By Matt Sadler, on September 14th, 2011  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 >>>
By Matt Sadler, on September 4th, 2011 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.
By Matt Sadler, on August 31st, 2011 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.
By Matt Sadler, on August 4th, 2011 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.
By Matt Sadler, on August 4th, 2011  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.
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By Matt Sadler, on August 3rd, 2011 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?
By Matt Sadler, on August 2nd, 2011 In flurry of moves today, the Orioles said “So long” to Justin Duchscherer. Duchscherer was recovering some injuries and it was hoped that he might contribute to this young rotation; however, every time it seemed like he would make progress in rehab, it would be followed by a setback.
I’m not really frustrated by this. The O’s took a gamble on a guy and lost.
So now on to another risk. The O’s picked up pitcher Jo Jo Reyes on the Waive Wire. Reyes, 26, went 5-8 with a 5.40 ERA (110.0IP, 66ER) in 20 starts for the Blue Jays this season. That should fit perfectly into what the O’s are currently sending out there.
By Matt Sadler, on July 27th, 2011 So it seems that the Donte Stallworth era in Baltimore is over. Aaron Wilson is reporting on Twitter that Stallworth has agreed to a deal with the Redskins.
Stallworth was not utilized in Cam Cameron’s offense. He was known as the “reverse guy” and not much else. Now, he gets John Beck throwing him darts. Watch out world!
Any of you think that this was a mistake by Ozzie to let him go?
By Matt Sadler, on July 25th, 2011 Football is back and Ozzie Newsome is already working it. According to Jamison Hensley, the Ravens are expected cut TE Todd Heap, WR Derrick Mason, DT Kelly Gregg, and RB Willis McGahee.
Honestly, the release of Gregg and McGahee should be no surprise. Those two guys survived an extra season thanks to an uncapped year in 2010. Heap and Mason, on the other hand, may seem a bit more surprising. Overall, the cuts saved $19 million in cap space. There is some speculation that Mason and Heap will be back with restructured deals.
So, what does Ozzie do with $19 million to play with? Do we want Mason and Heap back?
By Matt Sadler, on July 19th, 2011 This is a simple contest.
Using the comments, let me know- Who do you think is the most critical FA signing for the Ravens once there is a labor deal in place?
(*By being part of this contest, we reserve the right to add you to our mailing list). Contest ends on Friday at noon.
By Matt Sadler, on July 8th, 2011  A few weeks ago, the Bowie Baysox visited Richmond and I was able to catch up with the baysox hottest pitcher, Steve Johnson. Steve was supposed to start that Sunday, but when I arrived at the stadium, I found out that he was promoted to Norfolk. Here is the Q&A.
What was the biggest difference between last year and this year?
Last year I really struggled with my control. My mechanics were a little out whack. They had been getting that way throughout the last two years. I wasn’t comfortable, so I took the offseason look into it. Me and my dad looked at what I used to do. He hadn’t been able to see me pitch a lot so when he saw me pitch once last year, he realized that my mechanics weren’t what I used to do. So we really went down and figured out what was wrong. Shortened my arm angle a little bit, got the arm not dragging behind my back much and we worked really hard to get that to feel comfortable. I’ve been able to be more consistent with my delivery and been able to throw more strikes. I’ve always been a fly ball pitcher and have given up some home runs, but last year I was giving up walks and then home runs. It just made my outings bad. I was only able to go five because was walking four guys. Really it’s been about cutting down the walks, throwing strikes, getting ahead of guys, just really cut down my pitches and I am able to go longer in the game.
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By Matt Sadler, on May 10th, 2011  According to tweets by Aaron Wilson, it looks like the judge presiding over the Sergio Kindle Drunk Driving case was impressed with the progress has made so far. The judge rejected the 31 day recommendation by the state and instead sentenced him to the 5 days he has already served. In addition, Kindle is required to continue his treatment and also refrain from alcohol.
Now that he is free, it remains to be seen what will happen to him as far as the league and the Ravens are concerned. Earlier this week, Ozzie Newsome made comments that hinted that Kindle still has a future with the Ravens
“Well, Sergio has made a lot of progress from the time he fell down the stairs,” Newsome said tonight during a conference call with season ticket holders. “Right now, it’s still in medical hands. We are very optimistic that there may be an opportunity for him to get back on the field. When will that happen? We’re not sure. We’re very optimistic that Sergio will get back on the field at some point.”
The league will likely have something to say about Kindle if and when the lockout ends. It’s hard to imagine that Goodell will levy anything more than a 3-4 game suspension.
Do you think that Kindle has turned a corner? Will he ever be a impact player for the Ravens?
By Matt Sadler, on April 25th, 2011 It’s the 10th inning, AROD flies out to Adam Jones. Jones throws a strike to Wieters, but it still appears that Jeter beats the throw. Then Jeter is called out because Matt Wieters is a beast and blocks the plate…… My favorite play of the season.
By Matt Sadler, on April 21st, 2011
By Matt Sadler, on April 5th, 2011 Who am I to complain about a 4-0 start? Just an idiot fan, but I have to wonder, why haven’t we seen Jake Fox yet?
The dude had an awesome spring. He hit 10 dingers. He is super versatile. I hate to have him get rusty, and in the meantime, the O’s lose on their chance to capitalize on his power.
Am I crazy here?
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