Sports Beat column - May 2 2007

Sports Beat
May 2, 2007

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

It was a strange NFL draft with Notre Dameâ¤s Brady Quinn dropping to 22nd in the draft and still ending up with his team of choice the Cleveland Browns. I think the Redskins with their first pick made out great picking Laron Landry a 6â¤2â¤?, 205 lb safety from LSU who will team with Sean Taylor in making the Redskins tougher in the defensive secondary. Baltimore made out okay in the draft selecting massive offensive lineman Ben Grubbs (6â¤3â¤?, 315 lb), WR Yanon Figurs, speedy out of Kansas State and Heissman trophy winning QB Troy Smith (Ohio State) a rocket for an arm but why did he fall so far down in the draft? Could this be the end of Kyle Boller? Despite sports babe Marx supporting Boller I don't think he's long for the Charm City crowd. I think Miami made a mistake passing on Quinn but so did several others so you can't completely diss the Dolphins.

On the college level the quarterback situation at Maryland and Navy is not in the greatest of shape both teams have enough sissies on their schedule they should become bowl eligible but if they face a strong opponent it will be lights out for the Terps and Mids. Comeback Josh Wilson (DeMatha and Maryland ) was taken 55th by Seattle . Donnie Neuenberger ran into some hard luck at Talladega this past Saturday in the NSCAR Busch Series Aaron's 312 race when his engine overheated and he posted 38th after starting in the 42nd slot, he did pocket $19,935. It was good to see Donnie racing again. The Baltimore Orioles are starting to struggle around the .500 level as their relievers start drifting back to earth. The Washington Nationals Matt Chico, Shawn Hill and Jason Bergman are pitching well enough to post wins but the offense is terrible. I wonder if John Patterson is ever going to come around? Dan Morrison had an interesting question-How many players who played in the DC Interhigh made it and played in the major leagues? Billy Smith ( Roosevelt ), Billy Weber (Tech), Craig Anderson (Anacostia), Ben Steiner (Central), Maury Wills (Cardozo), and who else? Only the Interhigh now.

I go to Bingo World on occasion and I must tell you they have some of the biggest women in the world who go there to play bingo. I was in line to get some tickets for their great balls game and four of these huge women were in front of me and they must have weighed a combined1200 pounds. Don't get me wrong not all of the women look like sumo wrestlers, some are nice looking young ladies. The Washington Times last Wednesday had a great article by Mike Jones on the DC Divas and a great quote by Donna Wilkinson. Saturday the Divas opened their first season in the IWFL putting a smack down on New England 70-0. Back are Wilkinson at linebacker, quarterback Allyson Hamlin, Ray Savoy and a host of others. It's a great time for everyone at the Divas games, I thought I saw David J. there. Next home game is June 2nd against the Detroit Demolition.

D.C. DIVAS DEBUT IN NEW LEAGUE A RUNAWAY SUCCESS

Long before the final gun sounded Saturday night the D.C. Divas had made an emphatic statement: we came to play. Competing for the very first time in the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL), the undefeated 2006 champions from another women's football league proved they are as formidable a team as ever. In front of a raucous home crowd at the Prince George â¤s Sports and Learning Complex the Divas thoroughly dominated the visiting New England Intensity, 70-0. The Divas scored on five consecutive possessions to start the game, amassed 432 total yards of offense and didnâ¤t allow New England to cross midfield until the second half. â¤¦I think everyone was a little apprehensive at first. New league, new team, we didnâ¤t know exactly what to expect,â¤? said Head Coach Ezra Cooper. â¤¦But we were ready. We have a good, veteran team: they know better than to let this go to their heads.â¤? The game MVP on offense was awarded to the Divas entire offensive line. Together, they paved the way for a physical running game that rolled to over three hundred total yards. Rachelle Peckovsky-Bentley led the way with 10 carries for 107 yards, including a bruising 26-yard touchdown run. The Divas defense was at it's best as well. The New England running game went backward all night, accounting for negative 24 yards. All told the Intensity could manage only 27 meager yards of total offense. Divas Rookie linebacker Alissa Imbragulio was named the most valuable player on defense.

A rebroadcast of this game is provided by US Sports Radio.

Legendary Trainer Angelo Dundee Returns to Jimmy Lange's Corner for May 12 Title Fight Lange, Dundee, Kallen to Appear May 9th at LA Boxing Gym in Ashburn International Boxing Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee, who has worked with 15 world boxing champions, including Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and George Foreman, during his storied career, will make his third trip to Fairfax to serve as chief second for popular middleweight contender Jimmy Lange (27-3-2, 19 KOs) in his highly-anticipated rematch with Fontaine Cabell (21-6-2, 16 KOs) for the vacant 154-pound World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas championship belt.

I'm really looking forward to working with Jimmy again,â¤? said Dundee who previously worked the corner of Lange's last two fights (October and December 2006). â¤¦I was so impressed with the entire scene last time --- the arena, the large crowd, the excitement and enthusiasm of the fans. I didn't realize that Fairfax , Virginia was such as hotbed for boxing,â¤? Dundee continued. â¤¦The only change I expect to see, from the last time, is that Jimmy will come out on top!â¤? Lange has been working out with head trainer, James â¤¦Buddyâ¤? McGirt, in Vero Beach , FL , preparing for the title rematch. His regimen has included sparring sessions with former WBC and WBA welterweight champion Vernon Forrest, strategizing with McGirt and Dundee , as well as viewing tapes of the first title bout that ended in a draw. â¤¦When people ask me what boxing needs today, I tell them we need about a dozen more Jimmy Lange's spread around the country,â¤? remarked Dundee, referring to the Arlington, VA-native's attractive fighting style, magnetic charisma and strong likeability factor that has led him to be the Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia region's top drawing boxer, averaging 5,000 fight fans per event.

Lange-Cabell II: The Rematch, presented by Ice Promotions, will feature Jimmy Lange vs. Fontaine Cabell in a 12-round Main Event rematch for the WBC Continental Americaâ¤s vacant 154-Pound title. Smithsburg , MD â¤s Dean â¤¦The Pit Bullâ¤? White (14-6-1, 7 KOs) battles Damian Fuller (27-4-1, 12 KOs) of Detroit in the 8-round, lightweight Co-Feature. Former world champion William Guthrie will be featured in special attraction bout with local favorites Jaime â¤¦The Punisherâ¤? Palma of Alexandria, VA, Vienna , VA â¤s â¤¦Irishâ¤? Mike Carrigan, and the pro debuts of Tim Scache of Alexandria and Arlington , VA â¤s Tracey Brewer scheduled to compete on the seven-bout card.

Tickets, priced at $25, $50, $75, $100, $125, $200, $350 (Ringside) and $500 (VIP Ringside), may be purchased through Ticketmaster by going online at www.ticketmaster.com, via phonecharge at 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT or 410-547-SEAT or by visiting the Patriot Center box office. 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. The only thing that makes this boxing card a minor league is the use of â¤¦Babblingâ¤? Jones as the ring announcer, he is terrible. Give me Pat Oâ¤Malley, Nino del Buno or the aging Michael Buffer but not â¤¦Babblerâ¤?.

Free Public Appearance

Lange will join Dundee and promoter Jackie â¤¦First Lady of Boxingâ¤? Kallen at a special appearance on Thursday, May 10 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at LA Boxing gym ( 20937 Ashburn Road, Suite 130 , Ashburn , VA 20147 ; 703-724-9533). The event is free and open to the public.

Dundee the Author

Fight fans will be pleased to learn that Dundee, one of the sportâ¤s all-time great storytellers, is finalizing a new book, â¤¦The View from My Corner,â¤? set to hit stores this fall.

JOPPY WINS

William Joppy made a successful comeback when Virgil McClendon quit after one round complaining he couldn't see after an accidental head butt. Joppy is now 39-4-1. In the main event before a small crowd of less than 300 at the D.C. Armory Darling Jimenez scored a 3rd round KO over Mike Anchondo. Jimenez is now 23-2-2 and Anchondo is 27-2.

BOWIE STATE REMAINS 7th IN NCAA REGION RANKINGS

The NCAA Division II Softball Committee released this week's Division II regional rankings and Bowie State remains 7th in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Bowie State (27-7) went undefeated in last weeks CIAA Spring Championships and captured their first CIAA Softball title in school history. The Lady Bulldogs will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA Regional Playoffs (May 10-14) at a site to be determined. Other than Bowie State , the CIAA is also represented by North Carolina Central (#5) and Virginia State (#10) in the regional poll. As a team, BSU ranks 4th in NCAA Scoring (9.32), 9th in NCAA Doubles Per Game (2.09) and 10th in NCAA Batting Average (.356). For additional information about Bowie State softball, contact the Office of Sports Information at (301) 860-3574 or log on to www.bsubulldogs.com.

Mid-Atlantic Region
01. Lock Haven 36-2 21-1
02. Kutztown 33-13 19-1
03. Bloomsburg 26-10 15-5
04. Shippensburg 23-19 13-11
05. North Carolina Central 26-6 22-2
06. Slippery Rock 18-16 14-8
07. Bowie State 27-7 27-5
08. East Stroudsburg 21-21 12-11
09. Edinboro 16-16 9-8
10. Virginia State 22-14 22-6

SPORTS NOTES

It's Ocean City time and its time to hit my favorite place in OCâ¤²Leighton Moors â¤¦Secrrats Grill and Barâ¤? at 49th and Bay, itâ¤s the complete place in OC to have fun. Man oh man, that Chesapeake Tidal Wave Dance Team is hot, much better than the Redskins cheerleaders. Catch them at a Tide home game at Show Place Arena. Check out the Crystal Palace FC USA Eagles are playing their home games at Navyâ¤s Naval, Marine Corps stadium in Annapolis and will host Cleveland in their first home game Friday, May 4th. The Washington Glory women's pro fastpitch softball team in the National Professional Fastpitch League will hold their Opening Day on May 31st. All 29 of their home games will be played at George Mason University in Northern Virginia . Is Southern Maryland College Men's basketball team going to have a team this upcoming season? Remember May 15th - Boycott gas, do not buy any gas on the 15th!! I have had a dozen or more emails on this.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the following families:
Oliver McKee (attended Sidwell Friends school and graduated from Maryland)
Joan Cunningham Foney (Chamberlain HS grad)
Kirby Payne (Eastern HS grad)

I wonder where Carol Bauersman, Terry Curtain, Terry Miller, Theresa Kearney, Pat Little, Theresa Watts, Pat Hayes, Carol Womack, Phil Kapneck, Jean Beitzell, Parker Blackwell and Courtland Buell are now.

The new officers of the Old Timers Baseball Association are:
President -Bill Berkey
1st Vice President - Paul Bonomo
2nd Vice President -Lefty Elliott
3rd Vice President-George Henderson
Sargeant at Arms - George Thomas, Frank Schwarzman
Board of Directors - Joe Beach, Paul DiPino, Paul Ellis, Dan Feeney, Stan Kutz, Ken Robinsonn, Fred Stacharowski, Stan Kutz, Joe Short, Jay Strecker, Howard Ward, and Jim Walczak.

Also deepest sympathy goes to the families of:
Ollie Bounds, Gus Lakukos, John Baublitz, Reds Betz, Hilda Betz and Norma Meeks all who passed recently.

The Washington Times had another great article in this past Fridayâ¤s issue in their â¤¦Auto Weekendâ¤? section in Vern Parker's â¤¦Out of the Pastâ¤? it told of the 1950â¤s at the Washington School for Secretaries where Margo Eppard (Eastern HS grad married to D. Leonard Eppard Anacostia HS grad) and Phyllis Ann Poole (Anacostia HS grad) became good friends.

When Phyllis passed in 1995, she left her 1971 white Oldsmobile Cutlass to Margo. For a nice story check out last Friday's Times. The Redskins have signed a flock of free agents including former Patuxent HS ( Calvert County ) and Connecticut running back Terry Caulley, ex-University of Maryland quarterback Sam Hollenbach and veteran free agent kicker Tyler Fredrickson. Probably the best quarterback at Maryland Jeremy Ricker is transferring from Terpland. Rumor has Villa Julie College starting club football. Former Redskin, 49'ers and Saints linebacker Kevin Mitchell passed away Sunday at age 36. Several pro teams are looking at tightend Pete Piddle, also getting a look is Lelander Gasket. The Wizards were blown out by the Cavaliers in four straight in the NBA playoffs -no surprise! 6/10â¤? Henry Sims of Baltimore's Mt. St. Joe will play his college basketball for Georgetown . Pro boxing comes to Rosecroft Raceway on May 18th. This week saw fire destroy the fishmonger, bakery and butcher stalls at the Eastern Market (7th & C Sts. SE), the market was 134 years old. Also fire destroyed the Georgetown branch of the DC Public Library on Wisconsin Avenue NW.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of Henry â¤¦Hankâ¤? Poniatowski former University of Maryland football player. Also to families of: Leonard E. Colin (Roosevelt (DC) hs grad) William A. Aleshire (High Point HS grad) retired DC Metropolitian Police officer and Bowie City Council member June Isaminger Olson (Wilson (DC) HS grad)

Was that David J. of Annapolis partying at Dupont Circleâ¤s Play Lounge this past Saturday at the same time Christina Aguilera and her husband were there? â¤¦Law and Orderâ¤s SUVâ¤? star Chris Meloni (a DC native) was the star quarterback of the St. Stephens School Alexandria, Virginia undefeated football team in 1978, he and the entire team were inducted into the schools Hall of Fame this past Saturday. Now Owner Abe Pollin wants the city of DC to give him $50 million to make improvements to his downtown DC Pleasure Palace, I am glad I am not a DC taxpayer. How many remember when he was in Maryland he got he PG County government to drop the admissions tax on the Caps games. He left Baltimore , he left PG County and now will he also leave DC? Also the name change from the Bullets to Wizards was going to stop murder and crime in the DC area, did it? No of course not! In Sunday's â¤¦American Profileâ¤? they talked about one of the songs that kept the home fires burning â¤¦Smoke on the Waterâ¤? sung by among others Red Foley, Bob Wills, Merle Travis, and Ginny Simms.

In girls lacrosse, Leonardtown beat Huntingtown 15-2. St. Louis U. has hired Rick Majerus to take the program back to the heights where they used to be when â¤¦Easy Edâ¤? McCauley and Pete McCaffrey were leading the Billikens, The Eleanor Roosevelt HS girls won a record 4X 800 and 4X 400 meter races in the Penn Relays this past weekend, the winning girls were Tasha Stanley, Dominique Lockhart, Tameka Jameson, Marika Walker, Doris Anwanyu, and Takecia Jameson. Broadneck's Matt Centrowitz won the boys high school mile in the record time of 4:08.38 at the Relays. St. Albans fired 20 year boys basketball coach Bob Brown and hired former DeMatha and Maryland player Duane Simpkins. Simpkins has been the coach at Sidwell Friends for two years. I hear the community is upset at the firing of Brown who had won 300 games at ST. Albans . He also is the brother of Tom Brown who was a three sport star at Blair HS, U of M and then played baseball with the Washington Senators and football with the Green Bay Packers. Who remembers Roger Kingsberry? Before we leave how about a BIG BOO for St. Albans ! Oh my gracious, Wilson beat Bell 21-0 in Interhigh (DC) baseball. In softball Ryken-St. Mary's beat St. Johns (DC) 10-0, Leonardtown 12, Great Mills 2 and Huntingtown 10, Northern 0.

WE GET LETTERS!

Bill, Thanks once again for the so excellent column. Glad the Orioles are doing well but sorry the Nats are not. Our Marlins down here in Gatorland are doing okay and we are hoping the Miami Heat will pick it up and win the NBA championship again. Our local Daytona Cubs are number one right now in their division. We are enjoying a lovely spring season down here and hope my hometown friends are as well. What is the latest on your friend Denny Donaldson? Will you be at the Eastern over 50 get together this weekend? If so, say hi to my Eastern friends fro me and have a great time. Blessings to you and yours as always, your #1 fan in Daytona Beach , (aka Miss Jane, Linda Darnell and various and asundry other names I have been called but not for print) Dale

Dale, The Heat didn't do it. Bill

Bill, We can't wait for your new political column. I hope it isn't a puff piece each week. What's your start up date? Stan D.

Dear Stan, No puff piece either on the political or entertainment end. Inside stuff that you'll get a kick out of in August or September. Bill

Bill, The last I heard of Judy Hurst and Jill Quade was that they were in the South, I don't know if that meant Maryland or the USA . Frank S.

Dear Frank, Thanks, anything on Maxine Levitt, Eleanor Maffeo or Sharon Millman? Bill

Bill, Are the Orioles for real? Joan T.

Joan, Maybe they are now. Bill

SALAZAR'S WALK-OFF SINGLE PROPELS BAYSOX TO SERIES FINALE WIN, 2-1

The final game of the three game series between the Baysox and SeaWolves, saw only five hits combined between Bowie and Erie over the first five innings of the game. But the Baysox would take the rubber match of the series 2-1, on a walk-off single by Oscar Salazar. The Baysox struck first in the contest, when Matt Cepcicky slapped a ground rule double over the center field fence in the bottom of the second inning, scoring Val Majewski from second, giving the Baysox an early 1-0 lead. Erie would get on the board though in the top of the fifth. Andres Torres would double down the left field line, scoring Clete Thomas from third, tying the game at 1-1.

Baysox starter Chris Waters turned in his strongest outing of the season thus far, going eight complete innings, giving up only three hits and one run, while striking out six. Erie starter Jon Connolly went five innings giving up three hits and one run, while striking out two. Neither starter would factor in a decision in the game though, turning it over to both bullpens. Felix Romero entered the game in relief of Waters in the ninth. Romero issued a lead-off walk to Mike Hollimon, putting a runner at first. Romero would then sit down Jeff Larish on strikes. Romero would then strike out Jackson Melian for the second out. Romero then intentionally walked Brent Dlugach to get to Kody Kirkland who ended the Erie ninth grounding into a force out at second base.

Kevin Ardoin would then enter the game for Erie in the ninth replacing reliever Danny Zell. Brandon Sing would ground out to lead the inning off for the Baysox for the first out of the Baysox ninth. Brian Bock would then double to right in the next at bat and would move to third on a Paco Figueroa infield single. Luis Hernandez would then draw a walk in the very next at bat, loading the bases with one out. Ruddy Yan would then ground into a force out at home plate, leaving the Baysox down to their final out of the inning. Baysox 3B Oscar Salazar would play hero for the game as he slapped a walk-off single to left field scoring Figueroa from third sealing the win for the Baysox, 2-1. The win puts the Baysox one game above .500 (12-11) and in third place in the Eastern League's Southern Division. Felix Romero picked up the win for the Baysox, improving his record to (2-0). Ardoin took the loss for Erie and dropped to (0-2) on the year.

The Baysox now are on six-game road trip that started on Tuesday in Portland and then moving on to New Hampshire for three games on Friday. Bowie next returns home for a seven-game homestand beginning Monday, May 7th at 7:05 pm when the Baysox take on the Reading Phillies. The Bowie Baysox, enter their 15th season as the â¤¦AAâ¤? affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles in 2007. Baysox Season Ticket plans as well as, group outings, picnics, birthday parties are currently available for booking by calling the Baysox front office at (301) 464-4880. The Baysox will also be welcoming their 5 Millionth Fan to the ballpark this season, will it be you?

THE BAYSOX OFFER RELIEF FOR YOUR CASE OF THE MONDAYS

The Bowie Baysox, Class â¤¦AAâ¤? Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles are offering all area cubicle dwellers a chance to get out of the office and relieve your â¤¦Case of the Mondaysâ¤?, when the Baysox take on the Reading Phillies on Monday (of course), May 7th at 7:05 pm. Office Space Night, sponsored by Sunrise Solutions, is a tribute based on the 1999 smash hit movie Office Space,starring Jennifer Aniston and Ron Livingston. Office Space Night will feature promotions based on the movie as well as movie clips featured on the video board. There will also be a flair contest for fans, with the winner being picked based on who is wearing the most flair, another popular premise featured in the movie. Prizes for most flair will be awarded.

Mimicking another famous scene in the movie, there will also be a â¤¦Smash Technology For Charityâ¤? event outside the stadium main gates prior to the game. For just $1.00, fans can take a swing, with a baseball bat, and smash up some of the office equipment that frustrates you in cubical land every day - including printers, scanners, and fax machines. Proceeds from the event will go to Families of Virginia Tech victims. Akridge Real Estate Group were awarded the winning company in the recently completed Office Space Night Essay contest, in which area businesses were encouraged to write in and explain why their office has a case of the Mondays. The Akridge group will enjoy a game in a Luxury Suite at the stadium.

Come cure that Case Of The Mondays* MMKAY? Get out of your cubicles, take out your stress on some technology and come celebrate the cult classic Office Space*.MMKAY?

NEARLY A PERFECT NIGHT FOR THE SEA DOGS...BEAT BOWIE, 4-1

Cory Keylor 3-run homer to win it - Clay Buchholz six perfect innings The Sea Dogs certainly have a flare for the dramatics, taking the series opener from the Bowie Baysox, 4-1 on Tuesday night at Hadlock Field. Cory Keylor, who played the last two seasons in Bowie , snapped a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning, with a two-out three-run homer into the U.S. Cellular Pavilion. Clay Buchholz took a tough no-decision for Portland , despite working six perfect innings before the bid came to an end in the seventh. Kyle Jackson (2-0) surrendered a lead off home run to Oscar Salazar on the first pitch of the eighth inning - tying the game at one. Jackson retired six of the next seven batters to seal the game and earn his fifth Double-A win. Fredy Deza (1-2) surrendered the Keylor home run in the eighth inning and sufferedhis second straight loss.

Buchholz's perfect game ended in the top of the seventh inning when Paco Figueroa singled on a 0-2 pitch. Figueroa was caught stealing for the first out and Buchholz retired the next two to face the minimum of 21 for the evening. The righthander fanned nine, tying a career-high that he established last year with the Greenville Drive . Jed Lowrie knocked in the game's first run with an RBI single in the fourth inning, scoring Keylor, who began the inning with a double. Radhames Liz scattered two hits and one run but took the no-decision for Bowie in his fifth start of the year. Jacoby Ellsbury did not play for the second straight game and was replaced in center field by Bryan Pritz. In the sixth inning with two outs, Pritz made a diving catch to keep Buchholz's perfect game intact. Notes* Portland played their first team in the Southern Division Dusty Brown's hitting streak was snapped at four games but he's now thrown out five of six runners on the season*Jeff Natale extended his hitting streak to five straight.

SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS!!