| McCAFFREY’S WORLD By Bill McCaffrey |
| 06-26-09 |
Man, oh man did I get my recent disses back in my face! I dissed the USA Men’s soccer team and then they made a miracle come back defeated Spain 2-0 to gain
the finals in the Confederations Cup Tournament. I dissed Manny Acta and the Nationals and what do they do win four in a row to go to 20 wins so far this season. I
knocked GM Andy, Manager Davy and the Orioles and what happens – the Orioles win 7 out of 9. Wow! Anyone who wants to win just hire me to diss them
because wins will float your way.
I liked the Bullets, whoops, I mean Wizards trade with Minnesota, I have always liked Mike Miller, he is the Senate President. Oh I like both Mike’s but I hated to give
up Darius Songarla in the trade. Now if our former Minnesota coaches now Wizards coaches could get us Kevin Garnett.
I like Phoenix swapping Shaq to Cleveland where he’ll team with King James and bring an NBA title to the Capital of “Rock and Roll”, wait and see its coming as Shaq
sends a diss to Kobe.
Oh by the way the Florida Marlins did sweep the Birds in a 3 game set. This weekend the Birds host the Nats so the Birds should get back on the winning track.
Orioles OF Pie should be gone from Charm City soon.
This past week the Fan show had call after call telling Harpo how she was a hotie and knew everything about sports. It was sickening and had to embarrass Scott
Garceau. She knows nothing about sports and Amber Theoharis is more of a hotie than Marx will ever be. I wonder how many calls came from the same bar on
Washington Blvd?
The best sports show is the Rex and Jason Sunday morning blitz on WNST-AM, even Ironhead knows more than Marx.
Sunday the USA men’s soccer team plays Brazil for the Cup Championship
I wonder what the Orioles are going to do when the Nats move ahead of them in home attendance?
PLAYOFF FOOTBALL RETURNS TO THE WASHINGTON AREA
The D.C. Divas finished their 9th regular season of play with a perfect 8-0 records and will host a playoff battle vs. the Pittsburgh Passion this Saturday night June
27th. The kickoff is set for 7:00 pm at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex. Fans can park for free in Fed Ex Field Lot B. The Divas captured their
6th division title in the last 7 seasons and did so by outscoring their opponents by a margin of 305 to 46. The 46 points allowed is the second fewest in team history.
In 9 years of play the Divas are 65-17 with 6 division titles and 1 World Championship.
BOXING NEWS
A very good boxing show was held at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury last Friday, June 19th. In the main event local favorite Fernando Guerrero
ran is record to 14-0-0 with a second round TKO of Brian Norman (17-9-0). Farah Ennis goes to 11-0-0 winning an 8 round decision over Bobby Jordan (6-1-1).
Alex Guerrero wins his pro debut by taking a four round decision over Rodericka Ray (2-2-0). Shawn Porter stays unbeaten (8-0-0) with a first round TKO of
Brandon Wooten (6-14-1). Dominic Wade (3-0-0) takes a second round TKO over Anthony Cannon (4-13-0).
In Germany heavyweight Wladimir Klitichko (54-3-0) put Ruslan Chagaev (25-1-1) to sleep in the tenth round of their title fight.
Next Ballroom Boxing event at Michael’s 8th Avenue is on Friday, September 25th, that’s right Friday night. Ballroom Boxing is coming to Hagerstown’s Hager Hall
on Thursday, August 27th at 8:00 pm.
BAYSOX CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY EARLY
TEAM HOSTS MASSIVE FIREWORKS DISPLAY JULY 3
The Bowie Baysox will host an extended fireworks show and Independence Day Barbecue at Prince George's Stadium on Friday, July 3, as the team takes on the
Akron Aeros at 6:05 p.m. Stadium gates will open at 5 p.m. and the fireworks extravaganza begins right after the game.
The Independence Day Barbecue features all-beef hot dogs, grilled hamburgers, watermelon slices and fountain beverages from 5-7 p.m. Tickets for the barbecue are
$19 for season ticket holders and kids ages 6-12, and $23 for adults ages 13 and up. The barbecue package includes admission to the Picnic Pavilion and a general
admission seat ticket for the game. Fans can upgrade to Lower Reserved seat tickets for $4 apiece. To purchase tickets for the Independence Day Barbecue, please
contact Jed Vess at (301) 464-4890 by 3 p.m. on July 1.
After the game, the Baysox will light up the skies around Prince George's Stadium with a fireworks extravaganza that will be nearly twice as long as an ordinary post-
game display.
"We think our fans will be really impressed by the fireworks display," said Brian Shallcross, Baysox general manager. "We are excited to provide a family-friendly
venue for our community to kick off the holiday weekend."
BAYSOX HOST FUNDRAISER IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER JONES
The Bowie Baysox are hosting a fundraiser on Wednesday, July 1, to help the family of Christopher Jones. The 14-year-old died tragically in Crofton, Md. after
allegedly being assaulted by two other young men. The Baysox are teaming with Crofton Printing and Copy Centre and the Greater Crofton Chamber of Commerce
on the fundraiser.
The Baysox are offering $5 general admission seat tickets for the July 1 doubleheader against the Akron Aeros and all the proceeds will be donated to the Jones
family. The tickets are only available at several Crofton businesses. Tickets will not be available through the Baysox box office.
Fans can purchase tickets at:
Ledo's Pizza of Crofton
1286 Rt. 3 South, Crofton
Crofton Printing and Copy Centre
2431 Crofton Lane, Suite 10
Vocelli's Pizza
1129 Rt. 3 North Crain Hwy.
Partyland
1166 Maryland Rt. 3 South
Crofton Princess Center
State Farm
2431 Crofton Lane, Suite 13
Crofton, MD
The first game will begin at 6:05 p.m. and the second game will begin approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the first game. The tickets grant admission to
both games. In accordance with Minor League Baseball Rules, both games will be seven inning contests.
BAYSOX RALLY BURIES B-METS
The Baysox opened up their seven-game home stand with a 7-3 win Tuesday night in Binghamton. Center fielder Dave Krynzel blasted a three-run homer as the
Baysox rallied for four runs in the sixth inning. Left-hander Chad Thall picked up his second win of the season, while third-baseman Mike Costanzo went 2-for-5 to
extend his hitting streak to nine games.
Binghamton got on the board in the second inning against Baysox starter Tim Bascom. A single by Shawn Bowman and a double by D.J. Wabick put runners at
second and third with nobody out. Jose Coronado lifted a sacrifice fly to left fielder Jonathan Tucker, plating Bowman to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. Wabick attempted
to advance to third on the play, but Baysox catcher Guillermo Rodriguez fielded Tucker’s throw and fired a strike to nail the runner at third.
The Baysox answered back with two runs in the top of the third inning. Tucker drew a one out walk against Binghamton starter Jenrry Mejia. Shortstop Robert Valido
followed with a single as Tucker advanced to third to put men on the corners with one out. First baseman Eric Crozier bounced a ball back to Mejia, but the Mets
pitcher threw the ball away allowing both runners to score and putting the Baysox on top 2-1.
Back came the Mets in the bottom of the inning, tallying two more against Bascom to take back the lead. Emmanuel Garcia tripled with one out to set the table for
Mets catcher Josh Thole, the Eastern League’s leading hitter with a .345 batting average heading into the night. Thole lined a RBI triple to right, scoring Garcia and
tying the game at two. Ike Davis followed with an RBI single, putting Binghamton on top 3-2. Bascom would get out of the inning without further damage, ending his
night after 4.0 innings of work allowing three earned runs on eight hits.
The sixth inning proved to be Mejia’s downfall, allowing four earned as the Baysox stormed back into the lead. Costanzo singled to start the inning against the Mets
right-hander. Second baseman Miguel Abreu reached on a fielder’s choice as Costanzo slid safely into second. Krynzel followed with a three-run blast over the wall in
right for his fifth home run of the season. Marred in a 1-for-19 slump heading into Sunday’s game, Krynzel has collected six hits in his last nine at-bats to raise his
season average to .283. Right fielder Ambiorix Concepcion followed with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Rodriguez brought him home with a sacrifice
fly later in the inning, extending the Baysox lead to four.
Thall worked a scoreless fifth inning to earn his first win since April 21. Left-hander Wilfrido Perez came on in the sixth, making his first appearance since being place
on the disabled list on June 8. The left-hander worked 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and walking one while striking out two. In 19 appearances this season,
Perez has held his opponent scoreless 17 times.
Right-hander Ryohei Tanaka came on to work a scoreless ninth inning, allowing a two out single to Carl Loadenthal before striking out Garcia to end the game. Tanaka
has seamlessly transitioned into his role in the Baysox bullpen after signing with the Orioles out of Japan in February. The right-hander has not allowed a run in six
appearances to start his professional career, striking out nine and walking only one in 8.0 innings of work.
With the win the Baysox improve to 37-32 on the season, 10.0 games behind Southern Division leader Akron. The two teams will do battle again tomorrow at NYSEG
Stadium in Binghamton. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
The Baysox return home to play Akron on June 30. 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.
“JUST” ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE
Blue Crabs Second Baseman Mike Just Returns To Newark, Wins ALPB All-Star Game MVP Award
And they say you can’t go home again.
Often underrated, and usually overlooked other than in his home clubhouse, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs second baseman Mike Just continued his charmed 2009
season on Tuesday night, winning the Most Valuable Player Award of the Atlantic League All-Star Game held at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, New
Jersey, home of the Newark Bears.
For Just, it was his first professional all-star game, in his fourth year since coming out of Division I Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia in 2006. Just went 2 for
4 on the evening, as the starter at second base for the Liberty Division All-Stars, batting leadoff. In his second at-bat in the top of the third inning, Just singled to
center, but cemented his evening as MVP in the top of the ninth. He rapped a two-RBI single to center off Newark’s Armando Benitez (yes, THAT Armando Benitez),
tying the game 5-5. He then promptly stole second off Benitez, and was driven in as the eventual winning run by Bridgeport’s Luis Lopez. The Liberty Division
(Bridgeport, Camden, Long Island & Southern Maryland) went on to defeat the Freedom Division All-Stars (Lancaster, Newark, Somerset & York) by a final score of
7-5.
When the Atlantic League All-Star Game was moved up from July into June this season, one reason was a hope it would be more heavily scouted by MLB
organizations looking for good talent that had just slipped through the cracks. Well, Mission Accomplished.
That alone makes a good enough story, but when you consider the context, things keep getting better for Mike Just.
Born in Englewood, New Jersey, Just currently resides in Woodcliff Lake, in Newark’s back yard. Last season, Just played his first season in the Atlantic League for
his hometown Newark Bears, appearing in 102 games batting .276 with 21 stolen bases. Unfortunately for Just (or fortunately?) that effort wasn’t enough for him to
be retained by the Bears amidst a change in ownership and he was traded to Southern Maryland in the offseason. Safe to say, June 23 was a solid mid-season
homecoming for Just , and perhaps some Newark Bears fans after Tuesday wish Mike Just hadn’t been the one that got away.
“The trade was a great thing for my career though, coming over to (Southern) Maryland where you have great fan support, great management, the team’s run well, I
was just glad to come here,” said Just as this season began. “Last year I saw how these guys played for Butch (Hobson) and I respected them,” Just continued. “I
think Butch is phenomenal manager.”
Inexplicably left off the online fan ballot, Just was a no-brainer selection by the Atlantic League coaching staffs and front offices, sporting a .296 average and a .371
on-base percentage at the time of the all-star break. Consider it yet another hurdle overcome for Just, who was a head-scratching omission from the 2006 MLB Draft
after batting .379 with four home runs and 53 RBI after his senior year at Liberty. That effort did earn him a deal with the River City (MO) Rascals of the Frontier
League that summer, where he batted .317. He followed up his professional debut with a .336 effort with four home runs and 55 RBI in 2007 with the Fargo-
Moorhead (ND) RedHawks of the Northern League.
While Just is still waiting for his first real opportunity with an MLB organization (looks from the Astros and Phillies didn’t lead to any regular season playing time), you
won’t hear sour grapes out of his mouth when he talks about his career. While he wonders aloud about hanging it up even as a young man to pursue life as an
entrepreneur, it’s hard to believe an MVP of any kind could be at the end of the line at age 25.
“A lot of people don’t know this, but this might be my last year even though I am a younger guy,” said Just in an interview earlier this season. “ I don’t know, it’s
just been a battle my entire baseball career, and I’m starting a business up in Jersey called ‘Just Hits,’ a baseball-facility type thing so in order to get that off the
ground I’ll have to spend some time on it,” he said.
“I’m taking this season like it might be my last, and taking every game like it might be my last. I’m also getting married in a year and a half, so with all the things on
the table there’s a good shot it may be my last year…unless something miraculous happens,” laughed Just.
Perhaps the only miraculous thing is that Mike Just has to keep proving himself.
Bowie State Names Alumnus Darrell Brooks as Head Men's Basketball Coach
Bulldog alumnus Darrell Brooks returns home to become the new head coach of the Bowie State University men's basketball program. The 53 year-old Brooklyn
native is a 1979 graduate of the University where he played point guard for the Bulldogs from 1975-79.
Brooks described the new position as "a tremendous honor . . . The fact Bowie State is my alma mater makes it that much more special. My family and I are very
honored and look forward to the challenge."
"We are excited to have Darrell Brooks as Bowie State's new head coach of our men's basketball team and we look forward to his leadership and to generating a new
level of success among the team members," said Mickey L. Burnim, president of Bowie State University.
Arlene Creek, interim director of athletics, said, "Darrell Brooks is more than a welcome addition to our sports program at Bowie State. We are proud that he is a
product of our own athletic program. He brings talent, experience and determination."
At George Washington, Brooks gained a respected reputation as a detail-oriented coach for eight years. Prior to his stint at George Washington, Brooks spent the 2000-
2001 season as the head coach at Western Maryland College (WMC). Under Brooks, WMC ranked among the top three teams in the Centennial Conference in scoring,
assists, three-pointers made and steals. Brooks spent 16 years as an assistant coach at six different schools including Loyola University, George Mason University
(1993-97), American University (1990-93), The College of William & Mary (1988-90), Central State University (1985-88) and Bowie State (1984-85). Brooks also
directed his own basketball camp, Camp Austral in Maliano, Spain (1991-1995).
Darrell and his wife, Sandra, reside in Randallstown, Md. His daughter, Kiana, has two children, Aalyiah, 14 and Alexis, 12. His son, D.J., 24, is a graduate of
Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.
WE GET LETTERS…….
Bill,
I thought I saw Dwayne Gill of WWE fame who played “Gilberg” on the Jerry Springer show the other day.
Glen Burnie George
Dear GBG,
My sources tell me that he was on the Springer show.
Bill
Bill,
What do you think of our Baltimore Orioles now?
Baltimore Bob
Dear BB,
It shows me that the NL East is not as good as the AL East but the season isn’t over yet.
Bill
Bill,
Was Dolores Del Ray’s real name Dolores Pastor?
Leon Lotts
Dear LL,
Yes and her brother Don Pastor went to Anacostia High School.
Bill
Bill,
You sure have blown it with your bashing of the Orioles, GM Andy, Manager Dave, they all are on the up side and you like the Nats starters over the Orioles? Come
on man get with it.
Dundalk Don
Dear DD,
As I said the season still has a long way and I think time is on my side. Why don’t you call the Fans Orioles cheerleader “Ms. Marx”?
Bill
Hey Godfather how are you?
I have been out of the events by other organizations with the Negro League..but I’m still working quietly..smile. Introduce the Nationals to Negro League players when
they were at RFK on WUSA 9 and had players there later that year but when they moved left me out of the loop..but that’s the way it goes sometimes even back when
I introduced the players with your help with then the Lt. Governor K. Townsend on FOX 5 @ Baysox stadium but left out the loop again…and I received the
Governor’s Cup thanks to you…so this is what I am doing…visit my site at http://www.nllhof.org/page4.html.
Love, Your God son
Dwayne
Bill,
I wrote this a week or so. I think your readers may enjoy this. www.helium.com/items/1480540-nba-history-setter-george-mikan-the-first-great-basketball-player.
Andy
Bill,
It is with regret that I inform you of the passing of Dr. Sidney Levin, Anacostia High School class of 1949, a Washington D.C. and Jacksonville, Florida resident on
June 20, 2009. Dr. Levin specialty was Pediatric's. I have great memories of Sidney while in school.
Fred Plummer
Fred,
Thanks for the information.
Bill
SPORTS NOTES
The 2010 Atlantic 10 women’s basketball championship tournament will be held at Upper Marlboro’s Show Place Arena on March 5-9.
Look-a-like—Seinfelds Newman and TT.
This past Sunday (June 21st) was “Naked Hiking Day” and I don’t believe the rumors that PP, TT and “Downtown” participated in it.
I wonder where they are today…Teresa Watts, Carolyn Brown, Eleanor Maffeo, Edwin Beitzell, John PM Duval, Mung Young, Jimmy Chow, Bob Ross, Jill Quade,
Don Mele, Joan Tasset, Ruth Estelle, Judy Berling, Adele deBorg, Irv Heath, Jean Smith Heenan, Linda Gerick, Linda Herbert, Chris Cole, Elizabeth Graham, Francis
Starr, Ernie Benjamin, Pat Flinn, and Diane Ford.
Who remembers “The Kit Mar Drum Bar”, “Zebra Lounge”, “The Cellar”, “Zombies”, “Bob Whites”, “The 1023”, “The Glover”, “Rumble seats”, “The Rocks” or
“Pitts Motel”?
WNST.net Blog Quote of the Week
"I've said that Maryland will start the season ranked. Which would be nice. But, of course, it's not how start the year, it's how you finish."
-- Bob Haynie: "Are The Terps Top 25 Worthy?"
RIDE THE BUS TO SEE D.C. UNITED: Ride the WNST/Slainte Bus to see D.C. United take on the Colorado Rapids at RFK Stadium in Washington on July 18. For
only $40 you'll receive a game ticket, roundtrip transportation on an air-conditioned Gunther Motor Coach, limited beer, soda and snacks. Click here for info and to
reserve your seat.
BALTIMORE BASEBALL BUS TRIPS: Get on the
WNST/Miller Lite Baltimore Baseball Bus for a return trip to the new Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, July 22. The trip includes: game ticket, ride on a air-conditioned
Gunther Motor Coach, box lunch and limited beer, soda and snacks plus cool old-school Baltimore baseball videos and fun. The trip is also sponsored by Ironclad
Authentics. Cost: $100 per person. Click here for info and to reserve your seat.
Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following:
Farrah Fawcett (courageous movie actor who battled for her life til the end).
Ed McMahon (Late show TV announcer)
Michael Jackson (gained fame with “Jackson 5” marriage to Elvis Presley’s daughter)
Ron Thabriel (member of SABR).
Patrick Space (brother of Tom Space who was the 2009 New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame’s Man of the Year).
SUPPORT MD SPORTS!!
the finals in the Confederations Cup Tournament. I dissed Manny Acta and the Nationals and what do they do win four in a row to go to 20 wins so far this season. I
knocked GM Andy, Manager Davy and the Orioles and what happens – the Orioles win 7 out of 9. Wow! Anyone who wants to win just hire me to diss them
because wins will float your way.
I liked the Bullets, whoops, I mean Wizards trade with Minnesota, I have always liked Mike Miller, he is the Senate President. Oh I like both Mike’s but I hated to give
up Darius Songarla in the trade. Now if our former Minnesota coaches now Wizards coaches could get us Kevin Garnett.
I like Phoenix swapping Shaq to Cleveland where he’ll team with King James and bring an NBA title to the Capital of “Rock and Roll”, wait and see its coming as Shaq
sends a diss to Kobe.
Oh by the way the Florida Marlins did sweep the Birds in a 3 game set. This weekend the Birds host the Nats so the Birds should get back on the winning track.
Orioles OF Pie should be gone from Charm City soon.
This past week the Fan show had call after call telling Harpo how she was a hotie and knew everything about sports. It was sickening and had to embarrass Scott
Garceau. She knows nothing about sports and Amber Theoharis is more of a hotie than Marx will ever be. I wonder how many calls came from the same bar on
Washington Blvd?
The best sports show is the Rex and Jason Sunday morning blitz on WNST-AM, even Ironhead knows more than Marx.
Sunday the USA men’s soccer team plays Brazil for the Cup Championship
I wonder what the Orioles are going to do when the Nats move ahead of them in home attendance?
PLAYOFF FOOTBALL RETURNS TO THE WASHINGTON AREA
The D.C. Divas finished their 9th regular season of play with a perfect 8-0 records and will host a playoff battle vs. the Pittsburgh Passion this Saturday night June
27th. The kickoff is set for 7:00 pm at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex. Fans can park for free in Fed Ex Field Lot B. The Divas captured their
6th division title in the last 7 seasons and did so by outscoring their opponents by a margin of 305 to 46. The 46 points allowed is the second fewest in team history.
In 9 years of play the Divas are 65-17 with 6 division titles and 1 World Championship.
BOXING NEWS
A very good boxing show was held at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury last Friday, June 19th. In the main event local favorite Fernando Guerrero
ran is record to 14-0-0 with a second round TKO of Brian Norman (17-9-0). Farah Ennis goes to 11-0-0 winning an 8 round decision over Bobby Jordan (6-1-1).
Alex Guerrero wins his pro debut by taking a four round decision over Rodericka Ray (2-2-0). Shawn Porter stays unbeaten (8-0-0) with a first round TKO of
Brandon Wooten (6-14-1). Dominic Wade (3-0-0) takes a second round TKO over Anthony Cannon (4-13-0).
In Germany heavyweight Wladimir Klitichko (54-3-0) put Ruslan Chagaev (25-1-1) to sleep in the tenth round of their title fight.
Next Ballroom Boxing event at Michael’s 8th Avenue is on Friday, September 25th, that’s right Friday night. Ballroom Boxing is coming to Hagerstown’s Hager Hall
on Thursday, August 27th at 8:00 pm.
BAYSOX CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY EARLY
TEAM HOSTS MASSIVE FIREWORKS DISPLAY JULY 3
The Bowie Baysox will host an extended fireworks show and Independence Day Barbecue at Prince George's Stadium on Friday, July 3, as the team takes on the
Akron Aeros at 6:05 p.m. Stadium gates will open at 5 p.m. and the fireworks extravaganza begins right after the game.
The Independence Day Barbecue features all-beef hot dogs, grilled hamburgers, watermelon slices and fountain beverages from 5-7 p.m. Tickets for the barbecue are
$19 for season ticket holders and kids ages 6-12, and $23 for adults ages 13 and up. The barbecue package includes admission to the Picnic Pavilion and a general
admission seat ticket for the game. Fans can upgrade to Lower Reserved seat tickets for $4 apiece. To purchase tickets for the Independence Day Barbecue, please
contact Jed Vess at (301) 464-4890 by 3 p.m. on July 1.
After the game, the Baysox will light up the skies around Prince George's Stadium with a fireworks extravaganza that will be nearly twice as long as an ordinary post-
game display.
"We think our fans will be really impressed by the fireworks display," said Brian Shallcross, Baysox general manager. "We are excited to provide a family-friendly
venue for our community to kick off the holiday weekend."
BAYSOX HOST FUNDRAISER IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER JONES
The Bowie Baysox are hosting a fundraiser on Wednesday, July 1, to help the family of Christopher Jones. The 14-year-old died tragically in Crofton, Md. after
allegedly being assaulted by two other young men. The Baysox are teaming with Crofton Printing and Copy Centre and the Greater Crofton Chamber of Commerce
on the fundraiser.
The Baysox are offering $5 general admission seat tickets for the July 1 doubleheader against the Akron Aeros and all the proceeds will be donated to the Jones
family. The tickets are only available at several Crofton businesses. Tickets will not be available through the Baysox box office.
Fans can purchase tickets at:
Ledo's Pizza of Crofton
1286 Rt. 3 South, Crofton
Crofton Printing and Copy Centre
2431 Crofton Lane, Suite 10
Vocelli's Pizza
1129 Rt. 3 North Crain Hwy.
Partyland
1166 Maryland Rt. 3 South
Crofton Princess Center
State Farm
2431 Crofton Lane, Suite 13
Crofton, MD
The first game will begin at 6:05 p.m. and the second game will begin approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the first game. The tickets grant admission to
both games. In accordance with Minor League Baseball Rules, both games will be seven inning contests.
BAYSOX RALLY BURIES B-METS
The Baysox opened up their seven-game home stand with a 7-3 win Tuesday night in Binghamton. Center fielder Dave Krynzel blasted a three-run homer as the
Baysox rallied for four runs in the sixth inning. Left-hander Chad Thall picked up his second win of the season, while third-baseman Mike Costanzo went 2-for-5 to
extend his hitting streak to nine games.
Binghamton got on the board in the second inning against Baysox starter Tim Bascom. A single by Shawn Bowman and a double by D.J. Wabick put runners at
second and third with nobody out. Jose Coronado lifted a sacrifice fly to left fielder Jonathan Tucker, plating Bowman to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. Wabick attempted
to advance to third on the play, but Baysox catcher Guillermo Rodriguez fielded Tucker’s throw and fired a strike to nail the runner at third.
The Baysox answered back with two runs in the top of the third inning. Tucker drew a one out walk against Binghamton starter Jenrry Mejia. Shortstop Robert Valido
followed with a single as Tucker advanced to third to put men on the corners with one out. First baseman Eric Crozier bounced a ball back to Mejia, but the Mets
pitcher threw the ball away allowing both runners to score and putting the Baysox on top 2-1.
Back came the Mets in the bottom of the inning, tallying two more against Bascom to take back the lead. Emmanuel Garcia tripled with one out to set the table for
Mets catcher Josh Thole, the Eastern League’s leading hitter with a .345 batting average heading into the night. Thole lined a RBI triple to right, scoring Garcia and
tying the game at two. Ike Davis followed with an RBI single, putting Binghamton on top 3-2. Bascom would get out of the inning without further damage, ending his
night after 4.0 innings of work allowing three earned runs on eight hits.
The sixth inning proved to be Mejia’s downfall, allowing four earned as the Baysox stormed back into the lead. Costanzo singled to start the inning against the Mets
right-hander. Second baseman Miguel Abreu reached on a fielder’s choice as Costanzo slid safely into second. Krynzel followed with a three-run blast over the wall in
right for his fifth home run of the season. Marred in a 1-for-19 slump heading into Sunday’s game, Krynzel has collected six hits in his last nine at-bats to raise his
season average to .283. Right fielder Ambiorix Concepcion followed with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Rodriguez brought him home with a sacrifice
fly later in the inning, extending the Baysox lead to four.
Thall worked a scoreless fifth inning to earn his first win since April 21. Left-hander Wilfrido Perez came on in the sixth, making his first appearance since being place
on the disabled list on June 8. The left-hander worked 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and walking one while striking out two. In 19 appearances this season,
Perez has held his opponent scoreless 17 times.
Right-hander Ryohei Tanaka came on to work a scoreless ninth inning, allowing a two out single to Carl Loadenthal before striking out Garcia to end the game. Tanaka
has seamlessly transitioned into his role in the Baysox bullpen after signing with the Orioles out of Japan in February. The right-hander has not allowed a run in six
appearances to start his professional career, striking out nine and walking only one in 8.0 innings of work.
With the win the Baysox improve to 37-32 on the season, 10.0 games behind Southern Division leader Akron. The two teams will do battle again tomorrow at NYSEG
Stadium in Binghamton. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
The Baysox return home to play Akron on June 30. 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.
“JUST” ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE
Blue Crabs Second Baseman Mike Just Returns To Newark, Wins ALPB All-Star Game MVP Award
And they say you can’t go home again.
Often underrated, and usually overlooked other than in his home clubhouse, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs second baseman Mike Just continued his charmed 2009
season on Tuesday night, winning the Most Valuable Player Award of the Atlantic League All-Star Game held at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, New
Jersey, home of the Newark Bears.
For Just, it was his first professional all-star game, in his fourth year since coming out of Division I Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia in 2006. Just went 2 for
4 on the evening, as the starter at second base for the Liberty Division All-Stars, batting leadoff. In his second at-bat in the top of the third inning, Just singled to
center, but cemented his evening as MVP in the top of the ninth. He rapped a two-RBI single to center off Newark’s Armando Benitez (yes, THAT Armando Benitez),
tying the game 5-5. He then promptly stole second off Benitez, and was driven in as the eventual winning run by Bridgeport’s Luis Lopez. The Liberty Division
(Bridgeport, Camden, Long Island & Southern Maryland) went on to defeat the Freedom Division All-Stars (Lancaster, Newark, Somerset & York) by a final score of
7-5.
When the Atlantic League All-Star Game was moved up from July into June this season, one reason was a hope it would be more heavily scouted by MLB
organizations looking for good talent that had just slipped through the cracks. Well, Mission Accomplished.
That alone makes a good enough story, but when you consider the context, things keep getting better for Mike Just.
Born in Englewood, New Jersey, Just currently resides in Woodcliff Lake, in Newark’s back yard. Last season, Just played his first season in the Atlantic League for
his hometown Newark Bears, appearing in 102 games batting .276 with 21 stolen bases. Unfortunately for Just (or fortunately?) that effort wasn’t enough for him to
be retained by the Bears amidst a change in ownership and he was traded to Southern Maryland in the offseason. Safe to say, June 23 was a solid mid-season
homecoming for Just , and perhaps some Newark Bears fans after Tuesday wish Mike Just hadn’t been the one that got away.
“The trade was a great thing for my career though, coming over to (Southern) Maryland where you have great fan support, great management, the team’s run well, I
was just glad to come here,” said Just as this season began. “Last year I saw how these guys played for Butch (Hobson) and I respected them,” Just continued. “I
think Butch is phenomenal manager.”
Inexplicably left off the online fan ballot, Just was a no-brainer selection by the Atlantic League coaching staffs and front offices, sporting a .296 average and a .371
on-base percentage at the time of the all-star break. Consider it yet another hurdle overcome for Just, who was a head-scratching omission from the 2006 MLB Draft
after batting .379 with four home runs and 53 RBI after his senior year at Liberty. That effort did earn him a deal with the River City (MO) Rascals of the Frontier
League that summer, where he batted .317. He followed up his professional debut with a .336 effort with four home runs and 55 RBI in 2007 with the Fargo-
Moorhead (ND) RedHawks of the Northern League.
While Just is still waiting for his first real opportunity with an MLB organization (looks from the Astros and Phillies didn’t lead to any regular season playing time), you
won’t hear sour grapes out of his mouth when he talks about his career. While he wonders aloud about hanging it up even as a young man to pursue life as an
entrepreneur, it’s hard to believe an MVP of any kind could be at the end of the line at age 25.
“A lot of people don’t know this, but this might be my last year even though I am a younger guy,” said Just in an interview earlier this season. “ I don’t know, it’s
just been a battle my entire baseball career, and I’m starting a business up in Jersey called ‘Just Hits,’ a baseball-facility type thing so in order to get that off the
ground I’ll have to spend some time on it,” he said.
“I’m taking this season like it might be my last, and taking every game like it might be my last. I’m also getting married in a year and a half, so with all the things on
the table there’s a good shot it may be my last year…unless something miraculous happens,” laughed Just.
Perhaps the only miraculous thing is that Mike Just has to keep proving himself.
Bowie State Names Alumnus Darrell Brooks as Head Men's Basketball Coach
Bulldog alumnus Darrell Brooks returns home to become the new head coach of the Bowie State University men's basketball program. The 53 year-old Brooklyn
native is a 1979 graduate of the University where he played point guard for the Bulldogs from 1975-79.
Brooks described the new position as "a tremendous honor . . . The fact Bowie State is my alma mater makes it that much more special. My family and I are very
honored and look forward to the challenge."
"We are excited to have Darrell Brooks as Bowie State's new head coach of our men's basketball team and we look forward to his leadership and to generating a new
level of success among the team members," said Mickey L. Burnim, president of Bowie State University.
Arlene Creek, interim director of athletics, said, "Darrell Brooks is more than a welcome addition to our sports program at Bowie State. We are proud that he is a
product of our own athletic program. He brings talent, experience and determination."
At George Washington, Brooks gained a respected reputation as a detail-oriented coach for eight years. Prior to his stint at George Washington, Brooks spent the 2000-
2001 season as the head coach at Western Maryland College (WMC). Under Brooks, WMC ranked among the top three teams in the Centennial Conference in scoring,
assists, three-pointers made and steals. Brooks spent 16 years as an assistant coach at six different schools including Loyola University, George Mason University
(1993-97), American University (1990-93), The College of William & Mary (1988-90), Central State University (1985-88) and Bowie State (1984-85). Brooks also
directed his own basketball camp, Camp Austral in Maliano, Spain (1991-1995).
Darrell and his wife, Sandra, reside in Randallstown, Md. His daughter, Kiana, has two children, Aalyiah, 14 and Alexis, 12. His son, D.J., 24, is a graduate of
Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.
WE GET LETTERS…….
Bill,
I thought I saw Dwayne Gill of WWE fame who played “Gilberg” on the Jerry Springer show the other day.
Glen Burnie George
Dear GBG,
My sources tell me that he was on the Springer show.
Bill
Bill,
What do you think of our Baltimore Orioles now?
Baltimore Bob
Dear BB,
It shows me that the NL East is not as good as the AL East but the season isn’t over yet.
Bill
Bill,
Was Dolores Del Ray’s real name Dolores Pastor?
Leon Lotts
Dear LL,
Yes and her brother Don Pastor went to Anacostia High School.
Bill
Bill,
You sure have blown it with your bashing of the Orioles, GM Andy, Manager Dave, they all are on the up side and you like the Nats starters over the Orioles? Come
on man get with it.
Dundalk Don
Dear DD,
As I said the season still has a long way and I think time is on my side. Why don’t you call the Fans Orioles cheerleader “Ms. Marx”?
Bill
Hey Godfather how are you?
I have been out of the events by other organizations with the Negro League..but I’m still working quietly..smile. Introduce the Nationals to Negro League players when
they were at RFK on WUSA 9 and had players there later that year but when they moved left me out of the loop..but that’s the way it goes sometimes even back when
I introduced the players with your help with then the Lt. Governor K. Townsend on FOX 5 @ Baysox stadium but left out the loop again…and I received the
Governor’s Cup thanks to you…so this is what I am doing…visit my site at http://www.nllhof.org/page4.html.
Love, Your God son
Dwayne
Bill,
I wrote this a week or so. I think your readers may enjoy this. www.helium.com/items/1480540-nba-history-setter-george-mikan-the-first-great-basketball-player.
Andy
Bill,
It is with regret that I inform you of the passing of Dr. Sidney Levin, Anacostia High School class of 1949, a Washington D.C. and Jacksonville, Florida resident on
June 20, 2009. Dr. Levin specialty was Pediatric's. I have great memories of Sidney while in school.
Fred Plummer
Fred,
Thanks for the information.
Bill
SPORTS NOTES
The 2010 Atlantic 10 women’s basketball championship tournament will be held at Upper Marlboro’s Show Place Arena on March 5-9.
Look-a-like—Seinfelds Newman and TT.
This past Sunday (June 21st) was “Naked Hiking Day” and I don’t believe the rumors that PP, TT and “Downtown” participated in it.
I wonder where they are today…Teresa Watts, Carolyn Brown, Eleanor Maffeo, Edwin Beitzell, John PM Duval, Mung Young, Jimmy Chow, Bob Ross, Jill Quade,
Don Mele, Joan Tasset, Ruth Estelle, Judy Berling, Adele deBorg, Irv Heath, Jean Smith Heenan, Linda Gerick, Linda Herbert, Chris Cole, Elizabeth Graham, Francis
Starr, Ernie Benjamin, Pat Flinn, and Diane Ford.
Who remembers “The Kit Mar Drum Bar”, “Zebra Lounge”, “The Cellar”, “Zombies”, “Bob Whites”, “The 1023”, “The Glover”, “Rumble seats”, “The Rocks” or
“Pitts Motel”?
WNST.net Blog Quote of the Week
"I've said that Maryland will start the season ranked. Which would be nice. But, of course, it's not how start the year, it's how you finish."
-- Bob Haynie: "Are The Terps Top 25 Worthy?"
RIDE THE BUS TO SEE D.C. UNITED: Ride the WNST/Slainte Bus to see D.C. United take on the Colorado Rapids at RFK Stadium in Washington on July 18. For
only $40 you'll receive a game ticket, roundtrip transportation on an air-conditioned Gunther Motor Coach, limited beer, soda and snacks. Click here for info and to
reserve your seat.
BALTIMORE BASEBALL BUS TRIPS: Get on the
WNST/Miller Lite Baltimore Baseball Bus for a return trip to the new Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, July 22. The trip includes: game ticket, ride on a air-conditioned
Gunther Motor Coach, box lunch and limited beer, soda and snacks plus cool old-school Baltimore baseball videos and fun. The trip is also sponsored by Ironclad
Authentics. Cost: $100 per person. Click here for info and to reserve your seat.
Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following:
Farrah Fawcett (courageous movie actor who battled for her life til the end).
Ed McMahon (Late show TV announcer)
Michael Jackson (gained fame with “Jackson 5” marriage to Elvis Presley’s daughter)
Ron Thabriel (member of SABR).
Patrick Space (brother of Tom Space who was the 2009 New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame’s Man of the Year).
SUPPORT MD SPORTS!!