Cal Ripken Jr...Skipper?

In a recent interview with Bloomberg Radio Cal Ripken expressed an interest in returning to the game as a major league manager. Ripken was quoted as saying, "I'm starting to think about it a little more now. When my boy goes off to college, if there's a time to come back to the game, maybe that's the time."

I'll be honest, I've never pictured my favorite athlete of all-time managing, despite the fact that he was born and bred to do it. I picture Cal as the G.M. or the owner of a MLB team, not an actual field coach...I see his brother Billy as a manager. And when we talk about Cal having any position with a MLB team, whether it be manager, G.M. or owner...it has to be with the Orioles...right? I can't see Cal becoming the manager of the Marlins or the Nats.

This is a make or break year for Dave Trembley, regardless of Cal's words. Anything less than .500 will probably lead to Trembley's dismissal. Would Andy Macphail be confident enough to hire Cal to be the manager? Cal would certainly demand more power than any other manager...ever. And how much money would it take? A S-load. And every crab eating O's fan out there is going to clamouring for Cal to be the next manager, any other choice and the B&O Warehouse will be receiving bomb threats.

For the record Cal's son Ryan is only a sophomore in high school, so by Cal's words we're talking about 2 years from now. But, with Cal being on record as saying he would like to manage...let the countdown begin.

Cheers and Hail

3/5-3/8 Happy Bdays

Happy birthday Erik Bedard. Erik played 5 seasons for the Orioles from 2002-2007. Erik won 40 games and had a 3.83 ERA during his O’s tenure. Erik’s best season came in 07’ when he led the league in K’s and hits allowed per 9 innings while going 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA. Erik was traded to the Mariners after the 07’ season for Adam Jones, George Sherill, Chris Tillman and 2 others…thank you Andy Macphail. Erik will try to regain his form for the Mariners in 2010, he’s won 11 games in seasons for them. Happy 31st Mr. Bedard.



Happy birthday Jeffrey Hammonds. Jeffrey played 6 seasons for the Orioles from 1993-98. #11 played all 3 OF positions during his O’s tenure, appearing in 410 games while batting .264. Jeffrey’s best season came in 97’ when he clubbed 21HR’s and stole 15 bases. A 1st round draft pick, Jeffrey was traded to the Reds in 98’ for Willie Greene. Happy 39th Mr. Hammonds.



Happy birthday Brett Conway. Brett played parts of 5 seasons for the Redskins from 1998-2002. Brett appeared in 41 games during his Skins tenure making 75.4% of his FG attempts. His best season came in 99’ when he made 22 FG’s and 49 XP’s for 115 pts. In retirement Brett owns a fitness/dance studio in Chicago and also works in real estate. Happy 35th Mr. Conway.



Happy birthday Anthony Montgomery. Anthony recently completed his 4th season as a defensive tackle for the Redskins. #94 has appeared in 38 games collecting 78 tackles and 3 sacks. A restricted free agent, the Skins recently tendered Anthony with a 5th round $1.01 million offer for 2010. Happy 26th Mr. Montgomery.

Cheers and Hail

RIP Perry Brooks

Former Redskin and friend Perry Brooks passed away yesterday, he was 55 years old.

Perry was a defensive tackle who played his college ball at Southern University and was drafted in the 7th round of the 1976 draft by the New England Patriots. Perry came to the Redskins in 1978 and remained with them until his retirement in 1984. Over 7 seasons Perry played in 92 regular season games and appeared in 2 Super Bowls, including the 82' Championship season.

In retirement, Perry got into the automobile business and was a long time employee of Cowles Nissan in Woodbridge, VA. It was here that I first met Perry. As a young 20ish kid who happened to be a diehard Redskins fan, I was thrilled to be working alongside a former Redskin. I would sit and listen to Perry's stories about those classic games and players that I had grown up admiring. I'm sure they were stories that Perry had grown tired of telling over the years, but he always welcomed me when I came to sit at his desk and ask him questions. Everything about Perry was big, his smile, his laugh, his personality and his heart. Perry not only shared his stories, Perry shared his personal Redskins tickets with me. I watched the last Redskins game played at RFK while sitting in Perry's seats. That was an experience I will never forget and I will never forget Perry.



Perry was very proud of his family, a family that includes his son Ahmad, a linebacker for the 49'ers. My thoughts and prayers go out to them...I guess heaven needed a defensive tackle to help stuff the run. RIP #69.

Chris Samuels: A Modern Day Hog

Chris Samuels will announce his retirement from the NFL tomorrow March 4 at Redskins Park, a neck injury forcing him out of the game after 10 seasons. Redskins fans should take pause and applaud a perennial Pro Bowler and great all around guy.

When you draft a Left Tackle #3 overall, the hope is that you can plug him in the lineup and forget about that position for the next decade or so. It certainly doesn't work out that way in most cases, but for the Redskins it did. In his first 8 seasons Samuels missed a total of 4 games. He battled ankle, knee, shoulder and neck injuries during that time but he kept showing up and playing at an extremely high level. Samuels was a 6 time Pro Bowler who appeared in 141 games as a Redskin, protecting the backs of 14 different QB's.



It isn't unreasonable to think that if he had stayed healthy Samuels may have played another 4-5 years and made another Pro Bowl or 2, which would have been a Hall Of Fame career. As it stands he was still one of the most dominant offensive lineman for a decade and may be a fringe HOF'er. He's certainly one of the all-time greatest offensive linemen that have worn the burgundy and gold (there have been many) and a "Hog" from a different era.



With the current state of the Skins offensive line, you will certainly come to miss Samuels if you don't already...I know I do. Congrats on a great career Mr. Samuels and best of luck in your retirement.



Cheers and Hail

3/1-3/4 Happy Bdays

Happy birthday Phillip Daniels. Phillip was recently offered a contract to return to the Redskins for his 6th season in DC. Phillip has played 68 games as a Redskin, including all 16 last year despite playing most of the season with a torn bicep! It’s no surprise that he played thru the injury, he’s one strong badass. I’ll never forget his 4 sack performance against the Cowboys and he was born on my birthday! Phillip will be entering his 14th NFL season in 2010 and hopes to play another 4-5 years so he and his son can become the first father/son duo to play at the same time in NFL history. I wouldn’t bet against him. Happy 37th Mr. Daniels.



Happy birthday Stephen Davis. Stephen played 7 seasons for the Skins from 1996-2002. Stephen was a 2-time Pro Bowler who rushed for 5,790 yards (4th all-time) and 45 TD’s during his tenure. Stephen’s best season came in 99’ when he rushed for 1,405 yards and 17TD’s. Stephen signed a 1 day contract with the Panthers in 2008 so he could retire as a Panther instead of a Redskin…he played 3 seasons in Carolina. Happy 36th Mr. Davis.



Happy birthday Cory Raymer. Cory played 8 seasons for the Skins from 1995-2005. Cory appeared in 80 games as a Center/Guard. Cory was a 2nd round pick out of Wisconsin. Happy 37th Mr. Raymer.



Happy birthday Chris Webber. Chris played 4 seasons for the Bullets from 1994-98. Chris is one of my all-time favorite Bullets/Wizards. Chris averaged 21.4PPG and 9.3RPG during his Bullets tenure. Chris was an amazing passer and 3 pt shooter for a big man. In retirement Chris has worked in TV and just yesterday was sued for 3 million for a restaurant venture gone bad. Happy 37th Mr. Webber.

Cheers and Hail

Music Monday: Counting Crows

This is my favorite band:



These are some of my favorite Counting Crows songs (I like them all)

This is possibly my favorite song ever

St. Robinson In His Cadillac D...

Cheers and Hail

Bring On The Dukies!

Don't look now but your Maryland Terrapins have the most important game in years coming up this Wednesday. The Terps will host Duke with a share of 1st place in the ACC on the line. Yep, a team picked by most to finish in the bottom half of the ACC has secured 2nd place and has a chance to tie for 1st with a win over Duke.

MD is coming off of a 104-100 victory over VT this weekend, the first road win vs Tech since they joined the ACC. Greivis pumped in 41 pts...anyone who shoots 43 times in a game should score 41, but it's still impressive. Greivis is writing the final chapters of his legacy at MD and quite frankly, a win over Duke and a run in the NCAA tournament may push him into top 3 all-time status.

I can't wait to see how this plays out and I know where I'll be at 9pm on Wednesday. Fear the Turtle.

Cheers and Hail