Sports Beat column - March 21, 2007

Sports Beat
March 21, 2007

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Gary Williams and the Maryland men's basketball team were bounced out of the NCAA playoffs by Butler (which has been a small power for many years in men's basketball). Williams did a good job in coaching a bunch of misfits who were inconsistent at best and until he gets some quality and consistent 6â¤10â¤? to 7â¤2 players the Terps will always be bridesmaids and not brides. With James Gist, Greivis Vasquiez and Eric Hayes back Banbale Osby, Landon Milbourne and Jerome Burney are average middle sized big men who can play a little. Williams has a good freshman class coming in. But the need is there for a couple of top 3-point folks along with a few 6â¤10 and 7â¤ players those would put them in a super class like the Maryland women. Gist could be on the verge of becoming a super star stud. But again congratulations to Gary Williams for the good job he did this season.

Let's face it the Washington Capitals have several super stars and a bunch of American Hockey League players for a team that has lingered near the bottom of the NHL Eastern Conference. Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Tomas Fleischmann and Ollie Kolzig are quality NHL players but after them there's not much. Will the Caps trade one of the above, who knows but don't be surprised if they do. Will the Caps be moved to Las Vegas or Charlotte, all I can say is â¤¦rumorsâ¤? are flying. The Caps need a couple of quality enforcers. Didn't Chris Simon use to play for the Caps? Also they need a couple of players like Bob â¤¦Houndâ¤? Kelly and Bryan â¤¦Bugsyâ¤? Watson. The Washington Bullets (whoops, I mean Wizards) will make the NBA playoffs but will exit early and not go far. The Wiz won't until they straighten out their dressing room, and I donâ¤t mean housecleaning. Their so-called big men hate each other and there really isnâ¤t any togetherness on this team. They will not contend for the NBA title until they get a couple of quality big men.

Is Ming Ming ready for the NBA?

Why didn't the Wizards ever sign Walt â¤¦the Wizardâ¤? Williams? What ever happened to Kwane Brown? Well it looks like the Washington Nationals are getting their starting rotation down and as we said earlier it looks like John Patterson, Jason Simontacchi and Matt Chico are assured spots along with Shawn Hill but the fifth spot is a battle with Jerome Williams, Joel Hanrahan, and Ted Redding competing for that last spot. Dimitri Young has been recalled and I think he will be in the opening daily lineup, if he stays healthy, personally and physically, I see him pumping out 30 home runs for the Nats.

Now let's go back 60 years to 1947 and look at the Nats back then. In 1947 the Washington Senators were coming up to what they hoped would be a good season after a 4th place finish in 1946 but it wasnâ¤t to be. Mickey Vernon was coming off a league leading batting average of .353, he would dip to .265. Ossie Bluege would be in his last season of managing the Nats after finishes of 2nd (43), 8th (44), 2nd (45) and 4th (46) he would guide the Nats to a 7th place finish and then get the hook for Joe Kuhel. He also had a fistic encounter with then Evening Star reporter Burt Hawkins (Hawkins would later become the Senators expansion PR pusher). Sid Hudson who won 14 in 1946 slipped to a 6 win season. Early Wym would win 17, Walt Masterson won 12 and Mickey Haefner won 10. Tom Ferrick was the teams top reliever (his son now writes a column for the Philadelphia Inquirer). Eddie Yost would take over third base for Cecil Travis. Bobo Newsom was with the team part of the season before joining Bucky Harris with the New York Yankees. The highlight of the season came when Nats centerfielder Stan Spence drove in the winning run in the American League 2-1 win over the National League in the All-Star game.

Some of the things I remember from that era are the Ball Park Grill, Cavalier Restaurant, Peoples Drug Stores, Bob Whites, Shefferins Newstand, cowboy movies on Fridays at Savoy theater, the Tivoli, Avenue Grand, Penn theater, the Atlas, Academy theater, Campbells Drug Store, wonder bread, Thompsonâ¤s Dairy, Jack Rowes, Club Kavaos, Fat Boy Restaurant, The Shanty, National Skating Rink, Idaâ¤s dept. store, HiHO, Brinkleys, 14th St. Car Barn, The Wilson line, the SS Potomac, serving newspapers to Clark Griffith, Rudolph Cleaners, Penn Bowling Alley, Ben's Hideaway, Jack Biros Surf Club and the Pix.

SPORTS NOTES

Jim Wexler writes he was inducted to the Jocks Hall of Fame in 1999, hey Charlie Brotman and Joe Warren did Wexler star in the 1940's or 1950's? How things change huh? Folks tell me that the reason Rick Dempsy was kicked up to the broadcast booth was because he was the â¤¦leakâ¤? to the press on some inside Orioles information. I wish the best of luck to Bernie Walter in his quest for an 11th State baseball championship. One of the dumbest rap songs Iâ¤ve heard is â¤¦This is why I am hotâ¤? sounds like someone gave Mims a hot foot. The Chesapeake Tide opens their season at the Show Place Arena on April 1st, arena football at its best.

Where is Denny Neagle now?

Congratulations to Tom and Gracie Rymer for receiving the â¤¦Louis L. Goldstein Awardâ¤?, the highest recognition that two good Calvert County Democrats can achieve. David J. teaches English 101 at the College of Southern Maryland recently he had that great Baltimore Colt center Buzz Nutter take two hours to help one of David Jâ¤s students write a research paper on the â¤¦Greatestâ¤? game ever played (Colts-Giants 23-17 NFL championship game). A big thank you to a great football player and a great person, Buzz Nutter. I recently had the Eleanor Roosevelt Girls Basketball coach Rod Hairston and four of his players, Lakeisha Wright, Elashier Hall, Brooke Wilson and Michaya Walker on my PGCTV Inside Sports show, Roosevelt won the girls 4A State Championship. Hairston is a former assistant to Walter Clarke who won State titles at DuVall who's now at Northwestern. Villa Julie's men's lacrosse team beat Mary Washington 12-4. Korey Garner led the Villa Julie men's tennis team to a 9-0 win over Hood College .

No more Chiquita bananas for me, give me Dole or Del Monte.

Bowie State University Lady Bulldogs softball opened their 2007 season in Charlotte (NC) beating the Johnson C. Smith Lady Golden Bulls 5-1 and 16-7. However, game one of the twinbill will go down as a 7-0 forfeit victory for Bowie State . The umpires called off the first game in the top of the 4th inning. Bowie State's Gil Goodrich has been selected to participate in the NABC/NCAA All-Star game Friday, March 23 at the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in Springfield , Massachusetts . Goodrich is the 2007 CIAA Player of the Year and 2007 Daktronics Division II South Atlantic Region Player of the Year.

BOXING NEWS

Jimmy Lange Returns May 12 to Patriot Center for WBC Title Rematch Against Fontaine Cabell Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations Popular Northern Virginia middleweight contender JIMMY LANGE (27-3-2, 19 KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at the Patriot Center to face Fontaine â¤¦The Flameâ¤? Cabell (21-6-2, 16 KOs) in a 12-round rematch for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americaâ¤s 154-pound title. Doors open at 6:00 pm with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Tickets, priced at $25, $50, $75, $100, $125, $300 (Ringside) and $500 (VIP Ringside), for LANGE-CABELL II: THE REMATCH.

Ice Promotions, a newly-formed company headed by JACKIE â¤¦THE FIRST LADY OF BOXINGâ¤? KALLEN, will serve as the promoter of record. "I am excited to work with Jimmy Lange again. This is the fourth fight at Patriot Center that I have been involved in and I believe this one will be the best yet,â¤? said the highly-successful Kallen, whose life story inspired the Paramount film Against the Ropes starring Meg Ryan. â¤¦I am very impressed with the Virginia boxing fans. They definitely support their hometown fighters."

Last December, Lange and Cabell battled to a controversial draw (judges scored it 117-112 Lange, 116-112 Cabell, and 114-114) in the 12-round Main Event, puzzling many of the 5,437 boxing fans in attendance and fueling the highly-anticipated May 12 rematch. Both boxers aim to set the record straight in this springtime showdown; each believing he earned the December victory. This time around each fighter pledges to take matters into his own hands, not leaving a decision up to the judges. â¤¦There's not much talking to be done right now; I'm ready mentally and physically to do my job and get back on track,â¤? explained Lange. â¤¦I look forward to fighting back at the Patriot Center in front of the greatest fans in the world.â¤? Meanwhile Cabell, born in Staten Island,, NY but now fighting out of the Orlando , FL area, vows to bring his â¤—Aâ¤ game back to Lange's hometown for the event. "I'm anxious about the rematch and I'm ready to bring the belt home. This time my actions are going to make the decision, not the judges," said Cabell. Lange, the â¤¦fan favoriteâ¤? from season one of the boxing reality show, The Contender, will once again head into a rigorous training camp in Vero Beach , FL with his head trainer BUDDY McGIRT. Other key members expected to be part of his camp include legendary trainer ANGELO DUNDEE, highly-regarded cut man JIMMY GLENN and top trainer/advisor TOMMY GALLAGHER. In addition to the Main Event, the May 12th card will feature six undercard bouts showcasing top talent from the Washington, DC/Northern Virginia region and from across the country. JD Brown is serving as matchmaker.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or via phone charge at 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT or 410-547-SEAT. George Mason University faculty, staff and students, may receive a discount on select tickets by presenting a valid ID at the Patriot Center box office only. Group discounts are available by calling 202-661-5061. Contact the Patriot Center box office at 703-993-3000 or visit www.patriotcenter.com for more details. April 28th is an all amateur show hosted by Jake" The Snake" Smith president of the South Atlantic Amateur Boxing Association & 11-0 Mike "The Persctuer" Paschall .This is to help are Amateur all-stars go to the Eastern Olympic Box off's in Orlando Fla. May 3rd - 7th.

This event is going to be held @ The Pikesville Armory SAT.APRIL 28th Doors open 6:30 first bout 8:30pm There will be six championship belts on the line & over 10 bouts Teams from Penn.D.C,VA,NC, Kentuky , DE ,NY,NJ & don't forget Maryland This is going to be one of the BIGGEST Amateur Shows in Maryland History So you don't won't to miss History being made Baltimore Pro Boxing is also going to have a very big one on May 11th @ Baltimore City 's beautiful DuBurns Arena Doors Open 6:30-First Fight 8pm I have a lot of surprises that will fill that place up Tickets are on sale now, you donâ¤t won't to miss ether event For All Info Please Go to Baltimoreboxing.com Or Call 410-375-9175

Langhorne Among 12 Finalists for Wade Trophy
Junior post is in contention for the national player of the year award

The State Farm Wade Trophy Committee along with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports (NAGWS) recently named Maryland's Crystal Langhorne one of 12 finalists for the Wade Trophy, presented to the nation's top women's basketball player.

The candidates were selected by a vote of committee members comprised of leading basketball coaches, journalists and basketball administrators. Members of the committee will select the winner of The State Farm Wade Trophy from the 10-member Division I Kodak/WBCA All-America Team and will be announced at the Kodak/WBCA All-America Team Press Conference and The State Farm Wade Trophy Announcement during the WBCA National Convention on Saturday, March 31, 2007, at 9:45 a.m. (ET).

Junior Crystal Langhorne was recently tabbed a Kodak/WBCA Region II All-American for the second time in her career. She leads the nation in field goal shooting, threatening the NCAA record of 72.5 percent.

Among the many milestones she has achieved, Langhorne is closing in on another. A three-time All-ACC honoree, earning first team honors for the second time this season, she needs just 18 points to become the first player in school history with three 500-point seasons.

Langhorne has also been selected a finalist for other national player of the year honors, including the Wooden Award and the Naismith Award.

WE GET LETTERS

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO ALL! I do not know a better way to celebrate this very important day than to share this excellent article on St. Patrick, who he really was, and the Irish prayer that he prayed every day. God bless all of my Irish friends, including my family who are Irish because of our grandfather's Irish heritage, and all who have a forever â¤¦Irishâ¤? spirit in their hearts. I certainly do miss the wonderful St. Patrick's Day parades in my beautiful hometown which must be also gearing up for the beautiful Cherry Blossoms. God Bless and love to all, Dale

Bill, Is that Anita Marks really the old â¤¦Sports Babeâ¤? trimmed down, you noticed she calls herself â¤¦Babeâ¤? something or other so maybe it is the old â¤¦Sports Babeâ¤?. Why is she still on the air? Ironhead 2

Dear Ironhead 2, I don't think they are one and the same, and I don't know why she is sill on. Bill

Bill, Why did they change the John Thompson and Doc Walker Show to 1 p.m.? Now I can't listen to them I use to on the drive home but can't now and I an not going to listen to the junkie show because they are just like smokeless Al Koken the former bartender on Capital Hill. Bring back Jim Rome also. Boney Boston

Dear BB, I say put John and Doc back at 4 p.m. Bill

Bill, Do you ever say anything nice about the Baltimore Orioles? Do you have a favorite Oriole? Chesapeake Charlie

Dear CC, It's a tie between Kris Benson's wife and Jay Gibbons. Bill

Bill, Hugh Biens starred at Manhattan Prep, a small school located on one floor of De La Salle Hall on the Manhattan College campus. Biens led the Jasper Prepsters to either a NYC title or the CHSAA final four, quite an achievement. The scuttlebutt was that Manhattan College recruited Biens but Georgetown 's pitch included a scholarship to law school. I assume that was within NCAA rules 'cause the Jesuits wouldn't cross the ethics line, would they? The Christian Brothers closed Manhattan Prep around 1971 as they were running out of Brothers to staff the faculty. Joe Gallagher Louisville, Tennessee Manhattan Prep '44 Manhattan College '49

Dear Joe, Hugh was a good one. Bill

Bill, Thanks for the petition. Can you imagine Mel Ott, or Christy Mathewson being listed as San Francisco Giants or Paul Christman as an Arizona Cardinal. And in Johnny U's case, he was the greatest and still is the greatest. Joe Gallagher Louisville, Tennessee

Dear Joe, He belongs as a Baltimore Colt. Bill

Congratulations to Charles W. â¤¦Peteâ¤? Schaeffer, President of the One Hundred Club of Anne Arundel County for being honored by the Capital Gazette Newspapers. Welcome to our list Anacostia High School alumni Paul Myers, now living in Georgia . Bob Simi let me know I made a mistake last week, it was Tracy (not Dacy) Carney Daniel who passed.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of:
Louis â¤¦ALâ¤? Brandt (Honorary Chairman of the AA County One Hundred Club who passed last week)
Knocky Thomas (Tech grad and great sports legend)
Bowie Kuhn (former baseball commissioner who dissed DC and allowed Bob Short to move the Senators to Texas )
Georgella C. Hefty (Western HS grad)
Ruth Delores Specht Potter (Bladensburg HS grad)
Mary Louise DonVito (Theo. Roosevelt HS grad)
Margaret Weismiller Hedges ( High Point HS grad)
Wm. C. Grant ( High Point HS grad)

I can't believe the Maryland Women's basketball team lost in the NCAA's second round. Did decension in the loss? Tommy Amaker was fired as men's basketball coach by Michigan . Is "Speedy Gonbraless" leading an East Coast revival of Roller Derby?

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