When we first received this assignment, I knew right away that I wanted my topic to be about Baltimore's place in sports and its athletic appeal. However, I'm pretty computer-illiterate and the thought of blogging and reading articles on the internet did not seem appealing. I get most of my information from media like newspapers, radio, and magazines. Throughout this project, I learned even more great news, facts, and stories about Baltimore then when I had started. As you can see from my blogs, I even had so much to add up until the due date because Baltimore had been in the news recently. I began my blog with some background information on how the Baltimore Ravens came about and But I didn’t want the blog to be centered on just football because Baltimore has so much more to offer- hence the reason for my topic.
To start, Baltimore and Maryland at large, is very diverse and presents people with athletics, teams for all sports, horse racing, great transportation infrastructure, amazing athletes, a revolutionary apparel industry, and much more. The first post of my blog increased my knowledge regarding the reason why we are now the Baltimore Ravens. Previously, all I had known was that we used to have another mascot-that’s it. I had no idea that it was such a secretive and devious scheme. While watching the Brooklyn Dodgers video in class, I begun to compare the way Brooklyn fans felt when they found out the owner had re-located in California with how Colts fans probably felt the morning they found out the team had been taken to Indianapolis. Next, I address the issue of gambling in Maryland because we are home to one of the biggest horse races, the Preakness stakes, and we do not have slot machines. Due to our short distance and easy commute to places like Delaware, West Virginia, and Atlantic City, revenues are in a sense being taken from the state itself. Horseracing is a Maryland tradition and implementing slots would save the industry and bring in lucrative money for the state. In addition, I blogged about the Baltimore Orioles. Not many cities can attest to having a professional baseball stadium and professional football stadium so close to each other that they share parking lots. The team did not have a great season last year, but they are still very appealing and noteworthy for Baltimore. Some other articles I included mention successes from people who are from the area; thus, bringing attention and notoriety to the city. The story of Under Armour, for example, is very interesting and truly shows a success story- sewing shirts in Grandma’s basement to a multi-million dollar corporation. Last but not least, Olympic Gold medalist Michael Phelps is a product of the Baltimore area and is a new breed of sportsmen. Referred to as “athlete corporations,” Phelps is a master in his field and an extremely marketable individual.
As I conclude, I just wanted to share that blogging not only reinforced my belief that Baltimore has great athletic appeal but made it even stronger. Through this project, I’ve come to realize that Baltimore not only has amazing athletic appeal but it also fosters the talents and abilities of not only Michael Phelps but the youngest of child that could one day become an athletic great. While the project initially felt like a lot of work, towards the end, I felt I had so many articles I could post and tons of information to strengthen my argument. With over 12 posts, I still hadn’t mentioned Carmelo Anthony, a Baltimore native, University of Maryland Terrapin recruiting, NBA player Rudy Gay, the emergence of woman’s golf programs…you get the idea.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Reed's Fumble Return Leads Ravens OVER Redskins
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/12/08/sports/FBN-Redskins-Ravens-Folo.php
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80d21f6a
Ravens safety Ed Reed intercepts a pass from Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell during the first quarter. "Ed Reed has game-changing impact," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "If he's not an MVP candidate, I don't know who is."
Are you ready for some FOOOTTBBAALLL? This Sunday, December 7th, the Baltimore Ravens played long-time rival, the Washington Redskins, in what locals call the "Battle of the Beltway." The game was switched from one o'clock to eight at night so it could be nationally televised and ended in a 24-10 win for Baltimore.! What makes this win so important for the Ravens, in addition to the boasting and birf-ing we get to do, is that it put the Ravens only one game behind the Steelers, and if they win Sunday, the 14th, the Ravens are tied for first in the AFC North. Plus, it was was the biggest crowd for a Ravens game EVER!
During the game, the Baltimore Raven's ultra-aggresive defense swarmed the Washington Redskins with intricate zone blitzes and overloads that left Redskins quaterback Jason Campbell writhing on the ground in pain. Ravens rookie coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan threw in elaborate pass rush schemes that created a dizzying effect.
I strongly aggre with Baltimore Sun writer Rick Maese when he said "during the past several years, nearly everyone..has clung to the notion of rampant and unfair disrespect[towards the Ravens]. It seems to come from opposing players, from the NFL, from the media, from fans. From an organization that won just five games last season to a rookie quaterback who came from a small college to a rookie head coach no on had heard of, the Ravens do have their struggles...yes, the Baltimore Ravens have had their hard times and struggles, but they've always been a great ball club. This season's team is a group of players, coaches, and team officials who've rebounded incredibly well from last season. They've shrugged off doubts and criticism impressively.
Phelps in Our Backyard!
http://www.newsday.com/features/booksmags/ny-exmain5955699dec08,0,699210.story
On Tuesday, December 9th, Michael Phelps will make an appearance on Long Island at Adelphi University. The most decorated Olympian in history will spend the evening discussing his book, No Limits, unfolding eight chapters, one for each of the gold medals he won in the 2008 Games. Tickets for "Dream, Plan, Reach: An Evening with Michael Phelps" was sold-out in 90 minutes, the fastest-ever for a school event.
The book has been released today, Monday December 8th and has not received any on-line reviews. From the article, I'm curious about Phelps' relationship with his Dad. While watching him swim this summer, his father appeared to be nowhere in sight, and I think he wasn't in Beijing at all. In addition, the chapter regarding his DUI will be interesting because he received it in Salisbury, Maryland where one of my sisters graduated and claims he had partied at her college apartment.
On Tuesday, December 9th, Michael Phelps will make an appearance on Long Island at Adelphi University. The most decorated Olympian in history will spend the evening discussing his book, No Limits, unfolding eight chapters, one for each of the gold medals he won in the 2008 Games. Tickets for "Dream, Plan, Reach: An Evening with Michael Phelps" was sold-out in 90 minutes, the fastest-ever for a school event.
The book has been released today, Monday December 8th and has not received any on-line reviews. From the article, I'm curious about Phelps' relationship with his Dad. While watching him swim this summer, his father appeared to be nowhere in sight, and I think he wasn't in Beijing at all. In addition, the chapter regarding his DUI will be interesting because he received it in Salisbury, Maryland where one of my sisters graduated and claims he had partied at her college apartment.
Michael Phelps: World Record in Butterfly
*********WATCH PHELPS BREAK AN OLYMPIC WORLD RECORD**********
"It is for elevating his sport -- and all of us out of our seats -- with a beguiling grace and humility that SI honors Phelps with its 55th Sportsman of the Year Award," writes Alan Shipnuck in his profile of Phelps. The magazine hits newsstands on Wednesday and marks Phelps's sixth appearance on the cover of SI.
In Beijing Phelps delivered a performance for the ages in breaking Mark Spitz's 36-year-old mark of seven gold medals in a single Olympiad. Phelps won individual gold in the 400-meter individual medley, 200-meter freestyle, 200- meter butterfly, 200-meter individual medley and 100-meter butterfly to go along with team golds in the 4x100-meter freestyle, 4x200-meter freestyle and 4x100-meter medley relays. His 0.01-second victory over Serbia's Milorad Cavic in the 100-meter butterfly and his U.S. team's come-from-behind triumph over France in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay provided two of the most iconic moments of the 2008 Summer Games.
Michael Phelps Named 2008 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Michael-Phelps-Named-2008-Sports/story.aspx?guid=%7B4F2AF57C-5453-438D-8435-DAFC7B6BA0A5%7D
Sports Illustrated is a multimedia sports brand that takes the “consumer into the heart and soul of sports.” The franchise is anchored by Sports Illustrated, the most respected voice in sports journalism which reaches a weekly audience of nearly 21 million adults. Their website, http://www.si.com/, is the magazine's 24/7 sports news website that delivers more than 150 original stories to its users each week. The SI franchise also includes Sports Illustrated Kids ( http://www.sikids.com/), a monthly magazine targeted to kids age 8 and up; Golf Magazine and http://www.golf.com;/ http://www.fannation.com/, a social networking and sports-news aggregation platform; http://www.sioncampus.com/, a website dedicated to college sports and the college sports lifestyle; SI Presents, the magazine's specialty publishing division; as well as SI Books, SI Pictures, SI Productions, SI Digital and SI Events. Founded in 1954, SI is a division of Time Inc., the world's leading magazine publishing company and a subsidiary of Time Warner.
Every year, Sports Illustrated Group Editor Terry McDonell announces the Sportsman of the Year. This person or team must transcend through the year in both athletic performance and character. The descriptor, “It is not for the victory alone that he is honored. Rather, it is for the quality of his effort and the manner of striving;” a statement lifted from the pages of SI in 1957 that defines the principle of the award. Baltimore native, Michael Phelps is SI’s 55th Sportsman of the Year and joins Lance Armstrong, Michael Jordan, and Tiger Woods, among other athletic greats who have received this award.
All I can say is WELL DESERVED! This summer I looked forward to race after race and felt so proud to be an American and Baltimorian specifically. His performance in Beijing provides two of the most iconic moments of the 2008 Summer Games, and everyone can agree that he is one helluva athlete. His high school, Towson, is located within the same district of my high school so I’ve been following him for years. In many local papers his name was continuously popping up for his college offers, record-breaking competitions, and million-dollar endorsements. He has definitely earned the nickname the "Baltimore Bullet" and is Baltimore's swimming superstar!
Sports Illustrated is a multimedia sports brand that takes the “consumer into the heart and soul of sports.” The franchise is anchored by Sports Illustrated, the most respected voice in sports journalism which reaches a weekly audience of nearly 21 million adults. Their website, http://www.si.com/, is the magazine's 24/7 sports news website that delivers more than 150 original stories to its users each week. The SI franchise also includes Sports Illustrated Kids ( http://www.sikids.com/), a monthly magazine targeted to kids age 8 and up; Golf Magazine and http://www.golf.com;/ http://www.fannation.com/, a social networking and sports-news aggregation platform; http://www.sioncampus.com/, a website dedicated to college sports and the college sports lifestyle; SI Presents, the magazine's specialty publishing division; as well as SI Books, SI Pictures, SI Productions, SI Digital and SI Events. Founded in 1954, SI is a division of Time Inc., the world's leading magazine publishing company and a subsidiary of Time Warner.
Every year, Sports Illustrated Group Editor Terry McDonell announces the Sportsman of the Year. This person or team must transcend through the year in both athletic performance and character. The descriptor, “It is not for the victory alone that he is honored. Rather, it is for the quality of his effort and the manner of striving;” a statement lifted from the pages of SI in 1957 that defines the principle of the award. Baltimore native, Michael Phelps is SI’s 55th Sportsman of the Year and joins Lance Armstrong, Michael Jordan, and Tiger Woods, among other athletic greats who have received this award.
All I can say is WELL DESERVED! This summer I looked forward to race after race and felt so proud to be an American and Baltimorian specifically. His performance in Beijing provides two of the most iconic moments of the 2008 Summer Games, and everyone can agree that he is one helluva athlete. His high school, Towson, is located within the same district of my high school so I’ve been following him for years. In many local papers his name was continuously popping up for his college offers, record-breaking competitions, and million-dollar endorsements. He has definitely earned the nickname the "Baltimore Bullet" and is Baltimore's swimming superstar!
Phelps' TRL Appearance
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-sp.flipside08dec08,0,319625.columnLike the article stated, "Baltimore's Hombre de Oro," is gracing the pages of another magazine. This time, not for his Olympic abilities, but for the rumors spreading of his relations with a Palm's Resort cocktail waitress from Las Vegas. I read the spread in Sports Illustrated and apparently he brought the young brunette home to Baltimore to meet mom for Thanksgiving. Sources say they are "just friends" and Michael needs to have a private life.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
UNDER ARMOUR SUCCESS
http://www.forbes.com/business/forbes/2006/0605/073.html
Kevin Plank, founder and owner of the Baltimore firm, Under Armour, came up with the idea for his company while he was a senior at the University of Maryland. A business major and member of the Division I football team, Plank was not so much an athlete as he was a problem solver. Like other team members, he loathed wearing sweat-soaked cotton T shirts during practice and games. On a visit to New York City’s garment district, he discovered a polyester-Lycra blend that did not trap moisture. After several prototypes, he came up with a shirt that the players loved: They clung to the body like a second layer of skin, yet wicked away perspiration, keeping the shirts drier and lighter. Starting out with only $15,000 from a rose business he ran in college, $40,000 from five credit cards, and several thousand raised from selling private shares to family and friends, Plank set to work in Grandma’s basement in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C..
Now over a decade later, Under Armour owns 70% of the so-called compression-performance market. With $500 million worth of sales each year, Nike is left with a measly 14%. In 2006, Plank upped the stakes when he introduced the company’s first shoe, a football cleat. However, although squarely in Nike’s territory, Under Armour is not nearly as profitable as Nike—earning a mere $20 million in a year, a figure Nike conquers in a week.
I think this story is comparable to the beginnings of a Bill Gates. The makings to this under dog story are a lot of ingenuity and the drive and perseverance in order to create a successful business. Before reading this article, I had been familiar with the story of Plank, but I had no idea that that was the path he had taken to be where he is now. Incredible! Although the interlocking U-and-A logo does not have the universality of the Nike swoosh, I believe it is just another athletic appeal Baltimore has to offer. Plus, it is just a matter of time before we see it around the country. Let’s not forget, the Nike Corporation was founded in 1972, making it twenty-four years its senior to Under Armour. Even with that being said, in 2004, Under Armour introduced football receivers’ gloves and promptly stole 30% of that $50 million market, mostly at Nike’s expense.
Kevin Plank, founder and owner of the Baltimore firm, Under Armour, came up with the idea for his company while he was a senior at the University of Maryland. A business major and member of the Division I football team, Plank was not so much an athlete as he was a problem solver. Like other team members, he loathed wearing sweat-soaked cotton T shirts during practice and games. On a visit to New York City’s garment district, he discovered a polyester-Lycra blend that did not trap moisture. After several prototypes, he came up with a shirt that the players loved: They clung to the body like a second layer of skin, yet wicked away perspiration, keeping the shirts drier and lighter. Starting out with only $15,000 from a rose business he ran in college, $40,000 from five credit cards, and several thousand raised from selling private shares to family and friends, Plank set to work in Grandma’s basement in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C..
Now over a decade later, Under Armour owns 70% of the so-called compression-performance market. With $500 million worth of sales each year, Nike is left with a measly 14%. In 2006, Plank upped the stakes when he introduced the company’s first shoe, a football cleat. However, although squarely in Nike’s territory, Under Armour is not nearly as profitable as Nike—earning a mere $20 million in a year, a figure Nike conquers in a week.
I think this story is comparable to the beginnings of a Bill Gates. The makings to this under dog story are a lot of ingenuity and the drive and perseverance in order to create a successful business. Before reading this article, I had been familiar with the story of Plank, but I had no idea that that was the path he had taken to be where he is now. Incredible! Although the interlocking U-and-A logo does not have the universality of the Nike swoosh, I believe it is just another athletic appeal Baltimore has to offer. Plus, it is just a matter of time before we see it around the country. Let’s not forget, the Nike Corporation was founded in 1972, making it twenty-four years its senior to Under Armour. Even with that being said, in 2004, Under Armour introduced football receivers’ gloves and promptly stole 30% of that $50 million market, mostly at Nike’s expense.
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