the event included meeting chairman Barry Sparks and chapter secretary Don Seaman, who handled the business end of the event, Barb Mantegani, who runs the very successful auction of baseball items, and David Vincent, who chairs and emcees the program, as he has done since 1997. Bruce Brown is president of the chapter.

This chapter will host the SABR 2009 National Convention from July 30 through August 2.

2.) SMITHSONIAN BASEBALL PROGRAM - FEBRUARY 4

Listen in as Stan Kasten, Brian Parker, and Phil Hochberg, the Washington Senator’s former public address announcer, field unresolved issues, including scouting, spring training, new players, expectations for the new season, player and management issues, and the new ball park., $25 for members $20 for non-members

WHEN - Monday, February 4, 2008 7:00 P.M.

WHERE - S. Dillon Ripley Center Education Center, 1100 Jefferson Drive, SW

Washington, DC, Metro Station: Smithsonian (Mall exit)

Register at

3.) VINTAGE BASEBALL AT BAYSOX GAME ON MAY 18

The Chesapeake and Potomac Base Ball Club will be playing an exhibition game before the Bowie BaySox game against the Connecticut Defenders on Sunday, May 18th as part of their Vintage Baseball Day. We are told that vintage prices for concessions will also hold sway that day.

For additional information, please contact: Jeff Turner Captain - Chesapeake and Potomac Base Ball Club turnerstorm@comcast.net

WE GET LETTERS…

Good morning Bill,

The Rotary Club of West Anne Arundel County is holding its annual Valentines Gala or February 9th from 6-10 pm at the Ramada BWI Grand Ballroom. Dinner will be prepared by Chef Collin Suser, owner of the Key West Restaurant. Tickets are $40/person; which includes a delicious buffet dinner and dancing to orchestra/band music. I have attached a PDF flyer which provides more information about the event.

We would appreciate it if you would pass the information on to your fellow club members for their consideration and participation. Time is running short, if we could get a head count of possible participants that would be great. Points of contact for ticket sales are included on the attached flyer.

At our last club meeting our members thought the Valentine Gala might be a good occasion to formally present our check from the Hurricane Beach Bash to the 100 club. Please let me know if this works for your organization and who would be present at the event to participate in the presentation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 410-305-0900. Thanks for your assistance and have a great day.

George Lane

The Orioles have inked the following Randor Bierd, Rocky Cherry, Freddy Deza, and Radhames Liz.

Sports Legend’s Museum at Camden Yards is holding a Babe Ruth Birthday Party on February 8th from 5 to 9 p.m. The second annual Babe Ruth Museum Community Service Reward will go to Brian Roberts. Other special guests include Lenny Moore, Tom Matte, Ron Hansen, Walt Budko, Bruce Laird, Joe Orsulak, Doug Eggers, Buzz Nutter, Mike Curtis and Rick Volk. Tickets include unlimited food and beer, auctions, door prizes, free parking, and much more. For more information please visit www.baberuthmuseum.com. Tickets are BRM members $40, non-members $45, and $50 at the door.

Also the Orioles gave one year deals to Matt Albers and Chris Ray. Is Owner Angelos stopping any trade of Erik Bedard? Wonder if Andy MacPhail has learned who’s really running the Orioles-yet? But Angelos will agree to trade both Bedard and Brian Roberts if they pass physicals and the players coming to the Orioles pass theirs.

Ryan Minor will be a coach for Delmarva.

Boston swapped Willy Mota and Miguel Socolovich to the White Sox for David Aardsma.

The Yankees have signed Morgan Ensberg.

The Nats get to face Johan Santana this season as the New York Mets traded outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey to the Twins. In the last five years Santanas numbers have been 82-35, 2.92 ERA and 1,152 K’s.

Paul Lo Duca will be out for six weeks with a knee injury. The Nats have signed:

Jason Bergmann (P), Tyler Clippard (P), Enrique Gonzalez (P)

Joel Hanrahan (P), Shawn Hill (P)

Saul Rivera (P), Matt Chivco (P), Roger Bernadina (OF), Elijah Dukes (OF)

Garrett Guzman (OF), Justin Maxwell (OF), Jesus Flores (C)

The Marlins gave Luis Gonzalgus a one year deal.

Todd Wellemeyer gets a one year deal from the Cardinals.

Jason Kidd is going to Dallas from New Jersey the deal also involves Portland. New Jersey gets five players from Dallas. What not another "Isolated incident" on an MTA Bus in Baltimore? Yes only one person was beaten, when is it going to stop? I guess when the Governor has had enough of the mishandling of the MTA by its current MTA Director.

By the way the people at the State Police Polar Bear Plunge last week gave Governor O’Malley a reception that was cooler than the water at Sandy Point State Park, a chorus of boo’s and Bronx cheers were heard and you have to wonder why the media didn’t report it. Oh well lets get to sports where the WWE wrestling held two great shows at Salisbury and Upper Marlboro and they plan to return to those venues.

The annual baseball game at the Hall of Fame will be dropped after this years Cubs – Padres game on June 18th.

Look-a-Likes: Steve Wilkos and Dr. Phil, Paul Weasel and Mr. Magoo.

I wonder where they are now: Freddie Dye, Don Mele, Carolyn Woodward, John Latzo, Leon Lyle, Joyce Garrison, Harriett Lerner, Jim Edmison, Joe DiRenzo, Jr., Johnny Raschel, Tony Marchetti, Diane Duffy, and George Crews.

Speedy recoveries are wished for Donnee Gray, the top college basketball official who is out for the season with a knee injury and Michael Wilbon from his heart attack.

An endorsement from "Fat Teddy" is useless, never drive over a bridge with him.

Jim Zorn will do a good job as Redskin offensive coordinator.

Bernard Hopkins will fight Joe Calzaghe in Las Vegas on April 19th.

Mike Pettine will be back on the Ravens coaching staff.

Chris Webber is back with the Golden State Warriors.

The Maryland Men’s Team led Duke by 9 at the half but faded in the second half and lost 93-84.

The Maryland Women lost to North Carolina in double overtime 97-86.

Great letter in the Annapolis Capital on Sunday, January 27th on State taxes from Michael Dobak (I wonder if he’s related to Paul).

Is Governor O’Malley going to raise the tolls on Maryland’s bridges, tunnels and roads? My sources say they are coming.

The Fridge makes changes! Maryland University football coach Ralph Friedgen dismissed running back coach Phil Zacharias, reassigned John Donovan to that position and added Danny Pearman (Special Teams) and Kasey Dunn who takes over as wide receiver coach Bryan Bossard.

Has anyone seen Downtown Ed Brown lately?

Catch my blog spot on www.wnst.net.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following:

Margaret Truman Daniel (daughter of the former US President Harry Truman)

Julius Goodman (Coolidge HS grad 1953)

Benjamin Schutz (Walt Whilman HS grad)

William Beall (St. John’s College HS grad)

George Tolson (Born in Charlotte Hall)

Elizabeth Mary Hering (former Bladensburg HS cafeteria manager)

Jill A Demary (1964 Bladensburg HS grad)

Roy Stanley Eckert (Eastern HS grad)

State Senator J. Robert Hooper

Ernie Holmes (played on two Super Bowl Pittsburgh Steelers championships)

SUPPORT SOUTHERN MD SPORTS!!

Super Bowl Sunday (February 3rd) is now set and its New England against the New York Giants.

The Patriots beat San Diego 21-12 in the AFC title contest. The Patriots could have scored two more TD’s and won by more than 21 but they didn’t so I have to say Norv Turner is a good head coach (a bet I lost to David J.).

In the NFC gold game another Manning Eli and not Payton (as the New York football Giants beat the Packers 23-20) that’s going to the Super Bowl.

I went 7 for 10 in my playoff picks. In the Super Bowl my pick has to be New England.

Well the Baltimore Ravens have selected their new head coach and the envelope please! The winner is John Harbaugh. HE has been a ten year assistant of the Philadelphia Eagles. I think it was the wrong choice because the Eagles have had their problems with their players in recent years didn’t T.O. play for the Eagles?

Oh well I will wait and see how his team performs on the field, Steve Biscotti is hedging his bet by wanting to keep Rex Ryan if Ryan doesn’t get the Atlanta job. I also have to question why owner Steve insists on keeping Ozzie Newsome as GM, he should share some of the Ravens poor showing last season along with owner Steve and "Big Ego".

Cam Cameron has signed on as Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator.

Chan Gailey signs with Kansas City for the same job.

The Tennessee Titans hired Mike Hernerdinger (Denver assistant) to be their offensive coordinator replacing Norm Chow who was canned because he didn’t help Vince Young enough.

Why wasn’t Steve Spagnicolo considered for the Ravens head coach, the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants did a great job for the Giants.

The NFL will play an exhibition game again in the upcoming season, no teams or date announced yet.

Marty Schottenheimer or Mike Tice would have been a better choice for the Ravens head coaching job because they wouldn’t put up with crybabies like "Raghead Ray" Lewis, that was "Big Ego’s" downfall.

Plaxico Burress ate Al Harris up in the NFC gold game. It was no contest in this match up as Burress owned Harris, about the only thing I can say for Harris is he sure could use a haircut.

Tony Dungy will be back in Indianapolis and Mike Holgresa at Seattle. Norm Chow will be the offensive coordinator at UCLA. Turk Schonert is the new offensive coordinator for Buffalo.

My good friend Emmett Lanier sent me some great notes from Virgil "Fire" Trucks who also sent some nice thanks to me. He (Trucks) was voted the best right handed pitcher in the history of the Detroit Tigers beating out Jim Bunning, Tommy Bridges, and Schoolboy Rowe. Congratulations Virgil Trucks! You can still get a copy of his great book by writing to him at 1016 Waterford Trail, Calera, AL 35040-7613.

There was a neat story in the material Emmett sent me, it went like this: when Red Rolfe was managing the Tigers they were getting ready to play the New York Yankees he set Trucks and catcher Joe Ginsberg down and took about an hour to tell Trucks and Ginsberg how to pitch to each Yankee batter, when he was thru and left then Trucks told Ginsberg "Joe I have a 100 MPH fast ball and a 90 MPH slider so don’t get smart back there just catch the damned ball and throw it back to me. Trucks pitched a three hitter that day. Trucks and Ginsberg are still the best of friends, but Joe claims he always beats Trucks at golf.

The material also contained some information from Bobby Hoeft, he asks was there ever a hitter so feared that the hitter was walked intentionally with the bases loaded – and the answer is – Mel Ott. If you want to read a great book write to Trucks and get his, you will not be disappointed.

Lots of woes at the new Nats stadium, especially parking. Tim Redding will be back with the Nats. Chad Cordero may be traded before the season opens. San Diego signs Jody Gerut to a minor league contract. Catcher Yadier Molina gets a four year deal with the Cardinals. Matt Holliday will be back with Colorado. Mets sign Aaron Heilman to a one year deal. Mets and Edney Chaves agree on a two year deal. Mets and Jose Valentin agree to a minor league deal. Astros sign Dave Brokowski. Astros sign Geoff Geary. Brewers sign Chris Capuano and Claudio Vargas. Pirates sign Jose Bautista. Marlins sign Matt Treanor and Mark Hendrickson. Diamond Backs sign Juan Cruz. The Braves signed Mike Gonzalez, Omar Infante, and Tyler Yates but the big signing was for a man the Orioles would like to get when he becomes a free agent at the end of this season and he is no surprise Mark Teixeira who signed a one year 12.5 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers gave pitcher Scott Proctor a one year contract. Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson re-upped with the Phillies.

The Orioles didn’t get Octavio Dutel (he got a 2 year deal from the White Sox) but did sign Lance Cormier to a minor league contract. Where’s the big deal the Orioles said they were working on? The thing I hear now is that they are going to dump Erik Bedard for a couple of minor leaguers (doesn’t anything ever change). Oakland signed Joe Blanton. Orioles sign Adam Loewen and Jeremy Guthine. Orioles will hold Fan Fest on March 29th.

OTHER SIGNERS:

Tampa Bay, Jonny Gormes

Detroit, Marcus Thames

Chicago, Joe Crede

Texas, Marlon Byrd

Tigers, Nate Robertson

Angels, Juan Rivera

Jimmy Gobble will be back with KC.

Houston Street gets a 3.3 million deal from Oakland.

Jason Jennings gets a one year deal from Texas.

James Shields resigned with the Rays of Tampa Bay and look for him to be one of the best this season in the Junior Circuit. He has one of the best fast balls in the league.

Bobby Hasft says Jeremy Bonderman is over his woes and will be back as strong as ever in 2008 and will become known as the "Silent Assassin".

Toronto has signed Scott Downs (3 year, 10 million contract), Marco Scutaro, Jason Frasor, Gustavo Chacin and Brian Tallet.

Jason Kubel will be back with the Twins.

Roy Jones, Jr. took a 12 round unanimous decision over Felix Trinidad at Madison Square Garden in the Big Apple. The cards showed two judges scoring it 116-110 and the other 117-109 all favoring Jones who sent Trinidad to the canvas twice and completely dominating the fast fading Trinidad. Jones is now 52-4, Trinidad 42-3.

Coming up on February 8th at Dover Downs Rollins Center will be a USBA Cruiserweight championship featuring the popular Darnell "Ding-a-Ling Man" Wilson taking on B.J. "El Peligroso" Flores in the hard hitting main bout, this is also an IBF cruiserweight eliminator match. The undercard includes Mikey Tibert, Simon Carr and other popular local fighters. E-mail www.doverdowns.com.

Jake Smith’s Baltimore Pro Boxing held a Pro-Am event at the Pikesville Armory before a nice crowd. After five amateur bouts the pros took over and here are the results: Jessie Nicklow rolls to 15-0-1 with an eight round majority decision over Josh Snyder. Seth Mitchell of Brandwine, MD won his pro debut with a unanimous decision over Mike Miller. Ray Grant goes to 11-1-0 with a split decision over Cornelius Ellis. Lenwood Dozier and Lawrence Jones fought to a majority draw. Ballroom Boxing returns to Michael’s 8th Avenue on Thursday, January 31st.

Bobby Gonzales is doing a nice job in rebuilding the Seton Hall University basketball program. Gonzales had a great run at Manhatten College before moving to coach the Pirates program. He was 130-77 at Manhatten with two NCAA and two NIT appearances. He has a big front line in:

John Garcia, 6’ 9, 265 pounds

Brandon Walters, 6’ 9, 225 pounds

Augustine Okosun, 6’ 11, 240 pounds

Mike Davis, 6’ 11, 255 pounds

Not bad, look for the Pirates to get either NIT or NCAA berth this season.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland has two DeMatha grads, Joe Smith and Mike Iraola on this seasons men’s basketball team.

The Towson women’s basketball team has some locals on the team they are: Shanae Baker-Brioe, Theodore Roosevelt grad, Katrina Wheeler, Theodore Roosevelt grad, Hellena Snowden, Seton Keough grad, and Kandace Davis, Laurel grad. Wheeler transferred from Georgetown U.

Locals that were on Towson’s football in 2007 were:

Brian Benjamin, Gwynn Park High School

TJ Foley, Patuxent High School

Chris Franklin, Northern High School

Antonio Logan, EL, Forestville High School

Paul Perry, Oxon Hill High School

Derek Waddy, St. John’s College High School

Ollie Holmes, Potomac High School

John Sutherland, Westlake High School

Jimmy McClain, C.H. Flowers High School

Durrell Scott, Gwynn High School

Sean Schaefer, Northern High School

Jeremy Williams, W. Wilson (DC) High School

Former Riverdale Baptist High School softball player Jocelyn Hall will be a key to the success of Towson University’s softball team.

One of the outstanding young football coaches in college football in the State is Nick Schloeder, John’s Hopkins offensive coach for the past 10 years. He played football at Franklin and Marshall and helped lead them to three Centennial Conference titles. He’s done a super job at Hopkins and its time he gets a head coaching chance and I think he would make a great one.

Steve Fairchild takes over as Colorado State head football coach.

Maryland women beat Virginia 74-62 with Marah Strickland pouring in 19 points and Kristi Toliver 16. Crystal Langhorne scored 31 and grabbed 15 boards t lead the Lady Terps by Georgia Tech 99-95 in two OT’s. Langhorne is the all-time leading scorer.

The Maryland men upset North Carolina 82-80 James Gist led the Terps with 22 points and 13 boards.

Page B2 in the Baltimore Sun Wednesday, January 23rd there was a sign for GT Pizza in Lutherville, the pizza parlor is owned by Ricci DePasquale who by the picture showing the sign probably isn’t a fan of Governor O’Malley or O’Malley’s March, the sign read "Try an O’Malley sub, it’s a 100% Bologney!", this is how the Governor is trying to bring his image up from the 30% approval rating?

Happy Birthday greetings to the Rug Man, also Happy Birthday greetings to Carolyn Wilford (RHS grad).

I wonder where they are today: Billy Gosnell, Ruth Estelle, Teresa Watts, Theresa Kearney, Terri Miller, Geraldine Cox, Frank Carmen, and Lou Corletto.

USA ranks the Eleanaor Roosevelt 20th nationally in girl’s basketball.

Some of the outstanding legislators in Annapolis today are:

Delegates Senators

Jim Malone Ed DeGrange

Kumar Barve Roy Dyson

Jim Mathias Bobby Zukin

Dave Rudolph Rona Kramer

Derrick Davis Nat Exum

Shelia Hixon Larry Haines

Joe Vallario

We will have more for you as the session goes on.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of Georgia Frontiere, owner of the St. Louis Rams who died at age 80 on January 18th. She hit the gold when she married the late Carroll Rosenbloom who was then the owner of the Baltimore Colts. Rosenbloom traded the Colts to "Tiger Bob" Irsay for the Los Angeles Rams. After Rosenbloom died Frontiere moved the Rams to her hometown of St. Louis.

Also deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following:

Bobby Fischer, World Champion chess master who became known as the "Bad Boy of Chess" died January 17th at age 64 in Iceland.

Jean Freas, TV reporter and graduate of the National Cathedral School in DC.

Suzanne Pleshette, actress died at age 70.

John Stewart, songwriter and member of the Kingston Trio died at 68 on January 19th.

Danielle Luzzetto Gardner, Sidwell Friends School.

Pamela Mary Sansbury, longtime Prince George’s County resident.

Heath Ledger, movie actor.

Laurence Alan Rogers, St. Albnas grad.

Rita Fitzgerald Powell, Notre Dame Academy grad.

Edward J. "ED" Lopata, co-captain and 3 year letterman of Georgetown U basketball team.

Marshall Peyton Johnson, Bethesda-Chevy Chase high school grad.

Lawrence Carl Miller, Mount Rainier high school grad.

Joe Ames, one of the singing Ames Brothers at age 86.

WE GET LETTERS…

Bill,

Rus Lombardy was the basketball coach at Anacostia and later school principal.

LOMBARDY RUSSELL A. LOMBARDY "Lum"(Age 89) Formerly of Clinton, MD died December 30, 2007 in Longmont, CO. Lum was a long time teacher/coach and administrator in the District of Columbia school system from 1951 to his retirement in 1977. An avid golfer, in retirement he was a weekend starter at Twin Shields Golf Course in Maryland. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Hazel and his second wife, Pearl. Lum is survived by his son, Russ of Longmont, CO; daughters, Diane Beckham of Berwyn Heights, MD and Debbie Gaspar of Laytonsville, MD; and five grandchildren. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Clinton, MD. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to see complete obituary and leave condolences for the family.

Fred,

A great man, thanks for the information also thanks to Dan about "Lum" being all-high at Eastern in the 1930’s. Our deepest sympathy to the family.

Bill

Bill,

So did you hear I joined the ranks of the retired ones? Life after MDOT is actually better than I thought. Hope you are doing well, I heard your retirement bash was terrific but hopefully you are finding things to do that keep you happy now. Let me hear from you.

Missy

Bill,

I am saying a prayer for these folks, Kenya has a strong Christian population, but it also has some radical muslim elements, these combined with animist believers(pagan) often resort to violence when they don’t get their way. Like spoiled children-they get angry and strike.

Note: forwarded message attached.

Dear Jim Conlee,

First of all, am grateful to God that me and my immediate family are safe. Thanks for your love, prayers and support. There is a very serious Tribal War and Clashes here in Kenya. Those chaos were pre-planned by the Opposition before our General Elections (Parliament & Presidential) which were held on 27th December, 2007. It is unbelievable Families that have lived together for many years are now turning against each other in their neighborhood. Many hundreds of people have died especially in Rift Valley, Lake Victoria, Mombasa and Nairobi.

These people in Opposition Zones are burning Houses, Churches, Businesses and Cars for those who Voted for the Government. I have just returned from the worst hit Areas in Eldoret - Rift Valley where I have more Churches than any other area. I am very tired. I had Police Escort throughout. I had gone to comfort and to supply Relief to those in Refugee Camps and in Hospitals. One area where the Church was set on fire on 31st December and 27children died, over 22 women died. These children were burnt to ashes, I could not believe it when only bones and ashes we could see. I did visit hospital and the story is the same. The mortuary is full. Those who have camped in a school ground are sick, hungry and need Blankets, Food, Medicines, Money to pay Transport for Escape , etc. It is pathetic. My Three Churches were destroyed and burnt. We have hundreds of our members either dead or displaced. As their Pastor, I need to stand with them. Kindly Pray and Support us. At this moment in time am also sick may be from shock and fatigue.

Thanks and God Bless you for standing with me. Love,

Dr. Gerry.

Bill,

January 23rd was the birthday of our former classmate, RHS class of 53, and friend Carolyn Schoenfeld Wilfond’s birthday. Carolyn lived next door to my cousin Sandra Land Casper on Decatur Street, NW in Washington and now lives in beautiful South Florida.

Blessings and love to all,

Dale

Dale,

Thank you for the information.

Bill

Bill,

I went to Texas to visit my daughter on Dec 17th and returned on Jan 5th. While there 3 of us ex Indians got together for lunch near Dallas. Two of us have not seen each other since 1948, and the other once since then. It was Loma Allen, Ray Asay and myself class of 48. Loma, a retired Army Colonel, Ray a retired airline Captain and myself a retired supervisory air traffic controller. Not bad would say. We did not have enough time to tell all of our lies. ha ha

Fred Plummer

Fred,

Good report.

Bill

Dear Bill

Joan Albert lives in Silver Spring, MD and is still good friends with Margie Imlay who lives out by the old Glen Echo. I speak with Joan or Joanie as we know her and keep in touch, she also keeps me abreast about Evelyn Peake Bordon, who is not doing as well as the rest of us.

Remember the good times we all had on 15th Street? Take care,

Marlene

STELLA AWARDS

It’s time again for the annual "Stella Awards"! For those unfamiliar with these awards, they are named after 81-year-old Stella Liebeck who spilled hot coffee on herself and successfully sued the McDonald’s in New Mexico
where she purchased the coffee. You remember, she took the lid off the coffee and put it between her knees while she was driving. Who would ever think one could get burned doing that, right? That’s right; these are awards
for the most outlandish lawsuits and verdicts in the U.S. You know, the kinds of cases that make you scratch your head. So keep your head scratcher handy.

Here are the Stella’s for the past year:

7TH PLACE: Kathleen Robertson of Austin , Texas was awarded $80,000 by a jury of her peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running inside a furniture store. The store owne rs were understandably
surprised by the verdict, considering the running toddler was her own son.

6TH PLACE: Carl Truman, 19, of Los Angeles , California won $74,000 plus medical expenses when his neighbor ran over his hand with a Honda Accord. Truman apparently didn’t notice there was someone at the wheel of the car when he was trying to steal his neighbor’s hubcaps. Go ahead, grab your head scratcher.

5TH PLACE: Terrence Dickson, of Bristol , Pennsylvania , who was leaving a house he had just burglarized by way of the garage. Unfortunately for Dickson, the automatic garage door opener malfunctioned and he could not get the garage door to open. Worse, he couldn’t re-enter the house because the door connecting the garage to the house locked when Dickson pulled it shut. Forced to sit for eight, count’em, EIGHT, days on a case of Pepsi and a large bag of dry dog food, he sued the homeowner’s insurance company claiming u ndue mental anguish. Amazingly, the jury said the insurance company must pay Dickson $500,000 for his anguish. We should all have this kind of anguish. Keep scratching. There are more...

4TH PLACE: Jerry Williams, of Little Rock, Arkansas, garnered 4th Place in the Stella’s when he was awarded $14,500 plus medical expenses after being bitten on the butt by his next door neighbor’s beagle - even though the
beagle was on a chain in its owner’s fenced y ard. Williams did not get as much as he asked for because the jury believed the beagle might have been provoked at the time of the butt bite because Williams had climbed over the
fence into the yard and repeatedly shot the dog with a pellet gun. Grrrrr ... Scratch, scratch.

3RD PLACE: Amber Carson of Lancaster , Pennsylvania because a jury ordered a Philadelphia restaurant to pay her $113,500 after she slipped on a spilled soft drink and broke her tailbone. The reason the soft d ri nk was on the floor: Ms. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument. What ever happened to people being responsible for their own actions?
Scratch, scratch, scratch. Hang in there; there are only two more Stellas to go...

2ND PLACE: Kara Walton, of Claymont , Delaware sued the owner of a night club in a nearby city because she fell from the bathroom window to the floor, knocking out her two front teeth. Even though Ms. Walton was trying
to sneak through the ladies room window to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge, the jury said the night club had to pay her $12,000....oh, yeah, plus dental expenses. Go figure.

1ST PLACE : (May I have a fanfare played on 50 kazoos please) This year’s runaway First Place Stella Award winner was Mrs. Merv Grazinski, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma , who purchased a new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, from an OU football game, having driven onto the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver’s seat to go to the back of the Winnebago to make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly , the motor home left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Also not surprisingly, Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not putting in the owner’s manual that she couldn’t actually leave the driver’s seat while the cruise
control was set. The Oklahoma jury awarded her, are you sitting down, $1,750,000 PLUS a new motor home. Winnebago actually changed their manuals as a result of this suit, just in case Mrs. Grazinski has any relatives who might also buy a motor home.
Are we, as a society, getting more stupid...

Queen Anne’s County Leadership Endorses Kratovil for Congress

Queen Anne’s County Commissioners Courtney Billups, Carol Fordonski-Ronayne, Paul Gunther, and Gene Ransom have endorsed Frank Kratovil’s candidacy for the United States House of Representatives from Maryland’s First Congressional District. The Democratic Primary is Tuesday, February 12.

Frank Kratovil Supporters Gather in Crisfield:
State’s Attorney Hickman, Crisfield Mayor Purnell Endorse Kratovil for Congress

Supporters of Frank Kratovil’s candidacy for United States Congress gathered at the Crisfield home of Beverly and P.J. Purnell on Thursday, January 17. The event was hosted by Purnell, Mayor of Crisfield, and Kristy Hickman, State’s Attorney for Somerset County. About 40 supporters attended the event where the Democratic candidate spoke and took questions. The endorsements of State’s Attorney Hickman and Mayor Purnell add to an impressive list of endorsements from state, county, and municipal leaders who share the belief that Kratovil is the best candidate to represent the First District in Washington.

Dorchester Democratic Club Forum

On Wednesday, January 16, Frank Kratovil and two other Democratic candidates participated in the Dorchester Democratic Club’s Forum. Questions addressed both domestic and international issues, as well as a local focus on restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Kratovil stressed that he will be an "aggressive advocate" in Congress, saying that "the role of Congress must be one of oversight." He added, "I believe that you stand up and fight and fight, and if you lose, you stand up and fight again."

If you need help, please contact the campaign at 443-249-0607 or send us an email at volunteer@kratovil.com.

Thanks again. I can’t tell you how much your support means to Kim, the boys and to me. We are in this to win. It’s time.

I endorse Frank Kratovil for Congress from the First District.

SUPPORT SOUTHERN MD SPORTS!!