It’s The Least Wonderful Time of the Year

July…one of the slowest, driest months in sports. While baseball and WNBA basketball are doing their best to hold things down, the truth is, people love football and NBA basketball more. In the meantime I’ve pleaded with professional boxing associations to give us a big name fight (Gervonta Davis, maybe? *wink wink*) to enjoy while we wait out the dry spell, but haven’t been very successful. (And no, Jake Paul’s “fights” don’t count.)

The silver lining is that dead-of-summer down time can be looked at as the calm before the storm. It’s the time we need to have as we prepare for our adrenaline to shoot up in the next few weeks. Here are a few things I am preparing myself for:

The Orioles Breaking My Heart

The Orioles have been playing good baseball lately, but not enough to get traction in the AL wild card race. According to Orioles reporter Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun, the Orioles were 7.5 games out of a wild card spot on June 5. As of July 11, they are still six games out. Simply put, they’ve gained little ground over the last month, which almost certainly means they will be sellers by the trade deadline on July 31. I expect some of my favorite players who are in the last  year of their contracts — such as newly announced All Star Ryan O’Hearn and Cedric Mullins — to be gone soon. We could also see some pitching departures, as Dean Kremer has pitched himself into a category of a third rotation starter over the last few starts. (I’m not as sad about this as others. The Kremer Experience is a roller coaster.) There could be others on the chopping block, including Seranthony Dominguez, but certainly, O’Hearn and Ceddy will hurt me the most. I’m prepared for the Orioles to trade away some of their best players as they look toward the future. I’m not happy about it, but I understand.

While We’re Here…

Jackson Holliday was close, but no cigar, to reaching All Star status. The second baseman was a finalist to make the All Star roster, but didn’t get chosen, not even as a reserve. There’s been a lot of chatter on social media about Holliday getting robbed, and maybe it’s not all wrong. Did Holliday deserve to go? One could make a very good case for him. Is life fair? Not at all. The Orioles are at the bottom of the AL East and very low on the Wild Card totem pole. It’s happened before, but bad teams typically don’t get rewarded with multiple All Stars. The sooner we understand that this is a factor in how well the Orioles have played, the quicker we can accept the results and move on.

The Ravens Left Guard Battle

As we inch closer to NFL Training Camp, one position battle that I’m prepared to watch closely is the battle at left guard. For now, Andrew Vorhees is listed as the starter. Vorhees is going into his third NFL season, but missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury he sustained while at the 2023 NFL Combine. He’s going to be fighting for his spot with Ben Cleveland, who is entering his sixth year with the Ravens. Cleveland has weathered adversity during his tenure, with some claiming that he’s in Coach John Harbaugh’s “doghouse.” Cleveland has dealt with some off-the-field adversity as well, with a DUI arrest and a public divorce filing shortly after. We shall see if he finds his way out of the doghouse — which could happen if he plays better than Vorhees.

The DeAndre Hopkins Impact (or not?)

DeAndre Hopkins’ recent signing felt essential for the Ravens to move past their playoff hurdle. Time will tell, but this could mean the difference between January heartache and a Superbowl success. “It seems like there’s been a piece that’s been missing,” Hopkins said of the decision. Although he wasn’t saying that the missing piece was him, fans have warmed up to that idea. At just 33 years old, he’s an upgrade at the third wide receiver spot over Nelson Agholor, who was last year’s WR3. He will be a great option for intermediate plays, moving the chains and red zone. Could Hopkins be the missing piece the Ravens’ offense needs? Or could Jaire Alexander be the missing piece to help the defense lose out games? We will find out, as training camp starts in a couple of weeks, and all eyes will be on Hopkins to find chemistry with Jackson and the offense.

The Return of College Football

Duh! My favorite sport is back in seven Saturdays. NIL has done a number on the sport, and I don’t have the answers to fix it. But that’s not for me to figure out, and I’m glad the players are getting paid. Politics aside, there is no experience quite like the college football experience, and I’m anxiously awaiting its return.

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On Wednesday, May 28, I joined 11,000 other fans in welcoming the Washington Mystics to downtown Baltimore. The team, now coached by Sydney Johnson, a Towson Catholic High alum (previously on staff with the Chicago Sky), is led by veteran guard Brittney Sykes and Virginia native Shakira Austin. Their opponents for the evening were the Indiana Fever, featuring a roster full of champions, veterans, and rising stars in the league. In the shadow of the matchup and with the news of five new expansion franchises coming by 2030, my mind is swirling with thoughts on how cost and narrative shape the fan experience of the WNBA.

Growing up in Baltimore, there was little talk of the WNBA in my daily life. Our city did not feature a team, and with that, few local news outlets covered the wins and losses of our beltway neighbors, the Washington Mystics. In contrast, my childhood memories are filled with Purple Fridays for the Ravens and discounted tickets to Orioles games. My basketball memories from that era center on Carmelo Anthony, the rise of Kevin Durant out of PG County, and the dominance of the 2008 USA men’s basketball team (The Dream Team). Little did I know that athletes like Elena Delle Donne (WNBA MVP, WNBA Champion, Olympian, and retired Washington Mystic) at the University of Delaware and Alyssa Thomas at UMD College Park were rising around the Mid-Atlantic. 

In recent years, journalists and on-air broadcasters have assessed the differences in coverage for women’s sports. The flippant notion that “nobody watches women’s sports” has birthed entirely new brands, catch phrases, bars, and so much more to prove — at the level of commerce and social space — just how wrong that is. Despite increased viewership of the WNBA in the last five years, the disparity across the board in broadcast hours, dedicated newsroom staff, and resourcing between men’s and women’s sports is wide. And beyond the gender disparity, there are disparities based on race, age, and nationality that contort the ways U.S. media presents sports stories. With the advances in women’s sports coverage, one point is glaring to me: the cost of the WNBA marketing strategy falls on consumers in more ways than one. 

The first sold-out match-up at CFG Arena between the Mystics and the Fever brought WNBA action right to Charm City. The Mystics’ victory was a masterclass in defensive tenacity, grit, and assertive coaching strategy. Sykes and Austin delivered incredible performances. Sykes scored 21 points alongside 9 rebounds, and Austin delivered 13 points and two crucial steals. Beyond player performance, Johnson and the coaching staff locked in for four quarters of engaged, dynamic work. You could see Johnson and his assistant coaches pulling players into huddles, clarifying calls, and reinforcing notes on efficiency for all 40 minutes. Plus, veteran Stefanie Dolson and rookie Lucy Olsen made impressive stops and key shots that wowed me. And it was great to see players I’m a fan of like Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull, and Kelsey Mitchell hustling to keep the Fever competitive down the stretch. 

CFG Arena was overflowing with veterans and champions on both sides of the floor, though the promotion leading up to the game may not have shown the depth of talent on display. 

For months, the marketing for this regular-season contest centered on the arrival of the Fever and their reigning Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark, to Baltimore. That’s despite the game being (technically) a home game for the Mystics, an opportunity for crowds to see former UMD star Austin suit up, and a first look at the Mystics own current rookie lineup (featuring Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron). 

The marketing trend of Clark being the name in the WNBA is not new, and the data shows that her fandom does show up, pay up, and roar for their favorite player. I wonder, however, if the chicken or the egg comes first here. Does Clark have more fans and thus gets more camera time, or does the centering of Clark continue to encourage folks to know her? What’s the cost to audiences if the WNBA falls into patterns of disproportion? 

My questions are guided by my own experience, too. As a poor kid, my interest in sports was guided by the broadcast teams and distribution deals set by people in rooms far away from my family’s East Baltimore rowhome. And truthfully, I did not dive deep into professional basketball until I spent hours watching Celtics games and Olympic coverage with my grandfather. His cable bill, with access to NBA games on TNT and other networks, and willingness to answer all my questions about Kevin Garnett shaped my entry into the NBA (and quick fascination with Dwyane Wade’s leadership and skill). Watching with him led to conversations with middle school friends and classmates across school desks and lunch tables about players like Garnett, Wade, and others. In some ways, watching basketball at home built connections with the outside world. 

As the newly extended 2025 WNBA season got underway, injury reports began to develop for many teams across the league. In the days leading up to tip-off in Baltimore, the Fever front office announced Clark would be out for two weeks because of a quad injury. And with that, the data, as reported by CBS Sports, shows that average ticket prices for the Fever’s next four match-ups — deemed “Clark-less” — dropped 71%. The estimated cost moved from $137 to $81. Still, $81 amounts to about five and a half hours of work on a minimum wage salary in Maryland. And beyond attending in-person, the costs of the exclusive subscriptions needed to watch WNBA games at home are high with broadcasting deals and local media blackouts meaning fans need access to the internet, a WNBA league pass subscription, and other online resources that may be outside the budget of many curious about women’s basketball at the pro level in the U.S.

In my view, the debates about Clark’s impact on the WNBA’s success miss the mark. While some argue about her unprecedented rookie year, and others point to areas where her defensive game needs improvement, I’m more intrigued by the case study that Clark’s marketability offers. If a two-week injury to a single star can impact average ticket prices in an away game market by over 50%, then what is the larger lay of the land? What are the consequences of the WNBA’s current marketing strategy? And where does this current strategy leave (potential) fans without the capital necessary to enjoy the sport at its star-studded peak? The crisis of emphasizing any player’s singularity as the star of the WNBA disavows much of the truth of the game and eclipses conversations I’d love to have about women’s basketball in 2025. 

For others, the story of the 2025 season may be about how the league fares without its star on the court as Clark’s injury struggles persist (with a recent groin injury), but my mind will be on the new possibilities for the WNBA marketing team, and news organizations, to ramp up coverage of the vast talent across the league. To many, the growth of the WNBA is synonymous with ticket upcharges and the success of one big star, but I’m not convinced. To me, pricing out poor and working-class fans through ticket costs, compounding subscription fees, and high merch price points while focusing on one player’s singularity isn’t a winning strategy. And if the WNBA plans to grow its game with fidelity, then it must adapt.

I’m hoping that as costs lower — due to some fans bowing out of matchups without Clark — and access to live games becomes more affordable in some WNBA markets, folks who have been consistently priced out have a chance to cheer without having to choose between interest in the WNBA and a light bill. Plus, I’m hoping the W uses this moment of energetic expansion to highlight the multiplicity of talent across the league, because there’s plenty of good ball to see.

Bry Reed is a Baltimore native writing about books, sports, culture, and everything that makes her mind wander. Reed is a recent Baker Artist Award Finalist in Literary Arts for 2025.

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What the Jaire Alexander Signing Means

As I began to write this column, news broke that the Ravens signed former Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander to a one-year deal. Lamar Jackson and Alexander were college roomates, and both came out in the 2018 draft. This week, a reporter asked Jackson about whether he’d used that shared history to bring Alexander to Baltimore. Jackson’s response: “Go get him, Eric [DeCosta, the Ravens’ general manager].” But little did we know, Alexander was more than likely in the area already. As the news rolled out regarding the agreement, pictures of Alexander signing the contract had already been posted to the Ravens’ social media accounts. Typically, it takes a player a day or two to get to the team facilities, but the timing of the Ravens’ social media posts suggests that plans were in the works before Lamar was at the podium.  There are a lot of sneaky people in the 21117, I tell ya!

What this signing says to me is that DeCosta wants to give this team the resources they need to score a Super Bowl win. DeCosta has had several solid wins this offseason, including re-signing offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, extending wide receiver Rashod Bateman, signing wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, drafting outside linebacker Mike Green in the second round of the NFL Draft when many saw him as a top 15 pick, and now, securing Alexander. 

Some will argue that Alexander’s health is a major concern, and it is. He’s only played in 14 games the last two seasons, and has only played one entire season since 2021. His history poses a risk, and is largely the reason why the Packers let him walk. He missed so many games that the team basically moved on without him. But when Alexander is healthy, he’s one of the better corners of the entire league. He’s being added to an already loaded secondary that includes Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, and 2025 first-round pick Malaki Starks. DeCosta is doing what he can to make sure there are very few excuses as to why the Ravens aren’t Super Bowl champions. And if they don’t chip, it won’t be on him. The crazy part is, he may not even be done yet. 

The Orioles Are…Back?

Don’t look now, but the Orioles are playing good baseball at this very moment. They’ve won 10 of their last 14 games as of June 18, and are getting healthy at the right time. Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser’s returns have helped ignite this once-stagnant offense, and the O’s now look like the team we thought we’d see at the beginning of the season. Gunnar Henderson is getting hot, and Ryan O’Hearn continues to be a force in this lineup. On May 31, the Orioles’ pitching staff had the fifth-worst ERA (earned run average). Since then, they have had the fifth-best ERA. How much of this improvement is about getting healthy vs. firing Hyde? Well, maybe both things can be true. While players had heartfelt responses to Hyde’s recent firing, they seem to have cleaned up quite well under interim manager Tony Mansolino. One of the first things Mansolino did that I felt was necessary was to announce that Jackson Holliday would be in the lineup essentially every day, barring a day off or an injury. The team seems to be more aggressive about stealing bases, as well as their at-bats, by swinging more at first pitches. Even Adley Rutschman has improved a bit with catching steals. (I want him out of that two-spot, though.) For now, this team is having fun and regaining its swagger. Is it too late to contend for a wild-card spot in the long run? Never say never. We’ve seen other teams fire their managers and make it to the World Series, so why not Baltimore?  I’m not yet ready to drive around blasting the “Orioles Magic” song. But for now, things look promising. Which leads to my next question…

Should the Orioles Buy, Sell, or Squat?

The Orioles have some decisions to make in the next several weeks. Do they trade away valuable hitters like Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn to prepare for 2025 and beyond, or do they add to the roster in hopes of a big comeback? Or…do they let the cards fall where they may? I don’t think the last option is feasible for either side of the coin. You either have to make a push for now, which means you’re becoming buyers, or you have to sell, consider this season out of reach, and prepare yourself for the future. The current roster is responsible for a slow, bad start to the season. And while injuries have definitely played a role in that, the team still has its share of issues, even at full health. Charlie Morton has pitched better since his agonizing start and demotion, but this still doesn’t replace the loss of Corbin Burnes. Grayson Rodriguez may not return until the second half of the season, Cade Povich is dealing with an injury but never really consistently looked like an MLB starter, and the bullpen has been taxed often this year. Add the fact that Zach Eflin may be on the trading block as well, and the pitching picture looks very…blah. The Orioles are going to have to make some hard decisions, and winning games lately has just made things harder. As the saying goes, no pressure, no diamonds. Hopefully they’ll make the right decision.

Angel Reese Capitalizing Off the Trolls

One of my favorite stories of the week comes from Baltimore’s own Angel Reese. Last season, the Chicago Sky forward set the single-season record in rebounds. But critics and pundits mentioned that a good amount of those rebounds were in fact, her own missed shots. In came more of the same jokes this year, with social media users claiming that the rising star is mostly getting “Mebounds.” Reese heard the chatter and decided to trademark the term to monetize it. I absolutely love this for two reasons. 1. Reframing what was meant to be an insult as a tool for good publicity is genius. And 2. This shows people that posting mean-spirited jabs to gain internet clout is bad practice. 

Bravo, Angel. And send me a shirt!

The post Reeta’s Sportisms: Angel Reese has the last laugh, the Ravens make moves, and the Orioles are…back? appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

Baltimore doesn’t have a WNBA team (yet), but fans got a taste of what it might be like to have one on May 28 when the Washington Mystics took on the Indiana Fever at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore.

“Despite the unseasonably cold weather and Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark out of Wednesday’s lineup due to injury, the arena was nearly full of fans looking for their first opportunity for a live WNBA game in Charm City,” Baltimore Beat’s Reeta Hubbard wrote about the game. The Mystics defeated the Fever 88-77.

These images capture the excitement of fans as they headed into the venue. 

The Mystics will visit Baltimore again on Sunday, September 7, at 3 p.m. (Lisa Snowden)

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Baltimore had its first taste of the WNBA and the experience did not disappoint. 

Despite the unseasonably cold weather and Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark out of Wednesday’s lineup due to injury, the arena was nearly full of fans looking for their first opportunity for a live WNBA game in Charm City. 

Fans got to see a young Washington Mystics team that has been recharged by their rookies and DMV native Shakira Austin, as well as Fever’s DeWanna Bonner, the third all-time leading scorer, alongside teammate Aliyah Boston, the Fever’s 2023 #1 overall pick. Wednesday night’s game was one of two games that will be played at CFG Arena this season between the Fever and the Mystics. 

Despite the Mystics being the home team, there were a healthy amount of Clark fans that came to the game — Clark’s jersey was seen often throughout the crowd. Clark even came out and took pics with young fans and signed autographs.

Tom from Bel Air told Baltimore Beat he is a Fever fan who got into the WNBA thanks to his young daughter. “My daughter really got into basketball over the past couple of years and through her excitement, it really brings joy to me to see her enjoy the game so much,” he said. Tom also loved the fact that he didn’t have to drive to DC to get to the game and acknowledged that the drive to Baltimore was more convenient for his daughter to try and see her favorite player.

There were a lot of Mystics fans representing their squad as well. Anastasia from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has been a Mystics fan for a few years, and was happy to  ride down I-83 to see the team. “It’s pretty cool to have it in this big [arena],” she said. “There’s a lot more fans, it’s a lot more exciting.”

When in Baltimore, you must do Baltimore things. So of course, you have to play “Bring In The Katz.” The t-shirt giveaway became a dance party when the famous club song anchored by 92 Q’s Porkchop came on, causing everyone to get up off their feet and cut a rug.

Mystics house DJ, DJ Heat, played a lot of Baltimore Club music during TV timeouts, and the halftime show included local artists Tate Kobang, YBS Skola and Bandhunta Izzy, while local dance groups were on the floor doing Baltimore’s favorite tew steps such as the Park Heights Strut and the SpongeBob. 

Erin Blaine, fan experience manager at Monumental Sports, created a special ticket offer called Shot Clock Social, a VIP-type area where she curated a space for Baltimore influencers and content creators to be a part of (and post about) Wednesday’s inaugural event. The event had a culture shift theme, geared towards Baltimore culture. Those that were invited took pictures at the photo booth, a sneaker wall, received crafty cocktails from their own bar as well as catered food. Blaine said that they wanted to do a “remake of the city of Baltimore” with the space and they succeeded.

Pax the Panda, the Mystics mascot, hung out with the crowd and twerked his way around the arena, bringing the fun to kids and adults alike, while the Mystics dancers did their routines to today’s hip hop. 

As the game grew on, the crowd got more into the game and Mystics fans cheered louder, helping the Mystics secure their win over the Fever, 83-77.

If you’re someone like me who remembers the days of the Washington Bullets having games in Charm City, this brought back some nostalgic memories. The vibes were equally high and the support was just as strong. The Mystics definitely have a market in Baltimore. 

For those who missed the opportunity to see the Mystics and/or Clark, there’s a second chance. They play again at CFG Bank Arena on Sunday, September 7, at 3 p.m. This is the perfect time, as it doesn’t conflict with the Ravens game Sunday night. Don’t miss the experience. I promise it is well worth it!

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The Ravens officially put out a statement on Monday, notifying fans, media and the likes that they are releasing kicker Justin Tucker. The organization cited “football reasons” as to why the kicker was being let go. 

Yeah.. okay… sure. 

On January 30, the Baltimore Banner published an investigation reporting that Tucker,  one of the most coveted kickers in NFL history, had been accused of sexual misconduct toward massage therapists all over the Baltimore area. As the days went on, the numbers grew, from six to 16, with the women alleging that the misconduct happened between 2012, his rookie season, and 2016. A quick search of Tucker on X (formally known as Twitter) and you’ll find that people were actually tweeting about his alleged conduct for years, but it went unnoticed until present time. Tucker came out with a statement, pushing back on the allegations shortly thereafter.

The Ravens, however, did not.

The Ravens didn’t issue an official statement, but addressed questions about Tucker during the NFL Combine and pre-draft press conferences. Taking a “long pause” by saying things like, “that’s a really good question,” before answering or responding to the accusations with, “That’s a really tough deal.” Many considered their responses as vague, loose and “coachspeak,” a term people use about surface-level words to maintain a positive public persona.

The obvious signs that the organization was going to move on were there. In addition to the NFL’s investigation, the Ravens, who have never used a draft pick on a kicker, drafted Tyler Loop in the 6th round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Something that was unprecedented was now a reality, and it wasn’t a coincidence. 

It took 95 days for the Ravens to make a written statement about Tucker — one that still omitted the allegations against him. Not a, “we are aware of the allegations and we take this matter seriously,” or anything of the likes a day sooner. They were silent. This is a far cry from coach John Harbaugh’s “zero tolerance” comments about Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in 2022, who had numerous sexual misconduct allegations against him.

When I first read the team statement, I was a bit perplexed and overall disappointed. While I understand that the allegations against Tucker are just that — allegations — the statement was not only a show of feeling sorry for Tucker, but also tone deaf to the many massage therapists who felt like their stories weren’t considered or even heard by the Ravens.

We get it. The NFL is a business. Tucker has not been formally charged with a crime and the NFL is still doing their investigation on the matter. Tucker could try and file a grievance for being let go, and the Ravens want to cover all their bases. But to go on record and completely ignore the reason we are here to begin with is disingenuous and cowardice, at minimum.

There will be people that will read this and say that I am being too emotional and that I need to separate the two. But I’m actually being as logical as anyone. When business and personal intersect and affects the bottom line of the individual, it should at minimum be acknowledged. When players are suspended for drugs or performance enhancement drugs that they took, more likely off the clock, we know about it immediately or soon after. To simply ask that an organization acknowledge something as big as SIXTEEN sexual misconduct allegations isn’t a hard ask.  At what point should humanity be ignored — or overlooked — for the sake of “business”? And while the Ravens are trying to protect themselves by keeping it to business, doing so feels like disrespect to the women involved, female football fans, and anyone who may have been affected by sexual misconduct. Why was it so easy for Harbaugh to voice his opinion about someone else’s wrongdoings, but when it came down to his own players, didn’t say a word? And maybe he wanted to and was advised to say nothing. But what happened doesn’t go away because the Ravens didn’t put it in writing. It simply has people continuously asking questions like, “How come?”

Maybe… just maybe.. the Ravens don’t have a zero tolerance policy after all.

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Nowadays, we live in a short-attention-span society, so it’s easy to jump from one thought to the next. Over the years, I’ve had posts I used to create called “Reetaisms,” a post that compiled a bunch of random but relevant thoughts. I decided to make a sports version of these thoughts, “Reeta’s Sportsisms.” A bunch of random, yet relevant thoughts in the world of Baltimore and major league sports. Here are my random thoughts for this week:

The Orioles Need to Start Soul Searching

The Orioles are in a lot of trouble, and it’s not even May. After Sunday’s 24-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, the organization found themselves looking for answers. The last time they got whupped this bad was in 2007 when the Texas Rangers scored 30 runs against them. You read that right — THIRTY! The difference? The 2007 team was on their 10th consecutive losing season, while this 2025 team has been to the playoffs the last two seasons. The biggest issue is that the front office thought that gambling with a very old vet in Charlie Morton to help deal with the Corbin Burnes loss was foolish, and I’m being nice. With Grayson Rodriguez having another setback along with Zach Eflin’s injury, this team has no depth in the starting rotation or the bullpen. This is going to be a long season for people — myself included — who thought this team would contend for a third consecutive year.

While the Pitching is Struggling, the Offense Isn’t Helping

The Orioles have a plethora of problems, but another big issue is the offense continuing its inconsistent hitting since after the All-Star Break last year. As I am writing this, the Orioles rank 16th in batting average (AVG), 22nd in on-base percentage (OBP), and 11th in on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). While they’re still top 10 in homeruns (6th), they are 15th in RBIs, so if they don’t homer it’s essentially a crapshoot in scoring. For a team with playoff aspirations, this is mediocre. Basura. Trash. At times they look lethargic and even checked out. The season is still very early but the offensive output has been disappointing, thus far.

Oh, and One More Thing…..

One of the things that could be responsible for the offensive inconsistencies is the lack of consistency in the lineup. Jackson Holliday, the team’s former #1 prospect, has not been in the lineup regularly, as well as some other young talent like Heston Kjerstad (aka Silent J). The Orioles rely heavily on analytics, and as a result have had the young guys sit out. Analytics will have you believe that the likes of Gary Sanchez (boy, has this signing stunk so far), Ramón Laureano and Jorge Mateo should be in the lineup vs left-handed pitchers. Yet, as I am writing this, they’re currently batting .000, .077 and .091 against left-handed pitchers, disrespectfully. They’re taking away critical at-bats for Holliday and Kjerstad, simply because analytics says so. While there’s value in using analytics, the human element should ultimately be the final say.

The Mark Andrews Mystery Continues

When asked if he expects Andrews to be on the team in 2025, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta was non-committal, saying, “I never know what’s going to happen, but I can tell you this, Mark Andrews is a warrior.” Well, thank you for the Gladiator updates, DeCosta, but that didn’t answer the question. Not that I actually expected you to. The Ravens did exercise his $4 million option bonus this offseason, but that doesn’t mean he’s a lock for being on the 2025 roster. My guess? They’re looking for suitors during NFL Draft weekend, most likely for a 3rd day pick (4th round and higher). While I’d hate to see Andrews not get the chance to make up for his last game, in which he fumbled and dropped a tying 2-point conversion, it is what it is and the game is the game. 

Ravens Draft Dark Horse: Interior Defensive Line 

The Ravens are a solid team overall, but they still have priorities for this year’s draft. Pass rush, offensive line, linebacker and secondary are all positions that could be upgraded after this weekend. One position that we’re not having enough conversation about is the interior defensive line. Michael Pierce decided to retire this offseason, leaving just Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, and Broderick Washington at interior line. Madubuike is more versatile than people think, being able to move outside to get added pressure. If the Ravens were to use Madubuike in more outside pressure situations, this means the only interior line guys would be Washington, who’s been a bit disappointing since signing his extension two seasons ago, and Jones, who is still on his rookie deal. Something to look at as we get closer to the NFL Draft.

Nico Iamaleava, NIL and the NCAA

If you’ve been following college football, you may be aware of the Nico Iamaleava story. The former Tennessee-now-UCLA QB ended his time with the Vols with Tennessee allegeding that Nico’s camp asked for too much money regarding his Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal. Nico’s camp claims that he left the program due to the offense, although rumors have surfaced about his father being the culprit for Nico’s departure for asking for too much. While there’s a conversation to be had about the way Nico and/or his family have handled this, the bigger issue here is the NCAA. However you may feel about NIL and collegiate sports, former NCAA President Mark Emmert and co are the main reason why we are here today. The NCAA had an opportunity to accept and regulate NIL, yet refused to allow players to receive compensation and get a piece of the pie that they so rightfully deserve. It wasn’t until states passed legislation that players were allowed to get paid. The toothpaste is now out the tube, with the transfer portal fueling the state of NIL. Is NIL out of control? Yes. Does it need to be regulated? Absolutely. Does this fall on the NCAA? 1000%. Multiple things can be true. So before we blame Nico for allegedly “knowing his worth,” blame the NCAA for allowing this to be the clown show that it has become.

NBA Playoffs

This weekend, I watched an NBA playoff game end with a 50+ margin between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is as nasty as it gets. I have no further comment on that matter.

Let Me Get This Off My Chest 

This has been on my mind for a while now and I feel like now is the right time to get this off. Espresso martinis are the Yankees hats of drinks. Trendy, popular, convenient and bandwagonish. Yeah I said it. You’re a bandwagon drinker. I bet you’re sitting somewhere, reading this right now, Yankees hat on your head with an espresso martini in your hand and you’re nowhere near the city or state of New York. Sorry to tell you this but you’re no different than a Duke fan from Maryland or a Cowboys fan from DC when it comes to your drink selection. Do better. Be better. Drink better.

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Baseball is back in Baltimore.

Despite the worries of downpour, Camden Yards and much of downtown was a sea of orange and black on March 31 as fans celebrated the first home game of the season and the surprisingly warm weather.

As household names and newer players made their way down the orange carpet on the field before the first pitch, fans were on their feet to welcome them back home, particularly beloved closer Félix Bautista, who pitched in a game at Camden Yards on Monday for the first time since his elbow injury in August 2023.

The Orioles gave them even more reason for joy over the course of the afternoon, winning 8-5 against the Boston Red Sox. (Sanya Kamidi)

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It’s a quote heard around the world. After Maryland’s thrilling March Madness win over Colorado State Sunday night, reporter Andy Katz asked Terps freshman star Derik Queen, who hit the buzzer beater, where he got his confidence from. Queen smiled and said, “So, I think I’m from Baltimore. That’s why.”

It’s a relatable quote to many who live here. Baltimore is a city full of people who are loud and proud about where they’re from, what school they went to and what they’ve accomplished. Baltimoreans don’t allow the noise of larger neighboring cities like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York to drown out their strengths. And one of Baltimore’s long-known strengths is back on the national stage — its strong, rich history of basketball. 

From Muggsy Bogues to the late Reggie Lewis to Sam Cassell, Baltimore has always had a plethora of talent on the court. It had seemed to quiet down a bit over years, but with the emergence of WNBA star Angel Reese, her brother Juju Reese, who decided to stay at Maryland to finish his career, and the rise of the freshman star Queen, Baltimore has found their stride, once again, as the blue-collar city with a lot of hidden gems and great talent.

“Yesterday showed you the grit and grind that folks attribute to Baltimore, in general,” says former Maryland power forward and Baltimore native Rodney Elliott. “[Queen and the Reeses] are from Baltimore, their roots are here and for them to be able to showcase their talent on a national level is fantastic.”

It was Angel who just a couple of seasons ago, became a National Women’s College Basketball Champion when LSU defeated fan-favorite Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Everyone remembers the infamous “You can’t see me” hand motion that Clark used in their win against Louisville that looked like it was directed toward Hailey Van Lith. The next week, Reese taunted Clark with the same exact gesture on her way to the national title. While Reese was immediately portrayed as a villain, many people from Baltimore viewed it as a relatable gesture to remind people that Baltimore will always match the energy you give out. And they’ll finish anything you start.

As Maryland prepares for their Sweet 16 matchup against a tough Florida Gators team, who many have winning it all in their brackets, it doesn’t matter. The Crab 5, with Baltimore at the wheel, are confident they can move forward. 

The basketball resurgence in Charm City has been a fun ride. And it’s only the beginning. 

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It’s been a tough couple of months if you’re a Baltimore or Maryland sports fan. In January, the Ravens had a devastating loss to the Buffalo Bills after Ravens TE Mark Andrews dropped the ball to tie the game. on March 15th, Maryland’s men’s basketball team missed an opportunity to advance to the Big 10 Championship game after Michigan hit the go-ahead bucket to win 81-80 with 0.4 seconds remaining. Now, fans will try and shift gears to baseball season, which won’t be easy. After all, being an Orioles fan never is.

The last six months were a rocky ride for the O’s, full of disappointment and surprises. After losing the AL East to the Yankees by only three games (the disappointment), they were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the wild card round of the playoffs — as if the Chiefs haven’t done enough damage to this area (the surprise, because they scored just one run in two games). 

The offseason has been underwhelming, as the O’s couldn’t re-sign their ace Corbin Burnes and didn’t necessarily replace him in the process. They did sign Charlie Morton and Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano. The concern? Morton is 41 years old and entering his 18th season in the majors, while Sugano has never pitched in America until now. The O’s also let fan-favorite Anthony Santander walk (or fly) to Toronto as he signed with the Blue Jays. They did sign Tyler O’Neill to replace Santander, but O’Neill has dealt with injuries pretty often over the years.

Fans have been looking for new ownership to invest in free agency, to show that they are serious about contending. So far, this offseason has looked like the others under the Elias regime. Active, but no major signings and honestly, not enough signings. 

The Orioles have dealt with big blows to their pitching, especially on the back end. Starter Grayson Rodriguez is dealing with a right triceps injury, while newly signed middle reliever Andrew Kittredge will miss multiple months with a knee injury. To add insult to injury, Félix Bautista, the Orioles star closer who many thought would be available by Opening Day after having Tommy John surgery in 2023, may need a little more time. 

Between the current injuries and not enough activity in the offseason, it feels like a recipe for disaster. 

“I definitely think they could have adjusted the bullpen more,” says Zach Moore from the PigTownSports Podcast. “Going into the season, I was pretty excited to have Félix [Bautista] back, but there’s been some question marks. It would’ve been nicer to have 2-3 guys that you could really depend on once you hit that 8th inning, you know, that you could just throw out there, like Tanner Scott,” referring to the former Orioles pitcher who was available this past offseason. Scott eventually signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Are fans asking for too much, or do they just want to see the Orioles elevate into true contenders? If you ask media personality Ryan Ripken of Ryan Ripken Media, the offseason bickering from the fanbase has been a great sign of the Orioles returning to what they once were. 

“I love the fact that the Orioles are relevant again, because you feel like there’s this hope that this team can win it all and when you have the higher expectations, usually that entails the fans specifically [to say], ‘Let’s go make those big splashes,’” says Ripken. “That’s a part of the expectations that grows when you have a contending team. So I get being disappointed [in the lack of big-name signings] because you care so much.”

The one thing that could overshadow the lack of depth from the pitching staff could be the offense. Now, I know what you’re thinking. The same offense that couldn’t drive in a run in the playoffs last year if their lives depended on it? Yes, that offense. 

After a tough second half in which the offense sputtered out in the playoffs, the Orioles hired Cody Asche and Tommy Joseph as their new hitting coaches. Adley Rutschman, who struggled heavily in the second half last season, has had a great spring training. Jordan Westburg, their most consistent hitter in 2024 who was missing late last year due to injury, is back in the lineup. Ryan Mountcastle has been back to form. Jackson Holliday has finally gotten the Similac off his breath and will be starting his first Opening Day. O’Neill brings a veteran presence to this young team, while hitting 31 home runs last year. Oh, and two words —  Gunnar Henderson. 

It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing. The Dodgers are spending money the way Kim Kardashian spends money on her surgeries. The Yankees lost out on Juan Soto but got Max Fried. The Red Sox have revamped their team as high rollers in free agency. The Rays are quietly building a great pitching roster. Why aren’t the Orioles getting better? Well, who says they’re not? Despite their flaws, this team is still constructed to win a lot of games in 2025. 

“I think they are very capable of winning the AL East,” Ripken said. “But to be honest, you just need to get in [the playoffs]. I don’t care how they do it, just get in. When you look at the Baltimore teams, they’re not going to be judged for the regular season. It’s going to be, what did you do in the postseason? Doesn’t that sound familiar with the Ravens?”

Thanks for reminding us, Ryan.

So buckle up, Birdland. The 2025 baseball season is upon us. There will be ups and downs, trials and tribulations. But I believe they will be ready for the challenges of getting the bad sports taste out of the mouths of many Baltimoreans and Marylanders alike.

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