| McCAFFREY’S WORLD By Bill McCaffrey |
Well Monday Night Football on TV just improved 100% better with the news that Toni Cornheiser was “stepping down” because he was afraid to fly (he’s been doing
it with MNF for 3 years and on occasions as a sports writer) could it be ESPN finally listened to the fans and decided they could go in a better direction? Jon Gruden
replaces him and could be the next John Madden from what I hear.
Also Colin Cowherd’s radio show is headed to ESPN TV and I hope it’s shown in this area as he is ten times better than the B-W locals as is Jim Rome.
Harpo’s fans on the Scott Garceau show were not around this past Wednesday when she was being shelled by callers to the Scott and Anita show; hopefully she won’
t be around much more.
Whatever happened to Ken Beatrice, Shelby Whitfield, Len “Crash” Hathaway and Ron Weber?
BATTLE OF THE BELTWAY
In other times it might really be a draw but since it’s a series between two of the worse teams in baseball (Orioles and Nationals) it’s a who cares series. Right now
the battle between the two teams is which team will lose 100 games first, the Nats or Orioles. The Nats have 28 losses, the Orioles 24.
I understand both the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets have made inquiries about the Nats Nick Johnson and the Orioles Aubrey Huff offering both teams three
pitchers and cash and the first to bite gets the deal.
Baltimore fans who had lobbied for many years to get Baltimore on the front of the Orioles road uniforms are now so upset with the team losing on most game
days/nights they want Baltimore off the road uniforms, come on fans don’t tell me you are as fickle as Carole Stewart when she was in high school.
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the once powerful New York Mets on Wednesday 2-1, to tie a major league record (held by the N.Y. Yankees) by winning 17 of 20
home games to start a season.
I can’t believe that Dave Trembley (Orioles) and Manny Acta (Nats) are still managing in the majors, both are terrible and they just can’t get their teams to look like
they are major league quality.
ARRIETA NAMED PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Bowie Right-handed starter Jake Arrieta has been named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending May 17. Arrieta made a pair of starts in the
week, facing the division-leading Akron Aeros and the Erie SeaWolves.
After holding the Aeros to one run over five innings on Monday, May 11, Arrieta threw his first career shutout in a rain-shortened game against the SeaWolves on May
16. In the two starts combined, Arrieta allowed a single run in 12.0 innings while striking out 16. The Aeros and the SeaWolves managed just five hits and five walks
off Arrieta in the games.
Arrieta is the first Baysox pitcher to bring home Pitcher of the Week honors since Julio Manon did it the week of April 28-May 4 last year.
The Baysox 17th season as the class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway! 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.
CENTERFIELDER JEREMY OWENS NAMED BLUE CRABS CAPTAIN
Southern Maryland Manager Butch Hobson Honors Veteran Outfielder
Manager Butch Hobson has announced that outfielder Jeremy Owens, in his second year with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, will be the team’s captain for the
remainder of the 2009 season. Owens is currently leading the Blue Crabs in home runs (6) and stolen bases (5), and is tied for the team lead in doubles (5). He also
had a league-high 13-game hit streak earlier this spring between April 28 and May 13.
For Owens, this honor validates all of the hard work he has put in during his twelve years of professional baseball experience. Selected in the eighth round of the 1998
amateur draft by the San Diego Padres, Owens began his professional career with the Idaho Falls Braves in the Pioneer League. He eventually reached the Padres’
Triple-A affiliate, the Portland Beavers, in 2002. From there, Owens signed on with the Boston Red Sox (’03 and ’04) and then the Tampa Bay Rays organization (’06
-‘08). For both, Owens reached the Triple-A level.
In addition to playing for the Padres, Red Sox and Rays, Owens also has previous Atlantic League experience prior to his time in Southern Maryland. In 2005, he spent
a full season with the Somerset Patriots, hitting .290 with 24 home runs and 77 runs scored in 137 games of action, leading Somerset to the Atlantic League
Championship that season. For his professional career, Owens has slugged 160 home runs and tallied 601 RBI.
“It’s an honor,” said Owens. “I get goose bumps just thinking about it. I really appreciate Butch making me the captain.”
The naming of Owens as the Blue Crabs team captain also marks a special occasion for Butch Hobson. Throughout his long and successful managerial career, Hobson
has only named two other team captains – Jeff Bagwell (1990 New Britain Red Sox of the Double-A Eastern League) and outfielder Glenn Murray (’00 -’06 Nashua
Pride of the Atlantic and Can-Am Leagues).
“Jeremy Owens is the kind of player people respect because of how he plays the game, and because of the gentleman that he is,” said Manager Butch Hobson. “I
think he was probably already the captain of the Blue Crabs before I named him captain, but I thought it was time to put a ‘C’ on his shirt and have him recognized,”
Hobson continued.
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are currently playing at home at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf through Thursday, taking on the Bridgeport Bluefish,
managed by Tommy John. For the schedule and tickets, please visit www.SOMDBlueCrabs.com, or call 301-638-9788.
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, and play at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland. Single-
game tickets and mini-plans are currently on sale for the 2009 season. The Blue Crabs can also help your group fundraise at no risk or up-front cost, by helping you
sell hundreds of tickets to exciting Atlantic League baseball. Please call 301-638-9788 or visit www.SOMDBlueCrabs.com for more details and to save your seat at
the ballpark today!
DIVAS REMAIN UNBEATEN WITH 21-7 WIN OVER NEW YORK
The D.C. Divas expect a tough football game every time they go to Brooklyn to face the Sharks who are in their 10th season of play. After a scoreless first half both
teams knew it was one of those knock down drag out affairs. After a scoreless first half the Divas marched the ball 64 yards on the ground to begin the second half
and grind out a 6-0 lead. Claudia Hogan’s 1 yd blast in her first carry of the game gave the Divas the lead for good. The Divas offensive line battled one of the better
defensive lines in the league and opened holes throughout the second half. RB Okiima Pickett benefitted with her career best effort of 117 yds on 22 carries. The Divas
running back corps ran for a season high 223 yards on the day.LB Alissa Imbragulio recovered a fumble that lead to the Divas first score of the 4th quarter. QB
Allyson Hamlin’s 1 yd keeper made it 12-0 and RB Tiffany “Spaceghost” Matthews added the two pt run for a 14-0 advantage. Hamlin then added an 8 yd scoring
strike to WR Tara Kallal. Kathryn Hemlock added the extra point for a 21-0 lead that was insurmountable. The Sharks added the final touchdown with just less than 2
minutes to play. In 4 games this season the defensive unit has only allowed 14 points. The Divas now hold a 3-1 series advantage since the teams began playing each
other in 2007. The Divas are now 4-0 on the season and host the Baltimore Nighthawks on Saturday May 23rd. Kickoff is at 7:00pm at the Prince George’s Sports
and Learning Complex and parking is Free in Fed Ex Field LOT B.
MARYLAND U NEWS
The Maryland women advanced to the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse semi-finals this weekend with a 12-10 win over the Orange ladies of Syracuse.
Caitlyn McFadden led the Lady Terps with four goals. They play North Carolina Friday (May 22nd) at Towson’s Johnny Unitas stadium. The Lady Tar Heels beat
Notre Dame 16-10.
The other two teams at Towson will be Northwestern (21-0) and Pennsylvania (15-2) also on Friday.
Syracuse eliminated Maryland outscoring the Terps 11-6 in the men’s NCCA lacrosse quarter finals.
Maryland men’s basketball team lost another player 6’9, 240 lb Braxton Dupree is transferring to Towson.
The Fridge has lost 80 lbs and says he’s going to lose more before the Terps football season starts. That dance he’s doing is not the “Downtown Ed Brown shuffle”.
“Downtown” is going to do that shuffle at Mystics home games this season or so I hear.
Maryland Men’s basketball team is counting on 6’10 Jordan Williams and 6’8 James Padgett to more than make up for the loss of Dupree.
The PGA TOUR is coming to Prince George's County!!
Celebrate the PGA Golf Tournament in
Prince George's County by participating in
"Chamber Night"
June 4, 2009
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Network with members of other local Chambers including:
Baltimore-Washington Corridor Chamber
Maryland Chamber
Greater Bowie Chamber
Calvert County Chamber
Prince George's Black Chamber
Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber
The Community Leader Award will be presented to PEPCO President, Thomas Graham
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!!!
Registration includes:
Clubhouse Pass for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday
during the tournament
General Parking
Admission to the mixer includes heavy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar
To learn more about the Melwood Prince George's County Open, the Nationwide Tour and the many opportunities to get involved please visit www.melwoodgolf.org.
WE GET LETTERS……
Bill,
I heard your friend Patrick Pannella thinks he looks like Edgar Allen Poe and sings like Elvis Presley.
Sheila
Sheila,
He can’t sing and I don’t really see any resemblance between him and Poe. Say are you the Sheila who used to hang around in Annapolis in the late 1970’s?
Bill
Bill,
NOTS fans have no guts….and certainly no respect for themselves.. unless they flush their tickets down the toilet…along with the pitching staff and manager..
pitching coach…GM and Owners…and bite the bullet…and completely stop showing up for this incompetent/keystone nightmare…or show up at games looking like
this…and BOOOOOOOO their azzes off for 9 full innings..no exceptions.
Danny
Bill,
Different strokes for different folks. I did not wait 30 years for this poorly owned/managed/coached team. AA pitching I said in March would never fly in NL. The
hitters hitteth/the pitchers taketh away. The mutiny has begun as there seem to be as many phils fans etc. as NOTS fans..and we will eventually get the Lerners out
of their hole or into their $$$ anymore.
Fletcher Christian
HMS Bounty
Hello everyone!
I sent out information about the Summer Games events/activities yesterday and did not include the link to register as a volunteer. If you would like to volunteer at a
particular venue, or just wherever needed, please be sure to register via the link below. If you have never volunteered for SOMD before, you will be required to attend
an orientation prior to the event. At this orientation you will need to complete a Volunteer Application which is used, in part, to perform a complete background check
– for the safety of our athletes. Hope to see you there!
If you are coming to BE A FAN! That’s just as awesome. Please contact me and let me know when we can expect you so you will know where to find us (Pat). All
of my contact info is located below with the exception of my cell # 443-889-3949. Feel free to call when you arrive at the event. Thanks!
Special Olympics Maryland athletes need you to volunteer for the 2009 Special Olympics Maryland Summer Games June 5-7 at Towson University.
Online registration and orientation requirements and dates are now available at
http://registrations.somd.org/summergames09.asp
Please click on this link or visit our website at www.somd.org
You are also invited to the 2009 Summer Games Block Party and Opening Ceremonies beginning at 5:00 Pm on Friday, June 5.
All activities are Free and take place in and around the Towson Center.
We look forward to your participation!
Rhonda Garrison
Rhonda,
I urge everyone to attend the games.
Bill
Bill,
Easy now.....the Nats have a pretty good offensive team, in the top ten of every stat that counts.....the defense is "decent", although not playing to their capabilities....
now the pitching? horrendous....the starting oitching has Cabrera as their #2 you know you got troubles but, the bullpen cannot get anyone out no matter how many
runs the team scores....they made a nice move getting Dunn, as it gives Zimmerman and Dukes better pitches to hit, but they have got to make a splash in the pitching
dept to turn this thing around....not easy to do when you are the joke of MLB....the "potential" is there and in the farm system but the team cannot afford to wait and
lose the fan base (off 30%+ from last year)...
Those of us who love b'ball and are sooo pleased DC got a team, will continue to support until the turn-around and, hopefully, there is a turn-around before DC loses a
team again......the Nats need to keep beer sales open until the end of the game in order to even "accept" this bullpen....
BB
Bill,
Spoke with Biff’s son Dave Jones today. Would you add him to your newsletter? He said he would love to have people call him and he would call them back when
he visited his dad twice a week, his number is 1-727-692-5210 and e-mail is davejones_washdc@hotmail.com..
Have a great day
Carole
Carole,
Good report, will do.
Bill
Bill,
I’m surprised to see nothing about former Delegate/Secretary Owings thinking about changing his residence from Dunkirk to Annapolis. Any comment next week or
does this need to be discussed over dinner?
The Singing Nun
Dear Singing Nun,
I did hear that and that he was planning a run for public office, I wonder if it is State Senator or State Delegate or maybe its Comptroller.
Bill
Bill,
A great local fighter Biff Jones, was his wife’s name Jackie Webster of Anacostia HS by chance?
Fred
Bill,
Thanks for my hometown connection. Sure would love to be on that fun bus ride to Dover, Delaware and hope of course that Donnie will be there and will qualify
and Joann will see her son have another good ride.
Blessings, Dale
SPORTS NOTES
I think a St. Mary’s College men’s basketball series with the Naval Academy is long overdue. Come on Mids get in motion after all there’s lots of interest in St. Mary’
s County for a series like this because of the Patuxent Naval Air Base and the hundreds of retired Navy officers and seamen in St. Mary’s County. Come on Steny
Hoyer, make it happen.
Donnie Neuenberger raced in NASCAR’s North Carolina Education Lottery 200 Truck race at Charlotte last week finishing 35th.
WWE wrestling will be in Ocean City, Salisbury and Baltimore this summer.
New York State has thus far not let MMA perform in their state.
Former Bowie Baysox broadcaster and PR person Dave Collins is now doing the same thing for the Lancaster (PA) Barnstormers, former Baysox GM Keith Lupton is
the GM of the Barnstormers.
John Feinstein is writing some good columns for the Sporting News.
I am still hearing Michael Vick may be in a Redskin uniform this season.
So the Wizards didn’t get the number one pick in the NBA draft what would they have done with it, probably pick someone fans never heard of.
SI.com has rated Peter Angelos as the worst owner in baseball and Ted Lerner the fifth worst.
In the NFL SI.com rates Danny Snyder the 3rd worst and Steve Bisciotti the fifth best.
Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following:
Pauline H. Menes (longtime State Delegate who was a pioneer for women’s rights and a member of the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame. She was a good friend and
she will be missed).
Kathleen Doris Moore Harrison (Western (DC) HS graduate).
Wendy Lee Buckler Holmes (Parkdale HS graduate).
Washington Freedom return to RFK!
Join the Washington Freedom as they return to RFK in the first of three doubleheaders with D.C. United this season! See the Freedom take on Sky Blue FC's Natasha
Kai, Sarah Walsh of Australia, and Rosana of Brazil. Then stick around for the post-game autograph session (sections 101-106 and 114-118 only) and the D.C. United
game that follows! Kickoff has been moved up half an hour and is now set for 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 23.
To celebrate the Freedom's return to RFK Stadium, we are offering discounted tickets for our fans! To take advantage of this special offer, visit dcunited.com/tickets
and enter the code FREEDOM001 or call 202-587-5000. One ticket will get you into both games.
Moros, McLeod help lead Freedom to 1-1 tie with Boston
With its most dangerous scoring threat and team captain serving a one-game suspension, the biggest question the Washington Freedom faced heading into its road
match against the Boston Breakers was who would step up in Abby Wambach's absence. Making her second start of the season, Rebecca Moros was the player who
stepped up offensively, scoring the game's opening goal as the Freedom tied Boston 1-1 in front of 4,241.
Senty signs with Freedom
The Washington Freedom announced defender Sarah Senty has signed with the club and it has waived defender/midfielder Jayme Leigh Cargnoni. The team's seventh
round pick in the 2009 WPS Draft, Senty chose to finish up her senior year at the University of Virginia before joining the Freedom. Upon graduating, Senty came in
for a week-long tryout and earned a spot with the club.
Freedom vs FC Gold Pride on May 31 at the SoccerPlex
May 31 is Soccer Club Night at the Maryland SoccerPlex as the Washington Freedom take on FC Gold Pride at 4 p.m.! The game night will feature a special post-
game autograph session inside the SoccerPlex for groups. To learn more about Soccer Club Night or to purchase tickets, call 202-547-KICK (5425).
BAYSOX CELEBRATE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF PEANUTS
The Baysox will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the comic strip Peanuts on Friday, June 5 at Prince George's Stadium. The night will feature special appearances by
Charlie Brown and Snoopy as the Baysox take on the Erie SeaWolves at 7:05 p.m.
WHAT Peanuts 60th Anniversary Celebration
WHO The celebration is open to all fans.
WHEN Friday, June 5, 7:05 p.m.
WHERE Prince George's Stadium
4101 NE Crain Hwy
Bowie, MD 20716
CUT ME A CHECK FOR 5K…BECAUSE I’M A BLUE CRABS FAN FOR GOODNESS SAKE
Lucky Fan Wins $5,000 In Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Promotion, After Back-To-Back Home Runs Wednesday, May 13 At Regency Furniture Stadium
For every baseball fan that’s ever walked into a minor league ballpark and has said, “yeah, but it will never happen” in regards to a promotional contest, take notice of
Wednesday night, May 13 at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland.
Southern Maryland Physical Therapy & Chiropractic sponsors the “Back-To-Back Jacks” promotion at the home of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic
League of Professional Baseball, and in the fifth inning of the game against the Long Island Ducks, they got plenty of promotional “bang for their buck,”…literally.
If the Blue Crabs hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning at home at Regency Furniture Stadium, a lucky fan chosen at random before the game wins $5,000. J.
T. Hindle, a Blue Crabs 22-game plan holder, happened to have his number called last Wednesday evening.
A scoreless game at the beginning of the inning, Blue Crabs centerfielder Jeremy Owens slugged a two-run home run to left field to give Southern Maryland their first
lead. Catcher Lance Burkhart then also homered to left on the very first pitch of the next at bat, to make Hindle $5,000 richer. Hindle was recognized on the field as
the winner with a big check presentation. Southern Maryland went on to score seven runs in the inning, en-route to a 13-0 win.
Even Hindle had his doubts before winning.
“I always pay special attention in the fifth inning every night I’m at the game, but I always said ‘fat chance’ it would actually happen, laughed Hindle. “Even when I
had a chance to win, I said ‘fat chance.’ But I was just so excited. I love going to the games, the Blue Crabs are the best thing to ever happen to Charles County. I
owe those two guys.”
It doesn’t appear the man who made it happen for Hindle is expecting anything however, as Lance Burkhart was just happy with his second home run of the season.
“It was great, it felt good to do something for a fan there,” said Burkhart. Hopefully that family can take advantage of the money.”
“What an exciting moment. I’m just so happy that a fan who supports so often, a season-ticket holder, was the first to win in this promotion,” said Blue Crabs
General Manager Chris Allen. Congratulations to J.T., and we’ve said it before, it pays to be a Blue Crabs fan.”
BOWIE STATE RECEIVES FIVE CIAA AWARDS
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association closed its 2008-09 school year by honoring this year's CIAA Coaches and Administrators of the Year at its annual
awards program held at the Durham Marriott at the Civic Center, yesterday. This event is held in conjunction with the CIAA's Spring General Assembly Meeting.
The winners of the C.W. Williams and Loretta Taylor All Sports Team Trophies were released as well. The All Sports Trophy winners are selected based on a point
system that awards credit based on championship finishes and sports sponsored.
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association awarded Bowie State University the Loretta Taylor Trophy (Best Overall Women’s Program). This is the second
consecutive year Bowie State has won the award.
BSU’s softball team won their third CIAA title this past season and senior Tiffany Toney (Abilene, Texas) was named the CIAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Other Bowie State University award winners include Michelle Latimer (Women’s Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year), Derek Carter (Jeanette A. Lee
Administrator of the Year) and Gregory Goings (Sports Information Director of the Year).
Have a Great Memorial Day!!
SUPPORT MD SPORTS!!