Crab Cakes and Light Beer

O’s President’s “State of the Team.” Your baseball team in Baltimore’s very own, Andy MacPhail, sat down with the Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec for a little Q and A. During their chat, the man running Baseball Operations with the Orioles said the team was, “on the right track.” Clearly the track he’s talking about is the one that leads to being utterly irrelevant by mid-July.

It always has to be all about Michael! Now this is ridiculous, what’s a kid have to do to get a little attention around here? The lawyer for 2 of the 8 ‘smoking dopes’ are saying that once his clients got into the interrogation room after their arrests in associated with “Bong-gate”, officials were only interested in asking questions about Phelps. “Oh my God, I love Michael Phelps, is he as hot in real life as he was on TV in the Olympics?” “Do you think he’ll ever come back to South Carolina to come hang out and burn with us, too?”

D.A.R.E. not to be like Mike! The AHL’s The Milwaukee Admirals next Thursday night will host “Don’t be like Mike Night.” The promotion promises $2 tickets for anyone who brings to the arena box office their D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Graduation Certificate. Also, anyone with the name Michael, Phelps, Mary Jane, Cheech, Chong, or Weed get in with the proposed discount. They will also be giving, as a contest prize, a brand new Weedwhacker! I don’t even need to attempt to make a smart ass joke; just summarizing the article was funny enough.

Scanning the Blogosphere

Pro Football Talk’s Pat Tillman Award goes to Polamalu over Reed.

Football’s Future has the Ravens taking Rutgers WR Kenny Britt in their mock draft.

The National Football Post tells Ravens fans, or anyone’s for that matter, not to hold their breathe on landing Cards WR Anquan Boldin.

Deadspin: “Alomar Denies Lawsuit’s Claim That He Has AIDS (Kind Of).”

The Examiner was wondering how does one make a mock draft, Mel Kiper shared his answer.

Sports By Brooks asks, “Alomar’s New GF Motivation Behind Old GF’s Suit?”

Tracking the Terps gives their “Quick Take on the 2009 Maryland Football Schedule.”

Busted Coverage has our I Hate the Steelers link of the day with “This is why Jeff Reed is so fat.”

Awful Announcing has ESPN’s released early college football schedule.

CMS Video of the Day

Everyone has an embarrassing moment in their past. Our job on Crab Cakes and Light Beer is to find those moments and make sure everyone knows about it. WNST Partner and former Ravens Head Coach Brian Billick’s is that he was once a contestant on the old TV Game Show, “Match Game PM.” And here it is.

The Morning’s Last Call

I’ll be honest, I like the NBA All-Star Weekend for no other reason than that all those skills competitions like the Dunk Contest, H-O-R-S-E, and the 3-point Shootout, is that it provides phenomenal background viewing for pre-gaming. Think about it… relatively entertaining, don’t need to keep track of anything to know what’s going on, and there’s lots of “ooohs and ahhhhs.” The same goes for those NHL little gimmicky games too, hardest shot, fastest skater, etc…

On the other hand, the All-Star game itself doesn’t really do too much for me, but by no means is the NBA’s best players scrimmaging Sunday’s main draw.

The 2009 NASCAR Season gets kicked off tomorrow. I can’t even try to impress you with my knowledge of car racing, but I’ve picked up a few things from watching SportsCenter.

In short, this is the first race of the ‘09 season, Jimmy Johnson in the #48 car, he’s good, he’s won 3 straight points championships, Dale Jr. doesn’t drive the Budweiser mobile anymore, and there’s like an 18 year old in the field.

Side question, how can an 18 year old be racing in the Daytona 500? I thought you weren’t even allowed to have license until like 17.

Here’s a link for SI’s Tale of the Tape: NBA All Star Game vs. the Daytona 500.

Hey Bud You're A Hypocrite! My Letter to the Commissioner of Baseball

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball
Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner
245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10167

Dear Commissioner Selig:

On Thursday February 12, 2009 I read your comments concerning Alex Rodriguez, your sport’s steroid problem, and what your intentions are to somehow rectify the situation. Amongst other things, you said through a prepared statement that you are, “saddened” and that A-Rod has, “shamed the game.” The game, you sir, have presided over as acting commissioner or commissioner since 1992.

Throughout the past 16 seasons baseball’s integrity has been questioned and its reputation badly stained, perhaps more than ever. What we have learned in the past several years of constant investigation is that during this time, drug use, specifically the use of steroids and human growth hormones, have been prevalent in all major league clubhouses in the era that we have come to know as the Steroid Era.

All the while, despite all that and a players’ strike that canceled the ‘94 World Series… your sport since ‘92 has consistently continued to register record gate attendance numbers, and with teams’ television contracts and apparel licensing, baseball is thriving financially even during this economy’s very real recession. It was even widely reported last week that your salary in 2007 was increased to near $17.5 million. Congratulations, that’s awesome.

In the above about baseball since the year 1992 I can identify 3 constants: performance enhancing drugs, money, and you, Bud.

Mr. Selig, the definition for a hypocrite reads, “one who acts in a manner contradictory to one’s expressed professed beliefs in order to conceal one’s real feelings or motive.”

Mr. Selig you are the best example of a hypocrite I can possibly think of.

The entire “Steroid Era” was able to exist because the pockets of you and your owner friends’ pockets were getting fat with the revenue of 500 ft. epic home runs sailing out of sold out stadiums hit by guys using. It all went on right under your nose.

You clearly sit right on the fence, going to whichever side is more convenient and beneficial for your bottom line. In the 90’s when “chicks dug the long-ball” and when McGwire and Sosa “brought baseball back” you were all smiles… especially when you sat with the Maris family in the old Busch Stadium the night Big Mac hit 62, as fire works went off in the cool St. Louis September air, everyone smiled for the TV cameras. Nowadays, since there is public out-roar about cleaning up baseball, you’re the first one on the soap box assigning “shame” and telling us how “saddened” you are.

If you had done a better job in negotiations with the Player Union during the labor grievances in 1994, we could have potentially averted this entire situation. If truth, integrity, and honesty had ever caused great foresight on your side, perhaps baseball could have had third party Olympic-style testing from that point on. You could have been leaders amongst your peers in the movement against cheating in sports. That would have been nipping the problem in the ‘bud.’ When it was still a small “taboo” it should have been addressed and outlawed, play and simple. Needless to say, even you would have saved yourself a lot of grief from an embarrassing appearance on Capitol Hill.

You would have proven to be baseball’s savior, before it knew it needed one. Instead, baseball is in steroid shambles just days before training camps all over Arizona and Florida get going. That’s a real shame.

One more thought for you Mr. Selig. Let me ask you, why feel compelled to single out Alex Rodriguez individually as baseball’s “shame” when somewhere there are 103 other positive steroid tests from 2003 still out there. What about those other guys? Do you feel A-Rod should have to where the scarlet letter, S, next to his interlocked NY all season for those guys too?

I’m no where near a holier than thou kind’ve guy. I think it’s equally as hypocritical for breast-beating fans to be outraged by players who take PED’s to enhance the entertainment value of the purchased ticket. In my opinion the fan has the final say and it comes from his or her wallet. He or she can spend whatever they want on whatever they want, as long as checks don’t bounce. And I agree, players who cheat set an awful example for kids and they should be reprimanded the 50 games if they fail a test. That said, if someone came to me saying this pill will make you a better sports talk show host and blog writer and that everyone’s doing it because its not against the rules… I would take the pill.

But that’s part of the point, the fact that in 2003 metabolic steroids weren’t illegal in your sport is mind-boggling!

Mr. Selig, Alex Rodriguez, Miguel Tejada, Rafael Palmeiro, and every other player who used steroids are in the wrong, they have let the fans down tremendously, no doubt.

But, you sir, are as responsible for the Steroid Era as much as anyone else, and because of it, you are just as much of a shame as anyone.

Sincerely,

“Cut the B.S.”

Crab Cakes and Light Beer

The Swinging Bunt

Viva Beer Pong! So let me get this straight, they announced this week there will be no more BYOB at The Preakness and now we find out officials tried to outlaw drinking games like beer pong and flip cup inside local watering holes? Thank the good Lord that Sen. George W. Della Jr.’s potential legislation was stopped by that “growing online lobbying effort.” OK, what we can infer from that is… that Sen. G.W. Della is a crotchety old guy and every fun loving young adult in the Baltimore area made his life a pain in the ass every time he tried to check in e-mail. Down with government! Whose on the table next?

The sincerity of a $1M Apology? Michael Phelps’ “regrettable behavior” has apparently annoyed people all over the world. In a public statement made yesterday the Olympic Golden Boy apologized to the segment of his followers whom reside in China. You have to wonder, was he saying sorry to the whole billion-plus population or only those who buy Mazdas?

Duke Fans Have Cooties! Without a doubt, Duke University is one of the Top 10 academic institutions in the entire United States of America, and a true model for all other institutions of higher learning to sculpt themselves after. Now I know the old adage is “Knowledge equals Power,” now I also know that after a meningitis outbreak in Krzyzewski-ville, “Knowledge does not equal a force field against icky gross bacterial diseases.”

Scanning the Blogosphere

Deadspin reports that Robbie Alomar’s accuser is a professional arm wrestler.

The Smoking Gun has obtained the full complaint against Alomar.

With Leather says Robbie has “Not just HIV, but full blown AIDS”.

SI.com’s “Tale of the Tape” looks at Michael Phelps v. Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Pro Football Talk has a lot of Ravens stuff, they say “T.O. is Campaigning for Lewis,” “Suggs is hopeful,” “Ed and Troy are in close race,” and “Jets could be looking at Ray Lewis’ Teammates.”

NFL.com has posted an interesting 7 minute video of an interview with T-Sizzle talking about the future in Baltimore.

Bro Bible posts their Top 10 Sports Cry Babies… No Ravens of course, but at #9 is, you guessed it, the teary-eyed Hines Ward. What a little girl.

Baseball Prospectus… translation The Nerds of Baseball, project the O’s at 2009 season at 74-88.

Orioles Hangout takes a look at what we can expect from Nick Markakis in ‘09.

Camden Chat is perplexed the O’s didn’t make a move for new Nationals OF Adam Dunn.

MLB Trade Rumors informs us that the career of the whiskey drinking/fun lovin’ Kevin Millar is over in Baltimore.

Tracking the Terps reports top Men’s Hoops recruit Jordan Williams shattered a backboard during his last game in the scholastic ranks in Connecticut.

Fanhouse tells us Caps owner Ted Leonsis committed a “Random Act of Kindness.”

Inside Lacrosse has revealed their Preseason High School Lacrosse Power Rankings.

CMS Video of the Day

It seems like such a long time ago doesn’t it? This commercial hit televisions before the 1994 season… Remember back then when the O’s had winning seasons and good community relations. Not strangely Baltimore was behind them selling out OPACY on a nightly basis in those days. I wonder if Palmeiro and/or Anderson had been juicing already?

The Morning’s Last Call

The Sporting News regularly does a very nice job in their ’short but meaningful’ analysis on most of the topics they cover. In the last edition of their magazine, the Week of February 15, they have their Off season Grade Report.

TSN gives the O’s a very middle of the road B- and adds, “Now hear this: ‘Uehara might have been dynamite on Japan and then come over here and not fare very well,’ says Mike Boddicker, the Orioles’ 1983 ALCS MVP. ‘The Royals signed a pitcher from Japan (Yasuhiko Yabuta) last season, and he struggled and ended up in triple-A. You don’t know - it’s a whole different thing, pitching in Japan and over here.’”

On their website they address each team’s most pressing Spring Training questions. TSN writer Gerry Fraley asks and answers…

“Is super-prospect Matt Wieters ready to take over at catcher”

“In a perfect world, the Orioles would have Wieters, 22, start the season with a dominating showing at Triple-A before starting his service-time clock with a jump to the majors. He could change that with a strong spring showing. The Orioles cleared the way by trading Ramon Hernandez, last season’s starter, in the off-season.”

Crab Cakes and Light Beer

The Feds gave Tejada new 'new' news yesterday.

The Swinging Bunt

• No Habla Inglés? I feel just awful for former O’s shortstop Miguel Tejada. All thanks to those snooping know-it-all’s in the United States Government, Miggy found out a few years back he’s actually a few years older than he thought… and now they’re saying he’s a drug user too! Jeez, it’s gotta be depressing when the Feds know more about you than you, yourself.
• It Wasn’t Me! 8 suspects have now been arrested in connections with Michael Phelps ‘Bong Gate.’ Not surprisingly, they’re denying the allegations. One member of the group accuses Phelps of actually toking with fellow Olympic Buddies Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton, Rulon Gardner, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Kerri Strug. He also notes, rounding out the smoke sess was Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who brought the wacco tobacco and hip hop artist Lil’ Wayne, who mysteriously takes a hit of every bowl smoked by anyone he has ever met. I think the SNL after party that went on after Phelps and Young Weezy co-starred was, needless to say, hazy.
• If You Could Switch Lives with Anyone for a Day? While your answer to this question might change on a regular basis, I might be set on an answer for a little bit… Leonardo DiCaprio. How about going home after a long day on set to HER! In case you missed it, Leo’s gal-pal, Bar Refaeli, has been selected to be SI’s 2009 Swimsuit Edition Cover Girl. C’mon, seriously?
• Going, Going, Gone! The “water pipe” Phelps used was briefly posted on E-Bay starting with an auction price of $100,000 before being taking down within hours of appearing on the site. Most offers came from girls age 12-16 trying to get their hands on anything related to Michael Phelps, but the highest offer apparently came from the kid in the Dell commercials years back. Duuuuuude you’re NOT getting a Dell, or Phelps’ bong.
• Jay Greene of UMBC Strikes for 36 in W over New Hampshire. University of Maryland Coach Gary Williams is hot on the recruiting trail for Greene. Williams has come under fire recently for not scouting Baltimore County well enough and figures the 5′8 160lb Greene can have an immediate impact next season for the Terps. When told he will be out of playing eligibility after four years with the Retrievers and Coach Williams said, “That’s something for the my Athletics Department and NCAA Clearing House to worry about.”

Scanning the Blogosphere

The Sporting Blog says Tejada’s future will be in the next All-Drug Olympics.

The Sports Culture has a funny video about ‘Bong Gate’ and other various Sports Pop-Culture topics.

Casey Willett, WNST Insider, fields the Orioles All-Mitchell Report Team.

Big League Stew says Tejada needs a “government bailout.”

SI’s Andrew Perloff examines the perception of steroids in the NFL vs. MLB.

With Leather accurately points out, Danica Patrick is on a car, in a bikini.

Kissing Suzy Kolber wonders has Big Ben had too many Choco Taco’s and are Bengals fans getting too drunk?

Sports by Brooks, says Ravens nemesis Ben Rothlesberger might be lying to the Steelers about his broken ribs.

B-More’s Birds’ Nest is thankful at least someone in Baltimore is relevent to baseball.

The Ebony Bird has given out their final Ravens Season Awards.

CMS Video of the Day

Perhaps the ultimate homage to Cal.

Last Call

Last Tuesday on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman, the pride of Muncie, Indiana, took a few shots at the Baltimore Bullet in his evening Top 10… Drum role please… from the Home Office in Wahoo, Nebraska…

10. Anxious to rid myself of those bothersome multi-billion dollar endoresements.

9. Too much chlorine.

8. Uh… I thought it was chap-stick.

7. Asked myself, “What would Chong do?”

6. Uh… glaucoma?

5. It’s my last chance to goof off before I have to settle down and get a real swimming job.

4. Uh, I got bitten by a groundhog?

3. Chillax, Broseph.

2. Was doing research for the upcoming film “Michael and Kumar Go to the Olympics.”

1. Huh?

You’ve all been a great crowd. Check back in tomorrow. This is Crab Cakes and Light Beer.

MAAC Heavyweights prove to be too much for Greyhounds

Siena moved to an impressive 13-1 in conference play after they handled Loyola with relative ease last night, 73-60, in the Tiems Union Center in Albany, New York. The Saints’ frontcourt size proved to be too much as they were led by Alex Franklin and Ryan Rossiter, Siena’s starting power forward and starting center, as they each registered double-double’s. The Greyhounds (11-15, 6-8) have now dropped 3 straight, but with Iona’s loss at Manhattan, remain in a 6th place tie in the MAAC.

Trailing 35-28 at half, Loyola got hoops from Marquis Sullivan and Jamal Barney to cut Siena’s lead to just 3, but they would get no closer. Then the Saints ran off 17 of the game’s next 19 points jumping out to an 18 point lead and sealing the deal on their season sweep of the ‘Hounds.

This rivalry has produced some memorable games in recent years, especially when these two get together in upstate New York. Greg Manning, now in his first season on Coach Patsos’ bench as an assistant coach, was called on off of the Loyola bench to be a hero in last season’s regular season match up in Albany. His 3 as time expired sent the game to OT where the Greyhounds would pickup a tough road W. Then who can forget these two also hooking up in a memorable MAAC Semifinal in last year’s tournament where the Greyhounds blew a 17 point second half lead and let the game slip away in the last minute? That Saint team won that game and would go on to beat Rider for the MAAC Title and then upset Vanderbilt in the NCAA’s first round.

Four players in Coach Fran McCaffery are hold overs from that squad and are they come back as heavy favorites to make a return trip to the big dance. Kenny Hasbrouk, Edwin Ubiles, and Alex Franklin are all shoe-in first team All-MAAC picks and Ronald Moore is their team leader pass first point guard. Siena played until the final whistle blew in last night’s game as all five starters played over 30 minutes with Franklin, Rossiter, Ewbiles, and Moore on the floor for 35+. That tells me this team’s only weakness could be a lack of depth.

If Loyola wants to avoid the firt night of the MAAC Tournament where the 7 seed plays the 10 and the 8 plays the 9, it would behoove them to win their next two. They have home games against Iona and Canisius before ending the year with Rider at home and a return trip to Iona.

Loyola ends up short and falls to Manhattan

The Loyola College men’s hoops team went on a 16-4 run late in Saturday evening’s MAAC match up with Manhattan, but the Jaspers were able to hang on late and pick up a huge road win 72-65 in Baltimore. The loss is the Greyhounds’ second consecutive and drops them under .500 in league play at 6-7 and to 11-14 overall.

It seemed as though Loyola had completely bottomed out with 5:47 left to play in front of their home fans, but they were able to turn it on with smothering defensive intensity and with a Marquis Sullivan 3-ball the Greyhounds found themselves down just 1 with 1:28 left to play. During the run Coach Jimmy Patsos used a lineup featuring a 6′4 Brad Farrell as its tallest player.

Give him his credit when it’s due… Coach P. pushed the right button sacrificing size and muscle for shooting range and quickness in employing an effective full court press. On the floor for Loyola during the run was Rudolph, Harvey, Barney, Sullivan, and Farrell.

However how many times have we seen a team come all the way back late, but can’t for whatever reason, be it fatigue, time, or whatever, get the game tied or go ahead.

Farrell knocked down a pair of FT’s with 23 seconds left to pull Loyola within 2 at 67-65 but that would be the closest the ‘Hounds would get under a minute. As Farrell’s second free throw was in the process of tickling twine Manhattan guard Chris Smith broke the length of the floor beating the Loyola defense and was hit in stride with a long touchdown pass. Smith went up strong, Brian Rudolph would catch-up, but Smith (younger brother of J.R.) dunked with one hand and ended any chance of a comeback.

Coming of a 28% shooting performance at Fairfield Sunday, the Greyhounds’ offense once again struggled to get on track. Most glarring tonight was the 13 free throws they missed. Going 18-31 from the line is never acceptable; leaving that many points on the table is deadly and especially frustraing considering Loyola leads the MAAC and ranks in the top 20 nationally in FT%.

Sullivan, the senior guard, drained 5 triples and led four teammates in double figures with 15. Farrell and the MAAC’s leading scorer Jamal Barney had 12 while Brett Harvey chipped in 11 off the bench.

Both Loyola and Manhattan were tied coming into the contest with a MAAC record of 6-6. The loss knocks them down to a sixth place tie with Iona.

Loyola will now go on the road Monday night and take on conference heavyweight Siena. The Saints were handed their first MAAC loss Saturday at Rider after running off 12 straight to start the season. The ‘Hounds can play with them, for whatever reason they match up relatively well. Last season Loyola beat them 2 out of 3 while earlier this year a more talented and verteran Saint team had to scratch for a close road win at Reitz. Tip time will be 7pm.

An Alternative look at Ray to the Jets

Ray Lewis to the Jets? On the surface it seems to make the sufficient amount of sense to think could it actually happen. Undoubtedly, we all know Rex Ryan, the new coach, is his boy. One would think, the bright spotlight in New York City might appeal very much to Ray. And most of all, the reason it would seem to make sense two weeks before he even becomes a free agent is because… he said it could.

If we go by what Ray said, figure the Ravens, the Cowboys, and the Jets are his preferred teams. But, let me tell you, scratch the surface just a little bit and you’ll discover there is no way #52 will be donning Jets’ Green next season.

This Ray Lewis to the Jets thing, is a non-story. Simply put the Jets do not have the cash to spend on bringing Ray Lewis to The Meadowlands, or The Meadowlands II, or whatever company spends money to have naming rights to the new Jets/Giants mega-stadium in 2010.

Jets owner Robert Woods Johnson, the guy whose family sells lots of band-aids and baby powder, loves a big splash free agent signing more than anyone. That said last off-season the Jets and General Manager Mike Tannenbaum ran up a $142 million, $74 million guaranteed tab on new contracts for FA’s Alan Faneca, Calvin Pace, and Damien Woody, and Kris Jenkins, whom they acquired via trade with Carolina. So clearly money is a little tied up. Oh yeah, then they traded for and signed BRETT FAVRE. Boom there’s another $12M for last year, and $13M for this season if he comes back.

Hmmm, that raises an interesting question; the answer would surely effect Ray’s decision. Will Brett Favre come back? Either way keeps Lewis away from coming to New York. If Favre chooses to come back for another ‘last go around’ the cap hit would leave no room for Ray. If he retires to hunting and tractor riding in Mississippi or gets released or traded, why would Ray want to come to a team with a Kellen Clemens/Brett Ratliff quarterback ‘battle.’ I’m not sure he’s going down that road again; I think he knows it all too well.

I share in a common belief that Ray is going where the most money is. I realize I’m not breaking news, I can clearly remember him telling Nestor and Drew on Radio Row that when all is said and done the decision will be made in 5 minutes. Translation to me, Ray’s waiting to see who going to show him the money.

I make no promises that Ray is staying or going.

But if indeed Ray has played his last down in purple, I’m telling you, his next will not be in the ‘Swamps of Jersey’ with the Jets.