The Chatter

Orioles Stud of the Week

Max Weiss — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:57:33 +0000

So many choices!

Such an embarrassment of riches. Who would be this week’s Stud?

Should we go with pitcher (and dad-to-be) Miguel Gonzalez, who has won 3 games in a row, including a win on Father's Day? (studly!)

Or should we choose Manny Machado, who could basically be penciled in as the Stud every week, but this week happened to hit .406 while extending his hit streak to 14 games, and playing his usual “did I just see that?” defense. (Mas studly!)

But both Manny and Miguel will have to wait. Because this week’s Stud is . . .

Stud of the Week for June 10-June 17:

Jim Johnson

The line:

As goes Jim Johnson, so go the Orioles. After a brief scuffle in May, the Orioles closer is back to his perfect ways, converting all four of his save opportunities this week.

Studliest moment:

In the June 14th game against the Red Sox, he notched his 24th save on just 7 pitches (!), while striking out one.

The clincher:

Johnson’s 25 saves are the best in the majors.

City Council Weighs Bag Fee for Baltimore

Ron Cassie — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:33:54 +0000

Bill is intended to help address the city’s trash problem.

Baltimore may soon follow in the steps of Montgomery County and Washington D.C. and enact legislation that would impose a fee on disposable plastic and paper bags handed out by retailers.

City Councilman Brandon Scott introduced legislation Monday that would require retailers, including grocery and convenience stores, to charge customers 10 cents for paper and plastic bags. In a statement introducing the legislation, Scott noted the impact similar legislation in D.C. has had on cleaning up the Anacostia River.

In a tweet, Scott said he hopes the bill will change consumer behavior, adding that getting Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and her administration "to agree to use it [revenue from the bill] for green initiatives is key" to legislation's success.

"We have to get out of this mindset that new and innovative stuff, that are great for people, and great for the environment don’t work here in Baltimore. In Baltimore we have this mindset of 'if it’s new we don’t want it,'" said Scott in a Patch.com story about the bill. "We want things to work the way they have forever, and the way things have been working forever have ultimately have negatively impacted the city."

Councilman James Kraft, a co-sponsor of the bill, said at a recent Healthy Harbor initiative press conference that the current bag law, which seeks voluntary compliance from retailers, hasn't been effective.

"We have more plastic bags in the streams than fish," Scott told the Baltimore Sun. "If you go to a park in my district, all you see is plastic bags."

Rawlings-Blake has indicated she is open to supporting the measure.

Earlier this year, Del. Mary L. Washington of Baltimore City, introduced the Community Cleanup and Greening Act in Annapolis, House Bill 1086, which had 33 co-sponsors, but did not get out of the Environmental Matters Committee. The companion bill in the state Senate had 10 sponsors. The bill was supported by the Trash Free Maryland Alliance, a network of more than 50 environmental and community groups.

Craig Muckle, manager of public affairs for Safeway, told the Capital News Service that in Montgomery County, Safeway saw a 70 percent drop in plastic bags usage at checkouts in 2012, the first year after a 5-cent fee went into effect there.

Former Calvert Hall/Towson Star Shoots Spurs Past Heat

Ron Cassie — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:41:15 +0000

Gary Neal lights up Game Three with 24 points.

Undrafted out of Towson University in 2007, Gary Neal spent several seasons playing pro ball in Turkey, Spain and Italy before the San Antonio Spurs offered him a chance to play on their summer league team three years ago. From the Baltimore area, the 6-foot-4 guard starred at Aberdeen High before transferring to Calvert Hall.

Now 28, Neal was a major contributor to the Spurs this regular season, averaging 9.5 points per game, two rebounds and two assists. But never more so than Tuesday night when he got off to a fast start and dropped 24 points on the Miami Heat, staking the Spurs to a 2-1 lead on the best-of-seven NBA Finals.

Neal's hot shooting included hitting six of 10 attempts from behind the three-point arc.

“He's a professional,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters afterwards. “And he's a quality individual, and he made himself ready and he really helped us tonight, obviously.”

“I think to play this game of basketball, you have to believe that your abilities are just as good as other guys',” Neal said. “I mean, I felt like I had the ability to play in the NBA. It was just a matter of just getting the right opportunity."

A post-game interview with Neal by ESPN's Stuart Scott can be found here.

Orioles Stud of the Week

Ron Cassie — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:55:24 +0000

After a slow start, guess who is leading his position in All-Star voting?

Welcome to our third installment of Orioles Stud of the Week.

Stud of the Week for June 3-June 10:

J.J. Hardy

The line:

Over the past six games, the Oriole shortstop has 12 hits, including a double, home run, and five RBI while batting a blistering .444. After a typically slow start at the plate this season, Hardy is now batting .270 on the year. And his power numbers, especially for a middle infielder, are positively Cal-like: 14 doubles, 13 home runs, and 39 RBI.

Studliest moment:

After dropping two games to division-rival Tampa Bay, Hardy golfed a low, first-inning fastball off the centerfield wall Sunday, driving in Manny Machado to start a big offensive day for the O's.

The clincher:

Late last week Hardy took a lead over Elvis Andrus (Texas Rangers) in the American League All-Star balloting at shortstop. O's first baseman Chris Davis and outfielder Adam Jones are also leading the All-Star balloting at their respective positions.

Wouldn't it be great to see three Orioles take the field to start the 84th Midsummer Classic this July? Vote Orange!

Orb Takes Third At Belmont

Baltimore magazine — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 12:09:49 +0000

Favorite with local ties ends Triple Crown career.

If you put a sentimental $2 bet in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes on the strapping colt owned by Baltimore’s Stuart Janney III, you weren’t alone, because Orb went off as the 2-1 favorite. But you should hope you bet him to show because he finished a strong third behind the winner, Palace Malice, and Preakness winner Oxbow. Orb, winner of the Kentucky Derby, was held off down the stretch by the two tiring leaders. Your $2 show bet paid $3.90. Not much solace if you bet Orb to win or were rooting for his Baltimore connections, but that’s why it’s called a horse race.

-Dick Basoco

Hopkins Lacrosse Joins Big Ten

Ron Cassie — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 19:30:04 +0000

Blue Jays will compete in new league beginning in 2015,

For 130 years, the Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse team has competed independently of any league affiliation.

That will change in two years, Hopkins announced today, when the Blue Jays join the new Big Ten men's lacrosse league, set to include current Big Ten schools Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan, plus long-time rival Maryland and Rutgers—both of which will become full Big Ten members next year.

Hopkins went 9-5 in 2013 season and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1972. Maryland, Penn State and Ohio State all qualified for the NCAA tournament this past season. Overall, Hopkins has won 44 national champhionships in lacrosse. Maryland has won 11.

Rutgers and Penn State, in particular, have been playing lacrosse for some time, with the Scarlett Knights' program dating back to 1887 and the Nittany Lions' program dating back to 1913. Ohio State launched its program in 1953; Michigan started a men’s lacrosse program just two years ago.

The Hopkins women's lacrosse program will compete as an indepedent Division I squad and all other sports at the school will continue to compete at the Division III level.

From the Johns Hopkins Hub story on the announcement:

"Hopkins president Ronald J. Daniels said the Big Ten was a good fit for a number of reasons, including the opportunity to be a part of a new league as it launches, the ability to maintain traditional rivalries with Maryland and other schools, and the fact that the league's other members are research universities like Johns Hopkins.

'This is a very exciting day for Johns Hopkins University and the men's lacrosse program," men's lacrosse coach Dave Pietramala said. "This move allows us to maintain the greatest rivalry in college lacrosse with the University of Maryland, add several nationally recognized programs to our schedule, and maintain a number of national and local rivalries we have in place.'"

Of course, there will likely be some past match-ups and rivalries lost in the process, but, at the same time, it'll be great to see Hopkins battle Maryland down the road for a Big Ten title.

Go Blue Jays!

Orioles Stud of the Week

Jess Blumberg — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:45:49 +0000

Which Oriole earned the prestigious honor?

Welcome to our second installment of Orioles Stud of the Week. Admittedly, some of these choices will be easier than others, and this week was a no-brainer.

Stud of the Week for May 28-June 3:
Chris Davis

The line:
Davis's home run yesterday against Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello made the first baseman the first Major Leaguer to reach 20 home runs in 2013. He also now has the highest batting average in the Orioles clubhouse at .357.

Studliest moment:
On Wednesday night against the Nationals, Davis went 4-for-4 with two home runs on his Crush Davis T-Shirt night.

The clincher:
During the post-game on-field interview, Davis knew that Adam Jones and his shaving cream pie were coming. So, instead of resisting the tradition, he leaned into it, quite literally.

Honorable Mention:
Chris Dickerson, for looking downright adorable running into the pile after a three-run, walk-off home run to beat the Tigers on Friday.

Ray Rice's New 'Super' Ink

Ron Cassie — Wed, 29 May 2013 15:18:18 +0000

Baltimore Ravens star flexes new Lombardi Trophy tattoo.

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, profiled earlier this year on the AOL web series, My Ink, recently commemorated the team's Super Bowl win with a new tattoo: an image of the Lombardi Trophy on his left bicep with the word "Champs" written across the design. Right where he'll tuck the pigskin when he runs into the end zone next year—perfect.

The photo is courtesy of Jimmy's Famous Seafood on Holabird Avenue, which hosts tons of Ravens-themed events, including weekly meet and greet dinners with players during the season.

Orioles Stud of the Week

Max Weiss — Wed, 29 May 2013 14:14:45 +0000

Which Orioles earned the (soon to be) prestigious honor?

Starting today, and continuing throughout the season, we will select a weekly Orioles Stud of the Week, the player with the best overall stats, or a single game, line, or defining moment so dominating we had to acknowledge it.

This week, fittingly, we select Orioles Gold Glove centerfielder Adam Jones. (Remember to #VoteAdam for the All-Star Game.)

Stud of the Week for May 21-May 27:
Adam Jones

The line:
.355 average. 4 straight homeruns in the games from May 23 – May 26

Studliest moment:
3 for 5 with a homerun, a double, an RBI, and 2 runs in a loss against the Blue Jays on May 26th.

The clincher:
Chatted up a little boy in the stands on Sunday. Managed to keep up his active (and hilarious) tweeting schedule (@SimplyAJ10)—even tweeting photos of some gorgeous Copper River salmon on the hibachi grill. #StayHungry, indeed.

Belmont: Orb could get rematch with Oxbow

Ron Cassie — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:44:30 +0000

Preakness, Kentucky Derby winners considering run at Triple Crown's last leg.

Oxbow's 15-1 upset at the Preakness Stakes ruined Orb's shot at horse racing's Triple Crown, but the Maryland-owned (well, at least co-owned) thoroughbred may get a shot at redemption after his disappointing finish last weekend.

According to the Daily Racing Forum, Orb and Oxbow are among 14 horses under consideration for the June 8 Belmont Stakes.

Hey, for Orb, or any horse, two out of three ain't bad.

Orb's trainer, Shug McGaughey, said his horse “looks to me like he came out of the race fine,” but wants to get him settled at Belmont Park before committing to race there.

The Belmont field is also expected to include Golden Soul and Revolutionary, who finished second and third at the Kentucky Derby, then skipped the Preakness, according to the Daily Racing Forum.

Oxbow's trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, said Will Take Charge, seventh at Preakness, also could run in the Belmont.