Happy Birthday Zach Wilt!

To the guy who made Bieber hair popular before Bieber was even alive!

Sorry Folks… Flacco isn’t your Fall Guy

He wasn’t perfect but he gave his team a chance to win, and they didn’t get the job done. Enough said!

Great Promotion for FanDeal and TiqIQ

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Need a Job? The O’s are Hiring a PA Announcer

The O’s are searching for a new PA Announcer at Camden Yards. Dave McGowan, who has been the voice of Camden Yards for the past 14 seasons, is stepping down from the job. This is not a big deal at first glance, but then again it kind of is. McGowan’s voice is part of the game experience, even if it just lingers in the back of your subconscious. I remember being fully aware the first game I went to at Camden Yards and long-time announcer Rex Barney wasn’t there.

So if you are interested in the gig…..

The ideal candidate will have a strong voice with excellent enunciation skills *Marylandese . Prior experience working as an announcer in a collegiate or professional sports setting calling into the Scott Garceau show is preferred. Applicants must be from Pasedena or Dundalk and should be available for all 81 home games, as well as any make-up dates or postseason games (that’s not happening), starting at least two hours before the scheduled game time. A complete job description can be found at www.orioles.com/voice. Those interested in applying for the position should visit the website to submit a voice recording based on the provided sample gameday script only after downing a shot a Jack and a pint of Natty Boh. Submissions will also be accepted via mail at Voice of Camden Yards Audition, 333 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Entries must be received by January 25, 2012.

 

*Marylandese

VIDEO: Highlights!!!!! The Ravens Sweep Pittsburgh

New GM for the O’s? Let’s Think Inside the Home Box Office

As we await the news of the “supposed” immanent parting of ways between Andy MacPhail and the Baltimore Orioles, it’s time to start thinking ahead about who might replace him. We know that Buck might take the position, or he might just get one of his guys in there. That’s great and all, but I might be more excited if the O’s were to bring in some fresh blood. HBO’s lineup over the years has shown us some interesting characters that would might be good for front office management.

Eddard Stark- (Game of Thrones)- Okay, maybe what the O’s need is the ability to bring honor back to the House of Angelos. Eddard (Ned) has plenty of experience in supporting a strong minded yet incapable leader. Plus, it would be way too cool to have the title as “Hand of the Owner.” In the end, the job is worse than the deepest pit in the Seven Hells, and it wouldn’t be long before he was on the chopping block (too soon?).

Prop Joe- (The Wire) A true negotiator and a man of many talents. He could fix a clock and run an entire drug organization. A man with this many skills could be useful in what many consider an antiquated front office. Where Prop Joe would show his true worth his ability to find real trade value. Think Billy Beane with true street cred. READ MORE >>>

Haloti Ngata SIGNED

We may have had some doubters this AM, but Ozzie and company got the deal done.

The quick and dirty from @RavensInsider- aka Aaron Wilson

Haloti Ngata agrees to five-year contract with Ravens, according to his agent, Mike McCartney

Haloti Ngata’s first two years are huge in terms of compensation, according to a league source. Specifics to follow.

Haloti Ngata contract was intentionally structured so he could get a second payday in the future.

Haloti Ngata will make $40 million in the first two years of the deal, according to a league source.

The compensation for Haloti Ngata makes him the highest paid player other than quarterbacks in first two years of a deal.

The Frederick Keys Win the Title

Something positive happened in the O’s organization this fall. For the 3rd time in this decade, the Frederick Keys have won the Carolina League and the Mills Cup.

The series clincher came in game 5 against the Kinston Indians. The Keys exploded for 11 runs, a postseason record, in the third inning and cruised to the victory. Manny Machado had four RBIs in the win including an emphatic three-run blast that capped off the big third inning. Machado was named the MVP for series for his efforts.

The ACC to Welcome Pitt and the ‘Cuse?

So the only thing we know for sure right now is that Syracuse and Pittsburgh have submitted their applications to the ACC. There are other sources saying that this is a done deal and announcements will come as soon as today. One thing I know for sure is that this is going to be the norm over the next couple months as the Super Conferences are able to form.

We know that both programs will bring over EXCELLENT basketball programs. So much so, that they will be competing with the Caroline teams for the ACC crown every year.

Both programs aren’t great in football, but they have storied programs that are rich in history. Jim Brown, Dan Marino. Ernie Davis, Larry Fitzgerald. These two programs may need a few years before they are competing for the league crown. There is no reason to think they can’t fit in right away.

With schools already traveling to Boston College, these two programs fit into the ACC’s geographical landscape.

These two schools are also attract strong television markets.

Assuming that this becomes a reality, what is next?

Does the ACC grab Rutgers and UCONN? Do they go west and bring in Texas and Kansas?

Do they lose VA Tech and one of the Florida schools to the SEC? It’s fun to speculate the future….

So are you happy about this move? What are the impacts for Maryland?

Predicting the NCAA Football Super Conferences

Image by TigerRag

A few weeks ago, the buzz was about Texas A&M leaving the Big 12, now it’s all about Oklahoma wanting to join the PAC 12. Like it or not, the era of Super Conferences is coming, and it is being dictated by football. I thought, I would step back for a minute and see what I thought the Super Conferences might look like in a couple years.

First of all, I am almost confident that the Big 12 is gone. Unless they want to rebuild with the likes of Rice, Houston and TCU, the bigger schools are going to have to find the best places for money and marketability.  I also am going to predict the demise of Big East Football. I think basketball will remain with the likes of Georgetown, Seton Hall, Villanova, St Johns, etc. I just can’t see Syracuse, Pitt, UConn, and Rutgers wanting to see their football programs become obscure and obsolete.

So here are my new and improved Super Conferences. Feel free to question and poke holes into my speculations. READ MORE >>>

Bowie Stays Alive in the Eastern League

Bowie could have not ended the season on more of a down note. Today, with 2nd place Flying Squirrels ble to clinch the spot with a win, the Baysox turned around their fortunes by showing off some power in the 10-2 victory. Then, all they had to do was wait. And wait they did, because the Richmond game was not only delayed by rain, but it also went to the 11th inning. Alas, Altoona was able to push a run across in the last of the 11th.

Tomorrow, Bowie will still have to win, and they will have one of their best pitchers, Tim Bascom, going for them. Let’s see hope the Baysox can get that needed win and then hope for the best.

Gonzo is Gone

The Michael Gonzalez experience is over in Baltimore. 2 years and $12 dollars later (I guess the Rangers are covering some of the cost) and all we he has to show for it is 3-5 record, a 4.18 ERA, 78 innings and …wait…. here it is…. 2 saves. yes folks, this guy was supposed to be the closer. 2 saves in 2 years. He blew more saves the first week of the 2010 season.

Anyway, I shouldn’t be surprised that all the O’s got in return was the nebulous “Player to be Named Later.”At least he is off the books. Maybe, we can now start the healing process.

The WIRE Bobbleheads

Sports Comedians, Randy and Jayson Sklar, have a suggestion for the Orioles when it comes to bobbleheads. Instead of having promotions for players that have been demoted to Norfolk (ie Brian Matusz), try making bobbleheads of different characters from the Wire. It would be difficult to find a better representation of Bubbles. The bobblehead would have the heroin shake down perfectly.

While the O’s are terrible, the Minor League Teams are Keeping it Interesting

Picture by stephmartin0378

It’s another dismal season for Baltimore. The glimpses of hope quickly disappear in the harsh reality that the O’s are still firmly entrenched in the bottom 5 teams in baseball. High draft picks are made, and people get excited. Then they get to OPACY and they don’t pan out or they never live up to the hype.
READ MORE >>>

Osi Umenyiora Trade Unlikely?

According to Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledge, the Giants have rescinded Osi Umenyiora’s ability to seek a trade.

The team’s decision to take the trade off the table is a sign they’re looking to nip this distraction in the bud, though it might only serve to further escalate Umenyiora’s anger over his claim the Giants promised to restructure his contract. If so, that might speed up the process here and bring a suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team” in play.

I have no idea what to make of this. I honestly think it is a game being played by the Giants. I believe Umenyiora will be traded by the start of the season, I just think the Giants wanted to show they had the upper hand.

Did Baltimore blow it by not offering a 1st Round Pick for the pass rusher?