David Steele
Ravens dropping ball at receiver?
April 27, 2009
Now that the 2009 NFL draft is history, it appears that one big blight on the Ravens' drafting record remains, as does a major need on their roster.
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Maybin has best seat in house
April 26, 2009
Aaron Maybin never thought for a second about accepting the NFL's invitation to be on site when his name was called at Radio City Music Hall on Saturday. Not unless the NFL, or somebody else, could figure out a way to fit 500 relatives, friends and extended family members into the building.
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To measure strength of Ravens' draft, see how wind blows
April 23, 2009
Presenting the 2008 Ravens draft report card. Not the usual draft report card since, you'll notice, it's coming a year after that draft, not five minutes after. More accurately, this is a report card on the report cards done right after the Ravens finished selecting last April - which, no matter how absorbed you get in them, are the one offshoot of the NFL draft that is as pointless as the mock drafts.
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Ravens' Suggs deserves a big deal — not a raw one
April 20, 2009
Once again, Terrell Suggs is to be commended for the way he is handling his contract situation with the Ravens. He is wearing the franchise tag for the second straight year, even though he wants a long-term deal (and even though the Ravens seem to favor giving him one). He's waiting for his payday patiently and quietly, and not waving his arms, shouting, "What about me?"
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Stop dropping ball on city's basketball legacy
April 19, 2009
Every time a city basketball legend like Marvin Webster passes away, the void screams louder. Where is Baltimore basketball's place of honor? Where do the sport's versions of Johnny Unitas and Cal Ripken Jr. go to be immortalized?
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A defendable reason for Ravens' prime-time schedule
April 16, 2009
Defense wins championships. But it doesn't get eyeballs on the screen.
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With Nationals' struggles, 'rivalry' with Orioles has gone south
April 13, 2009
There's hardly any reason to complain about the Orioles one week into the season, and there will be one fewer reason than usual for the coming week. Finally, by popular demand (to put it very mildly), the team will wear the name of your city across its chest on the road, starting Monday night in Texas.
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With help, future could look even brighter for Day's grandson
April 12, 2009
Leon Day would not have minded seeing his grandson with a baseball in his hand. A book in his hand, however, would have impressed him more.
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Webster is gone, but 'Eraser' lives on
April 9, 2009
Thirty years and six months ago, Marvin Webster was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, in hook-shot pose, wearing the uniform of the NBA team that had signed him to a then-shocking $3 million contract, next to a question asking whether he could "turn the Knicks around."
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Time to get over trauma of transplants
March 29, 2009
Twenty-five years later, the NFL and three of its cities are better off than they were back then.
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Phelps fish out of water on TV
March 15, 2009
A harsh reality emerged from Michael Phelps' interview with NBC's Matt Lauer, the first part of which aired Friday morning, with the second part tonight: Phelps doesn't function that well in front of cameras he knows about, either.
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With Negro Baseball League Day, state makes 'long overdue' show of respect
February 12, 2009
As if sent on assignment from the baseball gods, three former Negro league players and the widow of a fourth descended onto the State House complex in Annapolis yesterday afternoon. Technically, they were there to speak to the Senate and House members on behalf of a joint bill to establish an official day in honor of Maryland's contributions to the Negro leagues.
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Lewis' talk of leaving Ravens is cheap
February 9, 2009
As befitting his unique status and personality, Ray Lewis managed to make news last week without illegal substances being involved. Alex Rodriguez and Michael Phelps, take notes.
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Phelps should have known better
February 2, 2009
In defense of Michael Phelps and his "youthful and inappropriate" behavior and "bad judgment," taken on its own, this is far from the worst slip-up ever by a national hero. This space surely isn't the only one in which the first reaction to the now-infamous photo - eight-time gold medalist from the previous Olympics with a marijuana pipe stuck in his grille - was laughter. Plus, his instant contrition and pledge to do better, along with his near-universal fame, likely give him a cushion a lot of other celebrities wouldn't get.
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Merry Tex-mas: Failing in bid is true gift for O's
December 25, 2008
Before you let Mark Teixeira's departure to the Yankees completely ruin your Christmas, Hanukkah and/or Kwanzaa (and before you invoke "evil," "hate" or "damn" once too often during this holy season), try to keep Andy MacPhail's words in mind.
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'Baltimore' hits the road
November 13, 2008
You did not have to be around for the glory days of the Orioles to understand why putting Baltimore back on the road jerseys is so uplifting to the city's soul.
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No need for overreaction in QB battle
August 7, 2008
One of the many positive and exhilarating aspects of any NFL team's first preseason game is the opportunity for everybody to wildly exaggerate the outcome.
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Anthony exhibit step in right direction
July 14, 2008
It was a day full of new and surprising experiences for Carmelo Anthony. He was the center of attention yesterday as the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards unveiled the exhibit dedicated to him - but he was unaware some of the artifacts, such as a photo of him as a child taking a jump shot on a Baltimore playground, would be in the exhibit.
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City sits on sideline in NBA competition
July 6, 2008
The two news items from early and late Wednesday weren't exactly related, but they were more than coincidental. In the morning: a front-page story in The Sun about how The Relic on Howard Street (aka 1st Mariner Arena) still makes a decent profit. At night: a settlement that allows the NBA's SuperSonics to move from Seattle to Oklahoma City.
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Ogden top of the line
June 13, 2008
When Brett Favre officially retired that day in March in Green Bay, he drew a big crowd, much as Jonathan Ogden did yesterday in Owings Mills. Just like Favre's announcement, and like Michael Strahan's earlier this week, Ogden's farewell was carried live on national TV (in homes that get the NFL Network, at least).
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O's charm is not limited to city
June 8, 2008
Putting "Baltimore" back on the Orioles' road jerseys next season is a good thing; no one can argue that. Anything the franchise can do to cater to the core of the fan base - after all the years of alienating it in so many ways - is welcome. You don't have to be an Orioles lifer to get that.
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Sun archives: Black QBs owe McNair big debt
April 20, 2008
Some 24 hours after Steve McNair announced his retirement, Troy Smith said he had yet to speak individually to his former teammate, mentor and friend, only as part of the team farewell meeting that had ended in a standing ovation.
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Caught a break
January 19, 2008
Not that Jason Garrett isn't making enough money now, but the Ravens should send him a bonus. A thank-you for not taking the head coaching job. A token of appreciation for sparing the franchise a big potential headache and, possibly, for opening the door to a better candidate.
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Bisciotti should take chance, put Ryan in charge
January 1, 2008
Rex Ryan should be hired as the Ravens' next coach before he gets away.
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Throw out the lead runners
December 16, 2007
After everything the Mitchell Report laid out about the depth and breadth of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, after all the suggestions and recommendations, after all the names were named and blame was assigned ... the same two foxes were left to guard the henhouse.
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Unanswered questions with hasty conclusions
November 28, 2007
Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL, said it as well as it could be said. The sudden, violent, premature death of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, he said yesterday, "leaves many people behind struggling to understand it."
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Arena first step in filling basketball void in city
March 25, 2007
Enough area basketball fans and observers said it while walking around HSBC Arena last weekend to make it more than a fleeting thought by a niche audience:
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Another Colt in No. 88 jersey is more injustice for Mackey
January 29, 2007
Old-time Baltimore football fans weren't the only ones who thought there was something strange about the sight of No. 88 on the Colts.
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Sorry, Carmelo, old baggage can weigh down new penalties
December 19, 2006
He should have known better.
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Robinson's dismissal is crying shame
October 1, 2006
For the second time this season, Frank Robinson was moved to public tears. The first time, in May, after he had to bench an overmatched catcher in mid-inning, showed the depth of his humanity beneath that famously tough exterior.
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In this city, Anthony holds court in big way
July 2, 2006
Sam Cassell stretched out his hands, the ones that held the imaginary torch."It's passed," Cassell said with the smile that still can't be mistaken for any other. "Here it is, 'Melo, here it is."
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Memory of shock, emptiness still fresh 20 years later
June 19, 2006
I was sleepy. But I couldn't have been that sleepy.
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Lonise Bias: reaching people since 1986
June 18, 2006
Lonise Bias has made it her mission over the past 20 years that her son Len's death not be in vain. Tuesday was the latest proof that it was not.
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Anthony's image rebounds with community outreach
September 3, 2005
Carmelo Anthony comes back to Baltimore this summer with a purpose, ready and eager to put it into action. "I'm really trying to be the man in this city," he said.
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Cheers for Palmeiro's last at-bat could be start of new beginning
August 15, 2005
WITH TWO OUTS and two on in the bottom of the ninth inning yesterday afternoon, the Rafael Palmeiro saga officially turned back into a baseball-only story.
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Forgiveness is in air at yard as team's fallen hero signs in
August 12, 2005
IT WAS big, almost as big as the girl waving it over her head. It was bright orange with black lettering, and it read, "Welcome Back Raffy."
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Fans can make a stand -- by sitting at home
August 11, 2005
SO, Rafael Palmeiro is still lawyering up. Fine. He spent the last nine days of his 10-day steroid suspension in silence and solitude.
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Anthony saves face; message saves lives
May 12, 2005
OFFICIALLY, THE gathering in a vacant lot behind Johns Hopkins Hospital yesterday afternoon was the kickoff of a state-run anti-violence project.
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Anthony saves face; message saves lives
May 12, 2005
Officially, the gathering in a vacant lot behind Johns Hopkins Hospital yesterday afternoon was the kickoff of a state-run anti-violence project.
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As a voice is stilled, memories are stirred
March 7, 2005
IT WAS THE spring of 1977. I was 12 years old, living in Landover, pondering my upcoming ascent to high school and sitting at a crossroads. I needed a baseball team to call my own, and it was obvious by then, six years after the Senators moved, that my hometown was not going to provide me with one.
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Cummings to NBA: Make Anthony part of solution
December 9, 2004
Rep. Elijah Cummings has communicated his feelings directly to NBA commissioner David Stern about the presence of a well-known former resident of his West Baltimore district in an infamous DVD.
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Heading back to East Coast a long, strange trip for columnist
September 9, 2004
YOU'RE NEVER coming back from there.

