Debbie Yow is the worst AD in the history of College Sports

UPDATE!
I've just been informed of a new website that has been created to FIRE DEBBIE YOW. I am going on record that I support the firing of Yow and hope others will do the same. If you sign the petition on the site, be sure to include how much money you give to the University, since money talks and has power in things like this.

Tyree Evans was released* from his Letter of Intent to play at the University of Maryland last week, ending what has been a up and down roller coaster for the Men's basketball program over the past few weeks. It seemed most people at the University didn't have a problem with Evans coming (granted, he would be on the shortest of leashes) to the University. Except for Debbie Yow. Yow, the Athletic Director of the University, apparently didn't know about the whole Evans situation, especially some of his recent criminal activities. It isn't a coincidence that after Yow finds out, magically Evans is gone.

Debbie needs to be fired from the University - no doubt about it. She has done a great job in some areas but completely sold out in others. She is basically a puppet of some of the big time $$ donors to the University (banning the Marching and Pep bands from playing "Rock and Roll, Part II" because the students say "Hey, you suck" is a perfect example. Way to take away one of the coolest, united things our students and fans did. For those that don't know, the ENTIRE band program(concert, marching, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Pep, Jazz Lab, Jazz Ensemble and U-Jazz are all funded by the Athletic department, so if they say don't play a certain song, the band's hands are tied as they could lose funding otherwise).

The fact that the University issued a press release on this during the afternoon of the Friday before Memorial Day weekend is also a joke. Athletic Directors are easily replaceable, but as Esquire says here on Turtle Waxing , AD's are a dime a dozen but 600 win Basketball coaches who have won National Championships are a rare commodity.

This move could severely impact Maryland's team this fall. Some rumors are flying that another one of MD's 2008 recruits, Sean Mosley, is rumored to be having trouble getting a good enough score on his SAT's to be admitted to the school. Evan's not being here in the fall is going to be bad enough. If we lose Mosley too, Gary might be looking at a sub .500 record next year and could also be on the hot seat for his job.

And don't blame Gary - blame that stupid bitch, Debbie Yow.

Update to Boston Fans are D-Bags

Let me make something clear - diehard Boston fans, who grew up in New England rooting for their team, fine, you get some what of a pass. I understand being passionate about your team to the point of being obnoxious. The bandwagon fans are what get me. Some old skool Sox fans I think can be more obnoxious than the average fan, but I never really had a problem with the Sox until post 2004 World Series so either they got a lot of Bandwagoners who happened to be obnoxious, the old school fans had 86 years of trash talk built up, or a combo of the two.

Boston Fans are douchebags? NOOOO!

In the course of 10 minutes, two Boston fans have managed to make fun of my blog. One of them, a former co-worker, is a nice guy and I'm told the other one is also a nice guy in person, but acts like a "mASShole" over the internet.

Listen, I'm sure most Boston fans are probably nice people...and if they stuck with their team from 1918-2004, good for them. But a lot of Boston fans are what we like to call bandwagon assholes. Cheering for the Red Sox is the new fad, the latest fashion. Much like popped-collar mania, I'm adamantly against it. Most of the U.S. was behind Boston in 2004 (I was not one of them) because no one wanted the Yankees to win another title. I knew, however, that Boston fans were already cocky, even in the mist of a 86 year title drought, so how obnoxious were they going to be once they won a title? Well, as I predicted, way to obnoxious for most of us to handle. An then they get all these bandwagon folks behind them and you get a red suxs nation filled with d-bags and assholes. You walk down the street in many cities in the U.S. and can't help but feel like Rick Moranis in "Spaceballs" when he says "I'm surrounded by assholes!"

Well Boston fans, think about this. From 1918-2007, you've won 2 World Series titles. In HALF of that time, the Orioles have won 3. Up yours.

Gold digger?

Today, as I was reading through ESPN.com, I came across a link that said "Giambi wears gold thong for good luck. You can read the story here
I couldn't believe my eyes...had they just given all of us Yankee haters some of the best taunting information ever? Then I keep reading and find out that JETER wears it too! And so does Damon! After looking at the calendar and realizing that it wasn't in fact April 1st, I couldn't stop laughing. I hope they at least wash that thing between uses, as Giambi's ass doesn't seem to be producing magical numbers this year, with his .198 batting average.

Maybe Jason should start wearing the thong to the left...I mean, the Yankees are in last place in the A.L. East...


Based on that face, it looks like it was Jeter's day to wear the thong...

Orioles Magic, Feel it Happen!

After beating the Red Sox AGAIN yesterday, you can't help but think there is some Orioles magic about this season and this team. Its like the team's decided to restore the "Oriole Way" back into the organization has resulted in a resurgence back to the great Oriole teams of yore. This team is fun to watch, is entertaining, and they're going to go down swinging, no matter what. As Brian Roberts recently said, teams are going to have to work to get all 27 outs against this group. Its also good to see the fan base starting to get re-energized. Orioles fans have suffered through a lot over the last 10 years with the only real bright spot being Ripken's induction into the Hall of Fame. At the game on Tuesday, I heard Orioles fans were fighting Boston fans because they were tired of them trying to take over Camden Yards. Although I don't condone fighting (well, off the record I do), its nice to see that passion returning to Oriole Park. (video below)



This team, according to "experts", was suppose to be dreadful, losing 100+ games, finishing in last in the A.L. East, etc. I believe Vegas put the over-under on the number of games they would win at 64. But this team has shown that the so called "experts" really just have their heads shoved too far up their own asses to really make a reasonable prediction about a season before it starts. These are professional athletes and telling them they're going to suck has only fueled their fire and passion. So thank you, all you National sports writers, for making my home town O's better. You all look like idiots now and are eating crow, some of you even having the audacity to say that the O's will STILL lose 100 games. Swallow your pride and do some insightful reporting for once.


Onto another topic, The "Oriole Magic" song, which was a creation that arose out of the 1979 (thanks for the correction, Michael) season, and was a staple at the start of every home Orioles game since that season. But at the start of the season, the song was stopped from being played at the request of the players. They thought it was linked too much to the past. Well, after yesterday's come from behind win over Boston, the song was back, but with a new, updated version featuring the Orioles of the past and current team members as well. Kevin "Dr. Feel Good" Millar has lead vocals, and Adam "looks like Eric Davis" Jones is on drums.



"Something magic happens, every time you go, you make the magic happen, the magic of Orioles baseball! When the game is close, and the O's are hot, there's a thundering roar from 34 to give it all they got. And you never know, who's going to hear them call, every game has a different star, that's the magic of Orioles baseball! Orioles magic, feel it happen, Orioles Magic, feel it happen, O-R-I-O-L-E-S. Magic, magic, magic, magic!

Up Your's, Beckett

Oh sweet mercy do I hate Josh Beckett. So when my Orioles tagged him for 5 runs in their 5-4 win tonight, I couldn't have been happier. If you go back and watch the game tonight, there were several times when Beckett was shown cursing, at one point saying "Fuck you!" to someone.

The Red Sox might be my most hated of sports teams at the moment. They are total douchebags and so are a lot of their fans, especially the fair weather ones who buy worn "B" hats and pretend like they suffered through the 80+ years of not winning a World Series. Losers.

I was glad to see Camden Yards full tonight with mostly Orioles fans. I think that says a lot about this year's team and how Baltimore fans feel about this influx of young talent. And how much we hate Red Sux fans.

Tyree Evans

Recently, Maryland signed high-baggage basketball recruit Tyree Evans for the upcoming basketball season. This represents something Gary Williams hasn't done in his 15+ seasons at Maryland - brought in someone who has been all over the police blotter. Does it show a desperation in Gary Williams? I don't think so. I think Gary has finally realized a few things. First, he can't rely on 4 year projects anymore as a coach. His recruiting style is going to have to change for him to survive in the future. Gary is fantastic at finding diamonds in the rough (Juan Dixon, Lonny Baxter, etc) and turning them into stars. But since the NBA started requiring players to be 19 before declaring for the NBA draft, several high school stars (Kevin Durrant, Reggie Love, O.J. "I pulled a Chris Webber" Majo) are now playing for college teams for a year and then leaving. Gary has mostly avoided the one and done guys because that doesn't work in this 4 year player development style. Sans Chris Wilcox and Steve Francis, Maryland has mostly avoided the one and done crowd. The problem is, that since these players are now staying for a year, teams further down on the recruiting food chain are now able to sign better players who would have been at some of these schools that have signed one of these one and done guys. So you see more parity in college basketball as a result. Why hasn't Maryland landed some of these big name recruits, especially some of the ones in their own backyard? (Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, etc?) I'm not sure. There are probably a number of reasons but the fact that they would only be around for a year or two should be one of them. After all, look at Gary's recent strategy - recruiting JuCo players who, for the most part, are only in school for 2 years. Granted, Gary has done a fantastic job at bringing in some JuCo talent (Steve Francis, Boom Osby) but should I school who went to back to back Final Fours and won the National Title 6 years ago be relying on JuCo transfers?

Maryland is going to struggle in the front court this year, especially while they wait for Gus Gilchrist to become eligible to play at the end of December. So it appears that Gary is loading up on guards and might be running a lot of 4 guard sets come November. I think Gary knew that with Walker transferring and with losing Gist and Osby to graduation, his team might again not be an NCAA tournament team. Solution? Go get a guy who has fantastic talent, but doesn't have a halo over his head. Only time will tell whether or not this gamble was worth it for Maryland. I think if the Terps are back in the NCAA tournament and make it to the sweet 16, you won't hear much out of some of these fair weather Maryland fans who are in an uproar over this. If Maryland stumbles, you'll not only hear that Gary made a mistake, but that AD Debbie Yow allowed him to and that Gary should lose his job. If you read this blog, you know how stupid I think that thought is, but I fear some of the donors at Maryland who pay the bills might have a lessened opinion of Gary after signing Evans. He'll be under a microscope for his two years at Maryland - pray he lives up to expectations while keeping out of trouble.

I'll do another post on why Maryland has struggled since 2004 to constantly play at a high level and how 1 bad recruiting class coupled with Dave Dickerson and Jimmy Patsos, two of Maryland's best recruiting coaches, leaving, has hurt the Terps.

Cabrera does it again

Just what the struggling Orioles needed - a trip to Kansas City to take on one of the few teams that has been a worse organization than the Orioles over the last 10 years. And the Orioles were not only awarded with a win, but got a 6th consecutive quality start out of starting pitcher Daniel Cabrera. What did Cabrera do? Pitched a complete game, 3 hitter, striking out 7 and only walking 1, while giving up just 1 earned run.

No, I'm not dreaming and yes, I am talking about the same Cabrera that led the league last year in walks, ERA and losses. I think it is now safe to say that Daniel has turned the proverbial corner and could be another building stone for the franchise.

(Image courtesy of "Keith" on Picasa Web Albums)

Shame on you Media!

I’m not too into the NBA or NHL, since Baltimore have never had a team in either league since I’ve lived there. But I do cheer for the Wizards and Caps. I’ve gotten much more into the Caps, especially after their magical run this season. And I started watching Wizards games a few years ago after they drafted Juan Dixon in the first round in 2002. But if the Wiz or Caps lose, I don’t get that upset or frustrated as I would if it were the Terps, Ravens or Orioles.

That being said, I thought it was necessary to write about the Wiz-Cavs playoff series that is currently going on (Cleveland leads the series 3-2). This thing is getting heated! Darius Songaila and LeBron got tangled up on a play (below) and Songaila was T-ed up and suspended for game 6 tonight (the fact that he got suspended is ridiculous). But the whole reason I’m writing this post is because of the Cleveland Fans. Watch the clip below and listen to their fans chant “Asshole, asshole, asshole.” But I thought only naughty students in College Park used bad words like that! FALSE! It happens everywhere. And I’m tired of UMD being the media’s punching bag for this shit. Why does no one say anything when this happens at a PROFESSIONAL sporting event. At least in College you can say its stupid college kids. Folks, this is the NBA and most college kids aren’t attending NBA playoff games because, quite frankly, they can’t afford to. So these are adults chanting this and its clear as day on this youtube clip. Where are you now media, to chastise ADULTS who are doing this on National TV? WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN! WON'T ANYONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!?!?
Check it out below.