From College to the Pros...

By: Ben Raby

WASHINGTON- Andy Roddick may have won last year's Legg Mason Tennis Classic, but John Isner came away the big winner... and we're not just talking about his 6' 9" frame. Isner reached the Legg Mason final in just his second career ATP tournament. The former Georgia Bulldog wasn't even two months out of college.

But Isner's powerful serve produced 144 aces in DC last year, as the Legg Mason played host to his coming-out party. Not bad for a guy who just eight weeks earlier was playing in the NCAA Singles Final.

Isner lost in the '07 NCAAs to Virginia's Somdev Devvarm in a three-set championship match. Devvarm would go on to defend his NCAA title in 2008, part of an impressive 44-1 season.

But now Devvarm is a pro, and like Isner a year ago, he's hoping to make some noise on the ATP Tour with a strong week here in Washington.

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And that got started today with a first round win over American wild-card Taylor Dent. Devvarm advanced to the second round with a 7-6, 2-6, 6-1 win, his first career ATP victory.

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"It was bound to happen sooner or later," said Devvarman, who also acknowledged the parralels between his Legg Mason debut and Isner's a year ago.

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"We've both gotten our educations, we both went to big football and basketball schools, both did the whole tailgating thing," Devvarman said. "But I had such a great time in college I wouldn't trade it for anything. Now we're just like any other college students who go on to get jobs. Our job just happens to be playing tennis."

Legg Mason Tennis Preview

By: Ben Raby

WASHINGTON- Grand Slam champions Andy Roddick and Marat Safin headline the 40th edition of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic which kicks off today from Rock Creek Park.

Roddick is the defending champion and is looking to become the tournament's second four-time winner (Andre Agassi won five titles here in the 1990s).

While many of the ATP's big names are in Beijing this week, the 32-man field in DC includes seven of the world's top-50 players. In addition to Roddick (#9) and Safin (#44), other notables includes former world #2 Tommy Hass (now ranked 40th), and American Mardy Fish (#43).

Roddick is the tournament's top-seed with 19-year-old Jaun Martin Del Potro seeded second. The two met in yesterday's ATP final in Los Angeles with Del Potro winning in straight sets. As the top seeds here in Washington, Roddick and Del Potro are on opposite sides of the draw meaning a second straight championship match could take place on Sunday.

Ten Americans are in the main draw including 2007 finalist John Isner. The 6'9" Isner relies on a powerful serve that produced 144 aces at last year's Legg Mason, a record for a non-Grand Slam event.

Isner takes on 8th-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain in today's featured night match on center court. Roddick isn't expected to play until Tuesday night.

New Looked Nats

By: Ben Raby

WASHINGTON- With the trade deadline passed and the Nationals' 38-70 record ranking last in the Majors, the Nats are officially looking towards 2009.

For the proof just look at tonight's anticipated lineup, where Alberto Gonzalez and Emilio Bonaficio (right) are likely to occupy the Nats' middle infield. Both will be making their National debuts.

Gonzalez has played 40 career big-league games, while Bonaficio has appeared in 19. Both were acquired within the past week, the shortstop Gonzalez coming from the Yankees system for minor league pitcher Johnny Nunez, while second baseman Bonaficio arrived from Arizona for closer John Rauch.

Bonaficio spent a week with Triple-A Columbus but is expected to stay in Washington for the remainder of 2008. The plan is to groom him to become the team's Opening Day second baseman next season.

Elijah Dukes (left) also returns to the lineup tonight after a stint on the DL. So with three players set to join or re-join the Nats active roster, some additional shuffling was needed.

It came as little surprise then when second baseman Felipe Lopez as well as veteran catchers Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada were all released.

Fans will get their first chance to see Gonzalez and Bonaficio tonight from Nationals Park, as the Nats open a three-game series with Cincinnati. The Nationals have lost nine-straight, tying their season-high. Odalis Perez (3-8, 4.38 ERA) starts for Washington, while the Reds send out Homer Bailey (0-4, 6.52 ERA).

1983 World Seires Champs: 25 Years Later

By: Ben Raby
BALTIMORE- "Turn Back the Clock Night" here at Camden Yards where the Orioles are honoring the 1983 World Series champions.

Twenty-two members of the '83 O's made it to Baltimore tonight, as well as General Manager Hank Peters and coach Jimmy Williams.

The Orioles (the current ones) came out wearing their throw-back jerseys complete with the tri-colored cartoon bird hat. Their opponent tonight, the Toronto Blue Jays did their part sporting their 1980s power blue road uniforms.

In addition, upper deck seats tonight at Camden Yards went for $5.50, the same admission price charged in 1983 at Memorial Stadium.

But the best reason to come out the park tonight was to see and hear from the '83 O's. About 40 minutes before tonight's pre-game ceremonies, players from the 1983 team spoke to the media.

A common theme among the players was the impact a disappointing finish to the 1982 season had on the '83 campaign.

The 1982 Orioles finished the season 94-68, one-game back of the eventual AL champion Brewers. Baltimore hosted Miliwaukee for the final four-game series of the season, but after the Orioles took the first three games, the Brewers won the finale, earning them the East division title.

"It was the most exciting series I was ever a part of," said Cal Ripken Jr. "The excitement of seeing the fans come to the stadium with the brooms, and then the disappointment watching the celebration on our field. I remember sitting in the clubhouse thinking about where we could have made up that one other game over the course of the season.

"For me personally" said Ken Singleton, "that last game in '82 I think was the most disappointing loss I was ever apart of. I know when we came to Spring Training the next year there was a lot of determination on the team."

Ripken and pitcher Mike Flanagan agreed that there was a business-like sense to that 1983 Spring Training.

"We had a tendancy to lose games early," Flanagan said, "but that year I think we wanted to get ahead early. We didn't want our season coming down to the final weekend."

Flanagan, who joked that the O's really could have used the wild-card in the early 80s, felt the team had played well enough the previous few seasons and was on the cusp of something special.

"In '78 I think we win 94 games, in '79 we win 102 games, in '80 we win 100 games and in '82 we win 94 games and go home."

There was also the 1979 World Series collapse, where the Orioles gave up a 3-1 series lead, before losing in seven to the Pirates.

But it all seemed to come together in 1983. Ripken Jr. enjoyed an MVP season hitting .318 with 27 home runs and 102 RBI. His teammate Eddie Murray finished second in the MVP vote.

"I was traded to the Orioles the day before the deadline," said Tito Landrum, "but these guys were very family oriented. There was a family presence when I got there and they took me in right away."

The Orioles eventually won the AL East with a 98-64 record, six games ahead of Detroit. They beat the White Sox 3-1 in the ALCS, before completing the championship run with a 4-1 World Series win over the Phillies.

"We felt we had a bunch of ball players in our clubhouse," said first base coach Jimmy Williams, "who played hard and had fun. And I think when '83 ended the consensus among the coaches was that the players we had that year were the greatest ball players they had ever been connected with. They were just an outstanding bunch of guys."

FINAL: Orioles 8 - Blue Jays 3

By: Ben Raby
BALTIMORE- A day after sitting out the series finale against Detroit with an ankle injury, Orioles' center fielder Adam Jones played a huge role in the O's series opener against Toronto.

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Jones went 2-4 on the night, hitting his sixth home run of the season, scoring twice, and driving in a pair leading the Orioles to an 8-3 win over the Blue Jays.

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"He was determined to play tonight," said Orioles Manager Dave Trembley. "He's 22-years-old, and I think he's got a great mind-set. Other than his ability and his tools and everything, this guy's got his head on right."

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Jones ran the bases prior to batting practice, and was given clearance by team doctors to play. Boy did it pay off.

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Ramon Hernandez also homered for the Orioles, connecting on his tenth of the season.

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Radhames Liz improves to 4-2 with the win, while Toronto starter Jesse Litsch drops to 8-7. Litsch is now 1-6 in his last seven decisions.

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One of the Orioles smaller crowds of the season came out for this one, with announced attendance of 12,772 from Camden Yards. Keep in mind, this four-game series pits the bottom two teams in the AL East. The Baltimore win actually puts the Orioles back in fourth place, half a game ahead of Toronto.

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These teams meet again Tuesday night at 7:05 with Garrett Olsen (6-5) getting the start for Baltimore, and Shaun Marcum (5-4) going for Toronto.

Pre-Game: Orioles vs. Blue Jays

By: Ben Raby

BALTIMORE- A hot and muggy day at Camden Yards where the Orioles (47-50) are just finishing up batting practice as they prepare to face the Toronto Blue Jays. Tonight's game is the first of four against Toronto as the Orioles continue an 11-game homestand which sees them at 2-2 after a weekend split with Detroit.

Tough to sell this series as a must-watch, but if the O's want to climb out of last place in the AL East, there's no better opponent than the Jays. Toronto is fourth in the division, half a game up on Baltimore. If you can't jump four spots in one day, may as well start with the team right above you.

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Radhames Liz (3-2, 7.57 ERA) gets the start for the Orioles, while the Jays send out Jesse Litsch (8-6, 4.16 ERA). Liz is coming off his worst career start, giving up eight runs and six hits in 2 1/3 innings in a 12-1 loss to Boston.

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"Other teams take advantage when he's not getting his fastball in the zone," said Manager Dave Trembley. "When he starts throwing away from the zone and falls behind in the count, he's forced to throw down the middle. At this level you don't get away with that. You want the opposite- establish the zone then start throwing away from the plate."

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Trembley added that their has been discussion about throwing Liz out of the bullpen. Trembley said that O's Bullpen Coach Alan Dunn has compared Liz to Cubs all-star reliever Carlos Marmol.

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"It seems the longer he pitches, the more his delivery gets out of whack. A shoter outing could improve his control."

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In his defense though, Trembley noted that Liz hasn't exactly played in the most hospitable stadiums, having thrown at Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. Great for a fan, not so much for an inexperienced visiting pitcher. This just in actually: Liz has never actually pitched at Yankee Stadium... guess Trembley tried to slip that one by us. Credit to MASN reporter Amber Theoharis for catching on.

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As for Toronto starter Jesse Litsch, after a 7-1 start to the season the 23-year-old righthander has lost five of his last six decisions.

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"He throws a lot of strikes," Trembley said. "A lot of balls over the plate, so we should have our chances."

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Starting Lineups:

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BALTIMORE ORIOLES (48-50, 5th AL East):

1. 2B: Brian Roberts
2. CF: Adam Jones
3. RF: Nick Markekis
4. DH: Aubrey Huff
5. 3B: Melvin Mora
6. LF: Luke Scott
7. C: Ramon Hernandez
8. 1B: Kevin Millar
9. SS: Brandon Fahey

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (47-50, 4th AL East):

1. RF: Joe Inglett
2. 2B: Marco Scutaro
3. CF: Alex Rios
4. 1B: Lyle Overbay
5. C: Rod Barajas
6. DH: Matt Stairs
7. 3B: Scott Rolen
8. LF: Adam Lind
9. SS: David Eckstein

Fans Turn Out for Day One of Camp

By: Ben Raby
ASHBURN, VA.- For those who aren't quite sure if Washington is a 'Redskin Town,' Sunday's first day of training camp should serve as an eye opener. More than 6,000 fans turned out for the 'Skins first 8:30 a.m. practice, some showing up 2.5 hours earlier.

"It was packed," said Katie Nothie of Montgomery County, MD. "We got here pretty early so we managed to get right up along the fence, but I looked back and it was just a sea of people. Obviously people are really excited about Jim Zorn and everything that's been going on."

Zorn said yesterday that his morning practices will typical run in the 2:15-2:30 range, but today's first time on the field went just over 90 minutes with the temperature in the high 80s.

But not even the hot weather could keep these fans from supporting the burgandy and gold.

"It's a great vibe and a lot of fun," said Jeff Zimmerman of Vienna, VA., who spent the morning at Redskin Park with his 11-year-old daughter Nora. Both were wearing matching Clinton Portis jerseys. "The players are real good about signing autographs and are very friendly. The secret is having [daughter Nora] squeeze through the crowds right up to the front."

Beth and Bob Ridpath of Fredericksburg, VA. brought grandson Sam out to camp for his birthday present.

"I think you really can identify the players when you see guys like [Antwaan] Randle El up close," Beth said. "Rock Cartwright signed [Sam's] book and when he watches him on TV now, our grandson is really going to identify with it."

Fans were kept behind bike racks, but select players signed autographs for up to 45 minutes after practice including Santana Moss. Redskin merchandise tents were also crowded with packs of fans throughout the morning.

(Photo Credit: www.washingtontimes.com)

News & Notes: Redskins Training Camp Eve

By: Ben Raby
ASHBURN, VA.-The Redskins are officially the first NFL team to open training camp in 2008, as players checked in this afternoon at Redskin Park in Northern Virginia.

The Redskins will hold their first two-a-day tomorrow morning at 8:30, with a second practice to follow in the afternoon. Coach Jim Zorn said today that morning practices will typically last between 2:15-2:30, while afternoon sessions will be more in the 1:40 range. All morning practices through July 28 are free and open to thepublic.

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The 'Skins are the first team to open training camp thanks to an early start to their pre-season schedule. The Redskins will play five pre-season games, one more than most teams. That's because Washington will take the field in the annual Hall-of-Fame Game in just two weeks, on Aug. 3 against the Colts from Canton, Ohio.

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"Not really," Zorn said when asked if he's looking forward to an extra pre-season game. "The thing I appreciate more about a fifth pre-season game is that it's a special [HOF] game, it's the only game going on at that time and it honors a tremendous history of hall of famers. So that's what I'm excited about."

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Linebacker London Fletcher, entering his second season in Washington, isn't thrilled about the lengthy training camp and pre-season, but says it's just the cards the 'Skins have been dealt.

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"No sense complaining about it," Fletcher said. "We've got five weeks of camp, five pre-season games and you have to make the most of it. If you go about it and complain about why you're at work, I think you miss a great opportunity to get better. I look at us as getting a head start on everybody else and being able to improve ourselves."

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The extra week of camp plus the fifth pre-season game at least gives Coach Zorn some extra time to work on the his West Coast offense he's brining with him from Seattle. Zorn worked in a West Coast system as the Seahawks quarterback's coach (2001-07) under Mike Holmgren.

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"The innovations I have brought will be some things from Seattle," Zorn said. "But any differences in the offense will be subtle. Hopefully you'll see the tempo go fast because I like to go fast."

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And that suits wide-receiver Antwaan Randle-El just fine.

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"I wouldn't expect more flash or trick plays," Randle-El said, "but without trying to toot our horns or put any kind of big expectations [on us] I think we'll really get a chance to get the balls in our hands a little more often. I think it's something we've always wanted to do, but we should be able to do it a little more this year."

Redskins Sign 2nd Round Pick Davis

By: Ben Raby
ASHBURN VA.- On the first day players reported to Redskins training camp, the team took care of one final piece of off-season business. The 'Skins announced today that they have agreed to terms with secound-round pick (48th overall) Fred Davis.

"It's really exciting." Davis said. "I'm just ready to finally get out there and to finally be a Redskin and to start camp that's the best thing, so I'm really appreciative."

Davis' four-year deal worth $3.5 million means the Redskins have signed or agreed to terms with all 10 of their draft picks heading into camp.

"It's not only important for us," said new Head Coach Jim Zorn, "but it's important for those guys to start on day one with the rest of the team to get a flavor of the energy that 's going to be created. I think it creates a great atmosphere if we all start on right on the first day and go forward."

"My plan was definately to get it done before camp started," Davis said. "I didn't want to lose a chane to get out and play and play early. I want to learn everything, so I thought getting in early would be the smartest thing."

Davis played tight-end at Southern California, where he was named the team's co-MVP last season. Davis started 28 of 48 games at USC and set school records for tight ends in receptions (117), yards (1,408) and touchdowns (13).

Learning from one of the NFL's best tight ends in Washington shouldn't hurt.

"It's definately great to be alongside [Chris] Cooley. He's one of the best tight ends in the league so learning from should help me a lot. Just being with him may be the best thing that could have happened to me."

A players meeting was held this afternoon at the Redskins training facility, with the first practice set for 8:30 tomorrow morning.