MCCAFFREY?S WORLD

Bill McCaffrey

I?ve had a few calls and e-mails about the Steve McNair murder and what I thought so I start this week with my thoughts on the matter. McNair acted like men of a certain age who think the young ladies like them but not their money. The young lady like so many believed McNair was serious when he said he was divorcing his wife and leaving her and his children (no divorce papers have been found on any pending McNair divorce). His off field activities are his own business and should not be counted against his work as a quarterback. Was he a great QB? No, good, but not great. Is he a Hall of Famer? No, if he was why shouldn?t Trent Dilfer be a Hall of Famer? After all Dilfer won a Super Bowl and started a lot of NFL games.

BAYSOX FRIDAY IS GREEN

For those going to the Bowie BaySox game tomorrow, please make sure to stop by to see my friend Chris Falkenhagen, Communications Director at the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Christopher will be teaming with the Maryland Lottery to provide information about Governor O'Malley's Smart, Green and Growing initiative. Governor O'Malley truly cares about our environment and is recognized as a national leader for his Smart, Green and Growing program where Marylanders are coming together to restore the Chesapeake Bay, preserve our land, revitalize our communities, create green jobs, improve transit, conserve energy and address climate change. Don't take it from me, Chris or Governor O'Malley. No less than the late Pope John Paul II called the need to address climate change "a moral imperative" shortly before his death. Congratulations to Governor O'Malley for his efforts to make our State's environment a major priority. He knows that our children and our children's children deserve to enjoy a cleaner, more sustainable future.

If you are not going to the BaySox game, you can see what Governor O'Malley is doing to preserve our environment by accessing: http://www.green.maryland.gov/. Businesses who want to show that they want to make our environment better can also join the Maryland Green Registry by signing up on: http://www.green.maryland.gov/registry/index.html.

NATS SINKING, BIRDS ELEVATOR ON

What is wrong with the Nats organization? Can anyone in it really say that Manny Acta is a fraud as a major league manager? I wonder why the cat has the tongue of the Lerners, Rizzo, Kasten, etc.

The product they are putting on the field is bad, really bad. Outside of Ryan Zimmerman, Guzman, Morgan and a couple of their young pitchers they are worse than any previous Senators team, the St. Louis Browns and all of the bad teams in the past.

Comparing Dunn to Frank Howard is outlandish, Howard was so much a better home run hitter, better all round hitter and a better fielder (1B/OF). Speaking of the Nats Morgan has proven the deal with the Pirates was a good one.

Going into the weekend the Nats are 25-59 the worse record in the majors. Question is will they hit 50 wins or 100 losses first? Again why is Acta still in D.C.?

The Baltimore Orioles are on an elevator going up and down. This week they come into the weekend 9 games under the .500 mark with a 38-47 mark. Question for them is will they get 60 wins or 100 losses first?

Were they lucky in Seattle? Not sleepless? They should play Wieters all the time. Why Pie is still in Charm City only GM Andy knows. Dave Trembley may be a little better manage the manager Manny but not by much.

Another Acta (MIS) move happened in the 4^th of July game against Atlanta, the Braves had 2^nd and 3^rd occupied, no outs and Clipper Jones coming up and no one at first base, does Acta walk Jones intentionally, no, ?Action? Acta has his pitcher pitch to Jones resulting in a two run RBI single, nice call ?Action?. The Nats did win the game though despite ?Actions? mismanagement.

Was that former Orioles pitcher Garrett Olsen who came into one of those Seattle games who inherited a bases loaded, no outs situation and struck out the first batter and got the next batter to hit into a double play? Yes it was and he?s doing well with his new team. Oh by the way, GM Andy traded Olsen for Pie, what a horrible mistake. Is Jeremy Guthrie headed out of Charm City?

The Blue Jays released former Orioles closer B. J. Ryan.

ALL STAR GAME TUESDAY

In St. Louis its baseball All-Star game time with Ryan Zimmerman representing the Nats and Adam Jones the Orioles, both deserve it.

Former Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada is a National League reserve.

What happened to Orioles Roberts, Markakis, Sherrill? Staying home I guess.

I think the National League will win and I look for Alnert Pujolia to have a real good game.

I didn?t see Dave Trembley or Manny Acta on either league?s coaching staff, wonder why?

The home run hitting contest is on ESPN Monday evening.

FACE YOUR FEARS THIS FRIDAY

The Bowie Baysox will terrify their fans Friday, July 10, with Face Your Fears Friday as the team takes on the Altoona Curve at 7:05 p.m. Cha Cha the clown and her friends will roam the stadium and Wildlife Adventures from Jarrettsville, Md., will terrorize fans with spiders, reptiles, insects and snakes at their display. Fans afraid of heights should steer clear of the rock wall in the stadium parking lot. If fans are unsure of exactly what they are afraid of, definitions of various fears will be displayed throughout the stadium.

WHAT Face Your Fears Friday

WHO The event is open to all fans who are afraid of things

WHEN Friday, July 10, 7:05 p.m.

WHERE Prince George's Stadium

4101 Crain Hwy

Bowie, MD 20716

For more information, please visit www.baysox.com.

LOUIE'S BIRTHDAY BASH THIS SUNDAY

The Baysox lovable mascot Louie will celebrate his birthday Sunday, July 12, at Prince George's Stadium as the team takes on the Altoona Curve at 6:05 p.m. There will be mascot games and birthday cake for all kids, but there will be special perks for Louie's Kids Club members. Club members can purchase discounted tickets, take the field with the Baysox and enter the stadium early to Play in the Park with Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer. Stick around after the game for a fireworks extravaganza. Louie's Kids Club is FREE and easy to join! To order discounted tickets and register to take the field with the Baysox, please contact Dana DeFilippo at (301) 464-4871.

WHAT Louie's Birthday

WHO The event is open to all fans, with special perks for Louie's Kids Club members

WHEN Sunday, July 12, 6:05 p.m.

WHERE Prince George's Stadium

4101 Crain Hwy

Bowie, MD 20716

THALL NAMED TO ALL-STAR TEAM

Baysox reliever Chad Thall is heading to Trenton N.J. to participate in the 2009 Eastern League All-Star game Tuesday, July 15, at 7:05 p.m. Thall will take the place of former Baysox reliever Josh Perrault on the Southern Division Roster, along with reliever Ryan Ouellette, second baseman Miguel Abreu and left fielder Jonathan Tucker. Perrault is unable to make the game after being promoted to class-AAA Norfolk on Tuesday, July 7.

Thall has been an integral component to the Baysox bullpen this season. The lefty leads the Eastern League with 12 holds and owns a 2-2 record on the season. He has compiled a 3.44 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 36.2 innings.

The Baysox 17th season as the class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is going strong! Check out www.baysox.com to see all that's going on at the stadium this year, and don't miss a moment of the action as the Baysox attempt to bring home their first Eastern League championship. Individual game tickets and ticket packages are available now at www.baysox.com or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.

MATUSZ NAMED ORGANIZATIONAL PITCHER OF THE MONTH

Baysox left-handed starting pitcher Brian Matusz is the Baltimore Orioles Pitcher of the Month for June. Matusz went 2-0 with a 0.79 ERA in two starts for the Baysox in June, allowing one run in 11.1 innings while striking out 15. Matusz also made a start for the Frederick Keys in the month, shutting out the Salem Red Sox over 6.0 innings with six strikeouts.

Matusz is the first Baysox pitcher to win the award since Chris Tillman was named Pitcher of the Month in August 2008. Both pitchers will represent the Orioles at the 2009 XM All-Star Futures Game in St. Louis, on Sunday July 12, at 2 p.m.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO BOWIE

BAYSOX HOST CHRISTMAS IN JULY

The Bowie Baysox and The Salvation Army will host Christmas In July at Prince George's Stadium on Saturday, July 25, as the team takes on the Reading Phillies at 7:05 p.m. The event will feature holiday music and decorations, a jersey auction and a special appearance by Santa Claus and his elves.

The Baysox will take the field in one-of-a-kind Christmas jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game to benefit The Salvation Army. The jerseys are green with red sleeves and red numbers on the front and back. The front will also feature the Baysox script logo perched atop a candy cane. After the game, winning bidders will meet the players, have their jerseys signed and pose for photos with the player.

Fans are encouraged to bring toys to donate to The Salvation Army, and can also donate to the organization's Red Kettle in front of the stadium. The Red Kettle program started in 1891 and aided more than 5 million people during last year's holiday season.

The Salvation Army has worked in the D.C. area since 1885 and is considered one of the nation's most popular charities. Last year, the National Capital Area Command helped provide food for the hungry, companionship to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter for the homeless, opportunities for underprivileged children and relief for disaster victims. For more information on the National Capital Area Command please visit www.salarmydc.org.

The stadium will enchant fans with Christmas decorations on the concourse and the video board will feature holiday movie clips. Christmas carols will pour through stadium speakers and younger fans can meet Santa Claus and his elves. Santa, the elves and the Baysox lovable mascot Louie will be available for pictures throughout the game.

As fans arrive at the ballpark, they will be handed a candy cane and be dazzled by Christmas music performed in front of the stadium, courtesy of Brass of the Potomac. The band will also perform the national anthem before the game. Brass of the Potomac features 30 professional musicians from around the Washington D.C. metro area and pulls its talent from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. For more information on the band, fans can visit www.brassofthepotomac.com.

SCOTT VAN PELT BOBBLES INTO BOWIE

The Bowie Baysox are excited to announce Scott Van Pelt Night Sunday, July 26, as the team hosts the Reading Phillies at 6:05 p.m. The "SportsCenter" anchor will toss out a ceremonial first pitch, meet fans and sign autographs before the game. The first 1,000 fans ages six and up will receive a Scott Van Pelt bobble head doll, presented by Madison Interiors, limit one per person,.

Van Pelt is honored by the bobbling rendition of himself. "This represents the high water mark of life. Not of my career.....of my life," Van Pelt said. "This is great, hysterical in all honesty. I can?t wait to come down to Bowie and see it.?

The Brookville, Md., native attended the University of Maryland and began his broadcasting career with WTTG-TV in Washington D.C. in 1990. He joined ESPN in spring 2001 as the network?s lead professional golf reporter. He has since become a "SportCenter" anchor, primarily hosting the 11 p.m. ET edition while remaining the lead reporter and host of the network?s coverage of golf?s grand slam events.

TRAVIS GARCIA NAMED ATLANTIC LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE

Blue Crabs Shortstop Earns Award After Hitting .400 In Month

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are excited to announce that shortstop Travis Garcia has been named the Atlantic League Player of the Month for June.

Garcia played in all 26 Blue Crabs games for the month and hit .400 with eight home runs and 25 RBI. Garcia scored 22 runs and had 18 extra-base hits, including nine doubles and a triple.

Also in June, Garcia was elected to the Atlantic League?s All-Star Game held in Newark, as the starting shortstop for the Liberty Division All-Star Team.

Garcia started June off on a roll, reaching a Blue Crabs season-high 17-game hit streak that ran from May 23 through June 10. Throughout June, Garcia hit safely in 21 games with 10 multi-hit games.

On June 29 against Newark, Garcia had a 4-for-4 day at the plate with four runs scored and four RBI, on three doubles, a home run and a walk. He also had an outstanding game on June 2 against York, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored, a home run and three RBI.

On June 4, Garcia had a 4-for-5 day against Newark, with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI. Against Somerset on June 11, he was 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.

This is Garcia?s second season with the Blue Crabs. For the entire 2009 season, Garcia is hitting .336 with 12 home runs and 51 RBI. He has scored 39 runs with 17 doubles, a triple and 10 walks.

Garcia currently leads the Atlantic League with 88 hits and is in the top three of five more categories, including batting average, home runs, RBI, extra-base hits and slugging percentage.

Last season he hit .309 in 19 games with the Blue Crabs, totaling three home runs and 20 RBI, after joining the club at the conclusion of the Frontier League season, where he played for the Chillicothe Paints in Ohio.

SEATTLE MARINERS PURCHASE CONTRACT OF BLUE CRABS? TRAVIS GARCIA
All-Star Shortstop Becomes Sixth Blue Crab to Sign with an MLB Organization This Season

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are proud to announce that the contract of shortstop Travis Garcia will be purchased by the Seattle Mariners effective July 8. He is the second position player and sixth Blue Crab to be signed by a Major League organization this season.

Garcia, who was selected to the Atlantic League?s All-Star Game as the starting shortstop for the Liberty Division, departs Southern Maryland as the team leader in games played (66), batting average (.338), hits (91) and doubles (17). On the Atlantic League leader board, Garcia leads the league in hits, his average stands third overall, his 53 RBI place him second on the circuit behind teammate James Shanks, and he leaves in the league?s top five in homers, slugging percentage, and extra base hits. Garcia put together a hit streak of 17 games from May 23 through June 10, a Blue Crabs 2009 season high.

Last season Garcia hit .309 in 19 games with Southern Maryland, totaling three home runs and 20 RBI, after joining the club at the conclusion of the Frontier League season, where he played for the Chillicothe Paints in Ohio. A 21st round selection by the New York Mets in 2003 out of Iona College, the Bronx, New York native has played the game professionally for six and a half seasons.

Garcia joins the impressive list of Blue Crabs players to head for Major League organizations this season. Pitchers Matt DeSalvo (Tampa Bay Rays), Jim Ed Warden (New York Mets), John Halama (Atlanta Braves) and Kenny Baugh (Houston Astros) departed for Major League organizations earlier this year. First baseman Eric Crozier (Baltimore Orioles) was the first position player this season to be picked up.

BLUE CRABS RE-SIGN STARTING PITCHER KEITH RAMSEY

Southpaw Rotation Staple From Inaugural Season Re-joins Club

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs made a key mid-season acquisition with the re-signing of Keith Ramsey on Monday. The left-handed starter, expected to help bolster the Blue Crabs pitching staff, is entering his second season with the Blue Crabs after playing with the organization all of last season. In 2008, Ramsey appeared in 21 games, starting 20 of them and posted a 7-6 record with a 4.01 ERA. He struck out 71 batters in 130.1 innings, while yielding just 38 walks.

The 29-year-old from Los Angeles, California was drafted in the 10th round of the 2002 amateur draft by the Cleveland Indians. After being drafted, Ramsey quickly rose through the Indians? organization, reaching Triple-A Buffalo by the end of the 2004 season. During his ascent through the Indians? farm system, Ramsey compiled a 31-14 record in just two and a half seasons.

Following the 2004 season, the Colorado Rockies selected Ramsey in the Rule 5 minor league draft. In 2005, Ramsey spent time in the minor leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies organizations.

From there, Ramsey spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League, beginning ?07 in the Texas Rangers organization.

Ramsey began this season pitching close to home in the Golden Baseball League, for the Long Beach Armada. He?s logged 23.2 innings pitched in five starts thus far in 2009.

In his eighth season as a professional, Ramsey is 54-49 and has struck out 598 batters while walking just 241.

WE GET LETTERS??

Hey Friends -

If you haven't joined our Facebook group page yet and are interested in keeping up to date with our schedule on a real time basis, with pictures and comments, feel free to search Facebook for the "Steve Ports Trio Update" group page, or you can try this link http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=189989385337#/group.php?gid=189989385337

Here is our schedule for July and August:

Friday, July 10 - 6-10 PM - David Bell and Steve on the deck at Fager's Island , 60th St. in the Bay, Ocean City, MD - 410-524-5500, http://www.fagers.com/restaurant/night.php

Saturday, July 11 - Kings Creek in Rehobeth for a Private Golf Tourney/Fundraiser

Friday, July 17 - 9:30PM-1AM - Dale Coleman joins Don and Steve at the Stil in Timonium on York Rd. across from Timonium Fairgrounds, 410-560-7900, http://www.thestill.net/

Friday, July 24 - 7:30-9PM - Hear the 4 piece band at a Concert at Hunt Valley Towne Center, http://www.shophuntvalley.com/index.php?submenu=UpcomingEvents&src=events&category=Events

Saturday, July 25 - Private Crabfeast in Severna Park

Friday, August 7 - 8:30 - 11:45 - Don and Steve at Castlebay Irish Pub, Main Street, Annapolis, 410-626-0165, http://www.castlebayirishpub.com/music.aspx

See you at the Bar,

Steve Ports, David Bell and Don Wimbrough

Bill,

Thanks so much for Honoring women and mentioning me. Not sure I am worthy. Went to Ocean City last week and had your Royal Farms Chicken. I really make good fried chicken but they are on par with me. I would not have ever tried this without your recommendation. Royal Farms owes you. All the best to you and your family,

Carole

Carole,

You are most worthy, you are a great person who has done much for so many people. The best to you, Cully and your family.

Bill

Bill,

Seton Hall looks like it just may have a very good basketball team. They have many transfers in and now it will be up to Bobby Gonzales to mesh them all together. Their schedule also looks favorable but perhaps a little too soft to get into the Big Dance. However, we shall see when March rolls around. In any case the season should be fun and the Pirates just may have a very successful year.

Jerry

Jerry,

Go Pirates!

Bill

Bill,

I remember that game very well. I was on 3^rd base when Gino D?Ambrosio hit the game winning grand slam and Dickie Smallwood pitched one of his many great games. That is one heck of a comparison, Texas & LSU.

Jim B.

Bill,

The Bowie Baysox unveiled their first ever video podcast.

The link for the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwd75tkU63k

The podcast goes over pitching match-ups and upcoming events at Prince George?s Stadium. It is currently available on YouTube and the Baysox Facebook page.

Tom Sedlacek

Communications Manager

Bowie Baysox Baseball Club

Louieville, MD - The Kids Capital

www.baysox.com

Hello Everyone,

Our next meeting of the Baltimore /Johns Hopkins Dystonia Support Group will be Saturday, July 18, 2009, 1:30 - 3:30 pm. Location is Room 2140, Outpatient Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 N. Caroline St., Baltimore, MD.

I'm happy to announce that Ellen Allocca, representing Allergan Neurosciences, will be giving her presentation on BOTOX. I feel we will have some interesting questions for her. Please try to be there.

Please bring a snack to share if you wish, and drinks and ice and paper products will be furnished. Also, our "raffle" during the meeting is to raise funds to be sent to DMRF. Please bring in something for recycling that you just can't use but others could use, a plate of home made goodies, or anything else that would be appropriate for the raffle. Please don't be shy about buying tickets, and join in on the fun. Tickets are 5 for $5 or whatever you can afford.

In November, I was able to meet with Dr. Jinnah and present to him a lovely plaque to honor him for being our group's Medical Advisor for approximately 6 years. This plaque was provided to us by DMRF. It was good seeing him again. Dr. Jinnah has left JHH to practice and resume his studies in Atlanta, GA.

I was asked to once again participate in a lecture by Dr. Joseph Savitt as he spoke to his first-year med students on the study of neurology. I gave these students my story of my dystonia, my symptoms, my diagnosis and how it is to live with dystonia. There were also representatives of Parkinson's Disease and Ataxia. If I've done no more than make about 100 prospective docs aware of the symptoms of dystonia, I feel great.

DOCTOR'S CORNER

Dr. Zoltan Mari is this group's Medical Advisor, and he has expressed a strong desire to work with us. I'm listing some details on Dr. Mari where he strives for excellence. We're very proud to have him on our team.

I have written to Dr. Mari with a couple of my questions, and I'm pleased to share with you his replies.

Zoltan Mari, MD

Specialties:
Neurologist
Movement Disorders Specialist

Johns Hopkins University
600 N. Wolfe St. - Meyer 6-119B
Baltimore, MD 21287

Office: 410-502-0133
Fax: 410-502-0570

Treat Children: Yes
Forms of Dystonia Treated:
Blepharospasm
Tardive Dyskinesias/Dystonia
Cervical Dystonia (Spasmodic Torticollis)
Dopa-Responsive
Early-Onset Generalized
Embouchure Dystonia
Myoclonic Dystonia
Oromandibular
Paroxysmal Dystonia
Rapid-Onset Dystonia-Parkinsonism
Secondary Dystonia
Spasmodic Dysphonia
Writers Cramp
X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism

Administer Botulinum Toxin Injections for:
Blepharospasm
Lingual (Tongue) Dystonia
Cervical Dystonia (Spasmodic Torticollis)
Secondary Dystonia
Oromandibular (Jaw) Dystonia

Procedures:
Deep Brain Stimulation
Genetic Testing
Botulinum toxin type A
Botulinum toxin type B

Regards, June

SPORTS NOTES

The regular session of "Talkin' Baseball" will be held on Saturday, July 11 at 9:00 A.M. at the Brighton Gardens, 7110 Minstrel Way, Columbia, MD. Our speaker will be Steve Walker who will discuss his book, "A Whole New Ballgame: The 1969 Washington Senators".
Come with a friend.

Great story on Dave Foggo in the Summer issue of the AAMC magazine (page 13).

How many remember the Jack and Jill ice cream trucks? The street car turn arounds at Barney Circle, 14^th & Colorado Ave., Roslyn Circle, Wisconsin and Western, Georgia and Alaska Avenues? Remember the Apollo, Sylvan, Bethesda, Avon, York and Uptown theaters?

Bill,

1st Annual FALL Seashore Basketball Officials Clinic

I have been asked for the past few years by many officials to consider having a Seashore Basketball Officials Clinic in the Fall. As a result of these requests I have decided to try to conduct a Fall clinic in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey. The dates for this years clinic will be October 2nd thru 4th, 2009 and will be held at the Crest Pier with lodging at the Bal Harbour Hotels. At the end of this e-mail are two attachments with information about the clinic along with my brochure and application. Please mail your applications ASAP as the number of rooms at the hotel are limited!

Hope you have a great Summer.

John Koskinen

Clinic Director

Donnie Neuenberger got a good position at Daytona (12) last weekend but was squeezed out of the race shortly after the start.

MMA comes to Baltimore?s 1^st Mariner Arena on July 24^th. WWE will be there on July 28^th.

Look-a-likes: Max Maven and David J., Frank Shore and Boof Boone, and Buck Trout and Ironhead.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following:

Jane Edmonston Eicher (Central (DC) HS grad).

Rene Capo (two time Olympic judo competitor).

Matthew Montcourt (banned Fr4ench tennis player).

SUPPORT MD SPORTS!!

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Michigan State is Dark Horse

The Maryland Women were headed for the final four in the Women’s NCAA basketball championship but were derailed by a Louisville team coached by former Terps assistant and paced by a former Baltimore high school star – Jeff Walz who was Brenda Frese’s assistant when they won in 2006 and Angel McCoughtry is from St. Francis Prep in Baltimore.

The loss was tough but coach Frese will be back and despite losing Coleman and Toliver she has a great recruiting class coming in with some good holdovers.

My dark horse in the Women’s Final Four is Stanford led by Jayne Appel who scored an NCAA women’s championship record for a single game with 46 points in Stanford’s victory over Iowa State. Appel also had 15 rebounds in the game.

In the men’s final four my dark horse is Michigan State.

John Calipari leaves Memphis to take over as head coach of men’s basketball at Kentucky. Nolan Richardson is interested in the Memphis job.

Is Karl Hobbs leaving GWU? Brett Edwards, Stevenson AD and men’s basketball coach would be a good replacement if Hobbs leaves GWU.

BASEBALL PICKS

Monday the Baltimore Orioles host New York Yankees in their home opener and its C. C. Sabathia vs. Jeremy Guthrie in what could ne a good pitcher’s duel.

AL PICKS: EAST

NY Yankees – with all that talent they had better take it or you can wave bye-bye to Cashman and Girardi.

Tampa Bay – the new contender for the top spot in the East.

Red Sox - will be in the thick of the fight John Smoltz will help the pitching corps.

Toronto – this is a tough pick but I think their starting pitching is stronger than the Orioles.

Orioles – vastly improved but their pitching is below average with Guthrie and George Sherill their strength.

CENTRAL

Indians – Gary Wood helps this team especially if he stays healthy, Travis Haefner and Grady Sizemore provide the bats and RBI’s.

Twins – should contend if they stay well. Glen Perkins is the real deal on the mound.

Tigers – Gary Sheffield is gone and probably gone from baseball after hitting .225 last season.

Kansas City – could be on the way to a Tampa Bay year, should be Alex Gordon’s year.

White Sox – a solid team who could move up a couple of notches.

WEST

Los Angeles – this team is still loaded for bear, should easily take the West.

Oakland – Matt Holliday brings a lot to the table, will it be enough, only time will tell.

Texas – Josh Hamilton brings it and if the pitching comes through look for them to move up.

Seattle – a decent team but some of their players have to step up for them to move up.

Baysox Ready To Face The Futures

Team Will Play at Fenway Park Aug. 8

The Bowie Baysox, Class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, will take on the Portland Sea Dogs at Fenway Park in Boston, Sunday, Aug. 8, at 12:05 p.m. The game will be the first game in the Red Sox popular "Futures at Fenway" minor league doubleheader. The Norfolk Tides, Class AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, will take on the Pawtucket Red Sox in the second game of the doubleheader.

Baysox General Manager Brian Shallcross looks forward to the opportunity. "Our organization is excited for the opportunity afforded us to play at Fenway. The "Futures Game" at Fenway has quickly become a special tradition for the city of Boston and the Red Sox minor league affiliates. The annual games in Boston highlight the special relationship our major league teams have with their Minor League affiliates."

The Baysox have not played a game in a major league stadium since their inaugural season of 1993, when the team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.

"All the guys will be looking forward to it," added Baysox Field Manager Brad Komminsk. "I think it’s a great idea. It gives the guys their first opportunity to play in a big league park. It will be a great experience."

The "Futures at Fenway" games feature family-friendly ticket and concession prices and have sold out the last four years. Tickets are available to the general public at www.redsox.com or by calling the Red Sox ticket office at 1-877-REDSOX-9.

The Baysox will open their 17th season as the class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, April 8, in Akron. The team will play its first game back home at Prince George’s Stadium on Thursday, April 16. Don’t miss a moment of the action as the Baysox attempt to bring home their first Eastern League championship! Ticket packages are available now at www.baysox.com or by calling the Baysox ticket sales department at (301) 464-4880.

An Embarrassment of Riches

1.) These indicators are up, way up. The response to a call for volunteers at SABR 39 has been tremendous!

It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s enough. It means we really don’t know how much is enough. If you haven’t signed up yet to help out the with execution of the international SABR conference coming up in July in Washington, DC, it’s not to late: Click here: Society for American Baseball Research - Convention 39 .

2.) A related area where we have had early success is in registration for the Convention. We are on a pace to break all previous attendance records. If you haven’t registered yet, you may do so here:

Click here: Registration.

3.) Paralleling these early successes is the accumulation of materials for distribution to attendees. This is traditionally done through "goody bags" handed to attendees at the time of registration. So far, so good. The issue has become that through the untiring efforts of chapter member Bill Hickman, who is leading this effort, we have received more quality donations that Bill can handle. Please, if you have room and can store some things in your garage, basement, attic, shower or pantry until two days before conference begins, please let Bill know. He (we) needs your help right away. Reach him at bdhickmn@aol.com.

4.) Another abundance we are enjoying in our chapter is book recently released by member authors. The most recent to come to our attention is the book Ted Williams and the 1969 Senators, by local SABR member Ted Leavengood, examines how these plot lines played out, how Ted Williams as a manager fit into the context of the changing game and the changes he wrought in the team. Utlimately it is an examination of what was wrong in DC and how owner Bob Short undercut manager Williams as he prepared to scuttle the team. Bill Nowlin, SABR Vice President and noted Ted Williams expert says the book, "Does not hit a false note on Ted Williams...It is good work."

Baseball and the Washington Senators found themselves at a crossroads at the end of the 1968 season. Jerome Holtzman said the game had become "dull and lacking in excitement," and attendance in Washington fell to their lowest levels after race riots and another last place finish. There was growing concern that DC was just a "sleepy southern town," that could not support baseball. The mound was lowered, the strike zone reduced to pump new excitement into the game. Ted Williams came to Washington and woke the sleeping giant.

The book was the top selling McFarland baseball book in February where it is available as well as via Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. The author is a regular columnist for the seamheads web site, http://www.seamheads.com/blog Extensive excerts from the book can be found on this site that supports the good work of numerous SABR members from around the country, and is home to the Simulated Historical League where Bill James currently holds a commanding lead.

Additional information can be found at the chapter web site: Click here: Bob Davids Chapter News

BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS RELEASES 2009 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Bowie State University Athletic Director Derek Carter officially released the 2009 Bulldogs 10-game football schedule today which includes a five-game slate to take place at Bulldogs Stadium. The Bulldogs will play a full complement of Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) games and two out-of-conference opponents.

It's Super Bowl Sunday; Prepare for a Blowout.

..Or....Maybe a Good One!

Its Super Bowl Sunday and this one may be a good one or a one sided blowout. The Steeler Nation and their yellow towels see a big win. You all have seen all the hype on TV, heard it on the radio and seen it in the print media so I am not going to rehash what you already know.

I saw the Cardinals lose to the Redskins 41 years ago on “Sammy Baugh Day”. The Cards were a top team back then and you can read all about that game in Michael Richman’s great “Redskins Encyclopedia” book. I’ll be watching the game some place but I am not sure where yet.

Super Bowl betting is everywhere – bars, offices, just all over. Too bad sports betting isn’t here on the East Coast yet but its coming – West Virginia and Delaware sooner or later. Back to the game even though I have a Cardinal feeling I have to go with the Steelers. A lot of folks are saying the key factor of the game will be Cards WR Anquan Boldin.

Ravens personnel director George Kokinis is the new Cleveland Brown’s general manager.

The new Ravens defensive coordinator is Greg Mattison.

BOXING NEWS
Jake Smith’s Baltimore Pro Boxing held a great show at Martin’s West on January 23rd. The results were:

In the main event an exciting draw between Henry Mayes and Willie Williams, had the crowd on their feet at the end.

Local Southern Maryland favorite Seth Mitchell took a 5th round TKO over Jason Bergman, Mitchell is now 9-0-1.

James Stevenson goes to 6-0-6 with a second round TKO over Darrett Crockett.

Glenn Williams takes out John Terry in the 2nd round with a TKO.

Cecil McCalla took a 4th round unanimous decision over Antonio Walls.

Robert McConnell, Jr. put Eddie Otts to sleep at the 2 minute mark of the 3rd round.

Listen to Scott Wagner’s Boxing Report on AM Radio 1390 on Saturday mornings, great show with an inside look at boxing.

Big Fight Card in Salisbury on February 6th, it’s an ESPN show with a NABF title fight. Here’s the top two fights: For the NABF light heavyweight championship Yousef Mac takes on Chris Henry and local Salisbury favorite Fernando Guerrao battles Gabriel Rosado.

BASEBALL NOTES
Don’t forget this Friday, February 6th Babe’s Birthday Bash for the benefit of the Babe Ruth Museum. It runs between 5 and 9 p.m. at the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards. There will be a lot of well known area sports favorites including one of my favorites from the past – Mike Riorden of the Bullets there. Contact www.baberuthmuseum.com or call 410-727-1539 x3013 for more information. It’s a great event.

Are the Nationals going to lose Ryan Zimmerman?
Why don’t the Orioles sign Brian Roberts?

Brandon Lyon has signed with the Detroit Tigers and is expected to be their closer.
Remember Jayson Werth? A former Orioles number one draft pick and a catcher is now a Phillies outfielder and just got a two year, ten million dollar deal from the Phillies.
The Athletics have given Justin Duchscherer a one year deal.
Andy Pettilte gets a one year contract from the New York Yankees. The rich get richer.
Zack Greinke signs a four year, 38 million dollar contract with Kansas City.
Ex-Oriole Brandon Fahey gets a minor league contract from the Blue Jays.
Rob Mackowiak gets a minor league contract with the Mets.

Don Sutton leaves the Nationals broadcasting team to rejoin the Atlanta Braves radio crew. Rob Dibble replaces him with the Nats. I thought Sutton did a good job with the Nats.

Brian Unger is still the President of the Maryland Chapter of the “Jayson Werth Fan Club”.

Sent to me by Danny Morrison:

Slow-Moving Construction
Washington has done enough and waited long enough. Now it's time for the owners of the city's ball club to do their part. I've already canceled the Nationals season tickets that I waited 37 years to buy.

The Lerners, who haven't made a serious offer to any major free agent since they failed to get Mark Teixeira last month, need to show that they deserve to be entrusted with the Nationals.

Do the Lerners appreciate the precarious state of their relations not only with fans, but with their own executives?

Do they have any idea, after a lifetime of erecting buildings, of how to build a team? Team president Stan Kasten does. But do they? By all indications, his advice is heard but not heeded.

By Thomas Boswell
Comments

unc1dmo wrote:
The Ownership LIED to us that they would begin to "PAY TO PLAY" starting with the off season between RFK to Nats Park.....
They did NOTHING!!!!!....LIARS !!!!!!
And they followed that LIE up with the FAILURE to sign the #1 draft pick.....Whoever FAILED to do the due diligence there and have them select a player who wanted big bucks...more bucks than these CHEAPSKATES were willing to pay...should have been TERMINATED IMMEDIATELY.....
I know I won't be back anytime soon.... just like I was 1 and done at FEDEX....
Now the free agency LIES and FAILURES has led this franchise to not only have the reputation of being CHEAP...but their incompetence on the field and in the dugout has made them become big time LOSERS......
LOSERS can't sign big time free agents even if they put up the BUCKS.....
This franchise is xxxxxx !!!!!!!!!
Respectfully,
Danny Morrison
WW ' 65
U.N.C ' 69

WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN SLOW PITCH HALL OF FAME

For the first time in many years the WMSPHOF will hold its annual Hall of Fame annual awards banquet in Maryland. It’s the 29th and will be held at the Boswell Hall, Knights of Columbus in Bowie starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are a very reasonable $40 per person. For information contact Polly Quinn at 240-832-2525 or e-mail pollyquinn@comcast.net.

The inductees are:

Players – Steve Holowitz, Kevin Farley, Ursal Barton, Harry Westwood, and Glenn Glover.

Master Player - Jerry Conner, Mike Winger, Bob Ford, and John “Ross” Roberts.

Promoter -- Kitty and Spot Wilkerson

Sponsor – Shiffett Tree Service

Manager – Robert Criswell

Umpire – Ray Barrier

Team – High Street Bucs

Special Service – Kevin Shullstrom

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND NOTES

The Maryland Women’s basketball team knocked off number two rated North Carolina 77-71 before over 12,000 fans at the Comcast Center. Marissa Coleman hit for 22 points and Kristi Toliver added 23 to pace the Lady Terps. Brenda Freese is doing a great job at Maryland.
On the other hand, men’s hoops coach Gary Williams has had problems lately but people close to the scene say next year’s recruiting will bring the Terps back.
Greivis Vasques ran his mouth how he like playing at Duke then Maryland went out and suffered one of the worse basketball defeats in the history of Maryland basketball 85-44. The only plus at Duke for Maryland was as Danny Morrison reports was the moment of silence before the game for Bill Werber and Kay Yow.
Gary Williams team looked like they were going to rebound against Boston College but the Terps blew an early lead and lost to Boston 76-67.
There seems to be trouble in Terpland that may end up with Gary leaving, I hope not!

Bowie State University avenged an earlier season to Johnson C. Smith, beating the Lady Golden Bulls 53-43. Junior Bianca Lee scored a game-high 20 points and freshman Juliette Turner added 15 to the book to lead the Lady Bulldogs. The win pulls Bowie State’s overall record even at 8-8 and 7-2 in the CIAA.

Neither the Johnson C. Smith Lady Golden Bulls nor the Bowie State Lady Bulldogs could get on track in the first half of play as both teams shot 28 percent from the field. Johnson C. Smith made just six-of-21 from the floor and Bowie State was only slightly better, making eight-of-31 from the floor. JCSU’s Lady Golden Bulls were turnover prone in the first half committing 10.

After a 4-4 tie at the 15:51 mark, both teams went cold until BSU sophomore Brittney Jackson hit a pair of free throws to break a five minute drought. Bowie State took its largest first period lead with 6:33 left in the half, forging ahead for a 14-7 advantage. Johnson C. Smith maintained their composure and pulled to within one twice before heading into intermission with Bowie State leading 21-19.
Johnson C. Smith (10-7 / 7-3 CIAA) opened the second half with an 8-0 run until Lee stopped the run with a pair of free throws. A free thrown by junior Danita Hill and a lay-up by sophomore Teaunsha Robinson pulled the Lady Bulldogs within one at 27-26 at the 15:22 mark.

After another scoreless period, Bowie State’s Hill stole the ball for JCSU’s Wendy Stywalt and scored a lay-up, shifting the advantage back to Bowie State. From that point, Bowie State would never trail again. Johnson C. Smith’s continued to struggle in the final stanza, hitting eight-of-31 from the field. On the hand, Bowie State increased their field goal shooting percentage to 41 percent on nine-of-22 shooting.
Janai Jackson and April Smith led Johnson C. Smith in scoring with 10 points each. JCSU’s Demetria Bell pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds.

Kenion and Lee also led Bowie State in rebounds with 10 and nine respectively.

SPORTS NOTES
Alex Ovechkin helped the Eastern Conference win the NHL All-Star game over the West in a 12-11 shootout win. The Caps are getting ready to win their first Stanley Cup.

Hey they don’t have snow storms like when I was growing up, I remember sledding on the Randolph Street (NW in DC) hill near Rock Creek Park, the Allison Street (NW in DC) hill near Anna Burdick High School and several other areas near Rock Creek Park.
The Wizards are really bad maybe the recently released Steve Francis could help them.

I wonder where they are today--- Patsy Sharp, Betty Baines, Bobby Harris, Francis Letourno, Claire McCarthy, Barbara Balager, Terry Curtin, Ralph Grimes, Jim Freeman, Carolyn Brown, Betty Brown, and Beverly Brown?
Hampton University has fired football coach Jerry Holmes and replaced him with Donovan Rose.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the families and friends of the following:

Billy Weber (outstanding basketball All-American and baseball World Series Reds 1939 and 1940, also Yankees, Philadelphia Athletics, led AL in stolen bases 3 times, (Frank “Bevo” Shore played against him in alumni game at Tech, Danny Morrison sent some nice articles about him) graduate of McKinley Tech HS and Duke University.

Kay Yow (great NC State women’s basketball coach and sister of U. of MD AD Debbie Yow).

Elmer Higgs (graduate of John Carroll (DC) HS).

Barbara “Bobbie” Ruth Wingate Crawford (graduate of St. Patricks (DC) school).

Karen Ann Chase Surling (graduate of McKinley (DC) Tech HS).

Marion Steams White (widow of the late Supreme Court justice Byron “Wizard” White).

Harriette “Woodie” Woods (Roosevelt (DC) HS grad).

Robert Anthony Musolino (St. Johns (DC) College HS grad).

John Updike (great author who wrote four I really enjoyed Rabbit run, Rabbit Redux, Rabbitt is Rich, Rabbitt at Rest).

WE GET LETTERS…..
Dear Bill,
Now that Seton Hall is mired in mediocrity, 9-9, 0-6 in Big East, and since they do not play football, my attention has turned to my adoptive team the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. I shall wait till next year when the Pirates seem loaded for a run into the top 20.
I think that Charlie Weis should retire at the end of next season unless he would like to complete his ten year contract as Chief Recruiter. Charlie is very good at that job but once he has reeled in the talent he cannot seem to get the best out of them. This is not the pros but kids who must be nurtured.
Jon Gruden is now available after his dismissal from Tampa Bay and perhaps within a year he can be named head coach. He, I believe, would bring down the thunder once again for the Irish with or without Charlie.
Go Irish !
Jerry

Dear Jerry,

Go Seton Hall! They got their first Big East win 65-60 over Georgetown, they did it. Gruden would be a good fit for the Irish. Stay well in 2009.

Bill

Bill,

I’m getting tired of the bashing of Governor O’Malley’s leadership during this terrible worldwide recession he was not responsible for creating. You were very helpful to then candidate for Baltimore City Mayor O’Malley’s campaign as well as his re-election as Mayor. This past election, you worked hard as a good Democrat to help put up signs for Congressman Frank Kratovil, President Obama and for Governor O’Malley’s pro-slot campaign. You did this despite the backstabbing people who pretend to support the governor while quietly working against him to this day. These are the same nefarious people who have told the governor’s staff that you were disloyal to him. The governor is doing a great job in trying times and thanks for all of your help.

David J

Dear David J,

Thanks for the kind words. I don’t think how hard Governor O’Malley, Mike Miller and Mike Busch are working to help the people of Maryland or President Obama’s effort to put it all together in DC is not understood by a lot of people and yes there are a lot of back stabbers especially at MDOT who do not support the Governor.

Bill

Bill,

Going through your mail in your column I caught the name of Herb Goren who I knew pretty well when he was Principal at Veirs Mill Elementary. The staff and friends held a reception for my mother-in-law, Cleo Jurney, for her retirement many years ago. She worked in the school’s kitchen. When I made inspection when they were remodeling the school I’d always stop by the kitchen and pick up a great cinnamon bun she had made for the school lunch. Herb was a Mason and a member of the Kena Shrine band. He was also the news writer for the band in the Shrine organization. I hope if he hears or reads this report he might drop me a line. Thanks Bill, hey keep your cold weather up there. You sent down a 20 degree temperature this past Wednesday night, the 21st of January. Take care and keep your eyes looking ahead.

Bob Alexander

P.S. I believe I also knew Marilyn Jacobs.
SUPPORT SOUTHERN MD SPORTS!!

Skins Top Dallas!

The Redskins beating the Cowboys in Dallas has to be one of Jim Zorn’s highlights of his coaching career. This week the Skins play the Eagles in Philadelphia and the Eagles star running back Brian Westbrook is questionable for the game with a hurting ankle. If the Skins win this one watch out folks the Skins are headed for a playoff berth.

In the 1940’s the Skins looked to winning every Sunday with the "Slugging Man" Sammy Baugh. Hugh "Bones" Taylor was one of Baugh’s favorite targets. They had other top players like Wayne Millner, "Bullet" Bill Dudley, Steve "OO" Bargaus, and Ki Aldrich. For more on Redskins history get that great book – Redskin Encyclopedia by Mike Richman. It’s a must for all Redskin fans. I understand Mike will be signing books at the Calvert Library.

Isn’t it typical for the Charm City fans to get upset if their team loses? Well when the Ravens dropped an overtime game to the Steelers the CC birds come out of the woodwork. Well folks I thought it was a decent game with John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco calling a good game my only thing with Flacco is the need for him to distribute the ball better and use all of his receivers not just Mason.

This week the Ravens host the Tennessee Titans (unbeaten at 4-0) and coach Jeff Fisher wants to wack the Ravens in the worse way. But you Charm City Cuties I think the Ravens will beat the Titans.

Look for some more NFL coaches to bite the dust before the season ends.

I think Maryland University QB Chris Turner will be the next great NFL quarterback form College Park.

Some big high school scores the weekend of September 26 & 27th:

Good Counsel 42 West Catholic 0

DeMatha 44 Carroll 7

Lackey 34 Northern 7

Westlake 50 Great Mills 6

Tuscarora 37 N Carroll 14

Eleanor Roosevelt 60 High Point 0

River Hill 63 Mt. Hebron 0

Urbana 46 Frederick 6

Wier 56 Tech 19

DC Eastern High School once had a proud football program today they can’t even field a football team.

Because of the Dunbar dispute Tech pulled out of their game at Fort Hill.

One of the great young college football assistant is Nick Schloeder, offensive line coach at Johns Hopkins. He’s head coach material. Great man, great coach and a great father.

Danny Edwards is getting playing time for the Terps.

Alex Krivjanik is getting some play action at Guilford also on the Guilford football team are Preston Kick (DB) Lackey, Billy Dennis (QB) DeMatha, Fernando Cruz (DL) Great Mills.

I wish the Friedge would stop pulling Turner and sending in Portis.

O’Donnell Voted ACC Field Hockey Player of the Week

The sophomore forward earns the honor for the second time this season

Katie O’Donnell, a sophomore has been selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference Field Hockey Player of the Week. A forward for now No. 1-ranked Terrapins; O’Donnell earns her second ACC Player of the Week honor of the season.

Helping Maryland to a 2-0 week, including an upset of top-ranked Wake Forest on the road, O’Donnel tallied three goals and collected a pair of assists for eight points over the two games.

O’Donnell assisted on the g ame-winning goal in the upset over the Demon Deacons, who had previously been undefeated. Then she tallied a goal of her own, sealing the win for the Terps in the final 15 minutes of the game.

The next day at home, O’Donnell scored twice in the first half, ensuring the easy 7-0 victory over Richmond. She scored the eventual game-winner in the 24th minute, then posted the insurance goal about seven minutes later, giving Maryland a 2-0 lead at the break. Later in the game, she collected an assist to finish with five points.

With her two goals against the Spiders, O’Donnell becomes the second Terrapin with double-digit goals, ranking second on the team with 12 on the season. She has also collected double-digit assists, handing out 11 to lead the team, to go along with a team-high 35 points. She ranks fourth in goals per game and second in points per game nationally.

O’Donnell and the Terrapins will visit No. 10 ranked Virginia on Saturday, October 4 for an ACC match slated to begin at 11 a.m.

OCTOBER 7TH AT SPORTS LEGENDS

College basketball fans!!!! Come to Sports Legends on October 7 at 6pm for a rare evening of talking local hoops….with 5 schools worth of head coaches.

Here’s our lineup:

Coppin – Ron Fang Mitchell (men) and Derek Brown (women)

Loyola – Jimmy Patsos (Men)

Morgan – Todd Bozeman (men)

Towson – Pat Kennedy (men) and Joe Mathews (women)

UMBC – Randy Monroe (men) and Phil Stern (women)

From 6-7 (or a little beyond) we will have a program wherein MC Scott Garceau will ask the coaches to talk about the upcoming season.

Afterwards, light refreshments and social hour!

Admission is $15, $10 for college students, $5 for museum members.

Please RSVP

Parking available at the Camden Yards north warehouse lot or at the Hilton Hotel.

This should be fun…see you then.

BOXING REPORT

It was a great night of boxing on Ballroom boxing returned to Michael’s 8th Avenue with a great crowd, great atmosphere and a great card by Mike and Scott Wagner. Here are the results:

Tyress Samuel split decision over Ronald Boyd.

Bobby Jordan a unanimous decision over William Jeter.

Harvey Jolley a unanimous decision over William Baily.

Seth Mitchell a unanimous decision over Mike Miller.

Cecil McCalla a unanimous decision over Ivan Zigler.

Antonio Walls 2nd round TKO over Calvin Aughtry.

Steve Weirner KO 1st round, 30 seconds over Juan Thompson.

Another good job by the referees.

Enjoy Halftime Bands Instead of Talking Heads

College football games are great, they have a super atmosphere from the time you park your car till the time you get back into it. The thing I miss most on the TV games are the half time shows with the bands performing.

I would rather watch them than watch the sports TV talking heads telling me about what happened in the first half and telling me what to watch for in the second half. Wait a minute I watched the first half and most of you are smart enough to know what to watch for in the second half.

When I was younger (yes I was younger at one time) I went to the Notre Dame-Navy game in 1954 at Baltimore�s Memorial Stadium which the Irish won 7-0 when Paul Reynolds caught a pass when two Navy defenders fell down and the Irish scored the only TD of the game. The field was muddy and the Notre Dame band couldn�t perform at half time but they did after the game and most of the sellout crowd stayed to see them perform (including me).

Even though the field was still muddy the Notre Dame band put on a fantastic show and the day was truly outstanding � great game with two good football teams and a great performance by a great college band.

Yes give me a great game and a great half time show by the great college bands and no talking heads who think they are the only ones who saw the first half and think they know what the teams should do in the second half. My suggestion-get rid of the talking heads at half time and show us the great bands.

No disrespect to the Redskins or Ravens bands but neither are a match for the college bands, sorry guys and gals of DC and Charm City.

I guess I have to reevaluate my feelings about the Ravens and the Redskins because both have looked better than I expected.

Let�s start with the Redskins. They play at Dallas today (Sunday) and this will be a big test for Jason Campbell and Santana Moss. The defense will have to step up also because Jason Taylor is out.

I think the Cardinals and Coach Ken Whisenhunt made a mistake when they won the toss and elected to receive, a good offense and you elect to kickoff? Dumb, dumb. It gave the Redskins the push they needed to start the game.

This week its Dallas week and Dallas will throw a roadblock with the Cowboys bringing the Skins back to earth. Its surprising that Joe Flacco isn�t getting more credit for the job he is doing. Yes the running game is going good and the �Raghead Ray� defense is looking great in the early going.

I would say the Ravens would be in a tough spot playing the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Monday but I won�t because I think the Ravens will win, especially with Willie Parker out.

The Detroit Lions let Matt Millen go, most people said it�s about time.

ORIOLES, NATIONALS ARE THE ANCHOR TEAMS

Talk about sorry teams in the major leagues and the B/W area has the worse two teams with a combined loss of over 60 games! Good watching huh? Both GM�s and managers talk good games but you have to look at what�s happening on the field to see the results. Is it true the Nationals haven�t been paying their rent?

You know Camden Yards could host filming of �Ghost town�, there are so many empty seats its almost unreal.

I hear the National League is so upset at the Nationals they would like to move the team. Tidewater, Richmond, Charlotte, New Orleans, Arizona or New Mexico could be under consideration.

Let�s face it Ted Lerner is becoming the Bob Short of this century without panty hose give away nights.

Both media/PR departments are so bad one wonders if people working in those departments are making even minimum wage.

Each team has a few good players but no depth.

The Orioles through this past Wednesday had lost nine straight.

Congratulations to Oriole amateur scout Dean Albany for winning the Jim Russo Scout of the Year Award.

Baysox To Blast Off Against Aeros

2009 Season Opens In Akron

The Bowie Baysox, Class AA Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, have released their complete 2009 schedule. The team will open the season with a seven game road trip beginning in Akron on Wednesday, April 8. Bowie will only host one home stand in the month of April, playing Akron, April 16-19 and Erie, April 20-22.

Bowie will visit all five of their divisional foes in April and May. The Baysox will open June with a four-game series in Trenton, June 1-3, and their next road trip will send them to Connecticut and New Britain for a pair of three-game series, June 9-14. Bowie will play the other three Northern Division teams on a nine-game road trip July 31-August 9.

Beginning August 10, the Baysox will play 20 of their last 27 games at Prince George's Stadium. The standard game time for Baysox games on Monday through Saturday in 2009 will be 7:05 p.m. Sunday games from April 19 - June 7 will begin at 2:05 p.m. Beginning June 21, Sunday games will begin at 6:05 p.m.

There are six exceptions to the standard game times: the games on Wednesday, April 22 (11:05 a.m. vs Erie), Thursday, May 7 (11:05 a.m. vs. Trenton) Thursday, July 9 (12:05 p.m. vs. Harrisburg), Thursday, July 30 (11:05 a.m. vs. Connecticut), Sunday, Sept. 6 (2:05 p.m. vs. Harrisburg). The final game of the season will be played on Monday, Sept. 7, when the Baysox take on the Harrisburg Senators at 2:05 p.m. on Labor Day.

Fans can see the complete schedule with game times online at www.baysox.com.

SPORTS NOTES

The Washington Mystics fired their GM Linda Hargrove (I�d say its about 5 years too late).

Is Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin coming to Glen Burnie?

That was not �Downtown� Brown in those Eastern Motors TV ads and he is not driving a taxi cab in the DC area.

Look-a-Likes: Paul Weasel and Mr. Peepers, Bernard Brooks and Tiger Woods, Johnny Pocket and Hugh Laurie, Geraldine �Gerry� Cox and Hedy Lemarr.

I wonder where they are today: Pat Quinn, Toni Agnew, Betty Wigglesworth, Joan O�Rourke, Jack Pitt, Roy Jefferies, Joanne Briggs, Gregg Musso, and Jim McCartney?

Bob Carlin is doing a great job on sports on WMAR-TV2.

For up to date hockey news check out Ed Frankovic on his blog at www.wnst.net, you can also check my blog at the same site.

The 5^th Annual Chocolate Affair will be on October 17^th at Bowie�s Florian Hall, benefits the Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center. For information call 301-952-0063, a great event for a great cause.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department invites citizens to join them for their 9^th Annual Memorial Service honoring our Fire Fighters who gave their lives in the line of duty on Saturday, October 18^th at 11:00 a.m. at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 461 College Parkway, Arnold, Md. Please R.S.V.P. to Pat Fink at 410-222-8306.

Bill,

I just received this E-Mail concerning long time New Jersey Boxing Timekeeper, Ray Ryan:

I am going to have quadruple bypass surgery this Thurs (9/25) at Jersey Shore Hosp. I have had some chest discomfort for a while and a few weeks ago I was in the ocean in Belmar and helped rescue a man who was caught in a riptide - after I got him in I felt a real bad pain in my chest. Went for a stress test which I failed and then a catherization which revealed I had significant blockages in areas that could not be stinted. After a 2^nd opinion I have decided to stay close to home with a very experienced doctor and hospital noted for cardiac care. I'm told I have to wait 3 weeks to heal up before I start my rehab program, so I probably won't be ready to make the dinner. That said, I have faith I will make a full recovery and will be motivated to get back to work with you and the best boxing officials in the world. Th anks for all your prayers and support. See you soon and regards to you and family.

Ray

Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following:

Marjorie Evelyn Imlay, graduate of Roosevelt (DC) HS, she grew up around the corner from me, she lived at 4414 14^th Street in NW DC and I lived at 4414 15^th Street NW DC. She was a good person and one of the old neighborhood.

Lawrence Joseph Eanet, he went to Roosevelt (DC) HS but graduated Andover (Mass) Phillips Academy also a well known jazz pianist.

Miriam Ehrmantraut Sellers, 1990 Miss Senior Maryland and well known dancer.

John Charles Niedermair, Jr., Woodrow Wilson (DC) HS grad.

James Andre Douglass, Jr., Anacostia (DC) HS grad and a Pepco retiree.

Walter Louis Whitten, Bell Atlantic retiree.

Francis Thomas �Frank� Moran, retired Metro DC policeman.

Betty Sienna, Roosevelt (DC) HS 1956 grad after a battle with cancer.

James Samuel Burcham, Sr., Surrattsville HS grad.

Norton �Norty� Sussman, also known as �Spider�, Roosevelt (DC) HS grad where he played football and one game as a center played the entire game with two broken thumbs.

John Kyriakos Antholis, Roosevelt (DC) HS grad.

Edward Roland Austin, Greenbelt HS grad.

Dick Lynch played in the NFL from 1958-1966 with the Redskins and Giants. Played at Notre Dame and scored the TD in the Irish 7-0 win over Oklahoma in 1957 that snapped Oklahoma�s 47 gmae win steak. He had been a radio analyst for the Giants since 1968. He had 37 NFL interceptions during his career. Jane Lewis Sutton (Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS grad).

Mickey Vernon (former Washington Senator 1^st baseman, 2 time American League batting champion 1946, 1953 made the All-Star team 7 times, had a lifetime average of .286, 2,485 career base hits, led the league in doubles in 1946 with 51, smooth fielding first baseman. He is one of my all time favorites should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame because he has better career stats than a lot of players in the Hall. He managed the expansion Nats 1961, 62 and half season in 1963. He has never fully been recognized as one of the top MLB standouts which he was. He was Mister Washington Senator, a great man on and off the field.

Eddie Johnson

Born in Camden, SC on Jun. 1, 1944

Departed on September 16, 2008 and resided in Paterson, NJ.

Mr. Eddie Johnson was born and raised in Camden, South Carolina on June 12, 1944 to the late Mrs. Rosalie Johnson and John Johnson. He entered into eternal rest on September 16, 2008 after an extended illness. Eddie was raised in a loving Christian home and was a member of Mt. Moziah

Baptist Church. He was educated in the Kershaw County school system, as well as the Paterson public school system. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mrs. Rosalie Johnson and Mr. John

Johnson, two brothers, Mr. Louis Johnson and Mr. Robert (Gus) Johnson, one sister, Miss Alberta Johnson, one daughter, Tamel Whitaker, as well as one stepson, Quashin Lindsey.

Kenny Albert doing well on NFL telecasts. Remember when he broadcast for the Capitals? By the way the Capitals should be Stanley Cup contenders this season.

Kevin Cowherd had a great column in this past Sunday�s (9/21/08) Baltimore Sun on the Food Network, it was outstanding I am a follower of the food networks and all the shows he mentioned. I like Bobby Flay, Top Chef, Iron Chef, Food Detective.

Don�t forget Steve Schuh�s Ol� Fashioned Rock-N-Roll Bash, as fundraiser for his re-election campaign for 31^st Delegate. The affair is October 4^th at Big Vanilla in Pasadena. For information log on to Steve@steveschuh.com.

DC Diva star Donna Wilkinson is working with Steve Bassett on Howard High School football games on SSN in Howard County. Donna does a great job and ESPN should pick her up now.

BOXING NEWS

Better Promotions, LLC held their first show at the Maryland Sportsplex before a capacity crowd. Here are the results of the bouts:

Shelly Seivert took a split decision over Carrine Hamlett.

Mark Tucker, Jr. won a 4^th round TKO over Carlos Jones to remain unbeaten.

Juan Carlos Robles ran his record to 10-2-0 with a 3^rd round TKO over Tommy Washington, Jr.

Todd Wilson goes to 5-0-0 with a 6 round unanimous decision over Mike Denby.

Tony Jeter won a four round unanimous decision over Chris Cooke.

Scott Sigmon took a 4 round majority decision over William Johnson, Jr.

Harold Ikem Orji won by unanimous decision over Ramando Elliott.

Nice crowd, good fights for the first adventure for Better Promotions.

SUPPORT SOUTHERN MD SPORTS!!

Redskins Need a Quarterback

Joe Flacco looked good in his NFL debut and guided the �Rooting Ravens� to an upset of the Bengals.

Also �Raghead� Ray and �Thug� Suggs led an old but experienced Ravens defense that rose on occasion throughout the game to stifle the Bengals time after time. I think Flacco is the �man� for the Ravens so convert Troy Smith to a running back.

Another Raven rookie Ray Rice looked good and reminded me of former Redskin Dick James. Maybe I will have to rethink my feelings about the Ravens, but not about the Redskins as they are really bad and need a quarterback, an NFL one which Campbell isn�t.

Matt Ryan looked good for the Atlanta Falcons and Jay Cutler for the Broncos.

Jim Harbaugh did a good job in getting his team ready for the sorry looking Bengals and should have his second win playing at Houston this Monday evening.

Last Sunday was a bad weekend for quarterbacks with Tom Brady (NE) and Alex Smith (SF) lost for the season as was LB Shawn Merrieman (SD). Vince Young (Titans) acting weird and out for a few weeks. Brian Griese starts for the injured Jeff Garcia at Tampa Bay. WR Nate Burleson at Seattle is out for the season.

Look for Brady Quinn to move into the starting QB position at Cleveland.

At Kansas City Brodie Croyle will be out for at least two weeks.

Look for New Orleans to blast the Redskins today but the Ravens will have a real battle with Houston.

Both Navy and Maryland suffered embarrassing losses last week the Mids to Ball State and the Terps to Middle Tennessee (who)?

MEMORIES, CLOVERS AT CHESAPEAKE BEACH NOVEMBER 1^ST

A smash double header will be on tap November 1^st when local favorites and Hall of Famers, the Memories and the Hall of Fame Clovers (17 number one hits including Love Potion Number 9) appear at the Chesapeake American Legion, show begins at 7 p.m. and runs to 11 p.m. General seating is $20 with VIP seating available. For information call 301-520-9771 or Lou Martin at 410-867-8178. This will be a smash show!

CHECK OUT COACHES

There�s a great new sports place in Rockville called Coaches owned by Mike Fagen, his father played football for Gonzaga in 1949 and later coached at Georgetown Prep. They have a great menu and the sports atmosphere is super. Check it out at 4836 Bolling Brook Parkway in the Randolph Hills Shopping Center.

NICKLOW GOES TO 19-0-1

Jake Smith�s Baltimore Pro Boxing held a great card last week at �Du� Burns Arena. Jessie Nicklow took an unanimous decision over George Rivera to run his record to 19-0-1.

Other Results:

James Stevenson Jr., 3^rd TKO over Dontre King

Dwayne McRae, 4^th TKO over Hannibel Otey

Octavius Davis, unanimous decision over Robert McConnell Jr.

Keith Gross, unanimous decision over Calvin Aughtry.

Ballroom Boxing returns to Michael�s 8^th Avenue on Thursday, September 25^th.

Chuck Sturm will be inducted to the Anne Arundel Sports Hall of Fame on October 15^th at the Halls 18^th Induction dinner at Michael�s 8^th Avenue in Glen Burnie. Tickets are $30 and call Barbara Walter at 410-859-0151. Sturm was an outstanding boxer and once fought for the WBO World Welterweight Championship against Anthony Boyle in 1993.

NATIONALLY RANKED SHEPHERD BLANKS BOWIE STATE 14-0

The 13^th ranked (AFCA NCAA Division II Poll) Rams of Shepherd University took advantage of several Bowie State miscues and blanked the Bulldogs 14-0 on a very wet Ram Stadium field turf.

The Shepherd Rams (2-0) scored first at the 10:29 mark of the first quarter on an 8-yard reception by Ryan Lavin from Tyler Lazear. Eric Dobratz converted the extra point, giving Shepherd an early 7-0 lead.

Bowie State�s Joshua Miller blocked a Matt Martin punt and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown. However, a holding penalty on the Bulldogs negated the score. Shepherd missed two great opportunities to add to their lead following two fumbles by Bowie State, but could not capitalize and took a 7-0 lead into the field house.

Shepherd led Bowie State (1-1) in total yards in the first half, 67 to 63. Of the Rams 67 yards, 53 were on Shepherd�s first drive of the game. Shepherd�s Jimmy Sutch led all first half rushers with 48 yards. BSU senior Jason Scott completed five-of-16 first half passes for 25 yards and fellow senior Isaac Redman carried the ball 12 times for 34 yards in the first 30 minutes.

A.J. Brown rushed for a 10 yard touchdown with 6:37 left in the game and Dobratz added the extra point, extending Shepherd�s lead to 14-0. The scoring opportunity was setup after a center snap sailed over the head of Bowie State punter Michael Gagne.

Bowie State and Shepherd combined for 280 yards in total offense, 123 for Bowie State�s Bulldogs and 157 for Shepherd�s Rams. There was a bright spot for Bowie State as the Bulldogs sacked the Shepherd quarterback five times for 20 yards. Yusuf Dorman-El led the attack with two and the trio of Matthew Rogers, Willie McCurdy and Alvin Cox added one each.

�I�m pretty sure they�re not excited about how they won and we�re just as disappointed as to how we lost�, said fifth year Head Coach Mike Lynn. Bowie State coughed up the slippery pigskin four times (losing three) and had two passes intercepted. Shepherd fumbled the ball three times on the afternoon, losing two. In terms of penalties, BSU�s Bulldogs were flagged eight times for 83 yards and SU�s Rams were penalized six times for 61 yards.

Shepherd�s Sutch finished with a game-high 77 yards and Lazear completed 10-of-21 passes for 88 yards. Nasser Muhammad led the Shepherd receivers with 35 yards and Ryan Lavin along with Raymond Mends tallied 28 and 27 yards respectively.

Redman paced Bowie State with 71 rushing yards and Scott wrapped up the game with 59 passing yards, completing 12-of-33. Freshman Clifton Budd had a game-high four receptions (29 yards) and sophomore Sterling Grant-Jones once again led the Bowie State defense with a game-high 11 tackles.

Frese Named Honorary Chair of SIDS Awareness Event

Golf fundraising tournament slated for October 6 in Ellicott City, Md.

Maryland women's basketball head coach Brenda Frese is teaming up with the Center for Infant & Child Loss at the University of Maryland School of Medicine to raise awareness of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Frese is serving as honorary chair of the 18th annual Verizon Wireless-SIDS Golf Invitational, which takes place Monday, October 6 at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Md. The event raises much-needed funds for the Center.

"Supporting this tournament was a no-brainer for me," said Frese, who is a new mother of healthy twin boys born in mid-February. "As a parent, you wake up every morning wondering if everything is okay. I feel it's critical for me to support this center and do all I can to relay valuable information to parents on how to keep their children safe."

The Center for Infant & Child Loss works to raise awareness of SIDS and other causes of sudden child death, providing free grief counseling to help families copes with the loss of a child. The Center relies heavily on the golf tournament to fund its education and support programs for Maryland parents. Last year, more than 260 golfers participated, raising $130,000.

"This annual tournament enables the Center to fulfill its mission of providing families with compassionate services needed to cope with their loss, so that they can continue to parent, work and be a contributing member of the community," said Donna C. Becker, MSN, RN, the Center's Director.

The Center was founded in 1975 to support Marylanders who have lost a child, up to age 16, suddenly and unexpectedly. All services are offered at no cost. The golf event was founded in 1991.

The 18th annual Verizon Wireless-SIDS Golf Invitational is scheduled for a shotgun start at 11 a.m. An evening reception will follow, with a live auction, smooth jazz music and Master of Ceremonies Alex Cortright of radio station WRNR in Annapolis.

For more information on the golf tournament or to register, donate or pledge a sponsorship, please call (410) 706-3091 or (800) 808-7437, or visit www.infantandchildloss.org. Information can also be obtained by calling John Johnson or Verizon Wireless at (240) 568-1429 or by email at john.h.johnson@verizonwireless.com.

Field Hockey's Scholl Blogs for NCAA.com

Senior will give weekly highlights of being a student-athlete

Follow Maryland senior Sarah Scholl through her senior campaign on the Terrapin field hockey team at www.ncaa.com. Scholl will be blogging about her experiences as a student-athlete throughout the season, giving weekly updates.

A native of Center Valley, Pa., Sarah Scholl is a four-year starter and a three-time member of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Squad. Also a two-time Academic All-ACC honoree, she is a food science major. She helped Maryland capture the 2005 and 2006 National Championships, as well as, the 2005 ACC crown.

Scholl's first entry of the season is already online and can be accessed by copying and pasting the following link:

http://www.ncaa.com/sport/default.aspx?sid=911&id=327894

Scholl's blog is among several featuring athletes across different sports and divisions on the NCAA's sports website. The "Blog Central" can be accessed by copying and pasting the following link:

http://www.ncaa.com/blogcentral/default.aspx?id=9902

In Scholl's first entry of the season, she introduces herself by providing some background information and talks about the team's opening weekend in her home state.

WE GET LETTERS:

Bill:

You had a great item about the great female athletes who never benefitted from Title 9 and that is a tragedy. However, we do have Title 9 today and it has made an enormous difference. We have Title 9 because of the efforts of my friend, former Indiana Senator Birch Bayh. He sponsored the successful legislation along with many other progressive, visionary bills. Today, Senator Bayh is trying -- as he attempted to do during his years in the Senate -- to reform our archaic electoral college. But not to get off the subject. To all women who have and are benefitting from Title 9, they owe a special debt of gratitude to Senator Bayh. We are lucky that this great man is one of our own now. I'm sure Indiana is still special to him, but he lives and votes in Maryland.

Christopher Falkenhagen

Chris,

You are so right, thanks.

Bill

Bill,

Boller is to Baltimore what Campbell is to Washington. Neither has never..... or will ever... make enough plays to deserve being a starting QB in the NFL. If either of them ever steps on an NFL field, it's all about money, politics or front office stupidity ....... and definitely has nothing to do with their talent to lead, make smart decisions and put their team in a position to win an NFL game.
Not before....Not now.....Not ever. !!!!!!!
Dan Morrison

Dan,

Campbell is terrible but what did you think of Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan?

Bill

Bill,
You asked me what I thought of the Redskins? After watching all of the preseason I think they will be lucky to go 8 and 8. I don't recall any good head coach who had been a quarterback, do you? We tried it with Otto Grahm, New York tried it with Sammy Baugh. I can't recall any others maybe Van Brocklyn. Am I wrong or during the second world war there were not enough players to go around so Philadelphia and Pittsburg combined into one team and played half of their games in Phile and half in Pittsburg. I seem to remember a team called the Penna Philpits
I may be all wrong but for some reason this sticks in my mind.
Tom V.

Dear Tom,

Thanks.

Bill

Bill,

Thanks for the column, my hometown connection from down here in swampland, and I mean that literally. Fay is still causing rivers to rise. Hard to watch our Redskins but former coach Joe Gibbs was a winner at the RNC. He gave a rousing speech and even offered prayer for our country. Now that is class, right? I hope my friends and family on the east coast are spared any damage from Hanna. Dr. Rhonda update: loved delivering babies last month - this month research on juvenile diabetes, next is pediatric neurosurgery, then rheumatology and December is commencement in Woolsey Hall at Yale University, then some bigtime celebrating in the Big Apple with Yalie Mom. She has receiv ed several incredible offers to practice medicine in various hospitals after graduation already. Grandson Robert still tearing up the BMX bikepark down here and still making Grandma Dale nervous. Ryan Lochte of right here in Port Orange, Fl came home with Olympic medals, including gold and silver.

Serious prayers needed for Haitians who have been without food, water and clothing for days, hundreds of lives lost, and now "Ike" seems headed directly for them. My son Daniel is headed down there with some volunteers from his church. The challenge of course will be to get to the stranded victims.

Blessings and love to all,

Dale

Dale,

Good report, thanks.

Bill

Bill,

Lookalikes: Nancy Crow and Debbie Reynolds, Joan Lyon and Ann Blyth, Jackie Harding and Susan Hayward (especially the walk); Shirley Hudgins and Loretta Young; Carole West and Reese Witherspoon; Janet Bruchie and June Haver; Bill Smith (Smitty) and Van Johnson; Bill McCaffrey and Nick Nolte; Phil Perlo and Al Jolson; Donald Cohen, Len Kanthal and Gregory Peck; John Linthicum and John Schneider; Charlie Sokol and John Garfield.

Female athletes at Roosevelt: Nancy Crow, all around gifted athlete of all sports (she trained during the winter months at the indoor pool at the downtown Ambassador Hotel); Jackie Harding - baseball, bowling and rollerskating; Carol Marks - baseball, horseback riding; Felicia (Cookie) Chipouras and Lula Christakos - all around athletes.

Herb

Dear Herb,

Those are good ones!

Bill

Bill,

Good to see your writing....

Had the privilege of going to the USC/UVA "game" in CVS last Saturday.....been to one other game down there, the 52-13 shellacking by VT three years ago (and the 2nd largest crowd in Scott stadium history...at that point)....when I pointed this fact out to the friendlies around me when the current score was 45-7 USC, I said I hope they don't score again and get 52!!...within seconds they did indeed score to make it 52-7 and the announced crowd was a record 64k+....I had to talk my way out!!!....

Do notice that the Nats have lowered some season ticket prices for 2009....was happy with my seats but they lowered them by $10 a seat....I will not complain......these past couple weeks show what the kids are capable of when they get those timely hits...but they do need a little (big) bat in the middle of the line-up next year...will Elijah Dukes be that guy?

Brian

Dear Brian,

Good report.

Bill

SPORTS NOTES

The Bowie State University at Nicholls University (Thibodaux, LA) football game Saturday (9/13) has been cancelled due to structural damage to the lighting system of John L. Guidry Stadium. This non-conference game will not be rescheduled.

Bowie State�s next scheduled game will be Saturday, September 20^th at Livingstone College (Salisbury, NC). Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Livingstone�s Alumni Stadium. For additional information about Bowie State athletics, log on to www.bsubulldogs.com.

ORIOLES AND NATS SINK

On the same day this past week the Orioles lost their 80^th game of the season and the Nats their 90^th.

How pathetic is that? These are two of the worse teams in baseball and worst managed and don�t give me that crap about how good Trembley is, if he were a sound manager how come he puts lineups on the field who make stupid mistakes in fielding, bunting, throwing and has his pitchers throwing stupid pitches?

Nats manager Manny Acta is just horrible, no other way to put it. The front offices aren�t any better, especially the media/PR departments.

It�s a good thing you can get DirecTV and get the M2B package. Both teams are carried on radio stations that are not very good.

Bud Selig should step in and make these teams get good management on board. Both won�t be much better next season!

WIETERS, TILLMAN TAKE HOME HARDWARE

It took the whole 2008 season, but two names Orioles fans expected to see flying around received accolades Friday. On September 5, the Orioles announced that Baysox pitcher Chris Tillman and catcher Matt Wieters were each named Orioles organizational players of the month for August. Wieters began the year with Class High-A Frederick and made the Carolina League All-Star team before coming to Bowie midway through the season. Tillman has been with Bowie all year and made the Eastern League All-Star team in 2008 after coming over from Seattle in the trade for Erik Bedard.

In his second full month at the AA level, catcher Matt Wieters proved that his first pro season has been no fluke. In 27 games in August, the switch-hitting Wieters hit .364 (36-for-99) with 5 doubles, a triple, 6 homeruns, 23 RBI, and 21 runs scored. He boasted a team-leading .459 on-base percentage for the month, in part thanks to his pitch selection which allowed him to draw 19 walks to just 13 strikeouts. Wieters also stole his second base of the year in August. Though not particularly fast, he has great instincts and feel for all aspects of the game, including baserunning. Wieters displayed all of his tools in Bowie August 8, going 3-for-3 with 2 homeruns, 6 RBI, and a walk in a victory over New Britain. The young slugger has no plans to slow down in the aftermath of his standout rookie season, he wi ll be heading to play in the Arizona Fall League beginning October 7.

Tillman closed out his inaugural year with the Orioles franchise with a dominant August. The lanky right-hander started 6 games for the Baysox last month, compiling a 4-1 record with a miserly 1.80 ERA. In 35.0 total innings, Tillman allowed just 7 runs on 24 hits while walking 11 batters and striking out 51. Opponents hit for an average of just .192 against him for the month. In 3 starts from August 14 to 26, Tillman went 3-0, pitching 18.0 shutout innings (6.0 per outing), allowing just 10 hits and 4 walks while striking out 23.

BAYSOX LOOK FOR REVENGE IN HOME OPENER

2009 HOME SCHEDULE OPENS APRIL 16 AGAINST AKRON

The Bowie Baysox, Class AA Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, will open their 2009 home schedule against the Akron Aeros on Thursday, April 16 at 7:05 p.m. The first home stand will pit the Baysox against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs when the Aeros come to town for four games followed by a three-game set with Erie April 20-23.

The Baysox will return home on Friday, May 1 for a three-game series against Akron before taking on Trenton in a four-game series. It will be Trenton's only visit to Bowie in 2009.

Bowie will open a seven-game home stand on Thursday May 14 when the SeaWolves come back to town for four games. Once Erie leaves, Altoona will make their first trip to Prince George's stadium for three games, May 18-20.

The Harrisburg Senators will come to town for a three-game series May 29-31 and the Baysox will play another three-game series against Erie June 5-7. After a week on the road, Bowie will return home to take on the Reading Phillies June 16-20 and New Britain June 19-21. It will New Britain's only visit to Prince George's Stadium in 2009.

Akron returns to Bowie for another four game set June 30-July 3. The Baysox will wrap up the first half of the season with a seven-game home stand leading up the All-Star game. They will take on Harrisburg July 7-9 and Altoona July 10-13.

After the All-Star game, the Baysox hit the road for seven games before returning home to take on Reading July 24-26 and Connecticut July 27-30. After the July 30 game against the Defenders, Baysox fans will have to wait 11 days for the next home game, when a pair of Northern Division teams come in for a six-game set. New Hampshire will be in Bowie August 11-13 and Portland comes to town August 14-16. The Portland series is the third consecutive home series against the Northern Division, none of the three teams will return to Bowie in the regular season.

The Altoona Curve will come to town for the last time for a four game series August 21-24 and the Baysox will host Akron for the final time August 25-27. The Baysox will end the 2009 regular season with a seven game home stand against Binghamton and Harrisburg. Bowie will play Binghamton September 1-3 and Harrisburg September 4-7.

2009 Month-by-Month

Month Dates Opponent

April 16-19 Akron Aeros

20-23 Erie SeaWolves

May 1-3 Akron Aeros

4-7 Trenton Thunder

14-17 Erie SeaWolves

19-21 Altoona Curve

29-31 Harrisburg Senators

June 5-7 Erie SeaWolves

16-18 Reading Phillies

19-21 New Britain Rock Cats

30 Akron Aeros

July 1-3 Akron Aeros

7-9 Harrisburg Senators

10-13 Altoona Curve

24-26 Reading Phillies

27-30 Connecticut Defenders

August 11-13 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

14-16 Portland Sea Dogs

21-24 Altoona Curve

25-27 Akron Aeros

September 1-3 Binghamton Mets

4-7 Harrisburg Senators

Tickets for individual 2009 home games won't be available until spring, but Mini-Plans and Fielder's Choice Packs will be available in the coming weeks on www.baysox.com.

SUPPORT SOUTHERN MD SPORTS!!

The World is Catching Up with USA

What an Olympics! Surprises, great events, and wow those women’s gymnastics Nastia Linkin, Shawn Johnson and the USA team. Michael Phelps, the track records, volleyball, women’s beach volleyball, I even watched the Kayak races. Of course the men’s and women’s basketball teams are nothing short of fantastic. The best individual athletes are Kobe Bryant, Michael Phelps, Shawn Johnson all from USA.

One thing for sure though the rest of the countries are catching up with the USA. I received a couple of letters on the Olympics and here they are:

Bill,

I surfed on the Federer Gold medal doubles match.... 8am this morning..... And watched every shot of the exciting and rare doubles sighting for Fererer in the Swiss won match ...and now can’t wait to see the Williams sisters play for the Gold... But no 2 people view the Olympics the same way.... I talk at length to my best friend and only agree with maybe half his NBC coverage gripes....Aside from too little wrestling- volleyball- weightlifting - badminton and velodrome cycling ..the Beach Volleyball has been wayyyyyyyyy OVER covered for my East coast/ mid Atlantic tastes...

Dan

Bill,

When it comes to watching the Olympics.....it different strokes for different folks..Sure I love the majors- swimming , gymnastics and the track and field.....but I also love watching the amateur sports especially when played at this level...wrestling- volleyball- weightlifting - badminton....As for me, Tennis goes first......then baseball with a bunch of anonymous minor league players can go away.....and softball I respect them greatly, but the other teams are less competitive than the Washington Generals.

Dan

BOXING NEWS

Promoter Murray "Jake" Smith of Baltimore Pro Boxing will be holding a "pro-am" boxing show at the Clarence "Du" Burns Arena in the Canton neighborhood of East Baltimore at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2008. Al least five professional bouts sanctioned by the Maryland State Athletic Commission are scheduled to be held, preceded by three amateur bouts which will be sanctioned by the South Atlantic Association of USA Boxing. The main event for September 5th will feature Jessie "The Beast" Nicklow (18-0-1, 7 KO’s) versus southpaw George Rivera (8-2-0, 3 KO’s) in an eight-round junior middleweight bout. Southern Maryland’s Keith Gross (1-0-0, 1 KO) will be fighting Calvin Aughtry (0-1-0) from our Nation’s Capital in a four-round junior middleweight bout. Ellicott City’s Robert McConnell, Jr. (1-1-0, 0 KO’s) will be competing in a four-round cruiserweight bout. Pro debut h eavyweights Dwayne McRae of Bowie and Hannibal Otey of Baltimore are scheduled to fight each other in a scheduled four-round bout. Tickets can be purchased by calling 410-675-6900.

Washington, D.C. hosted an ESPN-televised professional boxing show on August 16, 2008 at the Ibiza Night Club. The main event, featuring Baltimore’s Ishmail "The Arsenal" Arvin and Philadelphia’s Anthony "The Messenger" Thompson competing against each other for the United States Boxiong Organization (USBO) Junior Middleweight Title, ended in controversy. Arvin was declared the winner by TKO in the sixth round when a deep cut over Thompson’s left eye warranted the ringside doctor to recommend that the fight be halted. The controversy involved whether the cut, which occurred in the third round, was caused by a clash of heads or by a punch. At the conclusion of round three, referee Malik Waleed ruled that the cut was caused by a punch because he indicated that he did not see an accidental headbutt. After the fight concluded, television replay ap peared to suggest that the cut was caused by an accidental headbutt. After much post-bout discussion, the Washington, D.C. Boxing and Wrestling Commission made the TKO ruling based on referee Waleed’s initial "punch" call. Two other bouts included a local connection. Oxon Hill’s Alexander "The Great" Johnson beat Philadelphia’s Zeferino Albino in a four-round televised re-match. Brandywine’s Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell scored a second round TKO over Indiana’s Ryan "The Gatekeeper" St. Germain.

BROTMAN HONORED

Charley Brotman was honored at the Fitzgerald Tennis Center on Tuesday by having the press box named after him. At 80 years of age, he was honored before the Roddick match and was given particular accolades for having been the public address announcer for the tennis tournament held at that site for the last 40 years. He was totally surprised and thrilled and gave his traditional "Thank Yooooouuuu" to the crowd.

ACC & MARYLAND FOOTBALL

Here’s my outlook on how the ACC will finish:

ATLANTIC DIVISION

1- Clemsen

2- Wake Forest

3- Florida State

4- Boston College

5- Maryland

6- NC State

COSTAL

1- Virginia Tech

2- North Carolina

3- Georgia Tech

4- Miami

5- Duke

6- Virginia

I don’t like the selection of Jordan Steffy over Chris Turner, I think it’s a big mistake that coach Ralph Friedgen is making. Turner deserves to start and I think the Friedge has no respect for Delaware and that’s why Steffy is the starting quarterback this week.

Terps center Edwin Williams is a decent offensive lineman.

DeMatha’s Ken Tate is playing in the defensive backfield but could return to wide receiver at any time.

Keep an eye on backup center Danny Edwards, he’s going to be a good one.

A lot of Maryland grads are upset that Turner is not starting and they are critizing the Friedge despite him being a U of MD grad.

The Terps should get their six wins to qualify for a bowl. I look for them to beat Delaware, Middle Tennessee Eastern Michigan, Virginia, NC State and probably California.

Navy opens Saturday hosting Towson and there’s Ball State, Duke, Air Force, SMU, Temple, Northern Illinois, and Army so that should be eight wins for the Middies.

I am glad to see the Ravens giving Troy Smith a real shot at the quarterback job, I think he will surprise a few people.

I don’t think the Ravens or Redskins will make the playoffs.

Two Terps Named to WBCA National Player of the Year Watch List

Coleman and Toliver named candidates for the third-straight year

Maryland’s Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver were two of 25 women’s basketball players named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) "Wade Watch" list for the State Farm Wade Trophy,

presented to the Division I national player of the year, the WBCA announced on Tuesday. It is the third-straight year the duo makes the preseason list.

Maryland is one of six schools with multiple candidates. It is the fourth-straight year the Terrapins have had at least two players named to the watch list.

The ACC is second among all the conferences in selections, boasting six overall, two fewer than the Big East.

Rising seniors Marissa Coleman (Cheltenham, Md./St. John’s College [D.C.])and Kristi Toliver (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) are two of three players named candidates for the third-consecutive year. Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris is also making her third-career appearance.

Bill,

Hail to the Redskins…Great game last night. Favre who?

Marlene

SPORTS NOTES

Don’t forget the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament on October 1st.

Auction items include vacation packages, sports memorabilia, game tickets, dinners, financial services, art work, spa and fitness packages, a mink stole, and much, much more! Auction donors will receive recognition in the program and can receive an autographed Route 281 shirt or even tickets to the event!

All guests will receive a custom made crystal gift and the opportunity to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Most of all, you will help Darrell and Art continue to sow seeds of life into our area youth that will reap a harvest for our community, our nation, and even the world!!

You don’t want to miss James Carville and Mary Matalin at the Super Gala on Saturday, September 6! Both will emcee the evening and conduct a live auction featuring a custom made Darrell Green/Art Monk Route 281 speed boat!

There’s still time to become a sponsor, purchase a ticket and/or donate an item for auction!

Auction items include vacation packages, sports memorabilia, game tickets, dinners, financial services, art work, spa and fitness packages, a mink stole, and much, much more! Auction donors will receive recognition in the program and can receive an autographed Route 281 shirt or even tickets to the event!

All guests will receive a custom made crystal gift and the opportunity to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Most of all, you will help Darrell and Art continue to sow seeds of life into our area youth that will reap a harvest for our community, our nation, and even the world!!

Visit www.route281.com to purchase tickets or become a sponsor.

Do something good and be rewarded for it, too! Who could ask for anything more?!

Even Football is a Loser to Olympics

Before I start today's column I would like to take time to ask each of you to pray for the following people:

Terry Maher � good friend of mine since our days at W. B. Powell Elementary school in DC, he had a massive heart attack and is now recovering at home.

Phil Kapneck � my motivator and long time very close friend, he�s being treated at Johns Hopkins hospital.

Marilyn Jacobs Ott � very good friend who I went out with when I was 15. She is being treated for cancer. She graduated from BCC, St. Mary�s College and the University of Maryland.

Dick Lyons � good friend who just had a colon cancer operation.

Please send out your prayers for the above and I thank you.

It’s the Olympics and Michael Phelps by a big margin over baseball and football.

Baseball I can see by the poor performance of the Nationals and Orioles lose out but even football is a loser to the Olympics.

A couple of notes on the Olympics: (1) why is the Olympics committee and the USA swimming world putting the disrespect on Mark Spizler? Shouldn�t he be there in some capacity? (2) Why doesn�t the USA Men�s basketball team have more than just Michael Redd for three-point shooting? Where oh where is Brian Magid when you need someone like him who can bring it from downtown? (3) I thought Katie Hoff would come away with at least one gold medal. (4) Why are the Olympics getting rid of softball and baseball and keeping badm itton and ping pong? It�s no wonder China is running up their medal count. (5) If Coach K and Jerry Colanglo are such round ball geniuses why didn’t they have more than one three point shooter on their team? (6) Its a great show but a lot of events TV viewers just don�t watch. (7) I think Bobby Magruder would make a great Olympic boxing coach and trainer.

Boxing returns to Michael�s 8^th Avenue on September 25^th. Tony Jeter will headline �Better Promotions, LLC� first card at the Maryland Sportsplex, 1031 Benfield Boulevard in Millersville on September 19^th @ 8:00 p.m. For information call 410-729-0694.

Local boxer Bantamweight Gary Russell was cheated out of the Olympics by inept handling by the USA coaching staff. Russell was the USA�s most exciting fighter. He got into fighting when he was two years old. He has appeared on my �Inside Sports� show on PGCTV.

From: Henry Hascup:

MUSKEGON BOXING LEGEND KENNY LANE DIES AT 76

Kenny Lane, one of the all-time greats in Muskegon area sports history, died Tuesday of a heart attack. He was 76.

Lane was the most accomplished boxer in area history, a crafty lightweight southpaw who compiled a career record of 77-14-2.

But as good of a fighter as he was, Lane forged an even greater legacy as a trainer of young men, working with area kids for the past 40 years, freely giving his expertise to several generations.

"I've never met anyone who loved kids more than Kenny Lane," said Jack Crowell, who was trained by Lane and then coached with him for years at the Muskegon Area Boxing Club, now known as the Muskegon Recreation Center.

"Kenny was the glue of our organization. We are going to miss everything about him so much."

Lane was at the Muskegon Recreation Center, located at Smith-Ryerson Park in the Jackson Hill area of Muskegon, sparring in the ring with young fighters on Monday, the night before his death. He died while playing golf, which replaced boxing as his obsession in his later years.

Chronicle file photo Southpaw lightweight professional boxer Kenny Lane, left boxed in 1950s and 1960s. He won the Lightweight title n 1963. He is shown with Walter "Pete" Petroskey, who boxed from 1923-1939.

Lane, who honed his skills under the guidance of legendary area trainer Pete Petroskey, turned professional in 1953. He was known for his unorthodox style, which is why many top boxers of the day avoided fights with him.

He is the only area boxer to ever fight for a world championship, losing a controversial 15-round decision to Joe Brown in 1958. Calls for a rematch were ignored.

Lane continued to maintain his top ranked challenger rating for several more years and won the Michigan version of the World Lightweight crown in a 15-round battle with Paul Armstead. In 1964, five and a half years after the first fight, Lane finally earned another title shot against Carlos Ortiz.

Once again, the southpaw lost a close 15round decision. Lane fought for one more year. On October 25, 1965, at the age of 33, after losses to future Junior Welterweight Champion Carlos Hernandez and former Junior Welterweight Champion Eddie Perkins, he called it quits.

In 1982, he startled the boxing world by coming out of retirement at age 50 and proceeded to win three of four matches against younger opponents. As a result, Lane became the oldest professional boxer to appear in his 100th professional bout.

"We all know him now because of his great sense of humor and everything else, but make no mistake, Kenny was one of the greatest left handed fighters of all time," said Crowell. "I've traveled all over the world with boxing, but no matter where I go, people know about Kenny Lane. He was that good."

Lane, who made a living as an electronics repairman, was inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1988 and the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and four children. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,
Henry Hascup

BASEBALL AND NOTES

Still playing elevator the Orioles go up and down and still stay below the .500 mark (4 games under going into this past Friday�s game). You can always count on the Orioles winning one when Jeremy Gutherie is on the hill and maybe two when one of the other pitchers may have a good game.

The Orioles draw good when the Red Sox or Yankees are in town but that�s when those teams bring big crowds to town.

Melvin Mora and Aubrey Huff are having great seasons.

Just like the Washington Nationals the Orioles have a horrible PR and media staff. For example tell them you represent a minority publication and you get all the credentials for food, parking and a top seat in the press box. The Nationals are just terrible on the field but they do have an outstanding team broadcasting � Bob Carpenter, Johnny Holiday, Ray Knight, Debbie Taylor and Don Sutton.

In the Orioles booth Jim Palmer and maybe Fred Manthra are decent. A suggestion to the Nats � ax Acta and make Ray Knight the manager

For the Orioles bring on John Lowenstein, Rick Sutclife, Ken Singleton, and Brooks Robinson to join Jim and Fred. Defense wise the Orioles need a catcher and shortstop, the Nats need a first baseman, catcher, outfielder, and a young pitcher like Ross Detwhiler.

The best thing the Orioles have going for them is PA man Dave McGowan, he ranks with the best in baseball.

I’d like to see Frank Howard involved with the Nats in some capacity.

Texas closer C.J. Wilson has shut down for the season.

My sources tell me that the Ravens and Redskins look decent and should have .500 or better years.

Maryland and Navy are going to need help!

Two quarterbacks don’t work and the Fridge should dump that idea and stick with Chris Turner. Portis and Steffy will never cut it.

The Terps open with Delaware August 30^th.

It�s time for Wheeler Baker to go into the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame. Wheeler is a former member of the MD House of Delegates, former Queen Anne�s County Commissioner, a record setting hydrone National champion and an inductee into the American Power Boat Association Hall of Champions.

Wheeler was part of a group who brought the popular �Thunder on the Narrows� back to the Kent Island Yacht Club. Wheeler is a great man who belongs in the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame.

Congratulations to 100 year old Joe Osterman who is going to be inducted into the Greater Washington DC Boxing Hall of Fame on November 21^st.

�Project Runway� lacks a Christian Sirrano personality this season, bring back Top Chef!

James Blake won and the Williams sisters lost in the Olympics.

Manny cut his hair in LA but I think Joe Torre wants more to go.

Restaurant Northwoods has closed in Annapolis. Marticks restaurant on Mulberry Street in Baltimore has also closed.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following:

Isaac Hayes (songwriter, singer, wrote Shaft theme).

Bernie Mac � (Comedian and TV star).

Cynthia Louise Johnson (Suitland HS grad).

Barron Demetruis Proctor (Surrattsville HS grad).

Patricia Hepp Kennedy Garrabraut (native of St. Mary�s County and Georgetown Visitation grad).

Gilbert Hahn Jr. (former DC City Council chairman, his grandfather founded the William Hahn and Company shoe store).

Richard L. Sullivan (Gonzaga and Georgetown Grad)

Charles Buford Evans (Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS grad).

BERGESEN SETS MILESTONE IN VICTORY

Sebastien Boucher led off the game with his first of two homeruns and the Baysox never looked back, taking the opener of a three-game set in Trenton, 6-2 Tuesday night. Brad Bergesen worked 6.1 strong innings to win his 15th game of the season, breaking a Baysox franchise record. Bergesen allowed two runs on five hits while striking out two on his way to earning his 15th win in just 20 starts. With the victory, the Baysox pulled even with Akron for first place in the Southern Division.

Boucher�s blast put the Baysox on top and they looked for more in the top of the first inning. Carlos Rojas hit an infield single to third base but was erased on a fielder's choice off the bat of Nolan Reimold. With Reimold on first and one away, Matt Wieters legged out his first triple of the yea r to score Reimold and give Bowie a 2-0 lead.

The Thunder got one run back in the bottom of the second inning. Francisco Cervelli drew a one-out walk off Bergesen and Cody Ehlers drove a double into the gap in right-center field to plate Cervelli and cut the Baysox lead to 2-1.

The Baysox got their insurance in the top of the fifth thanks to another big blow from Sebastien Boucher. Blake Davis was hit by pitch to lead off the inning and Boucher crushed his second homerun of the night, a monster two-run drive to center field. With one out, Nolan Reimold and Matt Wieters hit back-to-back doubles to score another run and make the score 5-1 Baysox.

Bergesen retired the leadoff man in the bottom of the seventh but then conceded a walk and a single before being pulled from the game. Felix Romero came on to take over and gave up a single to James Cooper that scored Ehlers to cut the Bowie lead to three. Romero settled down and retired the next two batters without inci dent to end the threat.

The Baysox tacked on another run in the top of the eighth. Ryan Finan led off with a double to right field and Jeff Nettles was hit by pitch. Mike Rodriguez brought Finan home with a single to right field to give Bowie a 6-2 lead.

BAYSOX BACK ON TOP!

David Hernandez allowed two earned runs over five innings, picking up his eighth win and propelling the Baysox back into sole possession of first place for the first time since June 15. With the win, the Baysox improve to 73-52 and take a 1.0 game lead over Akron in the Southern Division.

The Baysox offense put up five runs in the third inning and Bowie never looked back. Jonathan Tucker led off the third with an infield single and moved to second when Blake Davis reached on a throwing error. Sebastien Boucher advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt and Carlos Rojas drove them both in with a single to center field. Nolan Reimold drew a walk to put runners on first and second before Matt Wieters delivered a double down the right field line, plating Rojas. Ryan Finan drove Reimold and Wieters in with a single to right to give Bowie a 5-0 lead. Mike Rodriguez hit a two-out single to right to advance Finan to third, but Jonathan Tucker grounded out to end the inning.

Bowie added another run in the fifth inning when Ryan Finan scored on a triple by Mike Rodriguez, and Bowie led 6-0.

Trenton finally got to David Hernandez in the sixth inning. Christopher Malec led off with a double to right field and Colin Curtis drew a walk. P. J. Pilittere lined an RBI single to right and Hernandez was done for the night. He left with runners on the corners and nobody out in the bottom of the sixth.

Ryan Keefer came on to relieve Hernandez and got Edwar Gonzaled to ground out. Curtis scored on the play to cut the lead to 6-2. Keefer got Kevin Russo to fly out for the second out of the inning before walking James Cooper and Reegie Corona to load the bases. Keefer got out of the inning by striking out Francisco Cervelli and the Thunder offense would be done for the night.

Keefer, Chad Thall and Gerrardo Casadiego would combine to throw 4.0 shutout innings of relief of Hernandez. Hernandez improved to 8-4 by winning his third straight start, allowing seven hits and two walks while striking out five in the contest.

Bowie added four more runs in the top of the eighth off Thunder reliever Anthony Claggett. Sebastien Boucher led off with a walk and moved to third on a double by Carlos Rojas. Nolan Reimold drove both runners in with a single to right to give Bowie an 8-2 advantage. After a Matt Wieters walk, Jeff Nettles hit a one-out double to right to drive in Reimold and Wieters to give Bowie a 10-2 lead.

TILLMAN OVERPOWERS THUNDER

Chris Tillman dominated the Trenton Thunder Thursday, throwing six shutout innings as the Baysox swept a three game series with a 2-1 victory. The righty only allowed three hits while striking out nine in the contest. With the win, the Baysox have won four in a row, and seven of their last eight, to improve to 74-52. Bowie remains 1.0 game in front of Akron in the Southern Division. The Baysox have now won a season-high seven in a row on the road and are also a season high 22 games above .500.

Trenton managed a threat with two outs in the first inning, but came away empty. Austin Jackson hit a two-out single to center and Tillman hit Chris Malec with a pitch. Tillman got Colin Curtis to strike out swinging to end the inning.

The Baysox only managed to put more than one runner on base at the same time in the fourth inning. Nolan Reimold was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and Ryan Finan hit a one-out single to center. Jeff Nettles hit an infield single to the pitcher to load the bases before Mike Rodriguez struck out for the second out of the inning. Jonathan Tucker delivered a huge two-out single to score Reimold and Finan, putting Bowie up 2-0.

The Thunder threatened to come right back in the bottom of the fourth. Austin Jackson led off with a single to left and stole second base. Colin Curtis was hit by a pitch with one out to put runners on first and second but P. J. Pilittere hit a line drive to first baseman Ryan Finan. Finan caught the ball and doubled Curtis off of first base to preserve the 2-0 lead.

Trenton finally came up with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Wilfredo Perez came on to relieve Tillman to start the inning and retired the first two batters he faced. P. J. Pilittere singled to right and Cody Ehlers followed with a single to center. Kevin Russo doubled to left field to drive in Pilittere, but Cody Ehlers was thrown out at home to end the inning.

Julio Manon worked 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save. Manon allowed a single to Chris Malec to led off the ninth inning, but Matt Wieters caught pinch runner Walter Ibarra stealing second for the first out of the inning. Manon would retire the next two batters to record his 28th save, setting a new single-season record for the Baysox. Manon joins Brad Bergesen as the second Baysox pitcher to set a single-season franchise record this year.

Erie outfielder Casper Wells is the winner of the Bank of America Eastern League Player of the Week Award and Akron left-hander Scott Lewis is the winner of the Bank of America Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Award.

For more information about Bank of America visit www.bankofamerica.com.

WE GET LETTERS..

Bill,

Everyone i know had grown tired of the GNats and what was going out onto the field everyday, and up until last week end with the arrival of the 2 new, FAST guys ..had TUNED this season O-U-T.

Now if i wanna rant...

-ACTA is a robot when it comes to pitching decisions late in the game....

- No team, Lerner family, better offer more $$$$ than the GNats for Severna Park's Teixiera....though he could still chose to go to a contender. There is no 1B here ...and at 28, if you don't break the bank to get this guy, than you should not be owning this team....

-This is the NL East and 3 teams will always put 90 million and above payrolls on the field. You gotta pay to play.

Respectfully,

Danny Morrison

Dear Danny,

Go get them! Teixicra would come high but would be worth it.

Bill

Bill,

I�ve been praying for you and Terry Maher for ever so long but will now hold him up to our Lord for recovery for his heart. I know exactly what Margo is going through with Roger�s severe attack in October (revived 5 times). Keep the faith, Terry,

Margot Fowler Lusby

Bill,

Thanks for sharing the news concerning Terry. I use to date him in 1950 after Smitty. Just emailed Margo to extend my best wishes for speedy recovery and hi. Hope he does �re-coop� real fast and seems like they caught it in time. I had to get out my �Him Book� with his picture to renew the fun times we use to have dancing and all in those days. I heard that he married Shirley Bockman but life moves on. Take care and glad you are doing so well. Stay in touch,

Ruthie

From Fred Plummer:

Fred just today I learned of the passing of Nancy R. Olley, Nee Myers, on June 12, 2008. She was a member of the January 1950 graduating class. For many years she lived in Wisconsin with her husband and family. She didn�t get back to the DC area too much but I know many classmates and friends remember her and would want to know of her death. I would appreciate it if you would send on the word of her passing. Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

Ann Wellons Wheelbarger, Class of 1950

I wonder where they are today� Dick Chappell, Don Mele, Susan Posey, Bobo Osborne, Mason Cartwell, Dan 'Nerdie' Butler, Jill Quade, Estelle Ginsburg, Ron Perkins, Virginia Duke Jacobs, Joanne Humarrick, Sandy McGregor, and Faye Dement?

More woes for the MTA and MDOT - bus fires, lots of locomotives coming on but what about passenger cars? Governor O'Malley it's time you took a look and put your foot down. That bridge accident brought it to light about how unsafe it is. Two more bridges at least are needed, one from Baltimore to Betterton and Calvert County to Cambridge and MDOT planners had better start planning now!

PHELPS IS THE MAN! For the Olympics, USA and MARYLAND!

SUPPORT SOUTHERN MD SPORTS!!

Fourth I Remember the Most

I hope all of you are enjoying a very enjoyable Fourth of July weekend. Let�s not forget what the Fourth stands for and let�s stand up for America. The Fourth I remember most is 1945, the World War II was ending and the armed forces displayed their might and arms on the mall in downtown DEC and at night on the 4^th a great display of fireworks.

Even the Nats of 1945 finished second in the American League it was a great summer going to Beverly and Triton Beaches, dinner at Al Sears restaurant (the halfway mark for us when we went to the beach), a great time for me.

ORIOLES FOR REAL?

Are the Baltimore Orioles for real? That�s a good question and on the surface it appears so, but just when you think so they drop two of three to the Nats but still at the halfway mark they are above .500.

Dave Trembley has done a great job and at this point he should be a strong candidate for �American League Manager of the Year� and unless the Birds fold he will be.

Here�s a letter from Lenny Foxwell:

Bill:

Thanks for a thorough and thoughtful assessment of Washington's shortstops through the years. I agree with your bottom line conclusion -- that Cecil Travis, at the height of his power, was the finest shortstop this town has ever seen, and despite the fact that his career was interrupted due to wartime service, deserves to be enshrined in Cooperstown.

One of these days I'll have to show you a scorecard that my grandfather kept from a September 21, 1952 game against the Red Sox. Starting lineup was:

Eddie Yost, 3B

Jim Busby, CF

Jackie Jensen, RF

Mickey Vernon, 1B

Pete Runnels, SS

Gil Coan, LF

Floyd Baker, 2B

Mickey Grasso, C

Connie Marrero, P

Sox won 7-3 behind Paul "Dizzy" Trout. Advertisers on the game program included Arcade Pontiac on Irving Street, Stanford Paper Company, Briggs' Hot Dogs and J.C. Harding Electric.

Again, Bill, thanks for taking up the subject and treating it right.

LNF

I was there when Jim Busby joined the Nats on May 3^rd, 1952, he came in a trade with the White Sox along with Mel Hoderlein for Sam Mele. (It was a day when Clark Griffith made two great trades). The other trade brought Jackie Jensen, Spec Shea, Jerry Snyder, and Archie Wilson to the Nats for Irv Noren and Tom Upton.

Busby, Jensen and Wilson were in the starting lineup for the Nats that day and Wilson looked like the best when he went 7 for 9 in the twin bill but alas it was not to be as he went something like 0 for 62 then he was traded on June 9^th to the Red Sox for Ken Wood.

Mickey Grasso came up to the Giants in 1946 then joined the Nats in 1950 and was in DC till 1954 when he was traded to the Indians for Joe Tipton. His claim to fame was his restaurant on 14^th Street NW next to the Trans Lux theater between New York Avenue and H Street.

Yost was the �Walking Man�, Coan was later traded for Roy �Squirl� Sievers, Vernon was a two time American League batting champion, Baker was a decent journeyman who besides the Nats spent time with the Browns, White Sox, Red Sox, and Phillies, Runnels was a two time AL batting leader with the Red Sox and Marrero loved cigars and throwing blooper pitches to Ted Williams.

I dated JoAnn Briggs who was the daughter of one of the Briggs brothers who owned Briggs Hot Dogs, a lot of Redskins worked at Arcade Pontiac it was on the corner of Irving Street and Hyatt Place in Northwest DC.

Coming next week we�ll have a look at Maryland football and a close up of reserve center Danny Edwards who comes from Frederick but has a Prince George�s and Southern Maryland connection.

Baysox, Curve Use Twelve Pitchers In Doubleheader

The Baysox split a doubleheader with the Curve taking game one 8-3 before dropping the nightcap in extra innings, 6-5. Game one was the conclusion of Saturday's regularly scheduled game and lasted seven innings. Due to Minor League Baseball rules, the second game was also scheduled for seven innings, but went ten.

Game one began where the teams left off Saturday, with one out and a man on first in the bottom of the third inning with the Baysox leading 4-3. The Curve sent Jeff Sues to the mound to take over for Saturday's starter, Josh Shortslef, and Sues retired the rest of the side in order.

Ryan Keefer took over for Rommie Lewis to begin Sunday's affair for the Baysox and continued to impress, going 2.1 innings and allowing just three hits to earn his first victory of the year. Keefer is still getting stronger returning from Tommy John surgery in 2006, "I'm feeling a lot better command-wise and my arm is feeling good. I've got a little different role now, I'm more of a long guy but I feel really good. My throwing partners are a big help with my control and locating my pitches, I'm just feeling good."

The Baysox got back on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning. Travis Brown led off with a triple down the right field line. With one away, Jonathan Tucker drew a walk to put runners on the corners and Carlos Rojas hit a single to right field, plating Brown to give Bowie a 5-3 lead.

Bowie struck for two more runs in the fifth on a two-run homerun off the bat of Brian Peterson and they added another run in the bottom of the sixth. Carlos Rojas hit a one-out double to right field and Lou Montanez drove him in with a single to left. Gerardo Casadiego retired all five batters he faced to nail down the 8-3 victory.

The Baysox grabbed an early 1-0 lead in game two on a solo homerun by Lou Montanez in the bottom of the first. Altoona answered back with a run of their own in the top of the third. Luis Cruz led off with a double to center field and Steve Lerud singled him home to tie the game at 1-1.

The Curve snapped the tie in the top of the fourth inning. Shelby Ford led off with a hard ground ball to first base that eluded Jeff Nettles for an error. Jonel Pacheco made the Baysox pay with a two-run blast over the wall in center field. Jason Delaney picked up a base hit and moved to second on a groundout by Jason Bowers. With two outs, Luis Cruz picked up a single to right field, scoring Delaney. Cruz took off in an attempt to steal second base, and catcher Matt Wieters threw a strike to the bag, but shortstop Blake Davis couldn't corral the throw and Cruz was in safely. James Boone slapped a base hit into left field to score Cruz and give Altoona a 5-1 lead.

Tillman pitched well, despite allowing five total runs. He was only charged with two earned runs, but he didn't use that as an excuse, "I made two mistakes, that was it. I thought I made good pitches, it just didn't come out the way I thought it would. I thought I made a lot of good pitches, and I made two blunt mistakes that hurt me pretty bad."

The Baysox started to chip away in the bottom of the fifth with a two-out RBI single by Jonathan Tucker. Bowie picked up two more runs in the bottom of the sixth on a Nolan Reimold solo homerun and a bases-loaded walk by Blake Davis.

Bowie got forced the game to extras with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Sebastien Boucher led off with a pinch-hit double down the left field line. Boucher advanced to third on Lou Montanez's groundout, bringing Nolan Reimold to the plate with a man on third and one away. Reimold broke his bat and blooped one just over the leaping second baseman to bring Boucher in and tie the game at 5-5.

Kam Mickolio pitched a scoreless sixth inning and Julio Manon threw 3.0 no-hit innings of relief, striking out two and surrendering just one walk. Felix Romero came on to pitch in the top of the tenth and retired the first two batters in order before Shelby Ford crushed a homerun to right to give the Curve a 6-5 lead. Romero got ahead of Ford in the count 0-2 before Ford fouled off four pitches and eventually homered on a full count. Christian Castorri came on to close out the Baysox in order in the bottom of the tenth for his first save.

With the split, the Baysox move to 46-36, in second place in the Southern Division. Bowie looks to put some distance between them and the rest of the division with a four-game series in Harrisburg starting Monday. RHP Jason Berken (5-3, 4.28 ERA) will start Monday's game for the Baysox against Harrisburg LHP Adrian Alaniz (0-0, 2.65 ERA).

The Baysox will return home for a four-game series against the Erie SeaWolves beginning on July 4^th. The Baysox will celebrate Independence Day with special Fourth of July fireworks after Friday night's game. Great seats are still available at www.baysox.com.

Montanez, Reimold Hammer Harrisburg

Lou Montanez and Nolan Reimold hit two homeruns apiece and Brad Bergesen earned his ninth win of the year as the Baysox edged the Senators 8-7 in Harrisburg Tuesday night. Bergesen worked 6.2 innings and was charged with four runs on four hits, but two of the runs were unearned. He walked three batters and struck out seven on his way to the victory. His nine wins are even more impressive considering Tuesday was only his 13th start of the season for Bowie; he began the year with Class-A Frederick.

The Baysox scored in the top of the first when Lou Montanez drew a two-out walk and Nolan Reimold drove him in with a double to right field.

Bowie put up four more runs in the top of the third. Lou Montanez hit a solo homerun to center field and Nolan Reimold blasted a solo shot of his own to left. It was the second night in a row the two have gone back-to-back; they did it Monday against Adrian Alaniz. Tuesday was also the third straight game that Reimold and Montanez have each hit homeruns. Montanez has propelled himself into first place in the Eastern League with 18 homeruns thanks to his streak, passing teammate Jeff Nettles with his solo shot in the third for number 17. Matt Wieters stepped in after the homeruns and struck a double to center. Jeff Nettles pulled a base hit through the hole at shortstop and Wieters moved to third. Mike Rodriguez walked to load the bases and Brian Peterson struck out. With two down, Blake Davis smacked a single to right field to score Wieters and Nettles, increasing the Bowie lead to 5-0.

The Baysox added another run in the top of the fourth when Lou Montanez got a one-out single and Nolan Reimold walked to move him to second. With two away, Jeff Nettles hit a single to right field to plate Montanez and the Bays ox took a 6-0 lead. They pushed the lead to seven in the top of the sixth on another solo homerun by Nolan Reimold, giving him four homeruns in his last three games.

The Senators finally got on the board against Bergesen in the bottom of the sixth. Seth Bynum led off with a double to center field and Bergesen threw a wild pitch that allowed Bynum to take third with no outs. William Bergolla hit a sacrifice fly to left field to cut the Baysox lead to 7-1.

Bergesen got into trouble in the bottom of the seventh. After retiring the first batter of the inning, Leonard Davis hit a solo homerun to left-center. Bergesen walked Javi Herrera and Garrett Guzman hit a ground ball to second base that Carlos Rojas could not handle. It was a fielding error for Rojas and the Senators had runners on first and second with one away. Bergesen got Seth Bynum to fly out but walked Mike Daniel to load the bases with two outs. Bergesen hit William Bergolla with a pitch to score Herrera and the night was over for the Bowie starter. Kam Mickolio came on with the bases loaded and two outs and walked Bill Rhinehart to bring in Guzman. Mickolio settled down and got Luis Jimenez on strikes to retire the side, but the Senators had cut the Bowie lead to 7-4.

Lou Montanez picked up homerun number 18 in the top of the eighth. It was another solo shot and his fourth homerun in the last three games also.

The Senators refused to go down quietly, grinding out another rally in the bottom of the eighth. Leonard Davis hit a one-out single to right field and Mickolio hit Javi Herrera with a pitch to put runners on first and second. Garrett Guzman hit a single through the hole at shortstop to load the bases for the second straight inning. Devin Ivany came in to pinch-hit for Seth Bynum and Mickolio hit him with a pitch to bring Davis in to score. Gerardo Casadiego came on to relieve Mickolio and he promptly walked Mike Daniel, allowing Herrera to score and cutting th e Bowie lead to 8-6. William Bergolla came up with the bases still loaded and one out and smoked a base hit to left field. Garrett Guzman came in to score but the ball was hit too hard for any more runs to come in. Bill Rhinehart came up with a chance to give his team the lead, but he hit a hard ground ball to first that Nettles fielded and fired to the plate. Matt Wieters stepped on the plate and got the ball back to first in time to get Rhinehart for the inning-ending 3-2-3 double play.

Julio Manon came in and retired all three batters he faced, striking out two, to earn his 19th save of the year. With the victory, the Baysox improve to 48-36 on the year.

Baysox, Senators Go Down To The Wire

The Baysox led most of the way but could not finish off the pesky Senators, dropping a 4-3 back-and-forth contest in Harrisburg Wednesday night. Bowie could not capitalize on another fantastic outing from starting pitcher David Hernandez and lost on a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth. Hernandez has given up just two runs and six hits in his last 24.2 innings of work over four starts. With Wednesday�s no-decision, he has come away with just one victory in that span.

The Baysox broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth when Mike Rodriguez led off the inning with a double. Carlos Rojas laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Rodriguez to third and the Senators walked Lou Montanez to put runners o n the corners with one out. Nolan Reimold grounded out to third base but it was enough to bring Rodriguez home and give the Baysox a 1-0 lead.

Hernandez gave up just three hits going into the bottom of the seventh inning. With one out in the seventh, he gave up a base hit to Bill Rhinehart and hit Javi Herrera with a pitch to put runners on first and second. That was the end of the night for Hernandez, he finished with 6.1 shutout innings of work, giving up four hits and striking out four. Ryan Keefer came on to take over for Hernandez and retired the side in order to end the threat.

The Senators would not be denied and broke through in the bottom of the eighth. Mike Daniel led off with a base hit to left and William Bergolla reached on a bunt single to put runners at first and second with no outs. Leonard Davis laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third and Keefer walked Luis Jimenez intentionally to load the bases. Keefer got Edgardo Baez on strikes but Bill Rhinehart smashed a double over Nolan Reimold�s head in right field to bring in all three runners. Keefer got Garrett Guzman to strike out to end the inning, but the Senators had taken a 3-1 lead.

Bowie got back in it with a two-out rally in the top of the ninth. Ryan Finan drew a one-out walk and Sebastien Boucher hit a ground ball to shortstop. Seth Bynum got Finan with the force at second but Boucher was able to beat the relay throw to first base to keep the Baysox alive. Blake Davis kept things going with a double down the right field line, putting runners at second and third with two away. Mike Rodriguez smacked a base hit to right field to score Boucher and Davis and tie the game at 3-3 before getting caught in a rundown to end the inning.

Rommie Lewis came in to take over for Keefer in the bottom of the ninth and got Seth Bynum on strikes to lead off the inning. Mike Daniel drove a double to left field and Lewis intentionally walked William Ber golla to put runners on first and second with one out. Leonard Davis grounded a single into right field but Daniel got held up at third base to load the bases. Luis Jimenez chopped one back up the middle out of the reach of shortstop Blake Davis and Daniel came in to score the winning run.

With the loss, the Baysox move to 48-37 on the year, second place in the Southern Division.

O�MALLEY SPARKS TWICE!

On Monday, July 21, 2008, Governor Martin O�Malley and the Maryland Department of Disabilities will recognize the impact of the 2008 Maryland Fitness and Athletic Equity Act for Students with Disabilities, a new

Maryland law that will provide more opportunities for all students to participate in adaptive physical education, unified sports and, for those who qualify, varsity athletic competition.

The event will feature Maryland 2008 Paralympians, including Tatyana McFadden a Maryland athlete whose photo is currently appearing on McDonald�s cups. Special guest and keynote speaker, Willie Stewart, winner of the 2007 New York City Triathlon physically challenged division, also will share his experiences and discuss �Armed for the Challenge� an award-winning documentary about his life that will be screened as part of the event

program. Representatives from the Maryland State Department of Education, Special Olympics of Maryland, local disability organizations will be on hand for the event. Special displays, demonstrations and information will be available for parents and local school systems as they prepare to implement this new law.

On Saturday, July 26, 2008 will be celebrating the 18th Anniversary of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act at the Music Center at Strathmore. The event will include a special salute to disabled veterans for their support of the ADA. The festivities will include refreshments, music, etc.

DYSTONIA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

ACTION ALERT

ACTION REQUESTED We are asking all dystonia advocates to contact their Senators to take immediate action to address the proposed 10.6% cuts in Medicare reimbursement rates for physician services as soon as they return from the 4^th of July recess. The Dystonia Advocacy Coalition (DAC) is concerned that patient access to care will be threatened. Dystonia advocates are encouraged to seize the opportunity to communicate with the many Members of the Senate who will be back home participating in 4^th of July celebrations and community events over the holiday weekend.

BACKGROUND: A 10.6% cut in the level of reimbursement to physicians will go into effect unless the Senate takes action when it returns from the 4^th of July recess. Failure to invoke cloture (proceed to a debate) on the House-passed Medicare package, which include provision to offset the impending cut in Medicare physician reimbursement would have resulted in these cuts had the White House not stepped in to place a temporary freeze on these cuts. The Senate will need to take this up again to pass a Medicare bill when members return from the 4th of July recess on July 8th.

Currently, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is required to adjust payments to physicians annually on the basis of a formula called the sustainable growth rate (SGR) system. For various reasons the SGR has directed a negative update for physician services in each of the last four years. If the recommended negative reductions are enacted by CMS, physicians will limit the amount of new Medicare patients they treat and a patient�s access to quality care will be reduced. Access to care is already difficult amongst the dystonia community and further obstacles would place an excessive burden on many dystonia patients.

Congress acted late last year to offset a scheduled 10.1% reduction by CMS for repayment of physician services, and instead provided an increase of 0.5% for the first six months of 2008. Payment rates are scheduled to be reduced by 10.6% on July 1^st, 2008, the date the 6 month temporary increase expires. Subsequently, repayment rates are projected to be reduced by an additional 5% on January 1, 2009, when the rate is scheduled for its annual adjustment.

If you don�t know who your two senators are or how to get in touch with them,

please visit or call the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

THANK YOU

REPORT FROM JIM ROSAPEPE:

You'll be disappointed to know that through my first two years in the Senate, I got a little behind on my communications. As a result, we've just put up my new website! It's www.jimrosapepe.com

The good news, though, is that, because of your help winning my seat in 2006, I've been able do some good and important things, particularly in support of Governor Martin O'Malley's progressive agenda. For example:

-- we've largely solved the state's budget deficits, while other states are struggling;

-- we've passed strong environmental legislation to protect the Bay, promote renewable energy, and conserve open space;

-- we've expanded medical insurance for working families;

-- we've blocked public college tuition hikes for three straight years.

On my website, you can find information on many others issues I've worked -- as well as how to become a Maryland notary or get a tour of the State Capitol!

I'm not up for re-election this year and, like many others, am deeply involved in the presidential race. It makes a huge difference for almost everything I'm working on in the Senate.

But I do have to continue to communicate with my constituents, pay off my remaining debt from 2006, and prepare for my re-election race.

You've been generous in supporting my campaign efforts in 2006 -- and I hope you will be again.

Please consider a contribution -- checks can be made payable to Friends of Jim Rosapepe and sent to: Friends of Jim Rosapepe
P.O. Box 700
College Park, MD 20740

Or, another option is to contribute online. Please visit http://www.rosapepeforsenate.com/contribute

Your contribution of $250, $500, $1000, or whatever you can afford by July 15 will be a great help.
Please give me a call at 202 349 7033 or Carolyn at 202 349 7019 if you have questions.And take a look at my website! Suggestions for improvement are welcome.

Have a good summer and keep in touch!
Best wishes,
Jim Rosapepe
State Senator

WE GET LETTERS...

Hey Bill,

The summer is heating up and so are the outdoor gigs. This month, however, most of them are private gigs. So come on inside, keep cool, and join us at the following places in July. Below are both the July and August schedules.

Saturday, July 5 - "4th of July Guys" Private Party, Baltimore

Friday, July 11, 6-10 - Steve and David at Fager's Island, 60th St. in the Bay, Ocean City, MD, 410-524-5500, http://www.fagers.com/restaurant/pdf_calendars/ENTERTAINMENT%20CAL%20MAY%2008.jpg

Friday, July 12 - Private Golf Party in Rehobeth, Del.

Friday, July 18, 9-1:15, Steve, Don and Bill at the Stil on York Road in Lutherville, 410-560-7900, http://www.thestill.net/

Saturday, July 26 - Private Crab Feast, Severna Park

Friday, August 1, 7:30-9:30 - Steve, David, Don and Bill will play a concert at Hunt Valley Town Center (get your Wegman's shopping in while you are there)

Friday, August 15, The Klassix at Ocean City Convention Center for the Maryland Association of Counties' Crab Feast

Saturday, August 16, 4:30-9, -The Klassix (our 6 piece band) at MR Ducks, Talbot Street on the Bay, Ocean City, MD 800-659-7703 http://www.talbotstreetpier.com/mrducks/live.html

Friday, August 22, 6-10 - Steve and David at Fager's Island, 60th St. in the Bay, Ocean City, MD, 410-524-5500, http://www.fagers.com/restaurant/pdf_calendars/ENTERTAINMENT%20CAL%20MAY%2008.jpg

See You at the Bar;

Steve Ports, David Bell, Don Wimbrough and Bill Fritz

Steve,

You guys produce great music, keep up the good work.

Bill

Bill:

So good to hear from you and to learn of Don's 50th anniversary. Roger and I celebrated ours last year. Hugs to you, Don, John and Buddy always,

Margot

Margot,

Everybody up here still loves you.

Bill

Bill,

A dance off at Glen Echo? Already did that in 1954 I think it was. Was at the Glen Echo Ballroom when Milt Grant was there and won the dance off with my partner to "A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation" sung by Marty Robbins. The prize was an LP and a spot on Milt's next TV program which was aired at the WTTG studios in the Raleigh Hotel on 11th street downtown.

When is the dance off? Packing my bags now. Not sure who Marilyn Jacobs Otter is but here comes the Glen Echo Ballroom Dance Queen of 1954!

Dale (aka Miss Dale, the Drama Queen, Miss Jane (never mind that one), Dangerous, Trouble, the Swamp Lady, and various other aliases.

P.S. Is Len Kanthal still up there, he has the quickest feet (former Golden Gloves boxer), danced with Lenny at our 2002 Roosevelt reunion.

Dale,

It�s a dance off between Baltimore�s Buddy Deane alumni and Milt Grants. Len hangs around with Jimmy Wexler.

Bill

Bill,

Thanks for the birthday greeting, got a special gift this year daughter, son-in-law and most specially my granddaughter are here. Really enjoy your column.

Tommy

Tommy,

You are a great person, have a great wife and were a very good basketball player at Roosevelt.

Bill

Bill,

This is Al Herndon who Charlie and I grew up with and is in those SE Boys Club pictures I sent you. In a recent column you wrote about Maurice Herndon and his gas station and it rang a bell so I wrote Al and this is his response, it was his father you mentioned. Al was once on your mailing list and has since changed his site name. So here it is and he wishes to get back on your mailing list the same as Charlie requested, small world sometimes.

John,

Done deal for both.

Bill

Bill,

That's great Bill. Wish I could be up there. Please say to the good Colonel for me, in fact you can give him a hug from me - that should spark him up a bit, ha ha ha - and congratulations to Don and his wife. I can see Don in my mind's eye right now sitting at that fun table with us at Gentleman Jim's and I believe he was also there at that nice restaurant in Bethesda, the Wedgewood? was it? On the Wednesday before the reunion I think. Carole and Ti were there, and my childhood friend Bobby Simi walked in and I was reduced to mush. His family were more my family than my own family were and seeing Bobby really brought back wonderful childhood memories because of those good people.

Blessings, Dale

SPORTS NOTES

Akron outfielder Trevor Crowe is the winner of the Bank of America Eastern League Player of the Week Award and New Hampshire right-hander Robert Ray is the winner of the Bank of America Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Award.

I am nominating Carol West Cullinane for Arcacia Federal Saving Bank �Nice Guys Award for 2008�.

Scott Garceau is stepping down as the daily sports anchor at WMAR-TV Channel 2 and will do assorted sports gigs for WMAR and other stations. WMAR ought to pick up Ron Menchine or Phil Jackman to take his place.

Former Nats closer Chad Cordero has been shut down for the season and maybe through pitching.

I wonder when �Cane�, �Chuck� and �Moonlight� are coming back to TV?

WE GET LETTERS ..

WE GET LETTERS..