One of the greetings that struck me most was that done by Luke Scott. He told the story of when he was a young boy, and told his mom that he wanted to be a professional baseball player when he grew up. His mom encouraged him and said his ambition was a good one. “Why not?”, she told young Luke, “someone has to do it.” And with that simple affirmation, Luke pursued his dream.

What strikes me about that story is that I have a similar one to tell. When I was a sophomore in high school and pondering a college and career choice, I thought strongly that I wanted to do something other than pursue a business degree or go to dental school. What I REALLY wanted was to be a sports broadcaster. My mom had a dream that I would be a dentist. I vividly recall the day that I broke the news to her that I wanted to be a sports broadcaster. She was preparing dinner in the kitchen- tuna casserole to be exact (funny how we remember such details!). She looked at me as I told her of my dream. Upon hearing that I wanted to go to journalism school, she paused for a moment- then smiled. “That’s a great idea,” she said. “You’ll be great at that!”

I can get emotional recounting that day. It’s a testament to the power of affirmation by a parent for a child.. My mom went out and found a used electric typewriter for me, and helped me enroll in a high school summer journalism camp at the University of Missouri (where I’d later get my broadcast degree). I went on to write for my high school paper, and was on my way to my dream.

My mom died before I began journalism school, but throughout my education and working career I have been fueled by her affirmation. I’m aware of it and I’m empowered by her positive influence every day. I guess that makes me a momma’s boy, and as I noted with the players I talked to - being a momma’s boy isn’t a bad thing.

He stood before us on the day of the run (more than 600 signed up for the race) and spoke confidently of his fight. Shortly after his inspirational address, two busses pulled up and the Baltimore Ravens filed out- cutting through the crowd in a line led by head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome. They were followed by all of the Ravens coaching staff and more than 40 Ravens players. Each of them wearing white “Brigance Brigade” t-shirts. What a sight to see Kyle Boller, Troy Smith, Haloti Ngata, Todd Heap, Kelly Gregg, Jarret Johnson, Daniel Wilcox, Gary Stills (and many others) bound proudly off the bus to make their way toward OJ in a surprise appearance of support. Then a number of them lined up along with the rest of us to run the race. Kudos to Derrick Martin and Corey Ivy for sprinting out with the early pack- determined to be the first Ravens to finish (Martin would be the first player to complete the 3.1 mile run). On a cool, foggy Saturday morning in May- witnessed by less than a thousand- the scene was one of the more powerful I’ve experienced first-hand in sports.

The other story that touched me is more personal, as it involves a man with whom I worked early in my broadcast career. Omar Williams died in his sleep on May 4, he was 83 years old. Omar was “The Dean” of sports casters in Dayton, Ohio and was on the air when WDTN-TV signed on for business in 1951. I worked with Omar Williams from 1989-1994, before I came here to Baltimore. He was past retirement age when I worked with him, and I sometimes wondered why Omar bothered with the hectic world of local TV when he could be comfortably retired and pursuing his favorite pastime- golf. He often shared his frustration with the TV tactic of covering interviews with video of the subject being discussed (what we call “b-roll” in the industry). “Why can’t we just let the man talk? Why cover his face with video? If we somehow got an interview with God himself, these producers would probably cover the interview with video!,” Omar would complain. The young ones might shrug off his complaints and think of Omar as a grumpy old man. But there was more to know. On Friday nights during high school football season, we would put together some incredibly ambitious highlight shows. Those half-hour extravaganzas were some of the most hectic and hellish productions I’ve ever been a part of in my career. I’d see the craziness start to get to “The Dean.” Omar would begin to get frustrated with the rapid influx of scores and highlights as we tried to gather it all together with the deadline for airtime fast approaching. Then, I’d see him stop, smile and laugh to himself- he was immersed in a world he loved. The passion was still there for him.

Omar and OJ- I am blessed to know you both.

For all of the work all of the teams put into scouting and drafting college players (and it’s a job I admire and will put into the category of things I neither could do nor would want to do), the process is ultimately a dice roll. Everyone in the league can agree that a certain college player projects as a sure-fire pro, no problem getting a consensus. The problem is when that player hits the practice field- anything’s possible including that sure-fire college stud being an NFL dud. So, it amuses me that all 32 teams will have glowing things to say about their draft class. They’re all excited, they all did well, so they say. Fact is, we’ll find out down the road that they did not all do well. It’s the nature of the draft.

Joe Flacco was drafted 5 years to the day after the Ravens picked Kyle Boller in the 2003 draft. The Ravens raved about Flacco’s abilities and potential. In fact, what they said sounded a lot like this quote: “(He) has size, intelligence, huge arm strength, great personal charisma and great character. He’s very intelligent and yet he’s just scratching the surface of how far he can go.” Those are the words Brian Billick had for Boller exactly 5 years earlier. Was Billick wrong? Well, not necessarily, but we should never confuse optimism and hope (no matter how glowing the potential) with the liklihood of actual productivity. Fact is, no one knows how good Flacco will actually be- no one.As we like to say,” that’s why they play the games.” Everything for now is just talk. Let the games begin, and we’ll see if Flacco is more than an ordinary Joe.

shovels. Hey look over there- a shipment in of surplus khaki pants. Problem with a store like that-

and a problem for some teams in the NFL draft- if you go in looking for dishes, and at the time you

go shopping all they have is lawn furniture, rakes and pants, you can’t fill your need for dishes. So

you buy some khakis because you figure you could use them at some point, even though you don’t

really need them now. Don’t really need a new rake, but this one is pretty good. But you really NEED

dishes. Wait a minute, you find some paper plates on the shelf. These will work just fine. I’ve filled

my need. I mean, at least I got SOMETHING.

Consider your need for dishes like an NFL team’s need for a quarterback. You go into a draft seeking

the next Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Well, that’s not a likely find, so you’ll settle for a Drew Brees

or a Donovan McNabb. You just want to avoid buying a Ryan Leaf or an Akili Smith…but if that’s all that’s

available……

Just like those surplus stores, the NFL draft is unpredictable inventory from which to choose. Go back to

the Ravens first year in the league, 1996. Say they went into the draft looking for a QB from that crop. There

wasn’t a single quarterback worthy of being taken in the first round. Tony Banks was the first taken: 2nd round,

42nd player overall to St. Louis. In all, 8 QB’s were picked in that palty 1996 draft…and none of them ever played

in a playoff game. So you wait a year. You’ll get that QB in 1997. No you won’t. 11 quarterbacks were taken

in that draft, but only 2 were worthy of a choice before the 3rd round: Jim Druckenmiller and Jake Plummer.

Jake is the only QB from that draft to play in a playoff game. That’s 2 entire drafts and 1 QB who threw a pass

in the postseason.

So, think of that as the Ravens go shopping for the “quarterback of the future” in the 2008 draft. Matt Ryan,

Chad Henne, Joe Flacco? All quality candidates for the need, right? Who knows? You may end up coming

home with paper plates.

Beyond the peripheral stuff, the O’s stole the show by winning 2 of the 3 games from the Yankees. Far outplaying them in the first 2 games, winning 8-2 and 6-0. The Yankees are riding an impressive streak of 12 straight playoff appearances that looks to be in jeopardy. They looked to be a step slower than the O’s at times. The best pitching performance they got in the series was by 35 year old Andy Pettitte. The Yankees may somehow find a way, but the O’s are showing signs of coming to life. They’re not likely to end their run of 10 straight losing seasons this year, but there’s noticeable improvement. All noted in a lively weekend at the Yard.

The role of the reporter and commentator needs to be reviewed here. I say that because some veteran O’s players have reacted angrily to continued suggestions by the media that despite a good start, the team remains destined for a losing season. Let me illustrate with an analogy.

Let’s say we all agree that we’d like for the weather in Baltimore to be warm and sunny tomorrow. But, WJZ meteorologist Bob Turk has studied the computer models and his read on the atmospheric conditions has led him to fashion a forecast for clouds and rain. Is Bob being negative? No, he’s dutifully applying his knowledge to the best of his ability to put his most educated guess toward what may occur in the weather. He’s reporting, or forecasting, what he sees likely.

I hope that analogy helps. If I still think the Orioles are likely to lose more games than they win (despite a good early record), I’m basing my opinion on current conditions as they lend themselves to a likely outcome. If it’s sunny in the morning, and the weather man says it’s likely to rain in the afternoon, he’s not trying to ruin your day- he’s just spelling out a likely occurrence. Can the weather man be wrong? Of course he can. And, can the “negative” media be forced to eat crow if the O’s continue on a miracle path for 162 games? Of course they can. Let’s allow the season to play out, but while so doing- let’s all know our roles.

Orioles opening day comes with some angst attached for some fans and observers. 10 straight losing seasons and the likelihood for an 11th temper the enthusiasm for a new start. I get that and I hear and understand the concerns and complaints. Far be it from me to suggest the downtrodden O’s fan should just enjoy the fact they have a team. No, I can’t say that. Because you have a team, you want a competitive team. The O’s are on a path set by Andy MacPhail to be competitive in a few years. Delayed gratification is a tough sell after 10 years of losing, but at least MacPhail can sell a tangible plan. I sense O’s fans are buying in, but the process of buying in could wear thin as a losing season wears on. This will be an unusual season in Baltimore for that reason and I’ll be keeping an eye on how the fan base handles it.

Besides that: Happy New Year! Well, I’m happy anyway. Here’s hoping you can find the most simple joy somewhere in the change of seasons.

Senior Brian Hodges was a freshman four years ago when Randy Monroe took over as coach and UMBC finished 10-and-18. Two more losing seasons before the breakout year: 24-8, a regular season and conference tourney title, and that coveted ticket to the NCAA “Big Dance.” They all danced on the court, joined by students, teachers, athletic director Charlie Brown and school president Freeman Hrabowski.

There were hugs, back slaps, tears of joy and looks of disbelief. Hodges couldn’t stop smiling. Why should he?

The following day, the euphoria continued with the nationally-televised NCAA pairings on CBS. The anticipation was electric. UMBC knew they’d be a low seed, it was just a matter of which big school they be matched up against. Then their school name popped up on the bracket along with Georgetown, and the place went wild. They slapped high fives, hugged and laughed- again, that unbridled joy. And talking to the players after the pairing was announced, I couldn’t help but notice how confident they were despite being a number-15 seed facing the number-2 seed powerhouse Hoyas. None of them blinked when speaking of their confidence. Few outside observers will give them a real chance to beat Georgetown, but those Retrievers are believers.

UMBC is not likely to beat Georgetown (don’t try to tell them that), but this season and the weekend of celebrating that first-ever NCAA tournament bid have already provided memories the players, coaches and fans will hold forever.

O.J. Brigance was recognized with the “Tops in Courage Award” as he battles the onset of Lou Gehrig’s disease. A former player and now the Ravens director of player development, Brigance was diagnosed last summer and is suffering from increased paralysis of his limbs. The condition has no known cure and is fatal, and one’s inclination is to reach out to Brigance with pity…until you talk to him. O.J. doesn’t want pity. In fact, he embraces the disease as a challenge and reasons that it’s his purpose in life to bring awareness to the ailment by talking about it and establishing a foundation to help find a cure. In what was the most touching moment of the night (to me), Brigance stood before a crowd of 1,500 and thanked his parents for giving him life, and thanked his wife for giving him the will to continue to live. So, I’m left not feeling sorry for him, but feeling inspired by him. Thank you, O.J. Brigance.

New centerfielder Adam Jones has the look of a star in the making. Hope that’s not a curse on the kid, but he’s a smooth athlete with a strong, fluid swing and appears graceful in the outfield. Also impressive about Jones is his manner: intelligent, engaging, and genuine. He impressed me with his passion for baseball’s past. He’s read up on Jackie Robinson and the Negro League stars to know the pioneers who came before him. Impressive.

Melvin Mora is revitalized. Maybe it’s all the young players around him (no more Miguel Tejada at shortstop), but Mora seems to have sipped from the fountain of youth this spring. He joked with me that he’s dyed his hair. It’ll be interesting to see how Mora handles a season in which there are are bound to be some growing pains with the youth around him.

George Sherrill doesn’t look like a Major League pitcher. Amidst all the tall trees on the pitching staff that the O’s have acquired in their off-season trades, it’s easy to miss Sherrill who’s short and squatty for a pitcher. He’s another guy that gives you reason to root for him: he endured years of independent league baseball in pursuit of his big league dream.

Luke Scott may be the nicest Major Leaguer I’ve ever met. Picked up in the trade from the Astros, he works hard and does so with a smile on his face. He plays the game (and practices it) like I believe I would if I were so blessed to play in the big leagues. Scott is a devout Christian but he’s careful not to force his beliefs on anyone else. His philosophy is: if you ask about his faith, he’ll talk about it. Otherwise, he’s content to enjoy the experience of being a pro athlete and that’s evident in the way he goes about it. And not to be lost in the discussion about the good nature of some of the good guys, some of them are pretty good baseball players, too.

Matt Wieters has the look of a future stud, a cornerstone for years to come. He’s a big dude with a commanding presence behind the plate, and he’s still growing. Think Joe Mauer, Wieters looks like a keeper. Again, we’ll see.

The 2008 Orioles will be young and hungry…and prone to the mistakes of youth. I’m pretty sure they’ll lose a lot of games, 90 or more. Andy MacPhail told me that fans should watch this team with an eye toward the future: look for some of that God-given talent to grow for the future, he says.