The Baltimore-Washington Area’s Greatest Franchise
January 31, 2008
If you walked the streets of Washington DC and asked what was the area’s best professional sports team, you would probably receive an answer of the Washington Redskins. In Baltimore, it would be the Baltimore Ravens. But take away America’s love for football, and try to figure out who is the Baltimore-Washington area’s greatest franchise?
Much like comparing star athletes, trying to determine the area’s greatest team comes down to a number of factors. Championships, hall-of-fame players, and franchise value are among the key elements. Here’s a quick run down of the area’s professional sports franchises.
Washington Redskins
Three Super Bowl Championships
15 Hall of Famers
Second Most Valuable NFL Franchise
Baltimore Ravens
One Super Bowl Championship
0 Hall of Famers
11th Most Valuable NFL Franchise
Baltimore Orioles
Three World Series Titles
Five Hall of Famers
14th Most Valuable MLB Franchise
Washington Nationals
0 World Series Titles
0 Hall of Famers
10th Most Valuable MLB Franchise
Washington Wizards
1 NBA Championship
Two Hall of Famers
15th Most Valuable NBA Franchise
Washington Capitals
0 Stanley Cup Championships
Four Hall of Famers
28th Most Valuable NHL Franchise
I know, many of these numbers may be skewed due to relocation, or recent expansion. But the current economic value of a team lends itself to ingrained fan following as much as a history of talent. With that in mind, there’s no surprise that the Washington Redskins come out on top as the area’s most prominent sports franchise.
It’s one of the oldest franchises in the NFL, boasts one of the league’s biggest rivalries with the Dallas Cowboys, and had enough juice to not only be the last team to have an African-American on the roster, but is still juicy enough to utilize a racial slur for a team name. Now if that’s not greatness, I don’t know what is.
Just Trade Erik Bedard Already
January 30, 2008
I’ve tried to hold off on posting about the Baltimore Orioles and an Erik Bedard deal, because a wise man once told me that owner Peter Angelos will always let a deal sit on his desk for weeks or even months. It’s just the lawyer in him.
But man, this do-si-do has gone on long enough. All indications are that the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners are in place to deal Bedard for a package that includes center fielder Adam Jones, a reliever and a pitching prospect. Bedard doesn’t want to be here, and the team has appeared willing to accommodate his request.
So what’s the big freakin’ hold up?
As usual, Peter Angelos wants people to know that he is a master negotiator, and that you are ultimately at his mercy. Here’s a clue, Petey; baseball transactions and asbestos litigation are in no way similar. This isn’t rocket science and it’s not a courtroom. You aren’t negotiating for Johan Santana, although it would’ve been nice if you had at least thrown your name into the ring.
The club is mired in steroid talk, the front office has gone through significant changes, and the team up the road will open up the 2008 season on national television in a glittering new stadium. The Orioles are facing many challenges regarding personnel decisions and fan allegiance. The least Angelos and the Orioles can do for everyone is to quit the limbo game in this trade deal. It would be the first sign to everyone that you at least look at the Orioles as more than a pawn in a boardroom chess game.
Goof on the Roof Has His Day In Court
January 30, 2008
Originally Posted: EbonyBird.com
Local dumbass Ron Stach, better known to football enthusiasts as the “Goof on the Roof,” had his day in court this past Tuesday to answer charges of failure to pay child support for more than 18 years. Stach was sentenced to pay $750 or spend a year in the Baltimore County Detention Center.
His ex-wife, Kelly Stach, called police after seeing reports on local and national media outlets about her baby’s daddy camped out on the roof of a Baltimore bar in protest of the losing Baltimore Ravens. Ron Stach was arrested a day after coming down from the roof, which unfortunately occurred just before the Ravens victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final game of the regular season. Kelly Stach offered this comment to the Baltimore Examiner.
“What kind of an idiot goes on TV with an outstanding warrant?” she asked outside the courtroom Tuesday. “He says he’s depressed, but it looked like he was happy drinking all the beer he wanted.”
Delinquent goof, nevermore.
Crabcakes and Flag Football - That’s What UMBC Does
January 29, 2008
Had I known that intramural sports was doing it big like this when I was in college, I would’ve spent more time at practice instead of playing Sega Dreamcast and bootlegging music from LimeWire. Fortunately, the kids at the University of Maryland - Baltimore County are not video game-addled thieves and make the most of the intramural experience. It took them all the way to the national semi-finals of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association’s flag football championships in Dallas earlier this month.
Ranked number two in the nation heading into the championships, the Warriors were stopped by the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, 25-20. The team competed in the Co-Rec division, and was comprised of male and female athletes.
UMBC isn’t the only local team that competed in the national championships. Ladies from Howard University advanced to the national semifinals in the Women’s division, but were defeated by eventual national champion Florida A&M University.
Congrats to UMBC and the ladies of Howard for their big seasons in flag football. And forget March Madness; the NIRSA basketball championships will be held in mid-April. We can call it, April Anarchy.
Gilbert and Mya - Rumors Squashed
January 28, 2008
As I guessed in my post from last week, Gilbert Arenas is not dating Mya. He deaded all of the rumors on his latest blog entry, which linked to said post, but did not mention yours truly by name or blog title. Posting rumors is the lifeblood of blogs, so I am sincerely hoping that by doing so I didn’t interfere with the family life or relationships of Gil or Mya. If I did, I really do apologize. I definitely wouldn’t want that to happen to my little piece of heaven.
I am hoping Gil stops by this joint a little more often though. Maybe he will like what he reads and convince the Washington Post sports editors that they could use a Baltimore-based blogger to supplement the monopoly Steinz has on local sports blogging.
Rex Ryan Returns
January 28, 2008
Originally Published: EbonyBird.com
In a move the Washington Redskins should appreciate but won’t, the Baltimore Ravens will announce later today that Rex Ryan will return to the team as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator. The move is the last piece of the coaching puzzle designed to invigorate a long-struggling offense, and maintain the nucleus of a solid defense.
The Ravens had long maintained that Ryan was their guy, although they did publicly champion his cause to other teams, notably the Atlanta Falcons. But after hiring Cam Cameron as the new offensive coordinator, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti talked to Rex on a daily basis through media reports, and it was clear they wanted to move forward with him, despite firing him along with Brian Billick and the rest of the staff.
I originally questioned the move to bring in John Harbaugh as a head coach, but its becoming clear what the strategy might be for the Ravens. Put quality guys at the coordinator positions, bring in a young guy that can be a player’s coach and motivate, and let the good times roll. Credit to Bisciotti, GM Ozzie Newsome, and the front office for reeling in quite a paper tiger.
Here’s hoping it roars in 2008.
Maryland Terrapins Rely Too Much on Athleticism
January 28, 2008
Come March, bubbles will be all the talk of College Park, and it won’t be about what are the best graduation day antics. It will be about why the Maryland Terrapins will miss the NCAA tournament, and how leaning on athleticism cost them throughout the season.
Maryland does several things right defensively. They are first in the conference in field goal percentage defense, second in three-point shooting defense, and first in blocked shots per game. Tough to game plan against perimeter defenders that close quickly and an active interior defense.
On the other hand, the are next to last in three-point shooting, eighth in team field goal percentage, and number one in turnovers. Clearly, good defense does no good if turnovers lead to fast breaks. And even when you don’t turn the ball over, failure to convert possessions expends energy and confidence.
Athletically, the Terps are among the conference’s elite. But the lack of discipline on offensive possessions, particularly in the second half of games, kills the squad. If Maryland does hope to make the dance, they have to become more than just a bunch of passionate athletes and commit to offensive precision.
Maryland knows that they have the ability to run with any team in the country from top to bottom, but they don’t have the will to use their athleticism to complete plays at critical times. There’s still hope for the team and Gary Williams is regarded for coming up big in big games, but you wonder if he’s the guy that can impart the lesson of using more than your heart and your legs.
What the Hell is Wrong With the Washington Redskins?
January 26, 2008
Is Tom Cruise the new GM? Did Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato take one too many trips on the Mind Eraser at Six Flags America? Who ever is in charge just f’d up big time. The Washington Redskins fired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and offensive coordinator Al Saunders today, hired Seattle Seahawks QB coach Jim Zorn to run the offense, and will continue the search for a head coach for at least another week.
This is just beyond crazy. Snyder strung Williams along through four interviews, only for Jim Fassel’s name to appear out of nowhere as if he was a surprise villain in the Royal Rumble. Al Saunders actually did a decent job with the Redskins offense when you consider the injuries to Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle-El, and most importantly Jason Campbell.
And this is what Snyder calls continuity?
I don’t care for the Redskins as an organization, and it’s this kind of stuff that keeps the haterade flowing. You never want to see a franchise drive itself into the ground, but maybe Snyder figures his fan base will be uber loyal in spite of his mismanagement. Why not manage your team like a Madden franchise?
‘Skins fans, I really feel sorry for you. I seriously want all the best for you guys. This isn’t close to being that, but I hope that the players give you something to be happy about every Sunday in spite of what the Redskin Sith Lord may do. Just remember, a better way is just a short trip up 295.
Kevin Durant’s NBA Commercial
January 25, 2008
Shout out to Larry Brown Sports for Kevin Durant’s new commercial for the NBA. If you are from the area, you might recognize some of these jerseys.
My only beef - what’s up with the missing Seat Pleasant Lakers jersey? Capitol Heights is cool. Seat Pleasant is what’s up.
The Washington Nationals Don’t Care About Black People
January 25, 2008
Or at least the subcontractors they hire don’t. A story in today’s Washington Post details several incidents of racial animosity amongst construction workers at the new Nationals Stadium site, capped off with a worker being fired after a noose was found Tuesday in a break room for stadium construction crews.
Details of this incident are coming out just two months after five African-American electricians were fired after a white foremen for Truland Systems allegedly said that “a monkey could do their jobs.” The electricians’ attorney also said that a foreman had a noose on the work site during this time. Truland Systems, who manages the construction project with Clark/Hunt/Smoot, met with Nationals officials yesterday and revealed that other individuals may be fired in conjunction with these incidents.
Don’t these cats know that just because they are working on a big baseball stadium that they are still in Chocolate City? They haven’t pushed all of us out of Anacostia yet, and there could still be some smoke in the city as a result of loose lips. Maybe since Tiger didn’t think it was a big deal, the consensus is that we all will follow suit.
But seriously, besides being hurtful and angry, racism is just so played out. There are so many other reasons to not get a long with folks, like bad attitudes and liking the Yankees, why fall back onto someone’s race? The Washington Nationals appear to be taking swift action on this issue, and its a good thing. You don’t want to give Elijah Dukes a reason to be angry.
