Home     Introduction     A Monumental Error     Timepoints     World of Sports     Parting Shot

Congratulations to Michael Phelps on becoming the greatest Olympic champion in history

 

Above:  The front page of the sports section of The Sun, August 18, 2008

I have enjoyed following a variety of sports over the years, both as a participant and as a spectator.  When I was younger, I played baseball, softball, tennis, soccer, basketball, touch football, enjoyed swimming and other activities.  In 1971 I played on a college club lacrosse team.  Primarily, however, I really enjoyed long distance running.  I was a runner for 18 years, from age 16 to age 34.  In high school I ran cross country for 2 years and ran the 1 mile race in track and field.  Years later, during the 1970's I ran many road races, from 5 kilometers to the marathon.  I started a total of 12 marathons, finishing 8.  I was very proud of my running achievements.  In recent times, I have played pool and occasionally still play tennis.

 

The Olympic Flame at the 1972 games in Munich, September 1972

 

I have seen many great sports events in person; notably, the 1972 Munich and 1976 Montreal Olympic games; some of the soccer matches of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics that were held in Annapolis, Maryland; one game of the 2003 Women's World Cup of Soccer in Washington, D.C.; 9 World Series baseball games (between 1969 - 1983); game 1 of the 1976 NBA finals -- Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns at the Boston Garden; the 1976 Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia; some matches of the 1979 Wimbledon Tennis Championships; the 1979 National Athletics Championships of Ireland -- the most important annual track & field meet in Ireland; the 1984 World Cross Country Championships, held at the Meadowlands, New Jersey; the 1989 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, held in Baltimore; and 2 Men's World Lacrosse Tournaments, 1982 and 1998.  Also, I have seen 5 Men's NCAA  Division 1 Lacrosse Championships (1972, 1976, 2003, 2004, 2007) and 3 Women's NCAA  Division 1 Lacrosse Championships (1999, 2001, and 2008).  On April 28, 2006, I saw game 1 of the Major Indoor Soccer League Championship Series between the Baltimore Blast and St. Louis Steamers, won by the Blast 4-2.  Recently, on November 18, 2007, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., I saw the Major League Soccer Championship game between the New England Revolution and the Houston Dynamo, won by the latter 2-1.  So, I have seen quite a variety of sports and great athletes.       As mentioned on the Introduction page, I have taught the course "History of the Modern Olympic Games" several times for the Baltimore Free University of Johns Hopkins University.  Pictured below are the cover of the Fall 2004 BFU course brochure and the description of the course I taught.

Congratulations to the Boston Celtics on winning the 2008 NBA Championship The following article appeared in The Sun June 18, 2008.

 

 

Here are some photos of recent sports events I have seen.

Action from the Johns Hopkins University - Loyola College lacrosse game, May 7, 2005, at Hopkins' Homewood Field.  A few weeks later, on May 30, Hopkins won the NCAA Division 1 Men's Championship beating Duke 9-8 in the title game.

This photo was taken of the Baltimore Orioles - Colorado Rockies baseball game June 19, 2005, at Oriole Park.

On the evening of September 1, 2005, I went to the Baltimore Ravens-Washington Redskins exhibition football game at M & T Bank stadium.  I went with my three friends, from left to right, Jack Bonney, Tom Schilpp, and Scott Arnopol.

Photo of the Ravens-Redskins game, won by the Ravens 26-20

This happy couple were on their way to M&T Bank Stadium to see the Maryland-Navy football game, September 3, 2005.

 

The parade of midshipmen on the field before the Maryland-Navy game, September 3, 2005

 

Action from the Maryland-Navy game, won by Maryland 23-20

 

 

 

 

On February 24, 2007, I saw the women's lacrosse game between Johns Hopkins and George Mason.  The Lady Blue Jays beat the Patriots by a score of 9-7.

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MEN'S LACROSSE TEAM OF JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY FOR WINNING THE 2007 NCAA DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP

On Memorial Day, May 28, 2007, I saw the Blue Jays beat Duke's Blue Devils 12-11 in the title game at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium.  Having followed Hopkins lacrosse for 40 years, watching them play in more than 100 games, including 2 previous NCAA title games which they lost, I finally was able to see the Blue Jays win the title game in person, for which I was very pleased.  The following photos appeared in the USA TODAY newspaper May 29, 2007.

 

I took this photo of the NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium, May 28, 2007.

 

From The Charles Villager newspaper, July/August 1991 issue

 

 

On July 21, 2007, in Towson, MD, I attended a parade and festival celebrating Cal Ripken, Jr.'s upcoming induction to the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. (On July 29,2007, Ripken and Tony Gwynn were officially inducted in Cooperstown.) I enjoyed the Towson celebration very much.  Here is a photo of Ripken the officials gave to people.

 

On April 12, 2008, I saw the men's lacrosse game between the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays and the Maryland Terrapins at Homewood Field.  The Blue Jays prevailed by a score of 10-4.

Here is my ticket for the game:

 

 

 

On May 17, 2008, I saw the Baltimore Orioles - Washington Nationals baseball game at Oriole Park.  The Orioles won by a score of 6-2.

 

 

On May 25, 2008, I attended the NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship Game at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson, MD.  The young ladies from Northwestern University beat the team from the University of Pennsylvania.  This was the fourth consecutive year that the Chicago-area university has won the title.