Earl Weaver, Hall of Famer and Orioles manager for 17 years, passed away early this morning from an apparent heart attack while on an Orioles-themed cruise. He was 82.

Baltimore contributing writer Mike Unger was covering Orioles FanFest today and got a chance to ask Jim Palmer, never a man of few words, about his unique relationship with the Earl of Baltimore:

[Earl] went to every statue dedication. It was almost like a victory tour for him because, you know, we got to see him again. I only get to see him at the Hall of Fame. But I would call him every Christmas, wish him a Happy New Year . . . It's a sad day for anyone that knew Earl, but it's also a sad day for anyone that was involved with Oriole baseball. We were lucky to have him here because he did end up in the Hall of Fame. He had some marvelous teams. And now we all share the pain of him being gone.

Obviously, personally and professionally, Earl was about winning. I first saw him when I was 18 years old in...

Earlier this week, it was widely reported, including here — based on information from the Mayor of Denver's office — that Denver Mayor Michael Hancock injured himself "practicing" Ray Lewis' dance to pay off a bet with Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

Hancock, it was officially announced, would have to dance at a later date to make good on the wager, which also included sending 15 pounds of "cowboy cut" rib-eye steaks in Baltimore (see above photo) in lieu of the Broncos' loss to the Ravens Saturday.

In an email Wednesday afternoon, the Denver mayor's communication coordinator corrected the original story:

"Mayor Hancock did not injure his leg while practicing the dance, the injury occurred the previous night at a...

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has a lot to celebrate this week — the thrilling win over the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning Saturday, making the cover of Sports Ilustrated — and today, his 28^th birthday.

Hey, we still have a young quarterback!

Last year, the big quarterback reportedly celebrated his birthday at Chazz: A Bronx Original in Harbor East (not far from Baltimore's offices incidentally) with his wife Dana and the Pittas — Dennis and Mataya.

No word on Joe Cool’s plans for this evening. Of course, he’s also a parent now and he and Dana might decide it’s easier to celebrate at home.

Either way, Happy Birthday, Joe! And thanks for all the big wins in the past year. Keep 'em coming.

The federal holiday is next week, Monday, Jan. 21, but Martin Luther King, Jr. would have turned 84 years old today.

In Baltimore City, the 13^th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade is scheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 19, at noon.

The parade launches at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Eutaw Street and then, proceeds south on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard before concluding at Baltimore Street. The parade honoring the late Civil Rights and peace activist will feature local high school and community marching bands, floats, “civic organizations, high stepping fraternities, honor and color guards, lively cheerleading squads and equestrian units,” according to the Baltimore Office of the Promotion & the Arts.

A video of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C. — given 50 years ago this coming August — can be found...