Sports Beat column - December 16, 2005

Sports Beat
December 16, 2005

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Today (Sunday) at 4:15 p.m. its â¤¦rock and roll timeâ¤? at the Washington Redskins playpen in Prince George â¤s County when the Skins host the Dallas Cowboys. At 7-6 the Skins still have a chance for a 10-6 season which would put Joe Gibbs on track for a Super Bowl visit before his contract runs out which has been his goal since he signed on for his second tour at the helm of one of the NFLâ¤s storied franchises.

Washington edged the Cowboys 14-13 earlier this season and this one should be another typical barnburner in this fabled series. After this one the Skins host the New York football Giants (the Giants routed the Skins 36-0 earlier the first time a Joe Gibbs team had ever been shutout in a regular season game) the Skins then close out the regulars season with a visit to the â¤¦City of Brotherly Loveâ¤? to play the Philadelphia Eagles ( the Skins beat the Eagles earlier 17-10).

Mark Brunell has been anything but an effective QB in recent games but had better come with his â¤¦Aâ¤? game in these closing games. Baltimore Ravens coach â¤¦Big Egoâ¤? Billick has been urging fans to fill the Ravens purple palace Monday for the visit of Bret Farve and the Green Bay Packers for the NFL Monday Night game of the week BUT outside of what might be Bret Farveâ¤s last Monday Night NFL game of the week appearance why would anyone want to see a 4-9 (Ravens) team play a 3-10 (Packers) team?

The Ravens are coming off a narrow 12-10 loss to the Denver Broncos but have won four straight at home against NFC teams. This loss was blamed on the ineffective play in crunch time by QB Kyle Boller but hey there was some lousy play by a lot of other Ravens. Did you know Boller is 16-15 as an NFL Starting QB? â¤¦Big Egoâ¤? has been really loose the last few weeks and may be looking at a bus ticket out of town, I hope not because he really is a decent NFL coach (whoa did I really say that)?

In this weeks "USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY" draft expert for the Sports Exchange rated the Ravens last in the rookie class for all NFL teams. Hey, hey after announcing that they were playing a home and home series with Ball State Navy was announced as a 2008 football opponent for Towson University but hey where did Boston College go from being an annual opponent for Navy? Maryland is going to continue to play Temple and some other rooty-tooty teams.

ORIOLES SHUTOUT

Baltimore â¤s baseball team drew nothing but blanks at the recently concluded Winter baseball meetings with Mike Flanagan showing his ineptness (that he previously displayed as a pitching coach, radio/TV commentator, co-GM, etc.). Several players that were mentioned as maybe coming to the Birds said they never heard anything from them, also where is the pitching that is needed? They lost out on several pitchers that could have helped them and they lost their closer B.J. Ryan to division rival Toronto.

They signed catcher Ramas Hernandez whose biggest plus is his close relationship to shortstop Miguel Tejada who has said he wants to be traded because the Orioles have not kept their promise to him that they were going to improve the team when they signed him two years ago. Also why did they want to diss Javy Lopez? Heâ¤s a quality player and person and is still the best all round catcher on the Orioles.

Why would the Orioles want to bring back Jeff Conine? This is a positive move? I donâ¤t think so. A great Christmas gift for you fans of Washington Baseball is â¤¦Natioinals On Parade, 70 years of Washington Nationals Photosâ¤? put together by Mark Stang and Phil Wood. Each of the photos has commentary on it. Phil Wood and Mark Stang have put together a great book that every Nationals fan would love. Try Barnes and Noble or Borders, both should have copies available for you.

Despite mutterings to the contrary the Orioles still have problems throughout the organization and yes that includes their horrible media and community relations departments. How do you like Sidney Ponsonâ¤s new hair look, and where will Ponson call home next season? Could it be Orioles divisions rival Tampa Bay?

MARYLAND MEN WIN NCAA SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

Congratulations to Sasho Cirovski and his Maryland Menâ¤s Soccer team on winning the NCAA national championship beating New Mexico 1-0 in the title game. Marc Burch scored the Terps goal and Chris Seitz was outstanding in the net for them.

STATE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

4A       Damascus         21                    Sherwood        6 3A
Gwynn Park     20                    Westminister     14 (2OT)
2A       Potomac           38                    So. Carroll       3
1A       Allegany           41                    Snow Hill         20

Prince George's County took two of the four State titles and their football is returning to the days of PG coaches Jim â¤¦Bearcatâ¤? Crawford, John Voight, Larry Layman, Rocco Romeo, John Zier, Mike Cavalini, Dick Knode, Rex Holliday, John Latzo, and others of that era.

BOWIE BAYSOX NEWS

ORIOLES ANNOUNCE 2006 MINOR LEAGUE COACHES
Werner headlines 2006 Baysox staff with return for second season

The Bowie Baysox, Class "AA" Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, have announced the coaching staff for the 2006 season. Don Werner returns to Bowie for his second season as Baysox manager. Werner compiled a 74-68 record, in his first season as manager of the Baysox in 2005. The Baysox 74 wins during the 2005 season marked the third highest win total for a season in Bowie Baysox history. The 1994 Baysox won a franchise record 84 games in 1994, finishing in second place in the Eastern League's Southern Division. The 1997-squad set the second best mark in franchise history with a 75 win season, also finishing in second place in the Eastern League's Southern Division. Before coming to Bowie , Werner spent the 2002 and 2003 seasons as the field coach at Class A Delmarva. This will be Werner's fourth season with the Orioles organization and his 35th in professional baseball. In ten seasons as a manager, Werner has collected 503 wins; orchestrated five first-place finishes, and won three league championships. Prior to joining the Orioles, Werner spent seven years in the San Diego Padres' organization. He managed the Idaho Falls Padres of the Pioneer League from 1997 through 2000, and again in 2002. Idaho Falls captured the Pioneer League Championship in 1998 and 2000, and Werner was named the league's manager of the year in 1997 and 2000. In 1999 he was given the Padres' Jack Krol Award for outstanding minor league instruction. Werner spent seven big league seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (1975-78, 1980) and the Texas Rangers (1981-82), serving as the backup for Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench in five of those seasons with Cincinnati. The highlight of Werner's playing career came on June 16, 1978 when he caught the lone no-hitter of Hall OF Fame Pitcher Tom Seaver's storied career.

Pitching Coach - Scott McGregor
McGregor, 51, begins his fifth season as pitching coach in the Orioles organization. McGregor a resident of Towson , MD will begin his first season as pitching coach for the Baysox after spending the past three seasons at Single-A Frederick. McGregor began his coaching career in the 2002 season with the Aberdeen IronBirds. Prior to coaching, McGregor spent his entire 13-year playing career as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, registering a major league record of 138-108 with a 3.99 ERA McGregor is a member of the Orioles Hall of Fame and won 20 games in 1980. McGregor also pitched a shutout in Game 5 of the 1983 World Series as the Orioles defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, four games to one. He served as a minister in the Baltimore area following his playing career with the Orioles before returning to coach in the Orioles system.

Field Coach - Elmore "Moe" Hill
Moe Hill, 58, begins his fourth year in the Orioles organization and his first season with Double-A Bowie as Field Coach. Hill has spent the past three seasons in Single-A Frederick, serving as the Keys Field Coach and helping lead them to the Carolina League Championship this season. Prior to joining the Orioles, Hill spent the past four seasons as field coach at Double-A Tulsa in the Texas Rangers organization. Hill, began his coaching career in the Kansas City Royals Organization in 1980, spending three seasons at their Gulf Coast affiliate before becoming the Royals roving minor league hitting instructor for the next three seasons. His playing career began with the Orioles after signing out of high school and lasted for four seasons, before finishing out his 15-year career in the Minnesota and Kansas City organizations. Most notably, Hill won the Midwest League Triple Crown in 1974 and in 1999 was named the top player in the history of the Midwest League, by Baseball America .

Rounding out the 2006 Baysox is the training staff. Mark Shires, will return for his third straight season at Bowie and seventh as a trainer in the organization. John Selzler will begin his third year as strength and conditioning coach with the Baysox and his sixth overall in the Orioles farm system. Shires, is a native of Severn , MD and graduated from Archbishop Spalding High School . Selzler is a Minot , North Dakota native and prior to joining the Baysox, Selzler was a roving strength and conditioning coach in the Orioles Minor League system in 2003.

The Bowie Baysox will enter its 14th season as the Class AA Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles in 2006. The Baysox will open the 2006 Eastern League season and its 71-game home game schedule on Thursday, April 6, 2006 against the Reading Phillies (Class AA Affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies) at Prince George 's Stadium in Bowie , MD. Full season, partial season and flex pack ticket plans are now available for the upcoming 2006 season and start at just $44. Baysox Ticket Packages make great holiday gifts this season. More information is available by calling the Bowie Baysox at (301) 805-6000 or by logging on to www.baysox.com

Comcast-Spectacor is the Philadelphia based sports and entertainment firm which owns the Philadelphia Flyers, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Philadelphia Phantoms, the Wachovia Center and Wachovia Spectrum, Flyers Skate Zone community ice skating and ice hockey rinks and Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. Comcast-Spectacor is also the principal owner of Global Spectrum, the fastest growing firm in the public assembly management field with more than 45 facilities throughout the United States and Canada; Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage service provider; New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing company for public assembly facilities; and Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company. Comcast-Spectacor also owns the Bowie Baysox, the Delmarva Shorebirds, the Frederick Keys baseball teams, all affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles.

Holiday Fun Pack
The ultimate pack for the baseball fan in your life this holiday season! - Six (6) Undated RESERVED BOX SEAT Tickets to use at your choice of 2006 Bowie Baysox Home Games - One (1) Limited Edition Baysox Logo Stadium Blanket with Baysox embroidered logo (Blanket available in Black or Ash) (Blanket as modeled by Baysox Sponsorship Sales Manager Brian Bauer in photo above) - Special Invitation for the Baysox Batting Practice and Picnic Event at Baysox Stadium during this summer

Package valued at over $125 value

Yours This Holiday Season for Just $86 (Plus Shipping)

With this package you recieve the ultimate in flexibility for your busy schedule. YOU choose from 71 different games to attend. YOU choose from 26 Fireworks Shows. YOU Choose who you bring to the games.

To order your Holiday Fun Pack, click HERE:
www.baysox.com/merchandise/?item_id=2224&cat174

To check out our other Holiday Pack Options - perfect for Holiday Gift Giving
please click HERE:
www.baysox.com/tickets/flex/

Order your Holiday Ticket Packages by 12/14/05 to guarantee on-time delivery!

THE 2006 BAYSOX BASEBALL CAMPS ARE HERE - AND BOOKING FAST!
SIGN UP TODAY - AND LEARN FROM THE PROS!

The 2006 Bowie Baysox Youth Baseball Camp Program is this season's perfect Holiday Gift for the baseball playing child in your life! There are two sessions in 2006 in which to choose from. Session #1 :Wednesday, June 21 - Friday, June 23rd. Session #2: Friday, July 28th plus Tuesday, August 1st through Wednesday, August 2nd. (Note Split Week Schedule) Session #2 also includes a special 4th day all-you-can-eat picnic buffet and special 11:05 am game versus the Connecticut Defenders on Thursday, August 3rd! Bowie Baysox Youth Baseball Camp Session #1 is $129 per camper while Session #2 is $149 per camper. For more information on each camp session and to register your child for one or both camp sessions, please call Marsha Darbouze, Baysox Camp Coordinator at (301) 464-4874. You can register online for the camp session of your choice by clicking HERE http://www.baysox.com/groups/camps/. Each session of the Bowie Baysox Youth Baseball Camp is limited to the 1st 100 registered campers.

Infante Voted National Field Hockey Player of the Year

Maryland field hockey standout Paula Infante was voted the nation's most outstanding player and will receive the Honda Award, according to results of national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards program, now in its 30th year. She becomes the second player in school history to earn the honor.

The Honda Award is given annually to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports. Sport winners are automatically nominated for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. The Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year will be determined by separate balloting involving all NCAA-member institutions and the winner will receive the Honda-Broderick Cup in New York in late June 2006. A junior midfield/defender, Infante led the Terps to a No. 1 national ranking and the program's fourth NCAA title in November and their first in six years. A three-time first team All-American by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, she is the first player in school history to be named to the NCAA Tournament All-Tournament team three times. Infante also helped Maryland capture the 2005 ACC crown. A three-time All-ACC honoree, as well, she was this season's ACC Defensive Player of the Year, while also being the team's second leading goal scorer with 13 goals, including five game winners. A key member of the Terrapin defense, the backfield ranked second in the nation with a 1.01 goals against average. The three other nominees for the field hockey Honda Award were Kayla Bashore from Indiana, Jessica Javelet from Louisville and Duke's Hilary Linton. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., sponsors the Collegiate Women Sports Award. Maryland 's only other Honda Sports Award winner in field hockey was Autumn Welsh. A two-time All-American, she earned the award in 2002.

No. 9 Maryland Dominates Arizona In 92-67 Win
Marissa Coleman scored 20 points to lead the team

Arizona sagged inside and Maryland shot from long range with uncanny accuracy. When the Wildcats shifted to a zone defense, the Terrapins gladly took layups. As a result, No. 9 Maryland shot 62 percent and cruised to its fourth straight victory Sunday, 92-67.

Marissa Coleman scored 20 points and Crystal Langhorne had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Terrapins (8-1). Maryland went 8-for-9 from 3-point range in building a 46-27 halftime lead, then scored 30 of its 46 second-half points in the paint. "That's just a very good basketball team," Arizona coach Joan Bonvicini said. "They've got a lot of different weapons inside and out, and they play good defense, too. They really don't have a lot of weaknesses."

Shay Doron had 12 points and 13 assists for the Terrapins, who had six players score in double figures. Coleman, a freshman forward, went 8-for-11 from floor and 4-for-5 from 3-point range. "We are so much fun to watch when we play as unselfishly as we did today," Maryland coach Brenda Frese said. The Terrapins got only three minutes from freshman point guard Kristi Toliver, who will have an MRI exam on Monday to determine the cause of leg pain that has limited her playing time.

Natalie Jones scored a career-high 29 points for Arizona (4-3). The Wildcats played in the NCAA tournament in each of the last three seasons, but they're still trying to recover from the unexpected loss of senior center Shawntinice Polk, who died in September of a pulmonary blood clot.

The Terrapins led 29-27 before Langhorne sank four straight free throws, Toliver hit a 3-pointer (her only basket of the game) and Laura Harper scored on a putback. Coleman and Ashleigh Newman followed with successive baskets from beyond the arc, and Harper concluded the spree with a layup.

"When we're dominating down low, that opens it up for the guards," Harper said. Maryland limited the Wildcats to 31 percent shooting (11-for-35) in the first half and seemingly couldn't miss from outside the arc.

"Shooting 89 percent on 3-pointers, that's crazy," Frese said. "They were doubling down low, and that led to a lot of kickouts and open shots." Coleman scored 13 points and Shay Doran and Laura Harper each scored 12 points to help the Lady Terps roll over Coppin State 69-38.

Coleman Named ACC Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week

Maryland's Marissa Coleman averaged an even 21 points per contest as the No. 9/8 Terrapin women's basketball squad rolled to two victories on the week, and was named the league's Rookie of the Week for the second time this season, the league announced today.

Coleman ( Cheltenham , Md. / St. John's College [D.C.]) opened the week with a career-high 22 points in the Terrapins' 88-55 win over Monmouth. She was 8-for-10 from the field, including a 2-for-2 mark from beyond the 3-point arc, and also went 4-for-5 from the free throw line. Coleman narrowly missed a double-double, pulling down nine rebounds (four offensive) against the Hawks but blocked a career-best four shots in the victory. Coleman continued her torrid week against Arizona, pacing six Maryland players in double figures with 20 points in the Terps' 92-67 win. The rookie guard/forward was 8-for-11 from the floor and 4-of-5 from 3-point range as Maryland eclipsed 90 points for the fifth time in just nine games this season. Coleman grabbed six rebounds in the game, and again flirted with a double-double, racking up a career-best nine assists. She also had two more blocks and a steal in the contest.

For the week, Coleman averaged 21.0 points and 7.5 rebounds and shot 76.2 percent from the field (16-for-21). Coleman was 6-for-7 from 3-point range (85.7 percent) and averaged 6.0 assists, 3.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game as Maryland improved to 8-1. Coleman leads the Terps, who are the top-scoring team in the nation averaging 93.1 ppg, in scoring with 17. 4 ppg. Her .571 percentage from three-point range also ranks among the top 20 in the nation.

TV Stars Jimmy Lange and Joey Gilbert from "The Contender" to Clash Feb. 18, 2006 in Fairfax, VA for the North American Boxing Middleweight Championship

Much Awaited Grudge Rematch Pitts Two Rising Talents with NABO Middleweight Title at Stake Jimmy Lange (26-2-1, 17 KOs) and Joey Gilbert (10-1, 7 KOs) will square off for the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) Middleweight Title on Saturday, February 18, 2006 at George Mason Universityâ¤s Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA in the first-ever title fight pitting two of the contestants from the popular TV boxing show, â¤¦The Contenderâ¤? against one another. The 12-round grudge rematch will serve as the main event of a six-bout card promoted by Keystone Boxing. Tickets, ranging from $500 (VIP Ringside) to $30, go on sale Wednesday, December 21, 2005 at all Ticketmaster outlets.

Lange will seek revenge from Gilbert who upset and eliminated the Great Falls , VA native from â¤¦The Contenderâ¤? competition in episode eight with a controversial five-round decision. While redeeming himself later in the series with a majority decision over Tarik Salmaci in the â¤¦fan favoriteâ¤? match, the loss to the underdog Gilbert â¤³ only his second professional defeat and first since 1998 -- still haunts Lange: â¤¦I entered â¤¦The Contenderâ¤? for one reason and one reason only, and that was to win it all,â¤? said Lange, who is managed by his father, Johnny, and is trained by former world champion Buddy McGirt. â¤¦Losing to Joey -- the best athlete on the show -- was a huge disappointment, but getting a rematch for a major championship belt in my hometown is a great opportunity for redemption.

I appreciate the support the fans have given me throughout my boxing career and I can assure you that a different Jimmy Lange will show up for this fight. I will train hard and there will be no doubt in the outcome of this one.â¤? After defeating Lange, Gilbert, a native of Reno , NV and former NCAA boxing champion, lost a split decision to Peter Manfredo Jr. in a bout that was stopped early as Gilbert suffered a cut from an accidental head butt. Gilbertâ¤s last fight was a unanimous decision win in six rounds over James North (7-7) on the Jeff Lacey vs. Scott Pemberton undercard on November 5 of this year in Lake Tahoe , NV . â¤¦I want to decide this business with Lange once and for all,â¤? exclaimed Gilbert. â¤¦This time there is a title at stake, and all I can say is that itâ¤s going to be a war in Virginia !â¤? Lange last fought on September 17, 2005 at the Patriot Center before more than 5,000 raucous fans where he scored an impressive 4th Round TKO against Perry Ballard to capture the World Boxing Empire (WBE) Junior Middleweight Title.

The fighter who emerges victorious on February 18 will not only wear the NABO Middleweight belt, but should also secure a top-ten World Boxing Organization (WBO) ranking. Maryland â¤s own Lamont Pearson (22-3-1, 12 KOs ) will defend his United States Boxing Association (USBA) 130-pound title against a yet to be determined opponent as part of the card.

WE GET LETTERS

Dear Bill McCaffrey, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This time of year reminds me of friends like you, and I hope all is going well. In this week's letter, I'd like to cover Baltimore 's two professional sports franchises. As an avid Ravens fan, I can say this year has been a true disappointment. However, I am encouraged by the fact that this team drafts very well, and in April, they will get a plethora of opportunities. My confidence in Brian Billick has not wained, and I feel that the "Genius" is the very man to still lead this team. Given the legitimacy of the NFL's salary cap, it is not impossible for a team to go from doormat to dominator in the span of a couple seasons. Just look at this year's Bengals and Giants. I realize that we (you and I) may disagree on the Ravens, but I promise that we will share the same views of the Orioles. I can say that I have never seen this once proud team in a more chaotic state. I don't begrudge Miguel Tejada one bit for wanting out. I'm sure the Orioles made him certain promises they have not delivered on. This team will finish dead last in 2006. And, for the first time in my adult life, they will not get a nickel of my money. Ahh, but now for the Christmas gifts I have acquired for Baltimore Sports Celebrities: Brian Billick - Jon Kitna's phone number Jamal Lewis - A "Wizard of OZ" DVD (See the Lion) Sam Perlozzo - An appointment with Dr. Phil Rafael Palmeiro - A mirror Nestor Aparicio - My phone number (I need a job) Peter Angelos - Nothing (that's what he's given us) Sincerely, Rex Snider Baltimore

Dear Rex, Good hearing from you. We do disagree on the Ravens to a degree, I like the new owner. â¤¦Big Egoâ¤? Billick creates his own problems and there appears to be some discontentment in â¤¦Ravens Nationâ¤?. I would hate to see Tejada, Lopez, Mora and Gibbons leave the Orioles and do not bring back Conine. The Orioles need pitching but Kris Bensen does not fill the bill however, his wife would be a welcome addition. Bill Bill, To answer Daleâ¤s question about the poem, its title is â¤¦The Ballad of Barbara Freitchie (variously spelled Frietchie or Fritchie) and it was written by famous American poet John Greenleaf Whittier. While it may no longer be one of â¤¦thoseâ¤? poems every school child learns about at some point, it was taught in my elementary/junior high days (probably with extra emphasis, given its â¤¦localâ¤? setting in Frederick, MD). Teresa Hi Bill, The Lollipop Backfield in 1957 consisted of: Tom Bosseler at Fullback from Miami , Jim Podoley from Central Michigan and Ed Sutton from North Carolina as the Halfbacks. The qB was Eddie Lebaron. Later, Da King DaKing, Correct again! You are right with it as usual. Bill Bill, It's nice to have you back on the corner after your human plumbing repairs were taken care of, I think the Redskins "Lolly-pop" backfield consisted of FB Don Bossler of Miami, Wing or HB Eddie Sutton of So. Carolina , Maryland â¤s Tailback Jim Podoly and at QB the "Little Magician Eddie LeBaron from The College of Pacific. Eddie was the last QB to beat the NFL Champs by the college all stars. I didnâ¤t look this up so itâ¤s just a guess. I thought the year was 1955 but my mind is turning to mush anyhow. Denny D. Denny, You had the names right but see the â¤¦Da Kingsâ¤? letter above for the schools and year. Bill Bill, This is small world time....you said, "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" When did Billy Hite go to Eastern? I knew a Ritchie Hite. It gets even better. After Eastern, my first job was with the Telephone Company at 2815 N St SE....Old Ludlow exchange (and Jordan 8 an 9 and Market 7 in Marlboro). I was there during the "cutover" from Victor to Ludlow 2, etc. Who did you know there? I remember Feet and Buddy Rollman's dad who was an outside supervisor at the time. He walked in on a Saturday and saw me propped up at the 611 desk smoking a cigarette big as life. He never said a word....just gave me look that cut right through. Never pulled that trick again. I had to work one Saturday out of the month. Worked there until 1955. As for Bobby Bowden always beating Tech, they always will as long as they have the same insufferable officials. Tell June, whoever she is, I love her outlook for life. As Auntie Mame said, "Life is a buffet and some poor fools are starving to death." Marlene

Dear Marlene, Shirley Lash and â¤¦Feetâ¤? were there during the summer I worked there. Also Mary Whelan who was Bill Collins, Sr.â¤s sister. I used to eat lunch at Tuckers on the â¤¦Avenueâ¤? and the Peoples Drug Store. Walter Auer was my supervisor on the â¤¦Frameâ¤?. Bill Hi Bill, Nick Antonelli was my next door neighbor from the time I was born until I got married and moved away. This was at 4th and Emerson St. N.W. They were a great family and great neighbors. Regards and glad you are feeling like new. Carole

Dear Carole, He was a great man! Great neighborhood. Bill Bill, Clearly Boller isn't the guy and some other big time guys need to be booted out as well. A good place to start is with the entire running back crew who week in and week out fumble the ball in our own territory and miss blocks yet fail to stand up and take any blame. Ed Ed, You are so right! This is a team disaster, coach, assistant, front office and most of the players are to blame. Bill

SPORTS NOTES

Doc Walker scored again with Red Auerbach as his guest. Walker is scoring big time with his excellent work on radio and TV. Walker hosted the Toyota Quarterback Clubs Redskins Player of the Year Award Dinner this past Tuesday. Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of Donald Earle Lewis who died on November 22 at age 80. He was a United Methodist Minister, among the churches he led were: Hamline in DC, Eastport in Annapolis , and First United Methodist in Hyattsville. I wonder where roller skating champion Tom Black is today? Also Marvin and Bette Powell, Marie Ritz, Joe â¤¦Benjâ¤? Price, Don Geer, Carole Daniels, Eleanor Runge, Joanne Briggs, Bob Roberts, Nancy Culbertson, and Chris Cole? Chris Cosh who went to McNamara has returned to Maryland University as an assistant on Ralph Friedgenâ¤s staff. Vernon Davis will probably go to the NFL a year early after earning first team All-American honors at tight end, Darnell Jackson was a second team linebacker. There is no reason for Davis to stay in Terp-land after earning first team honors. A big WWE PPV event is coming to the 1st Mariner Arena in January.

2006 EASTERN HIGH SCHOOL REUNION

Will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at the new Annapolis Elks club in Edgewater , Maryland , 6:155 p.m. Hor Dâ¤oeuvres of fresh vegetables and dip, as well as assorted cheese and cracker tray. Price per ticket $40.00 per person/$80 per couple. Deadline is September 28, 2006. Cash Bar.

MENU
7:15 p.m. Dinner Buffet Chef carved Top Round of Beef w/Ajus, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Honey Glazed Ham House or Caesar Salad Parsley Potatoes, Green Beans, Warm Rolls & Butter Coffee and Tea Special Patriotic Music Special Two prizes will be awarded: one for the most EHS memorabilia you wear, one for the most memorabilia you bring. Door prizes needed. We have a photographer who will be taking class pictures. A short Patriotic Music Medley program is planned. Do you remember the words to the Eastern High School song? We will join in singing. I want to wish each of you a Merry Christmas, a super Holiday season and your best year ever in 2006. Next week Iâ¤ll have my picks, hopes and whatever for 2006.

SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS!