About five years ago, I was enrolled in a weight loss program that Ray helped form. Easterling was in charge of assisting us with the exercise component, and he was an incredible motivator. He was tough. It was awesome learning from a former NFL player and he did a great job in helping me get in gear. Yet despite the mental toughness that he tried to instill in us, he also was kind, generous and understanding.  As I try to think back on my last experience with Ray, all I can remember was him kicking my ass in a spinning class. After class, he told me I did a great job and that he thought I would continue to do well taking the classes.

I hadn’t heard much about Ray since then. I knew he was no longer part of the weight loss center, and a few weeks ago, a good friend of mine told me that he was spending some time with Ray. He caught me up on all of the medical issues that Ray had been experiencing, and he also informed me about the lawsuit that Easterling helped spearhead against the NFL. While my friend seemed to exude hope in Ray’s condition, two weeks later, the symptoms had intensified to the point that Ray could no longer deal with them.

As his friends and family celebrate his life and mourn his passing, my thoughts are with them. My thoughts are also all the other football players and athletes that currently suffer from similar issues. I confess that my knowledge on the subject matter is very limited; however I realize that I can let this awful experience change my perspective on sports.

Firstly, I am never going to vocally encourage a team to rush a player back from a concussion.  I’m thinking in particular about Brian Roberts. We, as fans, are completely frustrated that we haven’t seen him play for a year. He’s making great money to not be helping the O’s. We hear reports of him making it to the batting cage, but not much more. It seems like the progress reports aren’t showing any progress. And guess what? I am okay with that. I will no longer question any medical decision that is made out of precaution when it comes to a concussion. I would rather not see Roberts play another game then to know that he is could potentially deal with this type of issues.

Secondly, I am going to no longer cheer for hard and reckless hits in the NFL. I want to see the NFL to continue to enforce penalties on players and coaches that play recklessly.  I am ashamed to say that I often would be the first to get excited when I would see Ray Lewis layout Hines Ward or anyone else. Now, I don’t want to see that again. Life is too precious to see people suffer because of aggression on the playing field. It’s a great game, but it’s not great when lives are affected.

This is no consolation to the loss that friends and family of Ray Easterling are feeling today and will continue to feel in the future.  I’m glad I had the chance to know him for few moments that I did. I hope this tragedy isn’t in vain. There are always risks associated with sports, but I hope less life threatening injuries as a result of them. I hope that we as fans can appreciate  games that don’t put players at such high risk.

These questions were from last week, since then LJ, Dylan Bundy and Manny Machado have been reassigned to minor league camp.

M- What happened since we last talked?
LJ- My birthday was on Monday, so that was the most fun thing I had all week.

M- How did you celebrate?
LJ- We had to 2 games that day, so I didn’t do actually do anything but play baseball

M- Besides your birthday, what was your highlight
LJ- Getting an at-bat in our first game. Getting a chance to play on my birthday. I got into both games that day

M- Were there any pre-game jitters?
LJ- During the first game, there was a little bit a jitters. Excited to get out there. First time being on the field in 6 months. It was just great to get out there and of course I was a little nervous because I hadn’t been out there in a while. I just wanted to get out there and play well.

M- What Orioles pitchers have you faced in inter-asquad games?
LJ- I faced Simon, Troy Patton and a few other guys. [Simon] is a big guy and he is very intimidating on the mound and then throwing a mid-90’s fastball. He is definitely intimidating

M- Have you been able to scout Dylan Bundy at all?
LJ- I have seen him throw. He is good, really good. He is very polished for his age. He has a good idea on how to pitch. He’s very good.

M- I head Manny Machado was in camp. How does he look out there?
LJ- He’s good. He’s still up here right now. He was moved to big league camp. He’s very mature for his age. He goes about his business and he works hard.

M- When did you know you were going to be assigned to the big league camp?
LJ- I guess a week before big league camp started. Maybe the 6th or 7th (of February). I was definitely shocked. We had a minicamp they were inviting me to, and then to find out so close to spring training that I was going to big league camp was exciting and very shocking.

M- What were you doing this offseason?
LJ- Working out. Jest been lifting, throwing, running and hitting. Trying to get faster. Improve my speed.

M- Any noticeable improvements?

LJ- My overall game was better. You put the work in, you are bound to get better. I feel like my speed has improved. I’m stronger than I was last year and just learning the game and the maturity of the player.

M- How’s the weather in Sarasota?
LJ- The weather is great. 83-84 degrees. I’m actually sitting outside on my hotel balcony, enjoying the good weather and watching the cars go by. It’s definitely good to be outside, not like the weather up in Maryland. I talked to my family members the other day, and they said it is freezing cold up there. It’s good to be down here.

M- Describe your relationship with Xavier Avery?
LJ- We have a great relationship. He’s one of my closest friends in the organization. We have our ups and downs. Sometimes, we get along well and sometimes we fight like brothers. It’s definitely great to have someone around who has been through the bumps and bruises with you and someone you can bounce ideas off of, and ask different questions to, and vice-versa. It’s good to have someone there along the way and help you. I’m glad he is there.

M- Who on the Orioles were you most looking forward to working out with this spring?
LJ- First, it had to be Adam Jones. He’s been my favorite player since he came to the Orioles. Someone I really looked up to, someone I watched play a lot. Looked at how he approaches the game and how hard he plays.

Another guy being Nick Markakis. Some say that he is the face of the franchise, so its good to be around him and see how he does in his daily routine. He’s such a great hitter- that’s the main thing I can pick up off of what he does and apply it to my game.

M- Spring Training started for you on Friday. How’s it been?
LJ- It’s been great. Going out there and getting to work hard and being around the big league clubhouse and seeing the new facilities and just working out with the big league coaches. You know you are going to get better because you are working so hard, for such a long period of time, and you are learning so many good things that I didn’t know before. I am starting to know them and practice them so I am definitely getting better.

M- What positions are you working out at this season?
LJ- I’m still working at second base, working at third base. Working in right field, working in left field. Wherever I can play, being more versatile gives me more options to move up the ladder. I might not break in as a left fielder or a second baseman, but maybe as a utility guy in a year or two. So definitely being able to play multiple positions will help me throughout my career.

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

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