A moment of silence for former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Dwight White, part of the Steel Curtain defense of the '70s and winner of four Super Bowls, who died yesterday following "complications" from back surgery.
If I'm part of the White family, I'd like to know exactly how it became so complicated.
Another member of that famed defensive line, Ernie Holmes, died earlier this year in a one-car accident.
Growing up in a household filled with rabid Steeler fans – I was the only Maryland-born member of the family – I felt like I knew those teams as well as the Baltimore Colt teams that I cheered for every Sunday. That's why I've never been a Steeler hater. Just can't bring myself to do it. And you'll never convince me that there's been a better team on earth than the ones that included Bradshaw, Harris, Swann, Stallworth, Webster, Green, White, Greenwood, Lambert, Ham, Russell, Blount and Wagner. Chuck Noll could coach a little, too.
Also, much sadness at the passing of Maryland-born ABC sportscaster Jim McKay, a legend in the business and such a huge part of my sports-crazed childhood. That voice told a lot of stories that kept me glued to my seat.
Casino Drive has been scratched from today's Belmont Stakes because of a bruised left hind hoof, meaning the only way Big Brown doesn't win the Triple Crown today is if he partied too hard last night and has a hangover. Or he got hold of some bad hay.
Did you hear about Single-A Frederick's offensive uprising last night? I guess that 13-game losing streak, which finally ended Thursday night, made the Keys a little ornery. They beat Salem last night, 19-4, with first baseman Brandon Snyder going 5-for-6 with four RBIs and five runs scored.
Snyder is probably tired of hearing how the Orioles should have drafted a first baseman.
Matt Wieters went 4-for-5 with four runs scored. Billy Rowell was 3-for-6 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
The Orioles made 50 selections in the draft, placing special emphasis on left-handed pitching (they took 11 of them) and position players with speed and athleticism. They'll add a 12th lefty when the Mariners send Erik Bedard back here for Bluefield's backup catcher and cash.
Jeff Zrebiec reports in today's Sun that Adam Loewen, while going along with the Orioles' plans to use him in relief this season, would much prefer to start. That'll have to wait, Adam. It's smart to move slowly this year and come back strong in spring training. No more setbacks. No more Rick Ankiel talk. You're a starting pitcher – just not in 2008.
So what should the Orioles do with Brian Burres? He's got one victory in his last eight starts. He hasn't gone five innings in his last three outings. Do you keep him in the rotation or consider someone else?
The club certainly doesn't need another long reliever.
Anyone get sentimental last night when Armando Benitez served up the game-tying homer to Kevin Millar, and then the two-run shot to Adam Jones?
By the way, I think this Jones kid is going to be pretty good. Just a hunch.