2B: Felipe Lopez or Brian Roberts: Roberts by a nose. This would have been an upset since Lopez is hitting .309- but he doesn’t steal a lot of bases and Roberts has hit more doubles than anyone in baseball over the last 2 seasons.  More importantly, Roberts scores a ton of runs for the birds (71).

SS: Christian Guzman vs any SS on the O’s Roster: Guzman. The Orioles have had more SS on thier roster this year than Hugh Heffner has had girlfriends. Guzman is still hitting .300 after going 0-17 to start after the All-Star break.

3B: Ryan Zimmerman vs Melvin Mora. Zimmerman. Mora’s numbers have dropped like the economy. Mora might be the most overpaid third-baseman making $8 million this season. That’s a little over $111k per HIT (72 hits this season)!!! Zimmerman has had productive season and is 5th in the NL in Runs Scored with 69– and is making a measly $3.3 million this season.

Catcher: Josh Bard vs Matt Wieters: Wieters. Did anyone know that Bard has been in the league 7 years? If you have him on your fantasy team- your team is struggling….

OF: Willingham, Morgan, Dunn
vs
Markakis, Jones, Reimold
Gotta take the Orioles on this one. Markakis is having a decent season- Jones is the best young outfielder in the game, and Reimold has 9 HR’s and a .470 slugging percentage. Not bad for a guy who was in the minors 2 months ago.
The Nats outfield- Dunn is the new Sam Horn. He either strikes out or hits a HR. Willingham is inconsistent (even though he hit 2 Grand Slams last night), and Nyger Morgan barely gets on-base for a lead off guy (.366 On Base Percentage).

Pitching Staff: Take your pic. It’s embarrassing…..
Nats: Last in the NL in ERA (4.99), OPS (.799), Opponent Avg(.279), Saves (15), Wallks per innings pitched (1.53), and Quality Starts (39).
Orioles: Just as bad. Last in the AL allowing opponents to hit .279, OPS .802, and Quality Starts (36). Thank goodness for David Hernandez who has an electrifying Fastball for the Orioles.

Manager: Doesn’t matter. They’ll both be gone the day after the season ends…..

Looking forward to the 2010 season……..

It was during the weekend of the BB&T Classic back in 1998 to see Steve “Franchise” Francis play in his only year @ UMD. Mr. Elburn was on his way to see the Stanford vs Maryland Men’s Basketball game (UMD won 62-60 Steve Francis 24 pts) with his pal Gary Ditto when he realized that ESPN was televising this game– and he had seats behind the basket. As Drew sat in bumper to bumper traffic like the rest of the baskerball fans on I-95- he decided to make a sign that said “Fear the Turtle”. That sign was seen on the Jumbotron and ESPN’s own Dick Vitale went crazy on the air–”Fear the Turtle baaaaby. That’s right–Fear the Turtle……” The next day- Drew Elburn trademarked that slogan for a whopping $250 thanks to the advice from one of his college friends.

After multiple appearances on local radio stations and creating a buzz in College Park that got the crowds on their feet to rally around a turtle- Drew finally got the call from the UMD attorneys. After 1 1/2 years of negotiations- Mr. Elburn struck a deal that has lasted nearly 12 years (hell- the “Protect This House” campaign by Under Armour was terrific– so why did THAT not last a presidential term?).

So- as Maryland turns the page on the snazzy “Fear The Turtle” campaign, here are a few suggestions to replace Drew Elburn’s million dollar idea:

* “Fear the Fridge”– Ralph Friedgen is an intimidating guy at 400lbs– but he looks great this season losing nearly 100 lbs in the offseason.
* “Fear the Frese”– Brenda Frese has brought women’s basketball back from the dead in College Park.
* “Fear the Traffic @ UMD”- Anyone else sit on Route 1 for an hour before and after the game?
* “Fear Your Comcast Bill”- I’m tired of overpaying Comcast. No wonder they have enough money to sponsor a multi-million dollar arena.
* “Cape Fear”- Go see the movie.
* “Have No Fear”- Would you be scared of the UMD Women’s Tennis Team that lost their last 46 straight individual matches in 2009?

Go TERPS!!

I’d like to give former assitant Jeff Walz credit for his hard work also. Jeff recruited 7 days a week and was able to recruit the top point guard in the country (Kristy Tolliver), and 2 of the top “bigs” in the country (Crystal Langhorne and Laura Harper). Coach Walz worked so hard- that he was rewarded by getting the head coaching job at Louisville. Oh- by the way- Louisville is now in the Sweet 16. If they make it to the Championship game- they may face Maryland for the NCAA title.

The Women’s team is the toast of College Park. I’d pay to see them scrimmage the men’s team. The men’s team would win- but I’d love to see them score a few against Gary’s Guys.

Go Lady Terps!!

Vegas has picked the Orioles to win 65 games this year– the worst in baseball. Vegas also has the Orioles at a 150-1 shot–to win the DIVISION. Don’t waste your money on this one. There is one scary fact this year– the TAMPA BAY RAYS might finish in front of the O’s (or “WOES” –which ever you prefer) for the first time EVER. Since the Rays joined the American League- they have finished in the basement every year– looking up at the big boys. Tampa has had a minor league roster every year. Baltimore may be the new Tampa Bays Rays. Now- let’s look at some of the “new” Bad News Bears– otherwise known as the Baltimore Orioles:

*Outfielders: Adam Jones, Tike Redman, Luke Scott. Maybe Luke Skywalker might have been a better choice.

* Infielders: Luis Hernandez, Scott Moore, Guillermo Hernandez (catcher). Ummm….Guillermo who???

* Pitchers:

- Matt Albers- Left field stands- watch out….

- Greg Aquino-Right field stands- bring your glove….

- Rander Bierd- Wild Thing- you make my heart sing….

- Troy Patton- I was hoping for General Patton…..

- George Sherrill- Read Nestor’s blog about this guy….

- Dennis Safarte- there is an odor in the ballpark when this guy takes the hill. It’s hidden in his last name….

- Rocky Cherry- Did we purchase him from Ben & Jerry’s?

Good luck to the guys in Orange and Black this year. I’ll be sipping on my Pepto all year.

When’s football start again??

I remember sitting on the court before the game saying to Quinn Buckner- “this is Princeton’s year- they’re gonna beat these dudes. I can feel it in the building.”

“No way” said Buckner. “I’ll bet you a case of stogies” I said. “You’re on little fella” said Buckner.

As the game began: back-door-cut after back-door-cut. UCLA could not stop the brainiacs. Halftime score was 18-17 UCLA. As the 2nd half began- UCLA could not stop the back-door-cut. With about 10 minutes to go- the UCLA crowd entered the building only to see the horror: Princeton 29- UCLA 28. I remember seeing Reggie Miller sitting in section 104 with his head in his hands- with his powder blue UCLA hat on.

As the game came down the stretch- I remember saying to myself “Don’t screw this up”.  I quickly looked up a note that said- “The last time a defending National Champion lost in the 1st round– Indiana in 1977. It was the year after Quinn Buckner led his team to an undefeated season and the 1976 NCAA Title.”

Wth 3 minutes to go- Princeton was down 41-35…..but you could feel the Tigers coming back. Sydney Johnson hit a 3- 41-38 UCLA…..Goodrich hit a 3….tied 41-41. Then- it happened….under a minute to go…..the fans rose to their feet….Princeton with the ball…..12 seconds to go….and there it is….another back-door-cut to Goodrich…43-41 Princeton in the lead.

2 seconds to go- Cameron Dollar passes to Toby Bailey out of bounds- the shot is not even close– and Princeton does the unthinkable. They defeated a team that was on the school payroll. They defeated a school that had the easiest history program in the country (11 out of 12 players were History majors– only Cameron Dollar was not– Geography– which had to have been the 2nd easiest major at UCLA).

The back- door-cut– it’s what made champions out of a bunch of brainiacs.

To me- it’s the greatest upset that I’ve been witness to over the last 11 years.

The 41-yr old Detroit native (and Andruw Jones look-a-like) makes an average matchup in the NCAA Tournament exciting. Do you remember the “almost upset” that Gus called of Xavier- Ohio State in last year’s tournament? There is no doubt that CBS should have Gus working the National Championship game this year.  Gus deserves a shot. He’s been with CBS for 12 years and is one of the few black play-by-play guys to call an NCAA Tournament game. Who would you rather listen to: Gus Johnson or James Brown? It’s not even close…..

So- here’s my endorsement for my good friend and co-worker Gus Johnson. Right now he has the hardest job in the buisiness- calling games for the hapless New York Knicks. Yes- he even makes THOSE games look exciting.

I ask you- who is your favorite play-by-play guy during NCAA Tournament time??

A black cloud is hanging over the Maryland Men’s Basketball Team. The Terps have lost a few hearbreakers over the last few weeks- and when they needed to beat a team that was 4-11 in the ACC (Virginia) to secure an NCAA bid- the hotel they stayed at in Charlottesville did them in.

The hotel that the team stayed in near Charlottesville lost power on Saturday night and a few of the players were vomiting all night due to an unknown virus.  It’s actually amazing that Maryland was able to dress all of it’s players last night in the loss. Needless to say- that loss might have dropped them into the NIT- in which they will have to say “thank you but no thank you” to.

The reason??

Rounds 1 and 2 of the NCAA Women’s Tournament will be at the Comcast Center next week. Teams will be coming in starting on Wednesday for shoot arounds and practice.

I can assure you that the administration at College Park were not thinking of a scheduleing conflict when they bid on hosting the NCAA Women’s Tournament 2 years ago.

Coach Williams- I’m sweating thru my suit thinking about this right now.

The only way the Terps will be able to accept a bid is if they ask the NIT to have them play “on the road” for the first 2 games (assuming they win the first game- which right now- is not a sure thing. Remember- the Terps lost to Manhatten 2 years ago @ Comcast). 

I don’t see Maryland playing on the road at a school like Fairleigh Dickenson in Round 1 of the NIT in front of a sold out crowd of 500 people.

It’s been a seasaw season for the Terps. Win a few games in the ACC tournament- and you can delete this blog from your memory.

So- next year there will be a new look with NCAA Basketball officials. John W. Adams will succeed Hank Nichols as NCAA coordinator of men’s basketball officiating at the end of the 2007-08 season. Nichols has been the head honcho since 1986- and he can’t leave fast enough as far as I’m concerned.

Adams, a 1971 Indiana State graduate, has evaluated Division I officials for the NCAA since 2000. He was a liaison between the NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee and the Conference Commissioners Association’s officiating coordinators.

The first thing Adams should do when he takes his post at the end of this season is “clean house” on some basketball officials. Honestly- was that call in the UCLA- Stanford game the worst call you’ve ever seen on that blocked shot? That official should be handed his walking papers now…..he’s had plenty of calls like that this past year.

Oh- by the way- here are my top 5 BEST NCAA Basketball Officials:

!) Donee Gray: Best there is. This guy has been running up and down the court since the Never Nervous Pervis Ellison days. Bob Knight once singled him out as the best official in the game. Resident of Prince George’s County. Does a host of charity work for the schools in Prince George’s and Charles County. A class act.

2) Mike Kitts: Every time I turn the tv on- it seems that he’s officiating every game. Has the best “charging” call in the game. Looks like he’s in a state of anaphylactic shock when he makes that call.

3) Ed Hightower: Has worked 10 NCAA Fianl Four Games. Knows the rules of basketball better than anyone. Also has the best hairpiece of any NCAA official. Is semi-retired.

4) David Libbey: 8 NCAA Final Four Games. Makes calls without any hesitation- and is right 100% of the time. Also has the best guns in the game. Seems to be in the gym 24 hours a day. He’s the Ed Hoichuli of College Basketball.

5) John Clougherty- 12 NCAA Final Fours. I had to put him on the list because not only is he top notch- but he’s also in charge of the officials in the ACC- and I’m hoping that he makes changes in officiating next year in the conference.

Check out the stats in the 2nd half that MD put up. How about 1-10 from 3-point range? How about missing 9 of 21 free throws from the charity stripe for the game?

After being up by 20- Maryland hit two of their next 11 shots- including missing on FIVE 3-point shots and turning the ball over 4 times. Maybe they should have Kristy Tolliver bring the ball up the court (Lady Terp Point Guard).

Hey Coach Booth- you’re the defensive specialist– where were you last night? Anyone seen Osby? Where was he last night? He had more fouls (4) than rebounds (3). It says he played 17 minutes. That equals about 1 foul every 4 minutes. Coach Williams- sign me up. I can do that…

Let’s give Clemson credit….that kid Oglesby from Clemson was shooting from the parking lot- and hitting nothing but net. He was 4-10 from 3-point range– but he hit them when they counted. He’s a FRESHMAN– and has ice in his veins.

Note to team: Please stop having James Gist shoot 3-pointers. He could have built a house with the amount of bricks he threw up last night– along with Vasquez. Where’s Steve Blake when we need him?

I sat next to former Terp Derrick Lewis last night behind the Terps bench. He made a good observation- the coaches got too complacent. They were coaching for 30 of the 40 minutes. They panicked for the last 10. Hopefully they will coach for 40 minutes vs Virginia.