There doesn't seem to be a ton of Baltimore news these days

It looks like the Orioles' best players are Ty Wigginton, Corey Patterson and Felix Pie. This is bad for business.

It's no fun to be on the 'Bogey Train'

The announcer for the British Open just implored Mark Calcavecchia to get off the "Bogey Train."

I just wonder how one gets on this train. Because I'd like to get a ticket.

 And wouldn't a "Bogey Bus" be more appropriate. I guess maybe  it's the "Birdie Bus" so you wouldn't want to get the two confused. 

This is the type of parlance that needs to be standardized. Luckily I'm here to help.

How to kill the time between Strasburg starts

The best day of the week is every fifth day. That's when Steven Strasburg gets to pitch. It's Strasmas and it beats the hell out of Stammenmas.

The problem is that if Strasburg pitches on a Friday, he doesn't pitch again until Wednesday. That leaves Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. And those days can be really boring.

When Strasburg pitches, players like Edgar Renteria fling bats across the infield after getting fooled on a strike out pitch. Players like JD Martin are safely stashed in the dugout where they can do no harm.

When Strasburg does not pitch, JD is free to give up doubles to Edgar.

If you squint hard enough, and tune in on a lo-def, 13-inch monitor, Livan Hernandez can kind of look like Strasburg. But he's hardly an adequate substitute.

To help, I've come up with a few ways to kill the down time between Strasburg's starts.

I think we are going to see some alley-oops

I wish I a little taller, you know, so I could dunk. Like actually dunk. None of this barely grabbing the front of the rim and dropping the ball in nonsense.

It's a good thing for the Wizards and John Wall that there are people who can actually dunk a basketball. One of these people, and someone on who is extremely good at dunking, is JaVale McGee.

From watching the first two Summer League games, it's pretty obvious that the Wizards plan to run this season. This should be good news for people who like dunking.

Last season McGee was the "Wizard Most Likely to End Up on Sports Center for a Reason Related to a Basketball Game." And it was because he is good at dunking. McGee was able to do this even though he had guys like Earl Boykins and Randy Foye, who weren't so great at passing, setting him up for the dunks.

Well, Randy and Earl are gone, to be replaced by Wall. I know Summer League consists of a series of glorified pickup games, but Wall and McGee look like they have the "Run N Dunk" offense down.

And since I can't dunk, I will settle for tuning in for the rest of the Summer League games to live vicariously through the Wizards.

Snow golf

Somewhere down in Texas

With a gutsy performance in Arlington last night the Orioles stole a win from the Rangers and the spotlight from the King, Cleveland and Miami. The win provided us with the assurance that the team would only be swept 9 times and win 10 road games before the All-Star break. This year's version of the Birds also prevented themselves from living in infamy as the only team in Major League Baseball history to have no pitcher win 4 games by the mid summer classic.

Felix Pie continued to stay hot at the dish with a 7th inning bomb while Craig Tatum drew a crucial 8th inning walk and David Hernandez worked 1.1 innings to pick up his team leading 4th win of the season. Tonight Brian Matusz takes the bump and looks to join Hernandez, and the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers, in the elusive 4 win club.

Orioles and pepper

While some of us may have been recovering from a long holiday weekend for the early part of this week the Orioles were conducting business as usual, getting swept by the Tigers in Detroit. In a series highlighted by Johnny Damon's 2,500th hit and our "All-Star"s batting average dropping below .250, there was very little for those of us in Birdland to be positive about. With the exception of an excellent, albeit wasted, effort by Jake Arrieta Tuesday night, it was more of the same (errors, lack of timely hitting and managerial mistakes) from the local professional baseball club. One thing we don't have to worry about is the affect these blown leads and the losing will have on the attitude, confidence and psyche of our talented, young pitchers.

On the bright side the All-Star break is right around the corner...and the Birds are travelling to Texas to face the AL-West leading Rangers. One thing we can do over the next 4 days is take note of how to draft, develop and build a team around young arms and professional hitters. And remember if there is one thing Tigers love it is pepper and the Baltimore Orioles.

An actual sports conversation I had today

My sister: "Who was that useless guy who played for the Nats that you hated?"

Me: "Wily Mo Pena."

General managers also pick the hot dog buns

Lost in all the hoopla of Orlando signing Chris Duhon to a contract worth roughly the GDP of Ghana, is that NBA general managers do a lot more than just assemble rosters.

Being a GM is more than just trying to land a spot on the LeBron James selection show. It's more than trying to figure out how to convince Chris Bosh that he wants to play in Toronto. It's more than just slapping up a gigantic poster of Amare Stoudemire on Madison Square Garden.

A GM has to know how to run the show. Take the Wizards' Ernie Grunfeld. According to his bio on the Wizards website, he oversaw a major building overhaul that "included the interior and exterior of the team’s locker room and the basketball operations and coaching offices."

See, being a GM is one part salary cap expert, one part talent evaluator and one part general contractor.

Now that Ted Leonsis has taken over as the owner of the Wizards, I can't help but think Grunfeld is going to have a lot more on his plate. On Leonsis' blog, Ted's Take, he's shown a genuine interest in trying to improve the Wizards' organization. His main tactic is asking for fan input.

A positive Powell post

In an effort to be more positive about the O's, I only had to look back 44 years. On July 6, 1966, Boog Powell tied a then American League record by driving in 11 RBI during a double header against the Kansas City A's.

I think it is safe to say Boog's legacy as the greatest first baseman in team history is safe with the likes of Aubrey Huff and Garrett Atkins penciled in at the No. 3 spot.

Three weeks 'til Westminster

With the Orioles coming off a 12-9 loss to the Tigers in a scintillating 3-hour-and-45-minute contest, highlighted by University of Michigan alum Jake Fox's 399-foot "bomb," I can now, in my first post, do what any sane Baltimore sports fan would do and look forward to the 2010 NFL season. And, fortunately for Baltimoreans, the official start of Training Camp is only a mere 21 days away.

Expectations for the team are high with many pundits predicting 12 and 13 wins coupled with a deep playoff run.

As an eternal pessimist, and after a quick glance at the 12th-ranked schedule according to strength of schedule, I see the Ravens finishing 11-5 and on top of a relatively weak AFC North. Several other questions linger and should be answered during the team's stay at McDaniel College.

Will Terrell Suggs weigh less than 295 pounds? When will Troy Smith become a Brown or Bill? How does a player who averages 7.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game over a 6-year career receive a contract that guarantees him $15 million? (See: Chris Duhon)

One thing that can be said for sure is this: The Ravens will win more than three times in their first 16 attempts unlike a "professional" team that currently plays in this town. If not, then there is always October and Terps' Midnight Madness.

Battle of the birds

Intrasquad All-Star snubbing for Orioles, Nationals

I know Ty Wigginton had a hot month or two. I know Matt Capps saved a few games. I know teams need utility players. I know teams need relief pitchers.

But seriously?

No Orioles or Nationals player was ever going to get voted in by the fans, but if I were a player (and I'm about five tools short) my votes would have gone somewhere in the direction of Josh Willingham and Nick Markakis.

And that's the last I'll be complaining about an exhibition game that determines home field advantage for the World Series.

My first Strasmas, June 18, 2010

Up close and personal with a hockey puck

I am probably like most sports fans when it comes to remembering the first live sporting event I attended. My memory is a bit fuzzy. But I have a good excuse. I was hit in the face by a hockey puck.

I haven't been able to track down the exact game, but at some point during the 1987-88 NHL season I took a trip to Landover to see the Washington Capitals play at the Capital Centre.

My Dad and I, along with a friend and her dad, rode over to the arena together. When we walked into the building, it wasn't as cold as I thought it would be. Hey, I was 4, and thought the place would be freezing.
We took our seats, which were about halfway up looking on from the side, and the game started.

I don't remember the details, but I'm sure there was plenty of skating, passing, hitting and not scoring. After a while, I must have become frustrated with my point of view because I asked my Dad if I could sit on his lap.

I immediately regretted this decision.

According to my Dad, one of the players attempted to clear the puck, but instead sent a moon shot into the stands.

No more World Cup