Thursday Morning's Crab Cakes and Light Beer

The Swinging Bunt

Roberts to sign until 2013. The Sun’s O’s beat writer, Jeff Zrebiec, tells us that second basemen Brian Roberts will sign a new 4-year extension to stay here in Baltimore. Dictionary.com offers this for the definition of a “Masochist”: One who gains gratification from pain, deprivation, degradation, and humiliation. Yup I’d have to say that fits the 31 year old, 2-time All-Star. But it’s tough to feel too bad for Brian… he is married to one of Drew’s favorite sports trophies, Diana Chiafair.

MLB Power Rankings: Pre-season Edition. Fanhouse lends their opinion on where they think the Orioles stack up against the rest of Major League Baseball. On the list, the hometown team ranks #25 of 30, juuuust behind powerhouses such as the Reds, Marlins, Rockies, Royals, and even the Nats. Wow, pretty high expectations. Still ahead of the Pirates — Pittsburgh sucks, wahoo!

Chandler to OKC voided due to pending toe injury? Shortly after wrapping up the CMS yesterday, news broke that Tyson Chandler had been traded to Oklahoma City for a couple former Terps, Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith, and some guys no one cares about. Now, the trade is off because after taking his physical with the Thunder team doctor, Dr. Carlan Yates, it was determined Chandler’s left big toe was too great a risk to be re-injured; Chandler did have surgery on said toe in April ‘07. Very interestingly, the crazy thing to Chandler and everyone else is that for 1. The toe is perfectly healthy right now and 2. Dr. Yates obviously doesn’t have confidence in his own work! It was none other than he who operated on Chandler while the Hornets sought refuse in Oklahoma City in post-Katrina New Orleans. Pretty awkward and funny stuff.

Scanning the Blogosphere

SI NFL writer, Ross Tucker, says, “Like it or not the Ravens should let Ray walk rather than overpay.”

Pro Football Talk: “Ravens want to stake a long-term claim to ‘Sizzle’,” “Could McAlister link up with the Jets?” Also that T.J. Houshmandzadeh will draw interest from the Ravens and speculates who might get ‘tagged’ next.

SI’s Bucky Brooks sizes up the Top 10 Linebacker Prospects in the coming NFL Draft… might be of interest just in case #52 isn’t back in Black and Purple.

Connolly’s Corner Sports Bar asks, “Where does Brian Roberts rank among major league second basemen?”

B-More Birds’ Nest gives their thoughts on Suggs, and Roberts staying in Baltimore.

Bugs & Cranks tells O’s DH/LF Luke Scott, “We heard you the first time, Luke.”

The Schmuck Stops Here: “Ray’s Rebound,” “Sherrill Sore,” “Montanez is ready to compete,” and some “Quick Hits.”

Roar from 34: A Baltimore Orioles Blog gives, “100 Words or less about… the O’s off-season.”

SI’s Jon Heyman said that in the O’s off-season moves makes them a ‘Non-winner in a tough economy.’

Tracking the Terps break downs down are they really “Still in the Running?”

TSN College Basketball analyst Mike DeCourcey says the Terps next opponent has too many guys who need the ball.

Face Off gives some local lacrosse news in “Hodge podge from Baltimore coaches.”

Awful Announcing has the MLB Network’s talent and schedule for the WBC.

Medium Well has the newest Sports Center anchor duo for their new L.A. show.

Fanhouse reports that Steelers WR and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes got fined $10K for his Super Bowl touchdown celebration.

Fan IQ tells fans what to expect and “Who’s going Where?” on today’s NBA Trade Deadline.

CMS Video of the Morning

Last night WNST staffers and listeners alike took a Puck-Bus down to D.C. to see the Caps and a certain ‘Great 8′ tear up Les Habitants. Here’s OV’s amazing goal from the Capitals shootout victory. He’s pretty good at putting the puck in the net.

The Morning’s Final Thought

The men’s basketball teams at Loyola and Towson each were dealt with severe blows on their home courts this week and it just may signify a change in seasons for both.

Monday night at Reitz Arena the Greyhounds couldn’t hold on to an 11 point lead with 7 minutes to play, and lost to Canisius, the last place team in thier conference, by a score of 69-67. Loyola and coach Jimmy Patsos are now 6-10 in MAAC play and are owners of a 5 game losing skid.

Last night in the Towson Center, a weak William and Mary team was able to dominate the Tigers in a 22 win for the Tribe, 76-54. Towson and Coach Pat Kennedy are just 4-12 in the CAA and have lost 5 of their last 6.

Even thought the weather will be a little chilly this Saturday, the Loyola-Towson lacrosse game is an event both athletic programs and fan bases are definitely looking forward to. Barring a miraculous conference tournament runs in the MAAC or CAA, which seem highly highly highly unlikely, it will very soon officially be lacrosse season for the Greyhounds and the Tigers.

Loyola, #16 in the national polls, will host Towson, who hold a 27-23 series lead, on Diane Geppi-Aikens Field at 1pm this Saturday afternoon.

Lacrosse won’t be the only sport Towson will have a local rivalry game in. If you still need to fill your hoops fix you can check out the Tigers as they will host Coach Todd Bozeman’s Morgan State Bears in a Bracket buster matchup at 4pm in the Towson Center.