Honorable Mention: Tennis-Davis Cup: Team USA vs. Columbia (Friday 11am Saturday 12pm Sunday 11am from Bogota, Columbia live on Tennis Channel); NHL-Philadelphia Flyers rookies @ Washington Capitals rookies (Thursday 3pm Kettler Capitals IcePlex)

10. HFStival feat. Third Eye Blind, Billy Idol, Everclear, Ed Kowalczyk from Live and more (Saturday 12pm Merriweather Post Pavilion); Crosby, Stills & Nash (Wednesday 7:30pm Pier Six Pavilion), Several Species (Saturday 7pm Pier Six Pavilion), Widespread Panic (Sunday 6:30pm Pier Six Pavilion); Rush (Saturday 7:30pm Jiffy Lube Live); Mr. Greengenes (Friday 8pm Power Plant Live); Chiddy Bang (Thursday 7:30pm University of Maryland Grand Ballroom); Good Charlotte (Tuesday 7:30pm Bourbon Street), Trainwreck featuring Kyle Gass from Tenacious D (Monday 8pm Bourbon Street)

What’s happening at Merriweather Saturday is by NO MEANS the “HFStival”, but it actually does look like something I would attend…for free. Especially after I think back on the memories of the HFStival at M&T Bank Stadium and Billy Idol kicking ASS in the rain. Does anyone have video of “Mony Mony” from that show? His Storytellers performance will have to do for now…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06wtwJFl0Xc[/youtube]

Oh right, Everclear will be there too. I enjoy Everclear…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQiBop5ns8k[/youtube]

You probably haven’t heard of Chiddy Bang, but I feel like you should have…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McRgkE_vgjU[/youtube]

And hate on them all you want, but I DIG Good Charlotte. Not just because of Benji Madden’s Orioles tattoos-but also because “Festival Song” is a life anthem for me…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4t54bPUvmg[/youtube]

9. Halo: Reach available on XBox 360 (Tuesday), Linkin Park “A Thousand Suns” available in stores/on iTunes (Tuesday)

I would tell you something about Halo: Reach here, but I know absolutely NOTHING about Halo: Reach, Halo: Crest, Halo: Fallen, or anything else like that.

Instead, I figured I’d post a picture of a sexy video game nerd girl and just move on from there. When I Google Image Searched “sexy nerd”, Sarah Shahi came up for some reason…

I don’t know why she’s listed as a sexy nerd, but if this is ANY type of nerd…I’ll start playing EVERY VIDEO GAME IN THE WORLD tomorrow.

8. High School Football: Perry Hall @ Tuscarora (Thursday 7pm), Annapolis @ Glen Burnie (Thursday 6:30pm)

As I am officially “old” at 27 (yeah, it makes me OLD. Just the way it is. I’ve accepted it.), I no longer know what’s “cool” amongst high school kids. I thought it might be POGS, but apparently that was what was cool with MIDDLE school kids…when I was in middle school.

I thought maybe it was prune juice, but apparently that’s what’s popular with folks whose GRANDKIDS are in high school.

I finally decided to consult the internet. The internet knows everything. You know what they said was big amongst high school kids this year? You might remember it being popular during your own high school years…

Smoking.

Ridiculous. Smoking is gross. You could get lung cancer. You could die. Or WORSE-you could end up looking like Amy Winehouse!!!

7. Soccer: NASL-Carolina RailHawks @ Crystal Palace Baltimore (Saturday 5pm Paul Angelo Russo Stadium Calvert Hall), MLS-DC United @ LA Galaxy (Saturday 10pm from Los Angeles live on Fox Soccer Channel); College Soccer-Maryland @ Loyola (Tuesday 7pm Ridley Athletic Complex), Loyola @ Towson (Sunday 1pm Towson Center Field), La Salle @ UMBC (Wednesday 7pm UMBC Stadium)

I love Greyhounds coach Mark Mettrick. I would love him more if his name was “Terrapins coach Mark Mettrick.” Unfortunately the guy who has that job is pretty freaking good.

Anyway, DC United plays LA Galaxy this week. Sadly, I could not find the clip of Joe Lo Truglio screaming for the Galaxy from “I Love You Man.” Instead, you’ll have to settle for the clip of Joe Lo Truglio working as a weightlifting spotter…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZVL_uk-U2w[/youtube]

6. Boxing: Shane Mosley vs. Sergio Mora (Saturday 9pm from Los Angeles live on HBO PPV)

With no offense to Shane Mosley…or boxing in general…I’m just not that interested in this. Or just about anything else the sport could offer anymore.

But the real question is how could Shane Mosley stand a CHANCE against a real boxer when he BARELY beat Shaquille O’Neal???

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orMCfRxJ33E[/youtube]

5. Auto Racing: NASCAR Sylvania 300 (Sunday 1pm from Loudon, NH live on ESPN), IndyCar Series Indy Japan 300 (Saturday 11pm from Motegi, Tochigi live on VERSUS)

Japan was the only place Danica Patrick has managed to pick up an IndyCar victory in her career. Oh hey look-here’s a picture of Danica Patrick in a bikini from the SI photo shoot she did who knows how long ago…

4. Mixed Martial Arts: UFC Fight Night-Nate Marquardt vs. Rousimar Palhares (Wednesday 8pm from Austin, TX live on SpikeTV)

I don’t know how many times I can explain that events like this are why MMA continues to grow at historic levels. These are QUALITY fighters on a free, over-the-air, well-promoted card.

However, what the hell else are they showing on SpikeTV these days? What is 1000 Ways to Die? I don’t understand it AT ALL…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5YlNvsZhjU[/youtube]

3. Pro Wrestling: WWE Night of Champions (Sunday 8pm from Chicago live on Pay-Per-View)

There are rumors floating around that there is a contract dispute between Chris Jericho and WWE, and this could be Y2J’s final appearance. I cannot stress…AT ALL…what an incredible mistake that would be on the part of Vince McMahon and company.

Why? This is why.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd2zhPN5-Es[/youtube]

2. College Football: Maryland @ West Virginia (Saturday 12pm from Morgantown, WV live on ESPNU), Navy @ Louisiana Tech (Saturday 7pm from Ruston, Louisiana live on ESPN3.com), Towson @ Villanova (Saturday 3:30pm from Philadelphia live on Comcast SportsNet)

Dear Lord. Please…oh PLEASE do not allow a grown man who dresses up like Davy Crockett to be happy on Saturday…

People make fun of the fact that we havea turtle as a mascot in College Park. The Mountaineers have Davy FREAKING Crockett.

1. NFL: Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday 1pm from Cincinnati live on CBS-WJZ 13 locally)

Look, I DON’T like Chad Ochocinco. Trust me on that. I hope Ray Lewis pops him in the mouth twice as hard as he did at M&T Bank Stadium last year. But when the guy’s funny, the guy’s funny…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHXZ62wwmRE[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

Honorable Mention: Soccer-NASL: Vancouver Whitecaps @ Crystal Palace Baltimore (Saturday 5pm Paul Angelo Russo Stadium-Calvert Hall), MLS: DC United @ Toronto FC (Saturday 4pm from Toronto live on Comcast SportsNet and MLS Direct Kick); Mixed Martial Arts: Shine Fights (Friday 9pm from Oklahoma live on Pay-Per-View)

10. Lady Gaga (Tuesday 8pm Verizon Center); Buckcherry/Flyleaf/Charm City Devils/Sick Puppies (Thursday 6pm Power Plant Live), Blues Traveler (Friday 8pm Power Plant Live); Kottonmouth Kings (Saturday 7pm Rams Head Live), Toadies (Sunday 7pm Rams Head Live), Seether (Monday 7pm Rams Head Live); Pat McGee (Saturday 8:30pm Rams Head On Stage), Ozomatli (Monday 8pm Rams Head On Stage); Big Boi (Wednesday 7pm 9:30 Club); Blondie (Wednesday 8:30pm State Theatre); Deadliest Catch Live (Wednesday 8pm Lyric Opera House); York Fair (Friday-Monday York Fairgrounds); Maryland Seafood Festival (Friday-Sunday Sandy Point State Park); In The Street Festival (Saturday 11am Market Street & Carroll Creek Linear Park Frederick)

I’m leaving Lady Gaga alone. I’m probably the only one in the world who will do that. Trust me, I find her just as fascinating as the rest of you-but there’s NO chance I’d pay money to go see her live.

You see what you made me do? I spent 42 words on Lady Gaga. Ugh.

Moving on, I’m a much bigger fan of Flyleaf than you’d ever realize…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN0FFK8JSYE[/youtube]

I WILL be attending Blues Traveler after the Purple Party Friday night. John Popper and I are kindred souls…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ousaiByU1ko[/youtube]

“Possum Kingdom” might be the only song I’m really interested in seeing the Toadies do, but it’s really a hell of a song…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFyv6Y2J9Lw[/youtube]

I LOVE Outkast in a way that doesn’t fit the love I feel for a lot of other things in the world. Big Boi’s new record is freaking TREMENDOUS, if not necessarily Safe For Work…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiwDs01pfZM[/youtube]

9. EA Sports NHL 11 available in stores for XBox 360/PS3 (Tuesday)

If I had time to play NHL 11, there is no doubt that I would somehow find a way to make Viktor Tikhonov the greatest player in the league.

By the way, if I DID play NHL 11-there would be a 100% chance you’d see a Jason Lee/Jeremy London type moment from “Mallrats” with me…

“Hartford, the Whale? They beat Vancouver once, maybe twice in a lifetime.”

If you get the reference, you’re a winner. And I offer this to you as a prize. Oh but once again, it isn’t necessarily the type of prize that has language completely safe for work…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfVVjpVZP8I[/youtube]

8. Golf: PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoffs-BMW Championship (Thursday & Friday 3pm live on Golf Channel, Saturday 12pm Sunday 2pm live on NBC. All golf from Lemont, Illinois); LPGA Tour P&G NW Arkansas Championship Presented by Walmart (Friday 12:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 4pm from Rogers, Arkansas live on Golf Channel); Champions Tour Posco E&C Songdo Championship (Friday-Sunday 6:30pm from Songdo, Korea live on Golf Channel); Team USA Ryder Cup Selection Show (Tuesday 10:30am Golf Channel)

A week after some dude named Matt Kuchar won a golf tournament, some dude named Charley Hoffman won the next one. I’m not even kidding about this-when I heard Charley Hoffman had won a playoff event, I thought “Brandt” from The Big Lebowski had somehow been victorious.

Oh and also, Tiger Woods is still mediocre. Which is (I guess) enough to warrant coverage on SportsCenter. Frankly, I’d prefer more table tennis highlights myself…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJn5L1nrkL4[/youtube]

7. Auto Racing-NASCAR Air Guard 400 (Saturday 7:30pm from Richmond live on ABC)

I’d like to pretend I care about this. I know Rex Snider is taking some sort of bus trip down to Richmond Saturday, but it just isn’t my type of thing. Not because I’m shallow-minded, but more because I just like to actually be ENTERTAINED when I spend my entertainment dollar.

Speaking of entertaining, this Oregon Trail-related photo qualifies (Thanks Gorilla Mask!)…

6. High School Football: Southern @ Glen Burnie (Friday 6:30pm), Overlea @ Perry Hall (Friday 7pm)

Uh oh.

You mean to tell me that Overlea-home of the Falcons-is facing Perry Hall-home of the mighty Gators-Friday night?

AN ALMA MATER SHOWDOWN BETWEEN GLENN CLARK AND THE GREAT TOM CLARK?!?!?!

You’re going down, dad.

5. Basketball: FIBA World Championships-Team USA vs. Russia quarterfinal (Thursday 11am from Istanbul, Turkey live on ESPN), Semifinals and Final (Friday-Sunday from Istanbul live on ESPN)

HOLY CRAP I LOVE THIS. USA-Russia?!?!?!? DOWN WITH THE SOVIETS!!!

Let’s do to them what we did to Ivan Drago…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqT34mnSBio[/youtube]

4. Pro Wrestling: WWE Smackdown (Tuesday 6:45pm from 1st Mariner Arena-airs Friday 8pm on MyNetwork24)

Despite the fact that there’s way too much Jack Swagger, Big Show, Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes on Smackdown, I still kinda dig it. Undertaker is a rock star, Kane is underrated, and the combination of CM Punk, Matt Hardy and Christian is completely underused.

And oh yeah-they also have Rosa Mendes…

3. College Football: Morgan State @ Maryland (Saturday 6pm from Byrd Stadium live on ESPN3.com); Georgia Southern @ Navy (Saturday 3:30pm from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium live on CBS College Sports)

The Terrapins may have been fortunate to survive the “Crab Bowl Classic” against the Midshipmen; but the fact remains that they ARE 1-0.

The other fact remains that Kenny Tate has earned himself a few free dinners in the future…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avj6Bs37qJI[/youtube]

2. Tennis: U.S. Open (Tuesday-Thursday 11am live on Tennis Channel 7pm live on ESPN2, Friday 12:30pm live on CBS, Saturday 12pm-mens semifinals 8pm-Women’s Final live on CBS, Sunday 1pm Women’s Doubles Final live on ESPN2 4pm Men’s Final live on CBS. All tennis from New York)

At this point, I think it’s fair to say I’m COMPLETELY FREAKING OUT about heading up to Flushing Meadows Sunday. There’s roughly 0.1% chance an American will be there (no pressure Sam Querrey), but if it’s Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal everything will be cool in my book.

And you don’t even need to bother asking. I WILL be purchasing a few of these while I’m in The Big Apple…

1. NFL: Monday Night Football-Baltimore Ravens @ New York Jets (Monday 7pm from East Rutherford, New Jersey live on ESPN); WNST “Purple Friday” Pep Rally (Friday 5pm Sports Legends at Camden Yards)

FOOTBALL IS REALLY (REALLY) BACK.

Oh. Thank. God.

Me personally, I think it will be cool not only to see the Ravens back in action Monday night, but also to see some of my favorite reality TV stars like Antonio Cromartie and Rex Ryan…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHe1AT-rk50[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ywxfeG2oOo[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

Honorable Mention: College Football-Towson @ Indiana (Thursday 7:30pm from Bloomington, Ind. live on Big Ten Network), Bowie State @ Morgan State (Saturday 6pm Hughes Stadium); Auto Racing: NASCAR Emory Healthcare 500 (Sunday 7:30pm from Atlanta live on ESPN), IndyCar Series Kentucky 300 (Saturday 8pm from Sparta, Kentucky live on VERSUS); Soccer: U.S. Open Cup-Columbus Crew @ DC United (Wednesday 7:30pm RFK Stadium), MLS-Columbus Crew @ DC United (Saturday 7:30pm from RFK Stadium live on Fox Soccer Channel)

10. Budweiser Superfest feat. Anthony Hamilton (Tuesday 6:30pm Pier Six Pavilion), The O’Jays & Ron Isley (Friday 7pm Pier Six Pavilion), REO Speedwagon & Pat Benatar (Saturday 6:30pm Pier Six Pavilion); Disturbed & Avenged Sevenfold (Tuesday 4pm Jiffy Lube Live), Jimmy Buffett (Thursday & Saturday 8pm Jiffy Lube Live); Tantric & Adema (Tuesday 7:30pm Bourbon Street); Cowboy Mouth (Saturday 8pm 9:30 Club); NAS & Damien Marley (Tuesday 8pm Sonar), 30 Seconds to Mars (Wednesday 7pm Sonar); Bret Michaels (Wednesday 8pm Maryland State Fair), Justin Bieber (Sunday 7pm Maryland State Fair); Hot Hot Heat (Saturday 9pm Ottobar)

This list is MUCH better than it probably looks like at first. I won’t make it to Buffett Thursday night because the Ravens are playing. If I was there, I’d probably just keep yelling “SOUTHERN CROSS!!!!!!!!!!!!” anyway….

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Ah-Ch8NQ4[/youtube]

I used to do radio broadcasts for the Arizona Rattlers during my time in Phoenix; and they once brought Tantric by during the first half. They didn’t leave at any point during the game. I’m pretty sure there were both hookers AND blow….

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Ah-Ch8NQ4[/youtube]

I’m not really a big Nas fan, but “One Mic” is one of the greatest songs in hip-hop history. Note-lyrics NSFW…unless of course you work at Jo-Ann Fabrics. We all know the deal there…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQbCC8S-ErE[/youtube]

I can’t freaking STAND Jared Leto, but damnit if “Kings and Queens” isn’t amongst the Top 10 songs of 2010…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMX3qv1N37s[/youtube]

9. Glenn Clark’s Birthday (Monday)

I don’t usually like to make this all about me, but I figured I could offer a plea here. I rarely ask you all for anything, but I would REALLY like this Robert McClintock piece for my birthday this year. Just consider it an investment on future brilliant material from “The Tradition”…

8. Golf: PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoffs-Deutsche Bank Championship (Friday & Saturday 3pm live on Golf Channel, Sunday 3pm Monday 2pm live on NBC. All golf from Norton, Massachusetts), Champions Tour Home Care & Hospice First Tee Open at Pebble Beach (Friday & Saturday 6:30pm, Sunday 7pm from Monterey, CA live on Golf Channel)

Some dude named Matt Kuchar won the first event in the playoffs. I’m reasonably certain we were in Mrs. Lutz-Itzoe’s 3rd grade class at Chapel Hill Elementary School together.

Seriously, can’t Tiger Woods just ACTUALLY be “back” one of these weeks?!?!?!

I’m reasonably certain this guy is gonna end up winning the 2nd playoff event in Boston…

7. Pro Wrestling: WWE Raw (Monday 9pm from Verizon Center live on USA Network); TNA “No Surrender” (Sunday 8pm from Orlando live on Pay-Per-View)

As a veteran of plenty of live WWE, WWF and WCW events, there are a few things you need to know before you head to the arena:

1-If you bring a sign, make it funny. If it just says “The Champ is Here” because you’re a John Cena fan-you had better be 12 years old. If you’re closer to my age and want to bring a sign, it better be something creative-like Sheamus’ face with the words “You Can’t See Me.” You see, it’s clever because Sheamus is an albino and it uses another of John Cena’s catch phrases. Taking notes?

2-Bringing your own championship belt might seem lame-but it isn’t. Bring yours, and carry it over your shoulder. Wear sunglasses too. Championship belts around the waist-again-are for kids.

3-I liked Stone Cold Steve Austin as much as anyone. But chanting “What?” after everything that is said is grounds for the guy behind you to “accidentally” spill two beers on you. Don’t be lame.

4-Remind your kids they shouldn’t do this type of stuff at home. Unless of course they want to be like Ric Flair. In which case, let them do whatever the hell they please…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy-LQH8N6Ug[/youtube]

6. Basketball: FIBA World Championships-Team USA vs. Iran (Wednesday 12pm live on ESPN), Tunisia vs. Team USA (Thursday 9:30am live on ESPN2; both games from Istanbul) Round of 16 games (Saturday-Monday from Istanbul live on ESPN & ESPN3.com)

Is Tunisia where the Tasmanian Devil is from?!?!?

I’m really torn on this whole Team USA hoops thing. I mean-on one side, I love America. I’m much like Glenn Beck in that way. We’re a couple of patriots. Maybe it’s a name thing. But like Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, I love this country. Not like that Barack Obama fella-I heard he isn’t even FROM this country!

On the flip side of patriotism, I completely despise everything about Coach K. Is there anything LESS American than a Duke coach coaching our boys in Europe? We might as well scribble out a map for terrorists that says “your target is here.”

Oh and another thing. I was going to attend the World Championships this year, but couldn’t find Istanbul on a map. All of my and Craig Ferguson’s maps said “Constantinople”…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4phHwSSing[/youtube]

5. High School Football: Joppatowne @ Perry Hall (Friday 7pm), Glen Burnie @ South River (Friday 6:30pm)

YEEEESSSSS!!!!! MARINERS ARE GOING DOWN!!!!!!!!!!! ROLL GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look, I’m sure there are plenty of other important games this weekend (the first full weekend of High School action here in the Old Line State) involving teams like Calvert Hall, Gilman, Boys Latin, Bel Air, Fallston, Parkville, Dulaney, etc. etc. etc.; but don’t bother me with those. I went to PHHS, and ol’ Drew Forrester went to Glen Burnie-so there are only two teams that I root for. Perry Hall…and whoever is playing the Gophers.

This week, there’s NO ONE I love more than South River! Go you….Seahawks, go!

That’s how I roll.

4. Tennis: U.S. Open (Tuesday-Friday 11am live on Tennis Channel 1pm live on ESPN2, Saturday-Monday 11am live on CBS 7pm live on Tennis Channel. All tennis from New York)

And with that in mind, don’t even bother asking me if I can do something for the next 14 days/nights. You already know the answer.

Need an excuse to watch? Well, Caroline Wozniacki IS the top seeded woman at Flushing Meadows…

3. Maryland State Fair (Tuesday-Monday Timonium Fairgrounds)

The new young lady in my life…we call her “Boomer Sooner”…tells me that at the Texas State Fair, they have introduced Deep Fried BEER this year. I’ll admit there was a bit of jealousy inside me, but I then reminded her that we have something even BETTER in Maryland…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Oy_cPF950s[/youtube]

I will be there early evening Friday. I’ll be wearing the black Under Armour hat. It’s a dollar a race. You KNOW you can’t afford to miss this.

2. Baltimore Ravens @ St. Louis Rams (Thursday 8pm from St. Louis live on WBAL11)

Speaking of “Boomer Sooner”, I immediately have more interest in a 4th preseason game than I EVER should. You see, as a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, ol’ Boomer Sooner has adopted the Rams as her second team-thanks to her undying affection for QB Sam Bradford. The whole thing just disgusts me.

But Sam Bradford won’t be the only Heisman Trophy winner on the field Friday night. That’s right, we’ve got one of our own here in Charm City….

Attention Troy Smith: I’ve never asked you for anything before. You’ve always lived up to those expectations. Please don’t change now. The city needs you. And by the city, I mean “me.” And I really only need you for one night, but don’t get caught up in semantics. Hugs and kisses. -G

1. College Football: Maryland vs. Navy (Monday 4pm from M&T Bank Stadium live on ESPN); Virginia Tech vs. Boise State (Monday 8pm from FedEx Field live on ESPN)

Not only is Monday my birthday-but it is also Labor Day. And I can think of no way better to honor the working men and women of American than to have our Terrapins absolutely DESTROY the men who will go on to serve our country during times of unrest in the “Crab Bowl Classic” there at “The Bank.”

In all seriousness, there are only a few things I’m hoping for in Monday’s game. 1-Awesome Spirit videos from the Midshipmen like this one…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4breGPkzS0[/youtube]

2-An atmosphere and game so great that either a Terps player (or a Mids player) ends up finding himself in folklore the way that one Lance Ball has…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR6737o-cko[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

Honorable Mention: Soccer-MLS: DC United @ Chivas USA (Sunday 10pm from Carson, California live on ESPN2); Auto Racing: IndyCar Series Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300 (Saturday 7pm from Joliet, Illinois live on VERSUS), NASCAR Nationwide Series Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Sunday 2pm from Montreal live on ESPN2)

10. Rock The Bells feat. Snoop Dogg, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, Lauryn Hill (Sunday 12pm Merriweather Post Pavilion); Jackson Browne (Tuesday 7:30pm Pier Six Pavilion), Trey Songz & Monica (Friday 8pm Pier Six Pavilion), Blondie & Cheap Trick (Sunday 7pm Pier Six Pavilion); Tears For Fears (Tuesday 8pm Rams Head Live), Nonpoint (Thursday 8pm Rams Head Live); Saving Abel (Tuesday 7pm Bourbon Street); Matisyahu (Wednesday 7pm 9:30 Club), NAS & Damien Marley (Monday 7pm 9:30 Club); Tony Bennett (Friday 8pm Wolf Trap); Patrice O’Neal (Friday-Sunday DC Improv)

I like a lot of this! I’ve said before on Facebook that I’ve lost many hours of my life wondering where Lauryn Hill ran off to. Never again…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE6Qcc6VDo8[/youtube]

I once saw Cheap Trick open for Aerosmith. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why Steven Tyler and company even bothered coming to the stage…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th370QmFtk8[/youtube]

I may not love Tears For Fears but I sure as hell love this song…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bqgy1mebh8[/youtube]

Matisyahu played the last HFStival I was involved with when I was employed there. He carried his own equipment. And he kicked ass…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2zqAmP0DpM[/youtube]

9. Glenn Clark’s Fantasy Football Draft (Friday 8pm Mountain Branch)

And with the sixth pick in the “Full House Fantasy Draft”, Team Jesse and the Rippers Select…

No way we can lose now…

8. Baltimore Comic-Con (Saturday & Sunday Baltimore Convention Center)

So if I go, do I wear THIS costume…

or THIS one…

I feel like they’re both equally good options…but I’m probably only fat enough for the first one.

7. High School Football: Gilman @ Archbishop Spalding (Friday 7pm), St. John’s (DC) @ Calvert Hall (Saturday 1pm)

I love High School Football. I might not be quite as excited this week because my beloved Perry Hall Gators aren’t in action yet; but I still love the concept of high school football-and just the idea behind “Friday Night Lights” altogether. I posted Kenny Chesney’s “The Boys of Fall” as “The Greatest Song of All Time This Week” earlier this week, but not because of the song. Instead, I posted it entirely thanks to the EPIC speech from New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton at the beginning…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlXDo5WhQXI[/youtube]

6. Team USA Basketball: Team USA vs. Greece (Wednesday 12pm from Athens, Greece live on ESPN)

I’ll always be grateful to our Greek friends for giving us things like baklava and Maria Menounos…

…but this is basketball we’re talking about. Kevin Durant and the boys in the red, white and blue have a simple responsibility. KICK SOME GREEK ASS.

But again, thanks for Maria Menounos. And baklava.

5. Golf: PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoffs-The Barclays (Thursday & Friday 3pm live on Golf Channel, Saturday 1pm live on Golf Channel 3pm live on CBS, Sunday 12pm live on Golf Channel 2pm live on CBS. All golf from Paramus, New Jersey); Champions Tour Boeing Classic (Friday & Saturday 6:30, Sunday 7pm from Snoqualmie, Washington live on Golf Channel); LPGA Tour CN Canadian Women’s Open (Thursday & Friday 11:59pm on Golf Channel, Saturday 3pm Sunday 2pm live on Golf Channel. All golf from Winnipeg, Canada)

Apparently it’s a big deal that Tiger Woods is playing this week in New Jersey. With no offense to a guy who has lost more than the Orioles and Pirates combined this season, but I’d be much more interested if it were J-Woww playing this weekend in anywhere…

(Edit from GMC: Seriously…I love the Jersey Shore. I don’t care what you think about that.)

4. Tennis: ATP Tour U.S. Open Series Pilot Pen Tennis (Thursday 1pm Friday 12pm & 7pm live on ESPN2, Saturday 1pm live on CBS, 7pm live on ESPN2. All tennis from New Haven, Connecticut); U.S. Open Opening Round (Monday 11am live on Tennis Channel, 1pm live on ESPN2. All U.S. Open tennis from New York)

I know better than to be interested in American tennis players. We all stink right now. My love affair with Andy Roddick is completely pointless, as at some point he’s inevitably going to lose to a player whose future is more suited for the kitchen at PF Chang’s than it is the Wimbledon Champions Ball.

So I’ll go ahead and blame my own stupidity for getting excited when I watched Mardy Fish take the first set from Roger Federer in the final out in Cincinnati. I should have known better. Mardy Fish is Mardy Fish. Roger Federer is Roger Federer.

It’s similar to getting excited about Taka Michinoku when he gets some early offense in a matchup with Triple H. Oh you don’t remember the reference? I’ll remind you the WWF title was on the line…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I-iUL2IBn4[/youtube]

3. Mixed Martial Arts: UFC 118-Frankie Edgar vs. BJ Penn (Saturday 10pm from Boston live on Pay-Per-View); Bellator Fighting Championships 26 (Thursday 8pm from Kansas City live on Fox Sports Net)

So this is supposed to be the ultimate showdown between boxing and MMA, right? A boxer who has held titles at four different weight classes in James Toney against a mixed martial artist whose career has landed him in the UFC Hall of Fame in Randy Couture.

Whether or not the fight settles ANYTHING, I really hope that Dana White considers replacing Joe Rogan with Jim Gray for the post-fight interview (Some NSFW language in here…unless of course you work with my grandmom. I hear she’s gotten feisty late in life…)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgecPysuGB4[/youtube]

2. Maryland State Fair (Friday-Monday Timonium Fairgrounds)

I can’t explain this enough. Not only will I get beer from the Shriners and collect free swag from crappy radio stations I will never listen to; but I will ABSOLUTELY dine like a king…

and I will absolutely hang with some of my closest friends…

1. New York Giants @ Baltimore Ravens (Saturday 7:30pm from M&T Bank Stadium live on WBAL11)

Giants-Ravens, huh? Okay then….

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeY-Nk-GKSY[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

Honorable Mention: WNBA-Connecticut Sun @ Washington Mystics (Tuesday 7pm from Verizon Center live on Comcast SportsNet & NBA TV), Minnesota Lynx @ Washington Mystics (Friday 7pm Verizon Center), Seattle Storm @ Washington Mystics (Sunday 4pm Verizon Center); Gymnastics: Visa National Championships (Thursday & Friday 7pm live on Universal Sports, Saturday 8pm & Sunday 2:30pm live on NBC. All gymnastics from Hartford, Conn.); Auto Racing: NASCAR Carfax 400 (Sunday 1pm from Brooklyn, Michigan live on ESPN)

10. Black Eyed Peas (Tuesday 7:30pm 1st Mariner Arena); O.A.R. & Citizen Cope (Thursday 7pm Merriweather Post Pavilion), MGMT (Saturday 7pm Merriweather Post Pavilion), David Gray & Ray LaMontagne (Sunday 7pm Merriweather Post Pavilion); Green Day & AFI (Wednesday 7pm Jiffy Lube Live), Jonas Brothers (Thursday 7pm Jiffy Lube Live), Maroon 5 (Friday 7:30pm Jiffy Lube Live), Rascal Flatts (Saturday 7:30pm Jiffy Lube Live), Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Sunday 7pm Jiffy Lube Live); George Thorogood & The Destroyers (Tuesday 7:30pm Wolf Trap); Mr. Greengenes (Friday 8pm Power Plant Live); Jimmy Wayne (Saturday 8pm Power Plant Live); Public Enemy (Saturday 8pm 9:30 Club); Smile Empty Soul (Thursday 7pm Bourbon Street); Patton Oswalt (Saturday 8pm Warner Theatre)

OMFGLOLZROFLLMFAOOMGZ!!!!!!!!! THE JOE BROS!!!!!!!!!!!

In all reality, there are a ton of things I like on this list; and it doesn’t even include the Jimmy Buffett show I’m going to in Philadelphia.

For example, O.A.R. is not only made up of Maryland natives, they’re also completely freaking awesome.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Typ01AiVz4[/youtube]

As if that wasn’t enough, Clarence Greenwood is on the same bill in Columbia-where he will almost certainly tell you a tune about George from Baltimore…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMJjkO8ESL4[/youtube]

I like David Gray, but I would be JUST as excited about checking out a crooning LaMontagne…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g25ZjKBXw8Q[/youtube]

And as far as Tom Petty is concerned…well…look, you don’t hate America or anything-do you?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyStwRYLzlI[/youtube]

9. “The Expendables” opens in theaters (Friday), Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhof (Sunday 10pm Comedy Central)

Will “The Expendables” be some sort of cinematic classic??? Of course not. Will it be a movie with Sylvester Stallone, Randy Couture, Jason Statham and Mickey Rourke? Un-freaking-questionably. And oh yeah, some other guy you’ve heard of is in the flick too…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKz0_JngFmg[/youtube]

“When you hear the glass, it’s your ass…”

8. Mixed Martial Arts: Strikeforce Challengers (Friday 11pm from Phoenix live on Showtime)

MMA fans will be looking forward to the pro debut of Randy Couture’s son-Ryan Couture-at this event; Ryan is scheduled to join Thyrl Nelson and John Rallo on “The MMA Report” Tuesday at 1:30pm on AM1570 WNST.

Interestingly enough, MMA fighters will be looking forward to going to Arizona; mostly because they’ve heard a thing or two about the gals who live in Tempe…

WHY IN THE HELL DID I COME BACK AGAIN?!?!?

7. Tennis: ATP Tour Rogers Masters Cup (Tuesday & Wednesday 1pm live on Tennis Channel, Thursday & Friday 1pm live on ESPN2, Saturday & Sunday 3pm live on ESPN2. All tennis from Toronto); WTA Western & Southern Financial Group Women’s Open (Thursday 3pm live on ESPN2 5pm live on Tennis Channel, Friday 5pm live on Tennis Channel 7pm live on ESPN2 9pm live on Tennis Channel, Saturday 1pm live on Tennis Channel 9pm live on ESPN2, Sunday 5pm live on ESPN2. All tennis from Cincinnati)

I was really excited to hear that James Blake was trying to make a comeback this summer, as I have been a James Blake fan for some time. Of course, that was before I found out he broke up with girlfriend Jennifer Scholle. I will admit that I’m not QUITE as excited anymore…

6. Boxing: Hasim Rahman vs. Damon Reed (Saturday 7:30pm from Norfolk Scope Arena-Virginia), Jean Pascal vs. Chad Dawson (Saturday 10:30pm from Montreal live on HBO)

I get it. The guy was knocked through the ring by Oleg Maskaev and has never managed to get a legitimate finish against James Toney; but they will NEVER take this away from this man…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABZu5v2JPuE[/youtube]

Go get him, Rock!

5. Soccer: Team USA vs. Brazil (Tuesday 8pm from East Rutherford, NJ live on ESPN2); NASL-Carolina RailHawks @ Crystal Palace Baltimore (Saturday 5pm Paul Angelo Russo Stadium-Calvert Hall); MLS-FC Dallas @ DC United (Saturday 8pm from RFK Stadium live on Comcast SportsNet & MLS Direct Kick)

This is good, because I already don’t like Brazil anyway! I mean, good food and good looking women; what’s to like?!?!?

The fact remains that there is NOTHING I like more in the world than the United States of America. You know why? Because this is the country that gave us both Jay-Z AND John Mayer. Take THAT, Brazil!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1soDJzDfL4[/youtube]

4. Pro Wrestling: WWE SummerSlam (Sunday 8pm from Los Angeles live on Pay-Per-View)

As if the (presumably) final “match” in Bret Hart’s career wasn’t enough of a reason to watch SummerSlam Sunday, may I make another suggestion as to why you should take a look? The suggestion is this particular picture of Alicia Fox…

3. Golf: PGA Championship (Thursday & Friday 1pm live on TNT, Saturday & Sunday 11am live on TNT 2pm live on CBS. All golf from Kohler, Wisconsin)

Usually I’ll watch a golf tournament right up until the point that Tiger Woods doesn’t have a shot at winning it. Which means that the good news for me is that I won’t have to bother watching any golf this weekend.

So just who AM I picking this weekend? The same guy I always do…

2. Carolina Panthers @ Baltimore Ravens (Thursday 8pm from M&T Bank Stadium live on ESPN)

Are we really sure we’re that interested in the Ravens season starting? I mean, the Orioles are RED HOT under Buck Showalter!!!

It’s preseason football, so I know it really isn’t THAT exciting and the beer still costs $8 at “The Bank.”

But then again…it’s football.

Oh how we’ve missed you…

1. Madden 11 in stores (Tuesday)

The dirty little secret with me is that I’m REALLY not a gamer. I actually don’t own an XBox360 OR a PS3 (I DO own a Wii however), and my “gaming” lifestyle consists mostly of me spending hours a week at FreePacman.org.

But I’ll find a way to play Madden. I’ll draft Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald and win 10 Super Bowls. I’ll keep Ray Rice and ride him to both the Pro Bowl and a MVP.

And if I think about it, I’ll even find some time to change out of the shirt that’s covered in pizza sauce and shame.

Maybe.

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

Happy Monday!

It’s a Happy Monday for me because my cousin Jeff is in town from Las Vegas, which meant yesterday was a perfect day to do this…

I can still smell Old Bay on my fingertips. Of course, I guess I should have showered last night.

Oh, and the Phoenix Suns won! It was a LITTLE awkward that I was sitting on my couch and chanting “Beat LA!”, but it was a fun night all around.

Let’s see what everyone has to say…

1. The AP says Willingham’s walkoff homer lifted Nationals past Orioles

Not even phased.

Hell, “Knocked Up” was on E! yesterday afternoon, and I’m pretty sure I watched more of Katherine Heigl than I did Kevin Millwood yesterday.

(Edit from GMC: That might not be true, but if it is-can you blame me?)

Millwood had one bad inning again-and this time he got it out of the way early. I will admit that I didn’t expect Julio Lugo to extend things into extra innings, but as Rob Dibble effectively explained-the Birds can partially thank Jim Riggleman for that-as he didn’t bring Justin Maxwell to play shallow RF against a hitter with about as much power as me.

I mostly didn’t care for Rob Dibble this weekend-and the forced MASN combo broadcast was just as dreadful as I always remember it being. By the way-Gary Thorne IS coming back, right? If he just quit and left us with Jim Hunter moving forward, I may never forgive him.

2. The AP/WNST.net offer numerical evidence of loss

What’s remarkable is that it took until the 45th game of the season for the team’s cleanup hitter (Ty Wigginton) to actually move to the 4th spot in the lineup.

Meanwhile, Garrett Atkins made an appearance yesterday. I feel like Atkins might as well just walk to home plate with his middle finger directly in the air; and then personally direct it towards every Orioles fan in attendance at every game.

Miguel Tejada was 0-5 with 4 LOB. In baseball terms, we call that “Playing Like an Oriole.”

3. WNST.net’s Drew Forrester doesn’t think Dave Trembley will be fired today

Neither do I, for the record. I don’t think Terry Crowley will be fired either, but I think it’s more likely he falls on the sword than the manager does.

There is part of me that wonders whether or not it is okay for the team to basically pass along the message of “losing is okay” by NOT firing the manager; but I will also be the first to get in the “this isn’t the manager’s fault” line.

I don’t think Dave Trembley is a good manager, but I don’t think ANY manager could win with the woefully incomplete roster Andy MacPhail put together this season.

If you think Dave Trembley should be fired-I think that’s fine, but you have to be willing to accept the fact that the roster wasn’t built for winning the way some wanted us to believe it was before the season.

I’m really indifferent as to whether or not Trembley DOES get fired-as none of Rick Dempsey, Juan Samuel, BJ Surhoff, Mike Bordick or Brad Komminsk will make this team a winner; and I generally think coaching changes are best made in the offseason-when a full search of all candidates-including those currently employed by other MLB teams-can be considered. Of course, I would assume that none of them could do WORSE than Trembley, but isn’t that an example of “famous last words”?

As far as whether or not Dave Trembley WILL be fired? My gut remains “no.”

4. Carroll County Times’ Rich Dubroff says Uehara ‘likely’ DL bound again

If you missed Rich’s chat with Drew Forrester this morning, make sure you head on over to the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault here at WNST.net.

The question at this point regards what roster moves MIGHT be made before the Orioles open up their 3 game set with the Athletics tomorrow night at OPACY.

Should Uehara need to head to the DL (as it appears he will), presumably Alberto Castillo would be the most likely to get the call back up. With questions surrounding the health of Alfredo Simon after he was pulled in the 10th inning yesterday; the Birds may be forced to call up someone along the lines of Kam Mickolio to close.

The next question regards what to do about Garrett Atkins. The team appears to be just about done with him, but it is unlikely they’d want to start Scott Moore at 1B or DH. Michael Aubrey (who we thought would come up from Norfolk last week) could be the man to replace him, but this would involve MacPhail having to admit that the Atkins really WAS a mistake.

A bigger mistake? Sending Garrett Atkins to the plate against Oakland at any point this week.

5. The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says Brandon Erbe, Matt Hobgood had rough day on farm for O’s Sunday

The O’s are off today, they return to action tomorrow night against the A’s. Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz and David Hernandez are scheduled to go for the Birds against Dallas Braden, Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez.

Congratulations to our pal “The Professor”, Pete DiLutis. Don’t ever change Pete. He’s our “Apologist of the Morning” with an assist from Fangraphs, as chosen by “The Great Arbitrator” today on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST. Pete “highly disagrees” with the idea that Koji Uehara is a bust; which is an interesting proclimation to make considering the overwhelming evidence otherwise.

Pete goes on to point out that according to Fangraphs, Uehara was worth $7.3 million last season. This of course goes to prove that Fangraphs is not a practical way to measure ANYTHING baseball-related. Not only was Koji not worth 7.3 million DOLLARS last season, he wasn’t worth 7.3 million PENNIES.

You have to PITCH to be worth something. This is why stats only tell half the story. According to Fangraphs, Uehara was worth $7.3 million because a pitcher who made twice as many starts with similar numbers would have been worth roughly $14 million.

The problem is-no team is interested in giving a pitcher ANY money for half a season’s worth of work.

Sometimes you have to actually use your EYES to figure out if a pitcher is valuable-not just what a math equation says.

6. The Sun’s Ken Murray says Flacco in ‘learning mode’ once more now with new receivers Boldin, Stallworth

Which is why the team has so many of these “Passing Camp” type events like the one they’re back at this morning out at 1 Winning Drive. This gives Flacco, Boldin, Stallworth, etc. the chance to run routes and learn about each other’s tendencies. They’re not the most crucial of the OTA events, but they’re certainly helpful for these situations in particular.

Plus, why WOULDN’T they want to be in Owings Mills this week? Where else would they be? On the beach with Nina Dobrev? (Thanks CelebSlam via Busted Coverage)…

7. UMTerps.com says Dave Cottle stepped down as Maryland lacrosse coach

And as I wrote yesterday-while Cottle is by no means a bad coach, this was an inevitable and likely necessary split following the completely unacceptable performance Saturday in a loss to Notre Dame.

For me, all of the juice is gone from this weekend’s Final Four; which SUCKS considering it’s happening RIGHT HERE. Sure there’s excitement for the Virginia-Duke game, but…umm…I don’t like EITHER of those teams, nor would I be particularly comfortable with seeing either of them win. Cornell-Notre Dame is about as exciting to me as the D2 title game between C.W. Post and Le Moyne. And while I have plenty of friends who went to Salisbury…no thanks to their showdown with Tufts for the D3 crown.

Just a major letdown without Maryland.

8. D1scourse’s Patrick Stevens says Cottle believes he made Terps’ lacrosse program ‘better’ during tenure

That might be true. Of course, the program was in good shape under Dick Edell-he just failed to deliver the NCAA Championship that also eluded Cottle. I’m not sure how much Cottle actually improved the program, but he’s certainly leaving it in very good shape.

The atmosphere around the program now shifts to the coaching search for Debbie Yow and Michael Lipitz. Plenty of names have been thrown about-ranging from UMBC coach Don Zimmerman, Loyola coach Charley Toomey, Albany coach Scott Marr, Bayhawks coach John Tucker, Bryant coach (and former Duke coach) Mike Pressler, and Stevenson coach Paul Cantabene. Speaking of which…

9. GoMustangSports.com says Stevenson fell to Salisbury in NCAA Tournament semifinals

Cantabene told Drew Forrester this morning that he’s “not thinking about” the Maryland job, but instead looking toward the 2011 season for the Mustangs; which will hopefully be one in which they finally get over the hump and reach the NCAA Championship Game.

The real shame about yesterday’s game is that the two best teams in the country played at Sea Gull Stadium instead of playing at M&T Bank Stadium. It isn’t an excuse for why the ‘Stangs lost, but they should have had the chance to play the game on a neutral field with a title on the line.

Salisbury was the only team to defeat Stevenson this season, unfortunately they did it twice-including once when it mattered most.

10. HopkinsSports.com says Blue Jays topped Kean to advance to D3 College World Series in Wisconsin

I’m not going to pretend to know anything at all about D3 College Baseball, and my knowledge of Wisconsin is pretty much limited to That 70′s Show…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpwOYiL_zRg[/youtube]

…but I’m happy for JHU. Mostly because I need something to be happy about right now.

11. MIAASports.net’s Joe DiBlasi says Larry Sheets’ Gilman club topped Calvert Hall to claim ‘A’ conference title

In a related story, Guyism had pictures of Esha Janssen…

That’s not related? Sorry, I’m not any good at this, am I?

And finally, I leave you with this.

Here’s the Scott Hall mugshot…

…I’d laugh, but I’m actually fairly sad.

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

Happy Friday!

It’s a Happy Friday for me…of course…because it’s Preakness weekend. I’ll eat more crabcakes and drink more Black-Eyed Susans over the next 3 days then anyone else would ever want to. In fact, I’m not even sure WHY I’ll do it, just for the hell of it I guess. What the hell else would I do this weekend? Go to Dover for the NASCAR race? No thanks…

The point of all of this is that I may be running a bit slow come Monday morning’s show. In fact, there’s a chance I’ll be running even slower than Bengie Molina (Thanks Deadspin!)…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbR-qslk87g[/youtube]

Let’s see what everyone else has to say…

1. The AP’s David Ginsburg says Luke Scott crushed grand slam to lift Orioles to late win over Mariners

In celebration of the win, a group of people stood outside the Maryland Science Center to express their joy…

It’s actually pretty impressive.

As ballpark reporter here at WNST, Glenn Clark is now 1-0. If you want to raise some funds to make sure I head out to OPACY more often, I’ll be more than willing to accept your money.

It was a LOT of fun yesterday-at least the last half hour of the game. Being more than fair to the staff of the O’s, “Field Trip Day” is a great idea. There was some actual energy in the building thanks to the 8,000 or so kids that were brought in to fill the upper deck, and when Luke Scott crushed the grand slam, the building was rocking.

I’ll just go ahead and assume that Dave Trembley already sent Don Wakamatsu a bottle of champagne today as a Thank You gesture for pulling Felix Hernandez, leaving Brandon League in after giving up a home run and loading the bases; and then watching 3rd base coach Mike Brumley send Josh Wilson when Corey Patterson was basically playing “deep short” in the 9th inning.

You take them however you can get them, folks. Especially when you’re sitting on 11.

2. The AP/WNST.net offer numerical evidence of win

Since Dave Trembley, Tom Davis and Dave Johnson were all ready to apologize for Kevin Millwood yesterday, I’ll be the one to say the truth.

He was BRUTAL yesterday. He gave up 5ER on 7 hits over 6 2/3 innings; including THREE HOME RUNS.

Mike Sweeney can’t hit ANYTHING and he hit a home run yesterday. Ichiro (who is AMAZING by the way) hit his first home run of the YEAR yesterday. Michael Saunders hasn’t even heard of Michael Saunders and he hit a home run yesterday.

It’s unacceptable for ANY pitcher to have given up a MLB-leading 10 home runs this season, but it’s especially unacceptable for the guy who is supposed to be the team’s #1 pitcher. Pitching well for 3 innings isn’t enough.

That was POOR yesterday.

Of course, over on 105.7 Tom Davis and Dave Johnson were busy dismissing the fact that Millwood has been taking over the Jeremy Guthrie role of giving up home runs this season.

And thanks to that, Tom and Dave were the winners of today’s “Apologist of the Morning” award, as selected by “The Great Arbitrator” (and defending winner) Drew Forrester today on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570.

3. Carroll County Times’ Josh Land says Dave Trembley not considering removing David Hernandez from rotation

Hopefully we can end that statement with…”for now.”

I think most of us assume that David Hernandez is best suited for some sort of long relief role; but apparently Trembley (and I’m assuming Andy MacPhail as well) want to see a bit more from him.

I know the masses in Baltimore are clamoring to see Chris Tillman and/or Jake Arrieta at the big league level. I probably think it’s about time for one of them to come up as well. BUT, I’d be willing to give it another start or two from Hernandez before I call for his head.

Does that qualify me for Apologist of the Morning?

4. MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli says Jim Johnson to miss 8-10 weeks with elbow tear

Nothing good EVER comes from a visit to Dr. James Andrews.

Has ANYONE ever gone to Birmingham for a visit and came back saying “nope, it turns out it was just a sprain”?

My guess? Jimmie Johnson will win more NASCAR races the rest of the season than Jim Johnson will make appearances before September.

5. The Sun’s Dean Dones Jr. says Brandon Erbe had big night, Matt Hobgood struggled on farm

Before we move on from the Birds; a reminder that they open a series with the Cleveland Indians tonight at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Jeremy Guthrie faces Justin Masterson, first pitch on MASN is at 7:05pm.

As far as I’m concerned, it’s shameful that the Orioles are in town on Preakness weekend. But I’ll save that for another line of thought. Apparently Luke Jones is in Atlantic City this weekend (he does know tomorrow is Preakness, right?), but we’ll be chatting on Twitter and “Orange Crush”-ing it up as well.

6. BaltimoreRavens.com’s Ryan Mink says Ray Lewis hosting “Ray’s Summer Days” event this weekend

I will admit that I also find the timing of this event strange, but there’s still a chance I’ll give Chuck in Bel Air a call this afternoon after the BES and stop by Perry Hall Lanes to hang out with the gang.

I’m expecting Chuck to handle John Turturro’s role tonight…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqDhKFqDk34[/youtube]

7. D1scourse’s Patrick Stevens says Maryland added Harcum College PF Berend Weijs to class of ’10

Ummm….yay?!?!?

Weijs averaged 6.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.4 blocks per game for the Bears last season. He doesn’t jump at me as someone who is going to really get any minutes and make any impact for Gary Williams’ team, but hey-how many teams can say they have a 6’10″ center from The Netherlands on their roster?!?!?

Do you think he knows Esha Janssen?

8. CSNWashington.com says Landon Milbourne worked out with Wizards yesterday

I think NBA scouts will probably see about the same thing in Landon Milbourne that we saw from him as Terrapins fans over the last few years. He really looks like he can play, but what exactly is his position?!?!?!

Milbourne might be able to play the 3 at the next level, but he’ll have to move quicker. With some more muscle he MIGHT be able to play the 4, but I’m skeptical at best.

There’s little to no chance he gets picked in the NBA Draft, but I certainly think he has a chance to go to Las Vegas and get on a Summer League roster, or end up in Training Camp with a NBA team. Sometimes all you need is a foot in the door. Ending up in Washington wouldn’t surprise me at all, as a number of former Terps (Steve Blake and Juan Dixon being the most prominent) have ended up there in the past.

9. The Sun’s Matt Bracken says Calvert Hall’s Jonathan Graham commit to Penn State

I think the fact that Jonathan is Ernie Graham’s son will leave a lot of folks asking “why isn’t he headed to College Park?”

The thing is, no one really wanted him. So…of course…he went where all of the other undesirables went. Western Pennsylvania.

LOL.

I’ll be (somewhat) pulling for Jonathan. I can’t POSSIBLY root for anything related to Happy Valley, but I’ll be happy myself if he scores 20 points in a Maryland win next November at the Bryce Jordan Center.

For the record, I’m rooting for Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper) more than I’m rooting for Jonathan Graham. Thanks Busted Coverage!

10. Lacrosse Magazine’s Joel Censer says Terps’ Will Yeatman can be difference maker in NCAA Tournament

AND I PRAY TO GOD HE IS!!!

I don’t think Dave Cottle’s squad will have much difficulty with Hofstra this weekend, but I do think playing Princeton AT Princeton could be trouble, and obviously Syracuse and Virginia are also looming should the Terps reach the Final Four at M&T Bank Stadium.

They’ll need a difference maker on attack. Yeatman can be that difference maker.

Here are my quick picks for the weekend…

Maryland 13, Hofstra 10
Cornell 9, Loyola 7
Duke 12, Johns Hopkins 11
Virginia 16, Mt. St. Mary’s 6

11. WNST.net’s Gary Quill says Black-Eyed Susan Stakes highlights Friday at Pimlico

I’ll be out there today. Apparently we’re supposed to wear pink.

Hopefully this young lady will be there…

12. Daily Racing Form’s Jay Privman says Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver not getting overwhelming support heading into Preakness

I’ll be putting my money on Lookin At Lucky tomorrow, with Super Saver and Paddy O’Prado behind. Yep, I’m REALLY going off the board, aren’t I?

If you missed First Dude jockey Mike Smith with Drew Forrester this morning (or Governor Martin O’Malley discussing Preakness); click the Audio Tab above and head on over to the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault to check it out.

And finally, I leave you with this.

Jerry DePizzo from O.A.R. will be on with Rex Snider and Ray Bachman this afternoon to talk about their InfieldFest gig.

I love me some O.A.R….

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8i5vT2nOSo[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

Honorable Mention-Volleyball: AVP Santa Barbara Open (Sunday 5:30pm from Santa Barbara, CA live on ESPN2); High School Lacrosse: Archbishop Spalding @ Calvert Hall (Friday 4pm); Mixed Martial Arts: Bellator Fighting Championships XVI (Thursday 8pm from Kansas City live on Fox Sports Net)

10. Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall & Larry The Cable Guy (Saturday 8pm 1st Mariner Arena), My Morning Jacket (Saturday 6:30pm Merriweather Post Pavilion), Ozomatli (Tuesday 7pm Rams Head Live), Angels & Airwaves (Monday 7pm Rams Head Live), Saliva (Thursday 7pm Recher Theatre), Clipse (Sunday 8pm Sonar), Citizen Cope (Friday & Saturday 8pm 9:30 Club), University of Maryland Art Attack: Weezer & Ben Folds (Friday 6:30pm Byrd Stadium), Echo & The Bunnymen (Friday 9pm Black Cat), Little Feat (Sunday & Monday 8pm Rams Head On Stage), Towson Town Spring Festival (Saturday 11am, Sunday 1pm Downtown Towson)

I was never a big “Here’s Your Sign” fan. But I saw Bill Engvall with Frank Caliendo at the Patriot Center last year, and I’ll admit it. The dude is FUNNY…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwlO2msCVZI[/youtube]

It’s a bit random that I’ll be in Louisville Saturday while a band from Louisville is in Maryland, but go see My Morning Jacket. You won’t be disappointed…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0Q9iAcPjzc[/youtube]

Ozomatli isn’t particularly well known, and it probably has something to do with the fact that they use a different language. Sometimes. Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TtFaRtvR6g[/youtube]

And while they’re from Virginia and probably root for the Redskins, I dig me some Clipse anyway…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LD98c-9fGY[/youtube]

9. Auto Racing: NASCAR Crown Royal Presents the Heath Calhoun 400 (Saturday 7:30pm from Richmond International Raceway live on FOX); Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 (Saturday 1:30pm from Kansas City, Kansas live on ABC)

While I’m not a NASCAR fan, there’s something I dig about the fact that for one race a year, they allow a random nobody to have his name attached to the name of a race. I suggested they name a race after the guy Jack Beecher from the “Beecher Meat Company” that calls into “The Morning Reaction” all the time, but I guess they passed on that.

Myself, if I was in the world of naming rights…everything would be named after Camila and Mariana Davalos…

8. AIFA: Harrisburg Stampede @ Baltimore Mariners (Sunday 4pm 1st Mariner Arena); Arena Football League: Iowa Barnstormers @ Orlando Predators (Friday 8pm from Orlando live on NFL Network)

And apparently at halftime of the Mariners game, some WNST personalities are going to participate in a wiffle ball Home Run Derby. Sadly, I can’t make it-as I will be returning from Kentucky. In my place I’ve decided to send a new WNST employee. I think he’ll bring a lot to us not only as a station, but more importantly-I placed a $50 bet on him winning this thing…

7. NBA Playoffs: Miami Heat-Boston Celtics (Game 5 Tuesday 7pm from Boston live on NBA TV); Chicago Bulls-Cleveland Cavaliers (Game 5 Tuesday 8pm from Cleveland live on TNT); San Antonio Spurs-Dallas Mavericks (Game 5 Tuesday 9:30pm from Dallas live on NBA TV); Oklahoma City Thunder-Los Angeles Lakers (Game 5 Tuesday 10:30pm from Los Angeles live on TNT); Milwaukee Bucks-Atlanta Hawks (Game 5 Wednesday 8pm from Atlanta live on TNT); Utah Jazz-Denver Nuggets (Game 5 Wednesday 10:30pm from Denver live on TNT); Portland Trailblazers-Phoenix Suns (Game 6 Thursday from Portland TBD)

Well, I guess this LeBron James fella is sorta allright….

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLytLQ2AZxM[/youtube]

Dude, I can totally hit that shot. Well, I COULD hit that shot. Years ago. When I was playing against my father. In the driveway. And he gave me like 15 tries. And let me take a step closer every time I missed.

It still counts, jerks.

6. Golf: PGA Quail Hollow Championship (Thursday & Friday 3pm live on Golf Channel, Saturday & Sunday 3pm live on CBS. All golf from Charlotte.), Champions Tour Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic (Friday & Saturday 6:30pm, Sunday 7pm from Biloxi, MS live on Golf Channel)

So…Tiger Woods is playing all the meaningful tournaments this year, right? The Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open, the PGA Championship….AND THE QUAIL HOLLOW CHAMPIONSHIP???

If Tiger Woods doesn’t win, my second choice is Ichabod Crane.

5. Soccer-UEFA Champions League Semi-finals: Bayern Munich @ Lyon (Tuesday 2:45pm from Lyon, France live on Comcast SportsNet locally, Fox Sports Net nationally), Inter Milan @ Barcelona (Wednesday 2:45 from Barcelona live on Fox Soccer Channel); U.S. Open Cup: FC Dallas @ DC United (Wednesday 7:30pm RFK Stadium), MLS: New York Red Bulls @ DC United (Saturday 4pm from RFK Stadium live on Comcast SportsNet); 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Game available for XBox 360/PS3 (Tuesday)

Do you have ANY IDEA how much studying I failed to do in college do to FIFA video games???

I just hope there’s a way this could happen in real life…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajN4j1dskdI[/youtube]

4. NHL Playoffs: Montreal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals Game 7 (Wednesday 7pm from Verizon Center live on Comcast SportsNet)

There is NOTHING better than a Game 7 in the NHL Playoffs. It’s such a big deal that even I’M excited.

So……let me hear you HOWL!!!!!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaD5D4HKdpM[/youtube]

Oh…we weren’t talking about Game 7 between the Phoenix Coyotes and Detroit Red Wings Tuesday night in Glendale???

Damn. Well, you should be excited about that too!

3. Boxing: Shane Mosley vs. Floyd Mayweather (Saturday 9pm from Las Vegas live on HBO PPV)

It’s not that I’m NOT excited about Mayweather-Mosley, it’s just that I was significantly MORE excited about Mayweather-Big Show…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeyDVvthx2c[/youtube]

I had so much money on the Big Show in that one…

2. College Lacrosse: Towson @ Johns Hopkins (Wednesday 7pm from Homewood Field live on ESPNU), Loyola @ Denver (Sunday 3pm from Denver live on AM1570 WNST), Fairfield @ Maryland (Saturday 1pm Byrd Stadium), Hartford @ UMBC (Saturday 12pm from UMBC Stadium live on WMAR2 & ESPNU), Denison @ Stevenson (Saturday 1pm Caves Athletic Complex), Patriot League Tournament: Navy vs. Lafayette (Friday 5:45pm from West Point live on CBS College Sports. Championship Game Sunday 3pm from West Point live on CBS College Sports)

You realize that if Towson beats Hopkins Wednesday night, it will be the first time in 39 years that the Blue Jays will miss the NCAA Tournament?

The NCAA Tournament without Johns Hopkins? It would be like “Parks & Recreation” without Jerry! He makes the show!!!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMsA09ce-Wk[/youtube]

1. Horse Racing: Kentucky Derby (Saturday 5pm from Louisville live on NBC-Derby event Saturday 12:45pm at Pimlico), Kentucky Oaks (Friday 4pm from Louisville live on Bravo)

I’m going to Louisville. I can’t wait. Mostly for this reason…

[youtube]http://www.blogcdn.com/golf.fanhouse.com/media/2009/02/kentucky-derby-golf-girls.jpg[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

For the week starting Tuesday, February 2nd-Monday, February 8th

Honorable Mention-Women’s College Basketball: Georgia Tech @ Maryland (Friday 8:30pm from Comcast Center live on Comcast SportsNet), Virginia @ Maryland (Monday 7pm from Comcast Center live on Comcast SportsNet); Exhibition College Lacrosse: Maryland vs. Loyola, Cornell, Drexel (Saturday 12pm from College Park), Villanova @ UMBC (Saturday 1pm from UMBC Stadium); Bowling: Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational (Sunday 2pm from New Orleans live on ESPN); High School Basketball: Loyola @ John Carroll (Tuesday 3:30pm), Joppatowne @ Edgewood (Tuesday 6:45pm), Calvert Hall @ Archbishop Spalding (Tuesday 7pm)

10.  Citizen Cope (Thursday 8pm & Friday 9pm Recher Theatre), Virginia Coalition (Saturday 8pm 8×10 Club), Lil’ Wayne “Rebirth” available on CD (Tuesday), “Zombieland” available on DVD & Blu-Ray (Tuesday)

Not ONLY did Cope sell out two more nights at Recher (after he sold out 3 straight last year), but this year he’s coming ahead of a new CD, “The Rainwater LP”. I think it might be good……

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0Zfp0bTQJs[/youtube]

In case you forgot, Citizen Cope WAS the guy that told us about George from Baltimore….wasting his money at Pimlico….sorta like Rick from Reisterstown…..

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMJjkO8ESL4[/youtube]

And I will ALSO be at the Virginia Coalition show Saturday night, because 8×10 is just about the best place….IN THE WORLD….to see a show, and because I love me some Virginia Coalition…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl-nlYkHpto[/youtube]

But seriously, do the internets have no better video of “Walk to Work” than this???

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJFLPWBJK5k[/youtube]

Also, I’ve been looking forward to the new Weezy stuff for a while…..

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTurfn7vvCk[/youtube]

And while I didn’t get to see Zombieland, I heard good things….

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_DYIUNYs84[/youtube]

9. Lingerie Bowl VII (Broadcast Sunday at halftime of Super Bowl via LFLUS.com)

For the record, I do not believe that the reason Anita Marks was let go by CBS Radio was because she intended to play quarterback in the game.

(Edit from GMC: Look, you make your own “that’s because they want pretty girls in the game” joke. I’m not going there. I think she’s a very pretty girl. And I can’t believe you’d say such a thing.)

This is really the bottom line here. Whether they’re playing football or cross-stitching, I’m pretty sure I’d be watching just about ANYTHING these ladies would be doing…..

8. PGA: Northern Trust Open (Thursday & Friday 5pm live on Golf Channel; Saturday 3pm & Sunday 2:30pm live on NBC. All golf from Pacific Palisades, CA)

I’ve never watched The Golf Channel, mostly because apparently all they ever show is golf. If they showed something else-like horse racing, college soccer or even Jersey Shore re-runs, I would have probably watched before.

However, word is that Win McMurry will be joining the Golf Channel. I might watch……

…but probably not, because I’m guessing they’ll still be showing golf.

7. NBA: Wizards @ Knicks (Wednesday 7:30pm from New York live on Comcast SportsNet), Wizards @ Magic (Friday 7pm from Orlando live on Comcast SportsNet), Hawks @ Wizards (Saturday 7pm from Verizon Center live on Comcast SportsNet)

I heard a rumor that the ‘Zards might be interested in trying to trade Gilbert Arenas in the offseason if they can’t void his contract. This made me think about who they might be able to get in a deal…..

Yeah, some good deals on the table there….

6. NASCAR: Daytona 500 Qualifying (Saturday 1pm from Daytona live on FOX), Budweiser Shootout (Saturday 8pm from Daytona live on FOX)

Oh yay! NASCAR is back!!! Someone….somewhere….is excited.

I’m sure you’re all wondering who it is that I’m picking to win the Winston Cup this year (Edit from GMC: It’s called the Sprint Cup now?!?!? Why didn’t they tell anyone???), so I thought I’d let you know. I’m picking Lightning McQueen!!!

5. NHL: Capitals @ Bruins (Tuesday 7pm from Boston live on Comcast SportsNet), Capitals @ Rangers (Thursday 7pm from New York live on Comcast SportsNet), Thrashers @ Capitals (Friday 7pm from Verizon Center live on Comcast SportsNet PLUS), Penguins @ Capitals (Sunday 12pm from Verizon Center live on NBC)

I am a fan of Dan Steinberg’s work with the DC Sports Bog, unlike the teams in DC he covers (like the Caps)-that I am not a fan of. Last week, he pointed out that Glory Days has been forced to give away 100,000+ wings due to a promotion that involves the Caps scoring 5+ goals in a game.

Which gives me a great idea for how the Orioles can re-connect with the fanbase! How about “Free Wings every time a starting pitcher allows 5 or more runs in 5 or less innings?!?!?!?!?”

4. UFC 109: Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman (Saturday 10pm from Las Vegas live on Pay-Per-View)

Don’t get me wrong-I love Dana White as much as anyone, but I’m not really 100% on this one. I mean, aren’t these guys like a combined 247 years old???

Seriously, were these guys not available???

3. National Signing Day (Wednesday- Live coverage on ESPNU & CBS College Sports during day); University of Maryland recruiting celebration (Wednesday 5pm Riggs Alumni Center in College Park)

As a reminder, if you stop by to see one of these prep athletes’ press conferences at a local high school-keep this in mind…..

2. College Basketball: Maryland @ Florida State (Thursday 9pm from Tallahassee live on RAYCOM Sports/WNUV 54 locally), North Carolina @ Maryland (Sunday 2pm from Comcast Center live on Comcast SportsNet locally, Fox Sports Net nationally); Florida A&M @ Morgan State (Saturday 4pm Hill Field House), Bethune-Cookman @ Morgan State (Monday 7:30pm Hill Field House); Towson @ Drexel (Tuesday 7pm from Philadelphia live on The Comcast Network), James Madison @ Towson (Saturday 4pm Towson Center); Vermont @ UMBC (Saturday 3pm RAC Arena), Maine @ UMBC (Monday 7pm RAC Arena); Bethune-Cookman @ Coppin State (Friday 7pm from Coppin State Physical Education Complex live on ESPNU), Florida A&M @ Coppin State (Monday 7:30pm Coppin State Physical Education Complex)

I can’t even begin to explain how much I don’t like North Carolina.

I don’t like Dean Smith. I don’t like Roy Williams. I don’t like Michael Jordan. I don’t like Jerry Stackhouse. I don’t like Rasheed Wallace. I don’t like Vince Carter. I don’t like Brendon Haywood. I don’t like Sean May. I don’t like Raymond Felton. I don’t like Tyler Hansbrough. I don’t like Larry Drew.

But there is one guy I despise even more than any of them……

WHY THE HELL IS THEIR MASCOT A RAM?!?!?!?!?!? You can say what you want about my mascot being a turtle, but AT LEAST IT MAKES SENSE!!!!!!!

That’s why you name the team after something that you can actually have a mascot for.

“Tar Heels.”

How stupid is that???

(Edit from GMC: Please spare me the “that’s not funny because the kid who was their mascot a few years ago died in a car accident” stuff. It’s the mascot I have a problem with.)

1. Super Bowl XLIV: Colts vs. Jets (Sunday 6pm from Miami live on CBS)

This is a simple case of good vs. evil. If you’re rooting for Indianapolis, please NEVER TALK TO ME AGAIN.

I will (of course) be rooting for New Orleans, partly because this gal will be too……

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983……

-G

Bud Millikan won’t be remembered for Final Four appearances, national championships, or multiple ACC titles during his 17 seasons (1950-1967) as men’s basketball coach at the University of Maryland.

His 243-182 (.572) record and 1957-58 team’s ACC title and NCAA Elite Eight appearance is impressive but not overwhelming. Millikan helped usher in a new era of basketball in College Park as his Terrapins moved from Ritchie Coliseum to the legendary Cole Field House, but you won’t find a plethora of championship banners from his tenure hanging in the rafters.

Instead, the legacy of the late head coach can be found in the accomplishments of the players he coached.

Billy Franklin went on to coach Bowie High School.

Joe Harrington coached at George Mason, Long Beach State, Colorado, and currently serves as the director of men’s basketball student services at Maryland.

Terry Truax led Towson, and Billy Jones was the head man at UMBC.

And, of course, his point guard and team captain in 1967 was a young man named Gary Williams, currently in the midst of a Hall of Fame coaching career and 21-year tenure at Maryland that includes the school’s first and only national championship.

Coaches are ultimately—and understandably—judged by their win-loss records and number of championships won, but perhaps a more appropriate factor to consider is the impact left on the people they teach. Anyone who participated in a team sport at some point in their life can recall the influence a coach had—good or bad.

Most players take a coach’s lessons to improve their play in their respective sports and then move on with the rest of their lives, but a select few take these lessons with them to one day become coaches themselves.

That’s not to say the protege always becomes the carbon-copy of the mentor. Mike Krzyzewski will never be confused with the fiery Bobby Knight, but the lessons learned from his playing days at Army under the temperamental coach helped shape one of the finest coaches in the history of the college game.

Bill Walsh may always be defined by his three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers, but isn’t it equally impressive to study the extensive coaching tree from his tutelage that has extended throughout the NFL over the last 20 years? Even former Ravens coach Brian Billick is a descendant and now finds his own former assistants making names for themselves as head coaches.

Millikan’s accomplishments as a head coach may not dazzle Terps fans of later generations, but his impact on Maryland basketball cannot be understated. To hear Williams speak about his college coach says it all.

“To have that many coaches come off one team shows that if you listened, you picked up a lot of good things. He was a tough coach and if you wanted to play, you did things his way.”

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

For any Maryland fan that’s savored the last 21 years under Gary Williams’ leadership that has lifted the program from the ashes of Len Bias’ death and NCAA probation to heights that once seemed unimaginable, Millikan deserves recognition for helping shape the coach that would one day guide a skinny underdog from Calvert Hall and a big kid from Silver Spring to the Georgia Dome in 2002.

And the rest was history.

In the final second, as Juan Dixon hurled the basketball toward the top of the Georgia Dome roof, Bud Millikan probably didn’t cross the mind of anyone watching except his former point guard—and the most important figure in the history of Maryland basketball.

When we reach the pinnacle of our respective careers, we cannot help but think of the people that helped us along the way. Undoubtedly, Williams had to be thinking back to the many lessons on man-to-man defense and tenacity acquired from his college coach in the mid-1960s.

And for that, Maryland fans should offer a few simple words to the late Millikan’s memory.

Thank you, Coach.