Sports Beat column - December 9, 2005

Sports Beat
December 9, 2005

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Hey whatâ¤s up both the Ravens and Redskins won last Sunday, almost unbelievable but hey neither was playing what you would call an NFL powerhouse. The Ravens narrowly beat the worst team in the NFL, the Houston Texans on a Matt Stover field goal. In the Ravens first TD drive a dumb Houston tackle #98 named Peek had three penalties called against him to keep the Ravens drive alive and when Kyle Boller scored the TD he did so by running by this same stupid Peek.

This week the Ravens play the Broncos in Denver and could lose by as much as 30 points. â¤¦Ragheadâ¤? Ray Lewis is out for the rest of the season but hey heâ¤s been missing in action for weeks now. Denver is coming off a loss and should be ready to pound the team from â¤¦ Crime City â¤? whoops I mean â¤¦ Charm City â¤?. Also out West are the Redksins playing at Arizona and this could be a problem for the â¤¦Skinsâ¤? as Cardinal QB Kurt Warner has had four 300+ yards games in recent weeks. At 6-6 Joe Gibbs could have a winning season this his second season back.

Navy romped over Army and won the Commander and Chiefs trophy. I thought Army would upset the Middies but I was wrong and it cost me a dinner as Col. Phil Sullivan won a small wager he and I had. Of course the officials once again proved to be lacking in this one. In 1957 the Redskins had three rookie running backs, can you name them and the colleges they played for and the media gave them a nickname and do you remember that name?

BOXING NEWS

Jake Smith's â¤¦Baltimore Pro Boxingâ¤? packed Martin's West this past Wednesday with a dynamite card. Four unbeaten boxers remained unbeaten two with first round stops and Jed Phipps made a successful return to the ring by scoring a sixth round TKO over Dan Whetsel, Phipps is now 16-3. Whetzelâ¤s second Thomas L. Urbina received an indefinite suspension pending a hearing due to unsportsmanlike conduct at conclusion of Whetzel's loss.

Other results: Tony Cygan ran his record to 9-0 with a unanimous decision over James North. Mike Dietrich upped his record to 7-0 by TKO in the first round over Michael Van Meer. Mike Paschell took a six round decision over Donald Schrock, Paschell is now 7-0. Devin Vargas put Albert Newberry to sleep at 30 seconds of the first round to lift his record to 7-0. Eddie Otts and Derek Sierra fought to a four round draw.

In a Pro-Am card at the BXF gym in Millersville , Maryland promoter Gene Molovinsky presented five amateur bouts and four pro bouts. Here are the results of the four pro bouts: Local favorite Tony Jeter dropped to 4-2 losing by a fourth round KO to James Shedrick, Jr. Tyrell Samuel is 4-0 after winning at 2:45 of the fourth round by TKO of James Franks. Rodney Green won a six round unanimous decision over John Terry. â¤¦Kingâ¤? James McCallister (now 11-5-1) took an eight round unanimous decision over Mike Eatmon. In a bout I thought Bernard Hopkins won three judges didnâ¤t and each voted 115-113 to give the bout to Jermain Taylor allowing Taylor to retain the Middleweight championship.

Thanks to Richard Beasly for passing along the information that Nick Antonelli had passed away at age 98. Antonelli on July 6, 1926 won a match by knocking out his opponent at five seconds of the first round. He was known as the â¤¦Lil Fire Engineâ¤?. As an amateur he was 111-10 (90 KOâ¤s) as a pro he was 144-6 and was never knocked out. Our deepest sympathy goes to his family.

Meharg Voted NFHCA Regional Field Hockey Coach of the Year At the helm for 18 seasons, Meharg led the 2005 Terps to an NCAA title. Maryland field hockey mentor Missy Meharg has been named Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year, which was announced today by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. Meharg led the 2005 Terrapins to an NCAA and ACC Championship title. At the helm for 18 years, Meharg led the Terps to the program's fourth national title this season and third during her tenure after Maryland defeated Duke, 1-0, in the NCAA final on Nov. 20 in Louisville , Ky. This season, Meharg also guided the Terps to their sixth ACC title with a 3-2 victory over Wake Forest in College Park , the first since 2001, and a No. 1 national ranking. The victory in the ACC championship game also marked the 300th of her career, becoming the 17th coach in NCAA history to reach that milestone. Meharg also guided Maryland to a 23-2 record this season, the most victories for the team since 1999 and one short of the school record. The Terps also made their 16th NCAA Tournament appearance under Meharg, reaching the national semis for the ninth time. For the 15th-straight season, at least three Terps were selected All-Americans, including this season when five were selected, the most since 2000. Eight were also voted all-region. Three Terrapins were also named All-ACC. Meharg earns the Regional Coach of the Year honor for the ninth time in her career. She was also named Regional Coach of the Year from 1990-93, 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2002.

Maryland Women's Basketball Move Up in Polls Again
Terps among the top 10 for the second-straight week.

The Maryland women's basketball team continues to climb in the national polls. After going 2-1 at the Paradise Jam last week, the Terrapins move up to No. 9 in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. The Terps are 5-1 on the season, picking up wins over Gonzaga (88-50) and then-No. 9 Michigan State (75-61). Maryland dropped its first game of the season in the tournament's title game, nearly defeating No. 2/1 Tennessee (80-75). Maryland has made a steady climb since earning a No. 14 ranking in the preseason rankings. Last week, it was rated No. 10 by both polls.

Head coach Brenda Frese's Terps are one of three ACC squads in the top 10. Duke is No. 1 in the AP and No. 2 in the Coaches poll. North Carolina was rated No. 7 by the writers and eighth by the coaches. After losing to the Terps, Michigan State dropped to 13th in the Associated Press ranking and 15th in the coaches ranking. The Lady Vols remained unchanged, earning the No. 1 spot by the coaches and No. 2 in the AP.

Boston College, NC State, Florida State and Virginia Tech are all receiving votes in both polls, while Virginia , Wake Forest and non-conference opponent Arizona are garnering votes in the AP ranking. It is Maryland 's highest AP rating since being ranked ninth on Feb. 9 1993. The Terps were ranked ninth in by the coaches on Feb. 2, 1993.

Crystal Langhorne Honored As 2005 USA Basketball Female Athlete Of The Year -- Langhorne Now Eligible For 2005 U.S. Olympic Committee Award

University of Maryland forward/center Crystal Langhorne was selected by the USA Basketball Executive Committee as the USA Basketball 2005 Female Athlete of the Year for her role in leading the 2005 USA U19 World Championship Team to a dominating 8-0 performance and the gold medal at the 2005 FIBA U19 World Championship, while garnering MVP honors in the process. â¤¦To tell you the truth, I was really shocked about the whole situation,â¤? said Langhorne. â¤¦It means so much for me to be named the womenâ¤s basketball Player of the Year for the USA.

So many great players have been named (USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year) in the past, which makes it an even bigger honor. There were a lot of top players this summer for USA Basketball so for (the USA Basketball Executive Committee) to name me makes it even more special for me to get this.â¤? â¤¦Congratulations to Crystal on being named our female athlete of the year,â¤? said USA Basketball Executive Director Jim Tooley. â¤¦She gave a very impressive performance during the U19 World Championship and was recognized as the tournamentâ¤s most valuable player. She is a great young talent, and I look forward to seeing her back in our uniform in years to come.â¤? â¤¦As good as Crystal is as a player, and sheâ¤s not only one of the best in the nation, but one of the best in the world, sheâ¤s an even better person,â¤? said 2005 USA U19 World Championship Team and Duke University head coach Gail Goestenkors. â¤¦She is truly a joy to be around and to coach. Iâ¤m so happy for her and proud of her. She led our team this summer, she is very consistent. She has a quiet calmness about her, regardless of the game, regardless of the score. You can always count on Crystal to give a full and focused effort.â¤?

In capturing the 2005 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year honor, Langhorne not only is eligible for the 2005 U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Female Athlete of the Year Award which will be announced by the USOC at a later date, but she also enters into impressive company of previous USA Basketball honorees. In its 26th year, the USA Basketball Athlete of the Year has been earned by notable athletes such as Carol Blazejowski (1980), Denise Curry (1981), Cindy Noble and LaTaunya Pollard (1982), Lynette Woodard (1983), Cheryl Miller (1984, 1986), Jennifer Gillom (1985), Teresa Edwards (1987, 1990, 1996, 2000), Katrina McClain (1988, 1992), Venus Lacey (1989), Ruthie Bolton (1991), Lisa Leslie (1993, 1998, 2002), Dawn Staley (1994, 2004), Sylvia Crawley (1995), Chamique Holdsclaw (1997), Natalie Williams (1999), Ayana Walker (2001) and Seimone Augustus (2003).

As the leading scorer for the U.S. squad that upended its competition by an average of 46.3 points a game to claim the gold medal in Tunis , Tunisia , Langhorne was named the 2005 FIBA U19 World Championship MVP after averaging 16.8 ppg. and adding 6.4 rpg. She finished her stellar performance at the U19 Worlds ranked fifth among all competitors in the 12â¤Œnation field for scoring, second for field goal percentage (.775), fourth for free throw percentage (.793), tied for fifth for offensive rebounds (4.75) and tied for 15th for rebounds. Langhorne scored in double digits in all eight contests and had one double double, notching a high of 23 points against China in the semifinal contest and posting 17 points and 12 rebounds against Puerto Rico in preliminary play. She finished the competition ranked second among allâ¤Œtime USA U19 World Championship participants for points (133) and field goal percentage (.722) and fifth for rebounds (51).

Prior to the U19 Worlds, Langhorne aided to the U.S. squad to a 5-1 record in exhibition play, including a 4â¤Œ0 slate and the gold medal against U19 squads from Australia, China and Russia at the 2005 International Sports Invitational (ISI) in San Diego. The team also went 1â¤Œ1 against Hungary â¤s U19 squad in a twoâ¤Œgame exhibition series in Budapest . She scored in double digits in all but one of the USA â¤s preâ¤ŒU19 Worlds contests, including a 21â¤Œpoint, 10â¤Œrebound outing against Australia at the ISI. This summer was not the first time Langhorne had donned a USA jersey. A finalist for the 2004 USA Junior World Championship Qualifying Team, she was a member of the 2003 USA Youth Development Festival East Team that went 5â¤Œ0 record and claimed the gold medal. During the â¤—03 Festival Langhorne posted a doubleâ¤Œdouble of 21 points and 13 rebounds, while adding three steals, in the gold medal game. She also averaged a doubleâ¤Œdouble of 13.8 ppg., which ranked sixth among Festival participants, and a Festivalâ¤Œhigh 11.8 rpg.

Further, Langhorne recorded a Festival record 59 rebounds and also set a Festival single game record for shooting percentage (.889) after making 8â¤Œofâ¤Œ9 from the field against the South Team. As a freshman for Maryland in 2004â¤Œ05, Langhorne averaged a team second best 17.2 ppg., a team best 10.6 rpg. and shot a team leading 59.2 percent from the floor as the Terps finished with a 22â¤Œ10 record and a No. 24 final ranking. She finished the season ranked 11th among all NCAA participants in rebounding and 13th in shooting percentage. For her efforts, the 6-2 Langhorne collected Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Year, All-ACC second team and ACC All-Rookie first team following her freshman season that saw her collect a school record five ACC Rookie of the Week honors. She then went on to earn a selection to the 2005 ACC All-Tournament first team.

No. 9 Maryland Dominates Appalachian State, 118-59
Jade Perry scores 16 points and grabs a career-high 16 rebounds for Terps.

Perry had 16 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, and the No. 9 Terrapins used a 66-point first half to cruise to a 118-59 victory. With Perry leading the way, the Terrapins' transition game repeatedly burned Appalachian State for easy baskets. Maryland shot 60 percent and outrebounded the Mountaineers 54-23.

"Jade came ready to play from the tip. She was extremely aggressive, and I thought her rebounding is what really sparked us," Terps coach Brenda Frese said. It's fun to watch Jade play when she plays that aggressively. That's how she needs to play every game."

Shay Doron scored 20 points, and Crystal Langhorne, Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver had 17 apiece for the Terrapins (5-1). "A lot of people are seeing our firepower, how many different weapons we have. It's exciting, because of how unselfishly we're playing," Frese said. It was Maryland 's most lopsided win since a 102-31 rout of Maryland-Eastern Shore in December 1993.

Lady Terps fans were hoping Maryland would break the school record of 121 points, set against Drexel in 1992. The Terrapins broke the 100-point barrier for the second time this season after going 88 straight games without doing so.

DC DIVAS NEWS

The D.C. Divas are working hard in the off-season to bring a championship season in 2006. We want to alert you to two great ticket plans that make for great holiday gift giving . We are offering a VIP plan with some great benefits and our regular season package is an opportunity to get a great value to watch a winner. Go to our website http://www.dcdivas.com and click our ticket link to order now. The Divas are making history with the formation of the first ever dance team. The team will perform at home games and other Divas functions. Join this exciting group by registering at http://www.dcdvias.com. Tryouts are slated for Saturday night December 10th at the D.C. Dance Collective. Details can be found at http://www.dcdivas.com. The D.C. Divas appreciate your continuing support. Sincerely, Rich Daniel General Manager D.C. Divas Website: http://www.dcdivas.com Dance Team Tryouts: http://www.dcdivas.com/html/2006/danceteam.html Online Ticket Sales: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/event/EventListings?orgId=10235

WE GET LETTERS

Bill, Do you have any idea who to contact and what procedure for the average sports fan to follow in protesting against the all the more frequent unjust and just plain incorrect decisions from incompetent referees? This is from Marlene: "The refs gave the basketball game that the Hokies should have won last night to Duke. Because they are always #1, they give them all the benefits. Tech was ahead by one point with 1 second to go. Refs added .6 seconds to the clock and that .6 seconds gave them time to put in a basked and beat Tech by one. Something needs to be done about these refs." Dale

Dale, The Hokies were ROBBED! The officials in basketball (except for Donnee Gray) are awful. But the football officials at every level suck. Go to the ACC, NCAA, NFL, NBA, NHL web sites to register your complaints. Bill

Bill, Holiday Eating Tips (for every year....!)
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately.   Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes.   Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother?   It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and screaming, "WOO HOO what a ride!" Have a Merry Christmas. June

June, I like mincemeat pies and fruitcakes (without the nuts). Bill

Ed adds Comcast to his Hit List, From: emfrank123@comcast.net To: viewermail@comcastsportsnet.com Subject: Tonight's Sports Nite Date: Fri, 02 Dec 2005 03:41:37 +0000 Comcast Sports- particularly Chick Hernandez and Sage Steele- I did not appreciate the unprofessionalism you showed on the air tonight at the end of the Kyle Boller story. Chick was laughing quite loud while Sage half-heartedly said she hoped Kyle did well in his final 5 games of his audition. I would expect a little more objectivity from the two of you given your track record of being reputable journalists. The Ravens have alot of problems despite the fact that everyone wants to blame them on Kyle Boller. If Kyle Boller is the problem then why did the team go 2-5 when he wasn't playing? That fact doesn't get much air time, does it? As Billick said, Kyle needs to be more consistent over these last 5 games if he wants to be the QB. We all know that. He is going to make or break his future on his own with his play the next several weeks. However, the laughing and slanted stories that I continually see from the media make it sound like this guy is Ryan Leaf. Take a look at his overall record, it is above .500 and he has won some big games for the Ravens, see last year's Jets, Giants, and Cowboys games. He also played fairly well against the Steelers 2 weeks ago. Ask anyone associated with the team, Kyle is a stand up kid who is working hard to become the Ravens QB. He never blames anyone else when things go wrong (unlike Anthony Wright or Ryan Leaf, for that matter) and he handles himself very professionally. Whether you think he should be the Ravens QB or not I would expect to see the same level of professionalism from the two of you when reporting on the Ravens- not what I saw on TV tonight, that type of reporting just takes away from your credibility. It was disappointing and I sure hope I don't see that again. Otherwise I'll have to stop watching your Sports Nite program. I already boycott the Baltimore Sun. If I was Sage's brother Chad (media relations for the Ravens) I would certainly be disappointed in the unprofessional presentation on the show tonight and doubly disappointed that my sister was involved. Ed Columbia, MD

Ed, Good Shot. Bill

Happy Holidays Bill; Since we will be busy being Jolly (no not Doug Jolly) and tasting egg nog at various private holiday parties this month, our public schedule is limited. Itâ¤s a tough job but someone has to do it. Nonetheless, it would be great to see you and donâ¤t forget about New Years Eve. This is a rare opportunity to see our band, the Klassix, perform publicly. We will be playing at Turf Valley Country Club again this year for New Years Eve. It is always fun with lots of dancing and great food. See details below: Friday, Dec. 23 â¤³ 8:30 â¤³ Midnight, Steve and Don at Castlebay Irish Pub â¤³ 410-626-0165, www.castlebayirishpub.com/ Friday, Dec. 30 â¤³ 8:30 â¤³ Midnight - The Back Room @ Woodfire Restaurant in Severna Park, 410-315-8100 http://www.woodfirebackroom.com/backroom.html New Years Eve â¤³ 9PM-2AM â¤³ The Klassix at Turf Valley Country Club â¤³ (410) 423-0813. Tickets are $123.75 per person, or two tickets with a room is $367. www.turfvalleyresort.com/specialevents/index.jsp Friday, Jan. 6, 8:30 â¤³ Midnight - The Back Room @ Woodfire Restaurant in Severna Park, 410-315-8100 http://www.woodfirebackroom.com/backroom.html Have a Great and Memorable Holiday , Steve Ports, Don Wimbrough and David Bell Hey Gang, Looks like you guys are going out with a Big BANG. Congratulations on another great year. Bill

Bill, Frank Shore should know. May have a relationship to the author of the Star Bangled Banner, who, as you know, is buried close to Grove Stadium in Frederick . It appears you had a successful recent surgery on Wednesday. Good news! Jo-EL

Jo-El, If anyone would know its Frank. Yes the surgery was a success and I feel like a new man. Bill

Letters between Dale and Marlene, Oh dear, figured it must have been something like that. Of course these dumb no class papers down here in tackytown Daytona are praising the Noles who should all be bathing in skunk cabbage along with their good ole Southern boy no respector of female students Bubba Bowden. Too bad it ended like that. Do not know what can be done about the inexcusable officiating this year, seems to get worse and worse and the commentators are all about themselves and how smart they are. I just turn off the sound on all of them and just watch the games. Pro ball even worse it seems. So sorry, but the classy Hokies will rise above it of that I have no doubt. Miss Scarlett once again has the last word "Tomorrow IS another day." Hugs, Dale

P.S. Bet Bill's column will have something to say about the horrible officiating Thank you for your feelings. I was crushed. Also hate Mussberger...he was so biased and rooting for the Noles. Just report the game and keep his mouth shut about who he thinks will win. Bad refs too. Not just sour grapes, it was so obvious that the refs and media were all for FSU. Tech almost pulled it out and would have if the refs weren't so biased. Personal technical on Marcus for spiking the ball in the end zone after he ran in for a touchdown. They ALL do that. Then three of FSU players danced in the end zone after a TD and NO penalty. I could not be sorrier. Fell asleep real early last night, must have been all that dancing and was doing some practicing yesterday also. And woke up and brought in my Sunday paper and got the shock of the day. Cannot believe that. Hate the Seminoles. Just one of those things that should not have happened, especially to your oh so deserving Hokies. I am soooo sorry friend. Dale

Dale/Marlene, Frank Beamer has never beaten Bobby Bowden. Billy Hite Va. Techs Associate Head Coach is from the DC area (DeMatha, Eastern HS) and I worked with his father and aunt at the C&P Telephone Company at 2815 N St. SE in the summer of 1951. His aunt Ruth is married to Joe Warren who was one of the best football officials during his day. Bill

Bill, The poem is Barbara Frietchie by John Greenleaf Whittier. Glad you are doing better and wish you well during your next surgery. Marilyn

Marilyn, Thanks. I hope everything is going well for you and Chuck. Tell Chuck that Ron Menchine always asks about him. Bill Bill, I believe the title is â¤¦The Ballad of Barbara Fritchieâ¤?. Living in DC we often went to Frederick on day trips usually going to the "Peter Pan Inn" in nearby Urbana . We often visited Barbara Fritchie's house. Carolyn Schoenfeld Wilfond, Marco Island , FL

SPORTS NOTES

Vince McMahonâ¤s WWE has a new challenge coming from TNA which is now being seen on SPIKE TV on a weekly basis. Jed Jarrett, Jeff Hardy, the new Swedish Angel and some other former WWE stars. They are using a six sided ring. Larry Zabisgo is the GM of TNA. USA Today had two very good stories in recent editions, on December 6th a cover story featured former Maryland University basketball star Sarunas Jasikevicius who became a European super star and is now averaging ten points a game for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA.

In the December 1st issue the sports cover page featured Bob Ferry (father) and Danny Ferry (son).

Congratulations to Dave Cross and his Southern Maryland 38 and over baseball team for winning their third straight Men's Senior Baseball League National Championship tournament in Clearwater, Florida.

Some of the teams key players were Jeff Summers, Rudy Carrico, Perkey Warner, Rich Lehosky, Eddie Fuller, Pete Groves, Steve Zumpano and Tom Walton.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of Don F. Collins who passed away on December 2nd.

George Michael confirmed to speak at January meeting.

The Bob Davids Chapter, SABR's first, will hold it's winter meeting on Saturday, January 28, in Arlington , VA.

We have confirmed our first speaker: George Michael. George is a well-known sportscaster. He is the #1 guy on the DC NBC television station and also hosts the syndicated show, The Sports Machine. George is interested in photos of players sliding into bases and he has an extensive collection of such photos. Part of this hobby is identifying everyone in the photo as well as the exact play of the exact game. His talk will be about that process of identification. George is very entertaining and knowledgeable and we are excited to have him speak at the meeting. Further announcements with details of time, place, additional presenters, and other activities will be made available on the chapter website Click here: Bob Davids Chapter of SABR or the SABR website.

Both the Capitals and Wizards are non-championship contenders in the NHL and NBA. The Caps are the pits while the Wiz have a couple of NBA stars but that will not relate to an NBA title.

Basically the Baltimore orioles stuck out at baseball's Winter meetings and now Miquel Tejada wants out after only one year with the Orioles because he feels the Orioles are doing nothing to improve the team.

SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS!