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Sports
Beat
June 9, 2006
Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey
Steve ⤦Airless? McNair is finally a Baltimore Raven for a fourth round draft pick and 12 million dollar contract. Is he worth all those dollars, of course not! But hey what do you expect in the ⤦City of Rip-offs? and I don⤁t mean those silly rip offs that the Lottery sells nor those ⤦Balls? games sold at Bingo World. McNair is a nice guy with a nice attitude but hey man he⤁s carrying a lot of baggage. From 2003 to 2005 he missed 12 starts out of 48 games, that⤁s a 25% game missed rating. Also ask yourself why the Titans no longer wanted him, they let him go for a 4th round draft pick and why didn⤁t any other NFL team want him (12 million dollars could be a reason)? ⤦Airless? is suppose to lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl right? But wasn⤁t there a quarterback named Elvis who was suppose to lead the Ravens to the promised land of the Super Bowl? Where⤁s Elvis now? Even with ⤦Raghead Ray? Lewis, ⤦Airless? and their cast of thugs the Ravens still are not a Super Bowl candidate.
VERMILLION WINS
Our favorite duckpin bowler Theresa Vermillion won the Southside Tour Stop #1 of the Women⤁s National Duckpin Association at Hagerstown. She won Division ⤦A? with a 4-1 record and 759 pinfall. She then was 2-0 in the playoffs. Play-off Results: Betty Caputo 136 defeated Diane Morrison 118. Betty Caputo 122 defeated Kim Yeagy 122 (lost in roll off) Theresa Vermillion 118 defeated Betty Caputo 117 Theresa Vermillion 147 defeated Sarah Miller 127 June 17-18 the Tours second stop tournament will be held at the T-Bowl in Connecticut then the third stop will be July 15-16 at White Oak, Maryland. Chuck Driesell is the newest assistant coach to sign on with Gary Williams at Maryland. He is Lefty⤁s son. It looks like the Baltimore Orioles are counting vendors and seats to help pad the attendance total. I will have a big announcement to make in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!
Women's Basketball Champs Cap Season
with European Tour
Terps toured Europe for two weeks.
The NCAA Champion Maryland women's basketball team returned from its two-week European tour which capped the most successful season in school history. The Terps visited four countries in 12 days, while also taking time to play four games, two of which went into overtime. "Traveling to Europe was a tremendous experience for all of us - the players, coaches, staff and fans that traveled with us," said head coach Brenda Frese. "It was an enriching experience to be exposed to beautiful architecture, so much history and different kinds of food. It was an opportunity of a lifetime. And to play against great competition will only make us better for the upcoming season." Aside from a select few, it was the first time most of the travel party had been to Budapest, Hungary, Vienna, Austria, Prague, Czech Republic, and Paris, France. For some, it was the first time outside of the country. The group consisted of the players, coaching staff, support staff, family members and some loyal fans. The journey began in Budapest, where the hotel was located right on the Danube River. It was the first time the travel party had to adjust to a new language, new food and exchanging money. Some of the most memorable sights visited in the historic city were Prague Castle, Hero's square and the city's amusement park. A bus trip to Vienna took the team through the beautiful countryside of Hungary and Austria. Although it was a short stay, the Terps got a taste of the Austrian city and viewed some of the best architecture in Europe which dates back to the 12th century. Among the sights was St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna's most famous sight in the heart of the city center. On the second day, Maryland took an emotional tour through Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp. On the schedule was the first game in Europe which Maryland won, 86-83, in overtime over Herozenburg. Final Four Most Outstanding Player Laura Harper (Elkins Park, Pa./Cheltenham) and freshman Marissa Coleman (Cheltenham, Md./St. John's College [D.C.]) both led five double-digit scorers with 16 points each. Prague was the next stop and, with little time for rest, the Terps were back on the court, once again. The outcome was a 68-63 victory in regulation versus Sparta Prague. All-American Crystal Langhorne (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro) scored a game-high 18 points. Although it rained for most of the day, the Terps took to the city with some sightseeing and shopping. The fourth and final stop was in Paris, where the team split a couple of games versus Insep, the former team of junior Aurelie Noirez (Vandeouvre, France). It was another close affair and the Terps lost the first overtime game of the year, 91-88. But the loss was avenged the following day. With junior All-ACC performer Shay Doron (Great Neck, N.Y./Christ the King) directing her teammates from the sidelines, the Terps claimed the win, 90-80. In the city, Paris did not disappoint. The lights of the Eiffel Tower and the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum were must-see stops. Not to mention a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral and a boat tour on the Seine River. In all, the Terps traveled over 9,000 miles by bus, plane, boat and foot before heading back home to Maryland. For a daily log of the team's trip to Europe, including photos and video postcards, log on to www.umterps.com.
Hello Diva Nation!
It's WHAMMY time! Your favorite players, coaches and staff are up against members of other teams for the NWFA "Whammy" awards. See current results at http://www.womensfootballcentral.com/Whammyresults.htm Please support your D.C. Divas by emailing your vote today! Send your email to: whammysvotes@cs.com. Only one set of votes per email address please. Just cut and paste the following categories into your email, and change "[name]" to the name of the person for whom you are voting! 1. 2006 Offensive Player of the Year - [name], D.C. Divas 2. 2006 Defensive Player of the Year - [name], D.C. Divas 3. 2006 Offensive Rookie of the Year - [name], D.C. Divas 4. 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year - [name], D.C. Divas 5. 2006 General Manager of the Year - Rich Daniel, D.C. Divas 6. 2006 Head Coach of the Year - Ezra Cooper, D.C. Divas 7. 2006 Assistant Coach of the Year - [name], D.C. Divas 8. 2006 Offensive Coach of the Year - [name], D.C. Divas 9. 2006 Defensive Coach of the Year - [name], D.C. Divas 10. 2006 Special Teams Coach of the Year - [name], D.C. Divas 11. 2006 Trainer of the Year - [name], D.C. Divas 12. 2006 Top Officiating Crew - D.C. Divas And then choose from the eligible nominees to vote for your favorites: 1. 2006 Offensive Player of the Year Allyson Hamlin Tiffany Matthews Rachelle Pecovsky LaShawn Foust Nikki Williams Tara Kallal Patrice Bowman Tara Stephenson 2. 2006 Defensive Player of the Year Ivy Tillman Vickie Lucas Subrena Rivers Raynette Savoy Tyran Dukes Trigger McNair Kathryn Hemlock Tessa Nelson T.K. Washington 3. 2006 Offensive Rookie of the Year Crystal Boyd Sabrina Oglesby Tara Stephenson Lauren Pruitt 4. 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year Katie Romano Feh Gwanyalla Trigger McNair Nikita Hubbard 5. 2006 General Manager of the Year Rich Daniel, D.C. Divas 6. 2006 Head Coach of the Year Ezra Cooper, D.C. Divas 7. 2006 Assistant Coach of the Year Bernell Brown Shedrick Clark Jamie Dilla Ed Smith Jaycee Williams 8. 2006 Offensive Coach of the Year Tim Smart Joey Benford 9. 2006 Defensive Coach of the Year Orlando Brown Jerome Davis 10. 2006 Special Teams Coach of the Year Joe Williams 11. 2006 Trainer of the Year Nate Randolph 12. 2006 Top Officiating Crew D.C. Divas
Tarver, Barrera, Holmes - On One PPV?
How much would you pay for a boxing show featuring light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, three-division titlist Marco Antonio Barrera, and heavyweight legend Larry Holmes? $30, $40, $50? More? How does $14.95 sound? In an unprecedented move to bring some of the most exciting moments from boxing⤁s classic bouts to diehard fight fans around the country on a monthly basis, CSI Sports is pleased to announce the launch of ⤗USA Tuesday Night Fights Knockouts⤁ on Tuesday, June 6th at 9pm (ET) / 6pm (PT). The series, which will be available on pay-per-view television at a suggested retail price of $14.95, will feature dozens of the greatest knockouts, brawls, and fighters that were featured on the classic USA Tuesday Night Fights series. The premiere episode will contain a seven-bout card featuring light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver in one of his early bouts against Shelby Gross, heavyweight legend Larry Holmes battling Curtis Shepard, and a clash of champions between ⤗The Baby Faced Assassin⤁, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Agapito ⤗El Ciclon⤁ Sanchez. Also on the card will be exciting knockouts spotlighting Lamar Parks, Sergei Artemiev, Leeonzer Barber, and Josue Blocus. ⤦We⤁re very excited about the launch of the USA Tuesday Night Fights Knockouts⤁ series and bringing these knockouts to fight fans around the United States,? said Craig Miele of CSI Sports. ⤦The USA Tuesday Night Fights series has always held a special spot in the hearts of diehard fans, and with this series, not only can they re-live these moments, but new fans can see what they were missing all these years. Plus, we⤁ve kept true to the spirit of the series by premiering each episode on a Tuesday night.? In addition to seeing some of the greatest knockouts in each fight card, each one hour episode will also feature in-depth profiles on the featured fighters, behind the scenes footage and interviews, and clips of some of the most memorable moments ever seen on the Tuesday Night Fights series. Future episodes will contain devastating knockouts by boxing superstars such as Oscar De La Hoya, Arturo Gatti, Bernard Hopkins, Hasim Rahman, George Foreman, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Roy Jones Jr. Episode two of ⤗USA Tuesday Night Fights Knockouts⤁ will premiere on Tuesday, July 4th with bouts starring Arturo Gatti, Tracy Harris Patterson, John Ruiz, and Rafael Ruelas. For more Pay-Per-View information, please call 1.877.456.7781 or 1.877.4KO.PPV1
BALLROOM BOXING
Local favorites Ishmail Arvin (15-0-1) and Heavyweight Jed Phipps (17-4) return for another night of great fight action THURSDAY JUNE 15th. Tickets are on sale at Michaels - 410-766-7474. This is the last show until late September and will be another fantastic event. You can also call 443-250-4165 for tickets or go to www.ticketmaster.com. More info is always available at www.ballroomboxing.com. Hope to see you on Thursday in "The Ballroom." http://www.ballroomboxing.com Ballroom BOXING 7220 Grayburn Dr. Glen Burnie,MD 21061 410-766-7474
BOWIE BAYSOX REPORT
THUNDER, BOWIE TO PLAY ⤦DAY-NIGHT? TWIN-BILL, AUGUST 5 Wednesday⤁s Game Rescheduled Due To Rain...
The Trenton Thunder, the Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, have postponed the game scheduled for Wednesday, June 7 at 11:05 against the Bowie Baysox. The game will be made up as part of a ⤦Day- Night? doubleheader on Saturday, August 5th. The first game will start at 1:05 PM with the regularly scheduled nightcap beginning at 7:05 PM. There will be separate admission for each game of the August 5th doubleheader. All tickets for June 7 may be exchanged for tickets of equal or lesser value to any other game remaining this season, based on availability. Trenton Thunder Season Ticket holders should exchange their June 7th ticket for any game remaining this season, based on availability and will be sent a separate ticket for the August 5 afternoon contest. For further information, fans should contact the Trenton Thunder Ticket Office at 609-394-3300. Teachers and group leaders who were attending the June 7 ⤦Educational Day? should collect all tickets if possible and contact their group sales representative for available dates for exchanges. This is the Thunder⤁s first game at Waterfront Park to be postponed this season.
BIG TRAIN REPORT FROM BRUCE ADAMS
REDD DOES IT ALL! PLAYS ALL 9 POSITIONS
A standing room only crowd of 784 turned out at Povich Field on a beautiful
Saturday night to watch Adam Redd do it all. And do it all he did. Redd, MVP
of this year's Virginia Tech team, began the night at first base and finished
two-and-one-half hours later leaping high above the pitcher's mound to snag
a one-hopper and make the final assist. It was a fittingly athletic play to
end an amazing night that saw Redd play all nine positions, make a fabulous
fielding play at short stop, leg out a double, and score a run. Big Train
Manager Sal Colangelo, pointing out that he has coached Adam since he was
six years old, said: "He is one of the greatest players I have ever coached.
Whatever you ask Adam to do, he gets it done. His versatility and athleticism
allowed him to accomplish something tonight few have ever done at this high
level of competition." This is the fifth season Adam has played for the Big
Train, the last year of summer eligibility for the redshirt senior. The
Big Train won the exhibition game 5-2 over the Maryland Patriots, a team of
the area's best high school players and recent high school graduates. All-American
Greg Lemon (Salisbury), the Big Train's MVP for our two championship teams
in 2004 and 2005, gave the crowd a treat by playing one last game for the
Big Train as a replacement for several players competing in the NCAA championship
(see story below). Thanks to game night sponsor Barwood Transportation
for allowing all the fans free admission and to EU Services for providing
a free souvenir program to each family. Maryland Patriots 2 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 2 7 2 Bethesda Big Train 0 4 0 1 0 0
0 0 - -- 5 6 0
CRSL SECOND SEASON STARTS FRIDAY NIGHT JUNE 9 AT POVICH FIELD: YOUSE'S ORIOLES v. BIG TRAIN
BIG TRAIN SEASON PASSES
Make sure you don't have to stand in long lines this summer and can sit
in preferred seating in three different sections of Povich Field. Help the
Big Train raise money to fix fields for kids. Go to our web page to order
your season pass or buy the pass at Povich Field at upcoming games next Wednesday,
Friday, and Sunday. $100 for a Family Pass or Corporate Pass for 4 or $50
for an individual pass. http://www.bigtrain.org/published/season_passes.html
NCAA REGIONALS:LANINFA, CARSON, DOZIER ALL HOMER SATURDAY
Follow the 13 Big Train players past and present playing in the NCAA regionals
this weekend:http://www.ncaa-baseball.com/
Games ofFriday June 2
Austin Regional: Texas defeated UT/Arlington 9-1.Preston Pehrson (BT 2006) did not play. Charlottesville Regional: South Carolina v. Evansville postponed to Saturday because of rain.Jeff Fontaine (BT 2003). Clemson Regional: Elon defeated Mississippi State 5-4.Brian LaNinfa (BT 2003 & 2004) was 1-for-4 and scored a run. Lincoln Regional: Miami [Marcelo Albir (BT 2003) andCarlos Gutierrez (BT 2005) did not play] defeated San Francisco 11-2Brian Anderson (BT 2006) and Andrew Smith (BT 2004 & 2005) was 1-for-4 and scored a run. Tuscaloosa Regional: Troy defeated Southern Mississippi 10-8.Luke Adkins (BT 2006) was 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs;Drew Carson (BT 2004 & 2005) was 1-for-3,Trey Cuevas (BT 2004 & 2005) did not play, andBrian Dozier (BT 2006) was 2-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs. Tuscaloosa Regional: Alabama defeated Jacksonville State 13-1.Nick Cleckler (BT 2004-2006) was 0-for-4 andSteven Leach (BT 2006) did not play.
Games of Saturday June 3
Austin Regional: Stanford defeated Texas 12-8. Charlottesville Regional: South Carolina defeated Evansville 4-2.Jeff Fontaine (BT 2003) was 0-for-1. Evansville defeated Lehigh 10-6. Fontaine was 1-for-1 and scored a run. Clemson Regional: Mississippi State defeated UNC-Ashville 5-4. LaNinfa knocked in all five runs, going 3-for-5 with a three run home run. Lincoln Regional: Miami defeated Manhattan 8-2. San Francisco defeated Nebraska 5-1. Smith was 0-for-4. Tuscaloosa Regional: Southern Mississippi defeated Jacksonville State 6-2 to eliminate Jacksonville State. Cleckler was 1-for-5. Carson (1-for-3) and Dozier (3-for-4) both homered for Southern Mississippi. Adkins walked and scored.
FOR MORE BIG TRAIN INFORMATION
For more information, please log onto www.bigtrain.org or call 301/983-1006.
Or email us at faninfo@bigtrain.org.
CAL RIPKEN, SR. COLLEGIATE BASEBALL LEAGUE
2006 is the second season of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. The Maryland-based collegiate wooden bat league is comprised of six teams: Bethesda Big Train, College Park Maryland Bombers, Maryland Redbirds, Rockville Express, Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts, and Youse's Maryland Orioles. The teams play a 40-game regular season that starts on Friday, June 9 with the Maryland Orioles visiting the Big Train at Shirley Povich Field in Bethesda. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League has a license agreement with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation for the use of the name Cal Ripken, Sr. and is not affiliated with nor sponsored by the Foundation or Ripken Baseball. For information, please log onto www.ripkensrcollegebaseball.org.
TRAIN WINS FINAL PRE-SEASON TUNE-UP
The Big Train defeated the Faris Braves on Wednesday night at Povich Field
5-3 in the final tune-up prior to Friday night's Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate
Baseball League opener against the AAABA national champion Maryland Orioles.
Cory Lane (UNC-Charlotte) led the Big Train offense with two hits. A crowd
of 719 attended mini-bat night sponsored by Miller & Long. Before the game
the young Dreamers from Washington's Fields of Dreams after-school program
were on the field for a presentation of trophies to the Ward Series champions
and runners-up as well as to the Sportsmanship awardees from each school.
Players from the Washington Freedom women's professional soccer team signed
autographs and threw out ceremonial first pitches.
CRSL SECOND SEASON STARTS FRIDAY NIGHT JUNE 9 AT POVICH FIELD:
YOUSE'S ORIOLES v. BIG TRAIN
Get your 2006 Big Train Schedule Magnet courtesy of Hopkins & Porter. Baseball
is Magic in Bethesda: Magic Show by Wild Willy Woo Woo at 7 p.m. Mascot Mayhem
presented by mascotmarketing.com. The Walter Johnson HS Madrigals will be
entertaining. Sponsor: Grossberg Company CPAs.
BIG TRAIN SEASON PASSES
Make sure you don't have to stand in long lines this summer and can sit in
preferred seating in three different sections of Povich Field. Help the Big
Train raise money to fix fields for kids. Go to our web page to order your
season pass or buy the pass at Povich Field at upcoming games next Wednesday,
Friday, and Sunday. $100 for a Family Pass or Corporate Pass for 4 or $50
for an individual pass.
http://www.bigtrain.org/published/season_passes.html
JOIN HOMER & PLAYERS SATURDAY AT 11 AM:
BIG TRAIN SLIDE INTO A GOOD BOOK PROGRAM
Each season, our sponsor Sandy Spring Builders, the folks who built the clubhouse
and supervised the construction of Povich Field, sponsor our Big Train Slide
Into a Good Book Program. This year's program continuesSaturday June 10at
11 a.m. at the Bethesda Regional Library, 7400 Arlington Road. Meet Homer
and two players and pick up a Big Train bookmark for your summer reading.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL DRAFT
Mike McBride (Florida Atlantic -- BT 2004): Round 5, # 146, San Francisco
Luke Hopkins (New Mexico State - BT 2004): Round 5, # 150, Toronto Michael
McKenry (Middle Tennessee State - BT 2004): Round 7, # 198, Colorado Joe Kantakevich
(William & Mary - BT 2004): Round 13, # 381, Seattle Tyler Jones (South Alabama
- BT 2003): Round 19, # 567, Arizona Matt Clarkson (Oklahoma State - BT 2003):
Round 20, # 590, Pittsburgh Congratulations also to local favorites: Manny
Burriss (Kent State): Supplemental Round 1, # 33, San Francisco Matt Sweeney
(Magruder HS): Round 8, #252, Angels of Anaheim et al
SARIS SIGNS WITH GEORGETOWN
Jimmy Saris, of Great Falls, VAcurrently a RHP for the Bethesda Big Train
summer college league team has agreed to play baseball for Georgetown University.
next year.Saris will transfer from Duke University and begin his sophomore
year at Georgetown this fall. The hard throwing right hander, a 2005 All-Met,
All State, 2 time All Region and District RHP for Langley (McLean, VA) HS
2005 will take the mound at Shirley Povich Field for ithe Bulldogs in the
spring of 2007.Jimmy is eager to leave the troubled Duke baseball program
andbegin play for Hoya Head Coach Pete Wilk ."It's great to come home and
play for Coach Wilk," Saris said. "It's a new begining and a second chance
to play ball in a great facility and get a great education at the same time.
What else can you ask for?"
LUDLOW-TAYLOR CAPTURES WARD SERIES
Congratulations to Ludlow-Taylor ES for defeating Malcolm X ES 5-4 at Cabin
John Field #2 on Wednesday afternoon to capture the Ward Series of Washington
Championship. Congratulations also to theFields of Dreams 2006 Sportsmanship
Award Winners: Gage-Eckington ES: William Slaughter Kimball ES: Brian Smith
Ludlow-Taylor ES: Raul Bravo Malcolm X ES: Antwan Tyler Powell ES: Diana Sanchez
Simon ES: Brian Johnson Sousa MS: Daron Oakley
BIG TRAIN 2006 SEASON SPONSORS
Thanks to these organizations for their generous support of Big Train baseball
for the 2006 season: Chevy Chase Bank, Grossberg CPAs, Ledo Pizza, Miller
& Long Co., Ourisman Automotive, and Sandy Spring Builders.
BIG TRAIN EMAIL LIST
If you would like to be removed from the Big Train email list, we won't be
offended. Life's too short to get emails you really don't want. Just send
a reply to this email and type UNSUBSCRIBE in the title. More than 1,800 families
and individuals are receiving the Big Train emails. If you know of someone
who might like to be added to our list, please ask them first and then send
us their name, home address, and email address or have them sign-up through
our webpage at www.bigtrain.org. THANKS!
Cal Ripken, Sr., used to say, "Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."
The Latest News from the Babe Ruth Museum
June 10, 1pm: From the Playground to the Hardwood.
Former NBA and University of Maryland basketball players Keith Booth, Walt
Williams, and possibly others will be at Sports Legends for this special program
focusing on former and current players in the NBA with ties to the state of
Maryland. Booth, currently assistant men's basketball coach at the University
of Maryland, and Williams, a commentator for Comcast SportsNet, will participate
in a panel discussion as they discuss the likes and differences of playing
in college and the pros. The panel will conclude with a question and answer
session, followed by autograph and photo opportunities. This program is free
with paid admission to the Museum. Click on the news and events tab on our
website for more information on this event.
June 17-July 9: Temporary Exhibit "Watch Your Mouth: Sports
in Dentistry"
Visit Sports Legends from June 17 through July 9 to see a temporary exhibit
on the link between sports and denstistry. This mini-exhibit will be on display
on the lower-level of Sports Legends. The exhibit is in conjunction with the
National Museum of Dentistry, located at 31 South Greene Street, Baltimore.
Monday, June 19, 6pm:
Join WBAL's Steve Davis for a special live broadcast of SportsLine at Sports
Legends on Monday, June 19, starting at 6:00pm. Steve will have special guest
artist Robert Florio, who along with Blast Fan Club members and midfielder
Denison Cabral will present his painting of Cabral to the Museum. Paralyzed
in a diving accident 10 years ago, Florio expresses himself and his world
by painting with a brush held in his mouth. His amazing story of triumph and
faith is outdone only by his skill as an artist. Join us for a special night
celebrating the art of Robert Florio - with surprise guests - for Q&A and
a live broadcast of SportsLine with Steve Davis. Call 410-727-1539 for more
information.
June 23, 1-2pm: Baltimore Orioles Autograph Signing.
Player TBA. Autographs are free with paid admission to the Museum, first come-first
served (limit approximately 300). One autograph per admission. Photographs
may be permitted due to time limitations.
714 Club
Are you part of the Club to preserve Babe's legacy?
On Thursday,! May 25, 2006, the 71st anniversary of Babe's Ruth 714th homerun, the Babe Ruth Museum announcedplans to renovate the historic Birthplace of George Herman "Babe" Ruth, as well as the launch of its 714 Club. The Babe Ruth Birthplace will close for renovations in October 2006 and re-open in the Spring of 2007. The 714 Club is a national fundraising campaign aimed to raise money for the Birthplace renovation. Baseball fans from around the world are encouraged to donate $7.14, $71.40, $714, or another preferred amount. You can contribute on-line at www.714club.org, or download the form on-line and fax it or mail it back. You can also call 410-727-1539 x3013 or e-mail katiel@baberuthmuseum.com for more information or to donate. --- www.714club.org --- The regular meeting of "Talkin' Baseball" will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 9AM at Barnes & Noble, 4300 Montgomery Rd (Longate Shopping Center) in Ellicott City, MD. Our speaker will be Mark Zeigler who will discuss his book "The Boys of the Blue Ridge League--the Early Years, 1915-18." Everyone come. Mark has a website: www.blueridgeleague.org which offers information on the subject. Some of you may have heard that a series of 4 baseball stamps will be brought out by USPS this summer. That's correct! The stamps will feature: Roy Campanella, Hank Greenberg, Mel Ott, and Mickey Mantle. First Day ceremonies will take place on July 15 at Yankee Stadium. I'm told that site was selected since it is the only remaining ballpark of the 4 home parks representing the honored players. (5 parks, if you count Greenberg's year at Forbes Field.) Thanks, RON GABRIEL A movie producer contacted me about a documentary he is doing on Dummy Hoy and wanted to know if anywhere in the area there are vintage baseball teams playing in time appropriate uniforms from 1886 on, he would like to film them for this documentary. Please let me know if any teams exist in this area and if it would be okay to film them. Many thanks.
WE GET LETTERS
Bill, You asked about the lettering on the uniformsof the old Washington Senators.I agree the block styleW was the best. As you know, I was the "Batboy" for the Washington Senators in 1951. Sometime I would like to show you the shirt portion of George Case's uniform, with the block W on the front and, of course, number 1, on the back. I am not sure how I ended up with this, but I think Freddie Baxter, the club house manager was clearing out old uniforms from his inventory---so it was either the trash dump or a memory for me of one of the fastest ball players of his time. You also mentioned some names of the old Nats, I can think of others, such as Stan Spence, Walter Masterson, who pitched 16 innings in 1948, in an 18 inning game against the Chicago White Soxthat was won by the Senators 1 - 0; Bobo Newsome, the knuckle ball pitcher; Sid Hudson, Cecil Travis, Sam Mele, Eddie Yost, Sam Dente, and of course, Mickey Vernon. Bill, I really enjoy readingyour Column. Keep up the good work. Manny
Dear Manny, I agree with you, the block W was the best. I⤁d like to see that George Case item and I⤁d also like to have you come on my PGCTV show, we tape on Fridays at 1:30 p.m. at 9475 Lottsford Road (not too far from you). Stan Spence had more extra base hits than Joe DeMaggio in 1946. Walter Masterson bested Bob Feller when they both returned from the Navy in 1945. Spence drove in the winning run for the American League in the 1947 All Star game. Old Bobo brings back a lot of memories. I think Hudson, Travis, and Vernon would have made the Hall of Fame if they had not gone in the service during World War II. Who can forget the ⤦Walkin Man? Eddie Yost or the slogan ⤦We⤁ll win more with Sam Dente?. Manny you are a great one. Bill
Dear Bill, Thank you so much for putting in this plug for Dystonia.I, too, have a form of Dystonia, as well as Diane Rehm of National Public Radio, formerly Diane Aed. I've headed a support group for those affected by Dystonia since 1997 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, and I'll be happy to assist anyone with questions or other concerns about this disorder for which diagnosis is often difficult. Anyone can call me at 410-519-1050. Thank you again for promoting this awareness for Dystonia.... this is generally unfamiliar to most folks.I love your column, and keep those letters coming. Thank you soooo much.You are doinga great service to many of our friends in this regard..... and, of course, many other regards too. You're the greatest. June (Coates) Sumner, RHS Class of '55.
Dear June, Thank you. I am not even close to being the greatest. Always glad to help out when I can. Bill
Morning Bill, Thanks for the wonderful column, lots of great sports news and love the letters from readers. June Coates Sumner has dystonia I think, research definitely needed and for ms, diabetes, so much more. The Heat faltered last night, that arena must need a new air conditioning system, just noticed everyone was perspiring profusely, even Coach Pat Riley, so glad they are out of there and back in Miami for the WIN!!!!!! Have a blessed day, Dale
Dear Dale, You are right on the money as usual. Bill
Dear Bill, Rossy and Imet a Royal Navy Lieutenant from Her Majesty's Frigate Northumberland at Fells Point. He invited us on board for a cup of tea but declined since I did not think I could navigate the steep gang plank. He gave us his email address and a photo of the ship and a brochure telling the story of the vessel and its predecessors in the Royal Navy. He also gave us a cap wrap which is a blue band with gold letters HMS Northumberland. The vessel has 191 sailors on it including 26 women. Bob Becker is from Plymouth, Englandbut told us a story from WWII about Shingle Street which is much like Slapton Sands where 784 American GI's died practicing for D-Day. The national Secrets Act kept Slapton quiet until the 1980's when the London Times broke the story and they hauled up a tank sunk in the practice. German E Boats shot up the exercise which was kept secret so as not to blow D-Day. Well Shingle Street is the name of a small village near Felixstowe on the English Channel where German commandos tried to land in 1940 right after the Germans defeated the Brits at Dunkirk in France. A home guard of old guys supposedly killed 1000 Germans dressedin British uniformstaken from the bodies of Brits they massacred in France. Winston Churchill slapped a national secret act on the event that cannot be lifted until 2021. If the landing was a success the war might have gone a different way and had another ending with the defeat of the Brits and Germans occupying England Scotland and Wales. Cheers Jerry
Dear Jerry, Good story, thanks. Bill
Hello to all Fred Williams is looking for info and records of Rance Pless during playing career 1958-1960 Anyone with info can e-mail him at wfw43@charter.net All the Best , John Bill, CongratulationsBill on your article in the Washington City Paperand on your 900th show. Are youthat old? Now you must focus on Baltimore and add another 900 in this region to include Anne Arundel County, Pasadena and Linthicum. All the best, Jerry
Dear Jerry, Yes I am that old! 900 more, I doubt that seriously. I actually did several hundred shows at PGCC-TV before I joined PGCTV and did the 900 there. You⤁ll have to come on the show sometime and talk about Seton Hall and Notre Dame. Bill Bill, Good article. When did you start with the mustache? Sure enjoy the column every week. Hope we can get together again either up your way or here in The Holy City. Jim
Dear Jim, About a month ago, looking forward to hooking up with you real soon. Bill
Bill, Thanks. You are looking great, way to go, and so well known too. Thanks for sharing. Ruthie
Dear Ruthie, Thank you, I don⤁t know how well known I am. I will never forget you and the ⤦Beautiful women of Bethesda? of which you were a key one. Bill
Hello to All Gale McCray in Ft. Worth would like to correspond with anyone with an interest in the former Sooner State League His e-mail galemccray@hotmail.com Thanks John
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