Cam Cameron fired? Confirmed!

     The Baltimore Ravens have fired Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron. As confirmed by the Baltimore Sun today, Quarterback's Coach Jim Caldwell (formerly of the Indianapolis Colts) will be Cameron's replacement as Offensive Coordinator. A source from the Raven's organization said, "Inconsistency and the lack of progression." lead to this decision.  The Ravens started strong on Sunday against the Redskins but the lopsided performance is not what any one wants to see this time of the season. The Ravens face Manning and his Denver Broncos next week at M & T Bank Stadium. Lets see if this change is the spark the offense has needed!


Let us know what you think about this! Email us at charmcitysportspodcast@gmail.com

Peace,

Mike

Been a little quiet lately.....

    Hey folks no worries we didn't go away. I have been a bit under the weather since last Thursday and Greg is also going to be laid up for a bit. We did do a Podcast following the Orioles loss but I have had a few problems uploading it. More updates and such coming soon!

Peace and good vibes,

Mike

Game 5 - A Season On the Line

     Does anyone else getfeeling that this Orioles vs. Yankees series is alot like a boxing match?  The Yankees taking game 1, Orioles game 2, Yankees 3, and then last nights back and forth punches from inning to inning with the terrific pitchers on both teams, yet the O's finidng a way to get it done! First one team is on the ropes, then the next..and it just keeps alternating. It's really been one of the better ALDS series played so far. 

     

     This evening's game will pit Sabathia vs. Hamels, a rematch from game 1 of this series. Both pitchers did very well and it wasn't until the Orioles bullpen came in that the Yankees exploded for 6 runs and ran away with the win. What do the O's need to do to win tonight? 

     Here's my thoughts: 

 1. Get to Sabathia early. Make him work, get on base, and try to push runs across. The longer he stays on the mound with less work, just the better he gets. I would love to see him chased early from the game! If you can start knocking him around, he is susceptible to big innings. 

2. Plate discipline for O's hitters. Just take your time, work your counts, wait for your pitch. Keep fouling them off until you get something you like. There were so many pitches in the dirt swung at and missed last night. Chris Davis had three in a row. They need to focus and be patient. 

3. Just smart baserunning. Lew Ford getting picked off at first at first last night ended up not being a glaring mistake, but it can't happen again. At 5:07, the Orioles fight to stay alive in this postseason. They can do it, but if the rest of this series has been any indication it'll be a back and forth to the end. 

Let's hope the O's can stay off the ropes though and knock those Yankees out! 

 - Greg

Baltimore comes out on top! Tie series and force game 5.

     Have the O's finally gotten their jitters out? I don't know about you but I sure hope so! Inning after inning the pitchers did what they had to do. The main thing that concerns me is the fact that both Adam Jones and Chris Davis were swinging at everything. At one point late in the game it almost seemed like Davis was tired at the plate or didn't care swinging at balls that were in the dirt. Something was bugging those guys and I sure hope they have figured it out. Tomorrow night is it. Thursday night the defense proved they are ready, the pitching was also spot on. The bats and the base runners need to stay smart, relax and just go for those base hits. Forget about the fence, hit it in the gaps and move the base runners forward. If you are not going to steal second then please keep you head in the game and not get picked off.

     Tonight JJ Hardy came through when his squad needed him the most, and Jimmy Johnson redeemed himself. These guys need to come to the game tomorrow ready to hit the ball. Pitching can only carry a team so far, and we need some big at bats to show that lights out pitching staff some much needed love. I gotta tell you, when Machado got on to 3rd base I could not sit any longer. I was up and pacing back and forth. I am also not watching the game on TBS. I am listening to it on WBAL 1090 AM. If you are watching it then you are missing out on better play calling! In case you missed it because you went to bed, below is the game winning double by JJ Hardy. That is all we need tomorrow consistent base hits, or as Greg like to call them, bloopers in the gaps to move runners along.








Let's get this done!

-Mike

For O's about to rock....

     The mood is solemn. The same thing is on the minds of every baseball fan in Baltimore. The fans know that their team has what it takes but chose not to say anything except, "I Believe." The powder keg of emotion's is filling up. Question's and doubt's begin to build but you remind your self to push those aside. You choose to send positive thoughts in the direction of your beloved Orioles. The day seems to drag, and you start thinking back to every season since 1997. Then it hits you. We should not be here! This team is different. This team is special. THIS TEAM IS AWESOME!!!! A song pops into your head and you make it your own and dedicate this anthem to the team you love! For O's About to ROCK, We Salute You!

Buckle up Yankees fans because this O's train is rolling full steam ahead baby!!!!

Peace and good vibes,

Mike

Not just one hero, but a team of hero's.

     I have to be honest, when I first started hearing the "Orioles Magic" song a few weeks ago I was like, "What is this?" in a very sarcastic tone. You know what though? This team does have something special about them that really has me excited for their post season. Not so much excited for that song though. Lets take a moment and think about the personalities on this O's team. Going through the roster I can not think of a single player that you could honestly label as a jerk, or greedy, or even selfish. They are all looking out for each other and every single one of them is contributing and not spitting out any drama. What do I mean by drama? Well now take a second and scroll back into your memory the following names: Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Belle. Sure every one of them had talent, but they also brought along a mountain of drama that really put a drag on team moral. I will never for get when Clemens won his first World Series with the Yankees, I believe Paul O'Neill's father passed away that day. In support of Paul the Yankees all kept their celebration kind of mellow, but then you had Clemens, he was the only one with a giant grin on his face and jumping up and down screaming. At that moment I realized he was in it only for him not for his team or the fans but for him. That day I lost any shred of respect I had left for Roger Clemens.

     Below is an interview with coach Showalter and I think he really says it best in regards to the chemistry of this team.





I could not have said it better than myself!

Next up is a segment that was aired on FOX 25 in Boston back in 2006. I am the guy referred to as "Case Man" You will know its me when you hear the Clemens doormat comment.

Peace and good vibes. Let's Go O's!!!

-Mike

Baltimore stuns Texas!

     Bases loaded with 2 outs, tying run at the plate. Texas fans are waving their towels and have their rally caps on. The pitch! The moment that the ring from the crack of the bat reaches their ears Texas fans stand to their feet. The ball is hit high and far. Then Cal Ripken Jr. breaks the bad news to Rangers fans all over the world, "He's got it." Moments later the ball lands in the glove. Game over, the Orioles are going to the ALDS and have won the first ever AL Wildcard game! Every single player from Baltimore contributed one way or another. How many times have you seen other teams pretty much carried by one or 2 big bats? Every one on the O's roster can hit the ball and place it where it needs to go. If you have not listened to our Podcast from tonight feel free to give it a listen. I will be at the game on Sunday and am excited for an exciting series vs. the Yanks. This team has something special going on, they are hungry and each player is looking out for the other. I for one am excited by the prospect of a "Battle of the Beltway" World Series!

LET'S GO O'S!

-Mike

Friday October 5, 2012 O's vs Texas

The Baltimore Orioles will be facing the Texas Rangers Friday October 5th at 8:30pm Eastern Time.

Time to....BUCKLE UP! Baby! Lets GO O's!!!!

-Mike

Let's go RED SOX!.....wait....what?

     So tonight we find out if there will be an Eastern Division tiebreaker game at Camden Yards against the Yankees. Chris Davis has been lights out awesome these past few weeks so that makes up for the Sox not getting it done when it matters most to other teams! Tonight, like most folks in the Baltimore area, will not only be watching the O's game but they will also be watching the game up in New York. In a way I feel bad for Bobby Valentine. He is probably going to get the boot following the fall of the Red Sox this season. He was brought into a mess, but he was well aware of the mess he was going into and things just seemed to get worse as the season went on. The O's, on the other hand, have flourished under the leadership of Buck Showalter.

Matt Wieters (right) shakes hands with Jim Thome after his home run in the 7th inning against the Rays October 1st. (Chris O'meara/AP)

     A team of no names. Just ask any one outside of Baltimore to name 2 current players. You will get a lot of "uh....um...." Now ask them to name 2 current Yankees. Heck even you came up with two names without even thinking. This is also how you can identify bandwagon. Any true fan will come up with at least one of the following names: Nate McLouth, Ryan Flaherty, Robert Andino, Wei-Yin Chen, Matt Wieters, or Nick Markakis. Bandwagon usually only gets their info from ESPN and will usually only mention these following names: Jim Thome, Adam Jones, J.J. Hardy, Chris Davis, Miguel Gonzalez, and Manny Machado. Buck Showalter has taken this team and made them into something awesome. I have been living in the Baltimore area for over 10 years now and I have never heard the area buzzing so much about the O's. Its weird but man I like it because it's baseball and baseball rocks my socks! Let's Go O's!

Peace and good vibes,

Mike

Orioles to the Playoff's!

The Orioles are in the playoff's for the first time since 1997!!! Congratulations Orioles!

-Mike & Greg

NFL caves to public pressure! Regular Ref's coming back!

     That's right, the NFL struck a deal with the NFLRA Wednesday. We can now go back to complaining about the regular ref's and the other bozo's can go back to stinking up their Division III, and Lingerie Leagues! "Our officials will be back on the field starting [Thursday] night," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. You read that right! They will be back tonight for the Cleveland vs. Baltimore game! So your TV's are safe from being smashed, and please no more holes in the walls! "This agreement supports long-term reforms that will make officiating better. The teams, players and fans want and deserve both consistency and quality in officiating." said Goodell.

     The Ref's will meet Friday and Saturday to vote on the agreement, if it is passed a clinic will be held for the Ref's following the vote. Commissioner Goodell went on to say, ""We look forward to having the finest officials in sports back on the field, and I want to give a special thanks to NFL fans for their passion. Now it's time to put the focus back on the teams and players where it belongs."

Below is a listing of the key terms of this agreement:

» Eight-year term covering the 2012-2019 seasons.

» The current defined benefit pension plan will remain in place for current officials through the 2016 season (or until the official earns 20 years of service). The defined benefit plan will then be frozen.

» Retirement benefits will be provided for new hires, and for all officials beginning in 2017, through a defined contribution arrangement, which will have two elements: an annual league contribution made on behalf of each game official that will begin with an average of more than $18,000 per official and increase to more than $23,000 per official in 2019, and a partial match on any additional contribution that an official makes to his 401(k) account.

» Apart from their benefit package, the game officials' compensation will increase from an average of $149,000 a year in 2011 to $173,000 in 2013, rising to $205,000 by 2019.

» Beginning with the 2013 season, the NFL will have the option of hiring a number of officials on a full-time basis to work year-round, including on the field.

» The NFL will have the option to retain additional officials for training and development purposes, and may assign those additional officials to work NFL games. The number of additional officials will be determined by the NFL

Welcome back Ref's!!!! I don't think I have ever cheered for a ref before.....this is weird!

Peace and good vibes,

Mike

The NFL is losing integrity.

     Last night there was a report during the Pats vs. Ravens game stating that the NFL and the normal Ref's are not even close to an agreement. I can't speak for Greg, but after all the games I watched on Sunday I fully support a player strike! Below is a letter from the NFLPA to league owners. Let the NFLPA know what you think! Send them a message on twitter @NFLPA or you can follow my tweets @CaseRocker

MEMORANDUM

TO:   Owners of NFL Teams  

FROM:  NFLPA Executive Committee

DATE:  September 20, 2012

RE:  Your Lockout of the NFL Referees and the Negative Impact on Football

The NFL Players Association Executive Committee is calling on you to end the lockout of our referees.  We believe there is substantial evidence that you have failed in your obligation to provide as safe a working environment as possible.

Your decision to lock out officials with more than 1,500 years of collective NFL experience has led to a deterioration of order, safety and integrity.  This affirmative decision has not only resulted in poor calls, missed calls and bad game management, but the combination of those deficiencies will only continue to jeopardize player health and safety and the integrity of the game that has taken decades to build.

As we predicted and explained to you weeks ago, the removal of the veteran officials from regular season games left a group of your replacements who have proved to be incapable of keeping pace with the speed of the game. Coaches and players have complained of numerous errors and failures including: erratic and missed calls on egregious holds and hits, increased skirmishes between players and confusion about game rules. Many replacements have lost control of games due to inexperience and unfamiliarity with players and rules. 

The headlines are embarrassing: a scab working a game despite having been on the payroll of one of the teams, another who was assigned to referee a team he publicly supported on Facebook, and one who is a professional poker player when you propose even more stringent player rules on gambling.

It is lost on us as to how you allow a Commissioner to cavalierly issue suspensions and fines in the name of player health and safety yet permit the wholesale removal of the officials that you trained and entrusted to maintain that very health and safety. It has been reported that the two sides are apart by approximately $60,000 per team. We note that your Commissioner has fined an individual player as much in the name of “safety.”  Your actions are looking more and more like simple greed. As players, we see this game as more than the “product” you reference at times. You cannot simply switch to a group of cheaper officials and fulfill your legal, moral, and duty obligations to us and our fans. You need to end the lockout and bring back the officials immediately. 

We are all men who love and respect this game and believe that it represents something beyond just money. For our teammates, our coaches and our fans who deserve better, vote to end this lockout now.         

                                                            Sincerely,

Domonique Foxworth, NFLPA President                                     

Charlie Batch, NFLPA Vice President, Pittsburgh Steelers                         

Cornelius Bennett, NFLPA Former Players Board of Directors Chairman

Drew Brees, NFLPA Vice President, New Orleans Saints                          

Brian Dawkins, NFLPA Vice President                                        

Scott Fujita, NFLPA Vice President, Cleveland Browns                                        

Matt Hasselbeck, NFLPA Vice President, Tennessee Titans

Brandon Moore, NFLPA Vice President, New York Jets

Jeff Saturday, NFLPA Vice President, Green Bay Packers

Mickey Washington, NFLPA Former Players Board of Directors Member

Brian Waters, NFLPA Vice President, New England Patriots

Benjamin Watson, NFLPA Vice President, Cleveland Browns

Replacement Ref's are a disgusting joke!

Orioles Post Season Tickets info

     As promised in the latest Podcast available now for FREE on iTunes! Below is the official link on purchasing post season tickets for the Orioles!

  http://mlb.mlb.com/bal/ticketing/postseason.jsp


 Good luck!

 -Mike & Greg

Congrats O's!

     No better way to start a Monday and busy work week off than knowing the Orioles have secured their first winning season since 1997! It's to the tremendous credit of everyone in their organization for this season and the effort that has been put in. From top to bottom, it takes a good bit to run a team but that's what the Orioles are functioning as throughout this entire season! Still a few games left before the end of the season, and the playoff race isn't about to quit anytime shortly. So hold on, buckle in a bit tighter because this ride isn't over yet! Go O's, keep on rockin' it and showing the league how it is to play and win as a team!

- Greg

One Game Back?!?!?

     Welcome to crazy town folks! We go from begging Mr. Angelos to sell the Orioles to spitting out our coffee when we take a look at the AL East standings and see that the O's are only one game back from first place in the AL East. FIRST PLACE?!?!? People have been talking Wildcard for the O's but hold on to your pants folks the O's could take the Division this season! What on earth made this even possible?

     The O's organization made 2 awesome moves. The first one being the hiring of coach Buck Showalter. A true modern legend in the world of MLB coaching and play calling. The second (big gulp) was the hiring of good ole' Dan Duquette. This guy has had a lot of years to think about the mistakes made with the Red Sox, and he came to Baltimore with something to prove. So far these two "grand masters" have been working well to compliment the others abilities. Oh man, here comes the bandwagon!

     All season I have been excited for the O's. Talking to people at work, online banter on social networks, and so on, and so on. Every one would say to me, "Oh I've been an O's fan my whole life and they always look good early then tank in August." Or they would say, "Don't you remember just a few years back when they looked good until September then tanked right at the end?" I usually reply with a, "Yes, but this is a different team! They have some solid talent and the right leaders to take the season into October!" I am not saying I think this team is going to win the world series. Is it possible? Heck yeah! I am sure this team will not only have a good showing in the playoffs this year, but will also be back next year! That's right folks from where I sit it sure looks like post season baseball is coming back to Baltimore baby! So buy your tickets now! At least before the bandwagon rolls in!

-Case

This is when it gets fun!

     It's late August. Summer is winding down, fall and its cooler temperatures are just around the corner, the kids are back in school, Ravens regular season games are about to start and.....the Orioles are three and a half games back from the Yankees for the AL East Division lead?! Um, what?

     Yes, let's go over that last bit again. Your Baltimore Orioles are just 3.5 games from the overpaid but fairly dominant New York Yankees. How..did...this...happen? Well, looking at the roster would make most people scratch their head. Most people would only be able to name 1-2 players, and the others would just be guesses.

     It's to their tremendous credit what Buck Showalter and Dan Duquette have assembled for a team this year. I'm pretty sure some duct tape and a bit of spackle may be involved, but its holding its own and taking names along the way. Mike and I have made no bones about us growing up as Red Sox fans, and for that matter, I still am with all my heart. As a side note for the record, I am thrilled with the unloading of Beckett, Crawford, and Gonzalez. Originally I was keen on seeing them all signed, but just because you have big name players doesn't mean that translates into a winning team.

     This year's Orioles squad, for that matter, reminds me very much of the early 2000's Red Sox teams. Sure a couple big names, but getting work done and winning as a cohesive group through good starting pitching, some excellent and patient hitting, good defense, and a superb bullpen. The fact they are playing as a team, has me excited about the possibilities ahead. Will they win a World Series this year? Let's not get ahead of ourselves as yet, still some great series and baseball to be played.

     This weekend's matchup against the Yankees, then playing the Rays, Yank again at home, and Red Sox at the end of September are still big obstacles to overcome. Don't think for a second that Red Sox team will forget what happened last year and would love to play spoiler to Baltimore's chances of making the playoffs, much as the Patriots defeated the Ravens from making the Super Bowl.

     Stay excited though, get out to the Yard and support these boys when you can! They've earned it by now and I'm pretty sure no matter what, the dreams of this summer and what the Orioles are doing will carry into the future.

- Greg

The best dry Rubs and Mops

     Many people ask me about Dry Rubs and Mops. The questions I get often are, "Do you season all sides of the meat?" and "What is the best brand to use?" or, "How long should I cook it for?" lets not forget, "What is a Mop?" That one usually comes with a wrinkled nose and scrunched eyebrows. So lets tackle these questions one by one.

     "Do you season all sides of the meat?" Yes I do! Weather it is grilling or slow smoking I want that meat to be full of flavor, but not over powering! This takes practice, you need to know what you are cooking with. Gas, Coal, or Wood? If I am doing burgers, steaks, chicken, fish, hot dogs, veggies or something else that cooks quick I like to use the gas grill. If I am cooking something that needs several hours like, a Pork Shoulder, Ribs, half a Chicken, Beef Brisket, or slow smoked Salmon I like to use wood. For my base I like to use Cowboy Charcoal 16488 Hardwood Lump Charcoal, 8.8-Pound this gives your meat that nice natural woody flavor and it is easy to get started. For my smoke flavors I like to use different types depending on the meat type. For Fish and Pork I like to use either Weber 17004 Apple Wood Chips, 3-Pound or (Mainly ribs and pork shoulders)Char-Broil 2184767 Mesquite Wood Chunks, 5-Pound Bag.
For beef and chicken I like to use Char-Broil 2184766 Hickory Wood Chunks, 5-Pound Bag. Some people ask me about whiskey flavored wood chunks. I find it to be cheaper to just head to the local store and buy a bottle of your favorite whiskey and instead of soaking your wood chunks in water, soak them in a little bit of whiskey (Since I am in the USA, this is for those of us who are 21 years of age or older ONLY).

     "What is the best brand to use?" Again it is all about your own personal tastes. I like to use the following:

• McCormick Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning, 15.5-Ounce
• McCormick Grill Mates Seasoning, Brown Sugar and Bourbon, 13.5-Ounce
• McCormick Grill Mates Pork Rub (3.46 oz)
• Grill Mates Cowboy Rub (Case of 6) I get this one by the case!!!
• Grill Mates Bacon Seasoning, Molasses, 2.75-Ounce (Pack of 9) This is awesome for Steak and Burgers!!!
• Emerils, Ssnng Rub Rib, 4.72 OZ (Pack of 12) This stuff is awesome for ribs!

 Not every one is a fan of premixed seasoning, but the stuff listed above is awesome and I use it all!

     "How long should I cook it for?" There is a rule of thumb and you must do your best to follow it if you are doing a large cut of meat like a pork shoulder or a beef brisket. An hour and a half of cooking time per pound. Your temp for low and slow should be steady around 250 to 270 and try not to go over 300. Remember real BBQ is never and I mean NEVER wrapped in tin foil! You are here to BBQ your meat not steam or boil it! When your meat is at it half way point for cooking time it is time to start "Moping".

     "What is a Mop?" The term came from the popular tool used to baste large cuts of meat. Thats right, when you go to any major BBQ competition you will see some people using kitchen mops to apply their secret marinade to their large cuts of meat. The video below is a good starting point for any one who wants to make their own mop. I used this as abase for my last pork shoulder and added some things to make it more to how I wanted it.

     So there you have it! Now its time to go out and select a nice cut of meat and some veggies to match! Even if this is your first time just remember to not rush! Low and slow is always a good call if your aim is tender and juicy BBQ meat. So invite some friends and be sure to enjoy some 

Moxie Soda 12 oz 6 pack 4/6pks!!! This goes best with brisket!!!

-Case

Grilling Steak

     It is hard for me to go to some ones house and watch them grill meat the wrong way. The worst is when some one just slaps a nice T-Bone steak on the grill with no seasoning! You want to know how to make a nice juicy steak on the grill? Below is what I do when grilling steak.

     The first step is selecting a quality cut of beef. Which means you need to know who you are buying from. Some places will have nice looking meat but when you get to it the beef feels tough. The raw meat should be tender and not tough at all. There should also be very little fat in the meat, it is ok to have fat on the outside edges but if the beef looks marbled with lots of fat I recommend to keep looking for a better cut. Once you have selected your cut of beef it is not time to think about seasoning. What flavors get you excited when you think of beef?

     When prepping steak for the grill I like to have the meat marinade for a few hours. I will usually season it the night before. I like to start with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (regular Olive Oil is ok to use as well) make sure you spread it on both sides. Then I will sprinkle some Onion Powder, then some Garlic Powder (If you prefer fresh onion and garlic that is fine to use as well). I then like to use a steak rub from McCormick's line called Grill Mates. I used just a touch of their Cowboy Rub then a lot of their Molasses Bacon Rub. Be sure to season both sides of the steak! One step people seem to almost overlook when getting ready to cook steak on the grill is allowing it to get to room temperature before slapping it on the grill. Its easy to get excited and forget but don't!

     The one thing you never want to do is over cook or under cook your steak! I like mine medium-rare to medium, the wife likes hers well-done.  It will take some practice but once you know and love your grill you'll knock it out of the park every time! The key to quality grilling is knowing what you like and being able to not cook things too fast! Allow yourself time, your steak needs a minute or so to rest before you serve it.

Some T-Bone's I tossed on the grill last weekend.

     Summer is coming to an end but that does not mean that the grill needs to be shut down! Do you grill in the fall or winter? Share with us what you like to grill in the colder seasons! Or if there is something you would like us to review or try feel free to tell us about it! Good vibes and happy grilling!

-Mike

2012 Baseball Cards!

     So all season long I have been collecting 2012 Baseball Cards. I like to take a few years off from collecting and then come back. In 2004 or 2005 I had collected some but had stopped because I had wanted to let the dust settle from all of the steroid mayhem. This year was a good year to start back up. I did a lot of looking and research to see what brand would have the best return some day. Any one who collected in the 1980's knows what I know, you are lucky if 75% of your collection is worth more than 10 cents a card. Be sure to send all of your thank you notes to the steroid users, then thank Topps for making millions of cards in the 80's and 90's.

     Upper Deck was the card of choice late 80's early 90's but not so today. Topps has always made a nice looking card but it is very rare to find a Topps card that is worth much after 30 years. Score is still around others are suspect. I found one old name that is hard to find, but hard to find in a good way. Bowman cards are in high demand. Even the common cards are already worth $1 right out of the pack! The inserts are also starting out with a nice price tag. So my collecting pick this year was Bowman (owned by Topps).

     With the post season shaping up in the MLB I am trying to round up cards and sort them by team. My Orioles and Nationals card stacks are shaping up pretty well, I may keep them but more likely I'll sell them on eBay. Heck I need more space for more cards!!! My office and "Man Cave" have stacks and boxes of baseball cards all over the place. I am hoping to sell a good amount to collectors who will enjoy them more than me, since I am a New England sports fan at heart. My first love is Baseball and I respect the game, so even though I do not like the Yankees I can still find a way to enjoy the sport. I mostly wear my Orioles hat to prevent "road rage". So hopefully my O's card collection can find a home that will love them more than me, and even though I was not born an O's fan I am rooting for them as the post season draws near.

     Card grading is the best way to preserve the most valuable cards in your collection. PSA and BGS and the two leaders. If you have a lot of old / high dollar cards then PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is the high end collectors choice. PSA's fees are rather high. The last time I looked it was some place around $15 a card. BGS (Beckett Grading Service) tends to be more affordable, when they are not having a sale their 45 day service runs at only $9 per card. In June they were running a sale where it was $7 per card and a free upgrade to their 20 day service. So I gathered up 7 cards and sent them in! There is an online form you fill out, and they give clear instructions on what you must do when send them cards to grade. I should be getting mine back either late this week or some time next week! I'll post the results on here once they are back! If you want more info on BGS you can find it here. If you would like more info on PSA you can find that here.

Good Luck and happy collecting!

-Case

O's March to the post season

     Any of you that have been listening to our podcast's in the past or have been reading any of our blog updates have either read or heard my excitement for the O's and them being able to find their way back to post season play! Well we are on the heals of mid August and the O's are only 4.5 games back from first in the AL East!

AL East Standings as of  08/08/2012

   
My brother is coming down for a visit and we decided to get our selves to Camden Yards and catch the second to last home game for the O's against our beloved Red Sox! Don't get me wrong I love my Red Sox but it is time for Baltimore to start making some waves again! When I went to purchase our tickets it was hard to find a seat!!! So just an FYI, if you want a seat at one of the O's last home games of the season you had better buy them now!! They are selling out fast!

     At the beginning of the season I had put up a post begging Peter Angelos to sell the O's. I even had posted a picture of Andino's face over the years, big smiles for the fist few years then blank stare for this season. It was heart breaking! ;) Hats off to Buck for really leading this team and making it into something worth watching and talking about! The O's are playing solid when they really need to be, but there are still some close ones that they should have won and I am sure coach is all over it. Also some bases loaded situation's where no runs were scored has also lead to many palms to face (in the game World of Warcraft the command is /facepalm).

     Cheer up! Baltimore fans have seen plenty and have performed plenty of "facepalms" in the past 10+ years! If you are not excited by how the O's are doing and live in Baltimore then you are either dead or just not paying attention. Its time to pay attention and it is time to get out and support your team Baltimore! I will be at the game on September 29th hope to see you there! Lets make it a sellout!

Buck says come out to the game and rock the joint!

-Mike