Another Reason 8 Is My Fave

Yes, the Sports Gods smiled on me and I gave it right back to them.  Now I’m taking another look, smiling yet again.  Some highlights from ’08 (in no particular order) in this, my first full year of freelancing:   

Carmelo Anthony’s HOOD Movement basketball tournament and Anthony bringing home the Olympic gold medal; witnessing a gymnasium full of children explode was very cool!    Melo has a major soft spot for Baltimore and its children.

Anthony’s “Very Melo Christmas”- though Melo was not there, it was equally as exciting talking to his family and the benefactors of this great event.  Watching the little ones play also tops my list.  

"Very Melo Christmas" at the Warehouse at Oriole Park in Camden Yards where the Carmelo Anthony Foundation teamed up with their sponsors to give 50 Baltimore children food, fun and presents. A Merry (Melo) Christmas, indeed.

Catching up with the George Mason’s 2006 Cinderella player Jai Lewis- Dagger Style.  Going toe-to-toe with him at ESPN at the net was a dream.  I still have some skill for my (old) age.  But…he’s in Japan and he’s getting paid to play. Living  his dream, though he is homesick.  

Cal Ripken World Series (Incidentally, Ripken’s number is 8- my fave!!!): watching the team from Harford County….talking to the young gamers who were living out their baseball dream. 

Cal Ripken wowed fans with his wood during the opening night ceremonies of Cal Ripken World Series.

Midsummer coverage of Orioles participating in MLB’s Buses for Baseball, meeting the Coolest Kids and watching them interact with Orioles players like Brian Roberts, Adam Jones, and Melvin Mora…

Receiving first magazine assignment through SET Magazine, interviewing Michele Tafoya (Sideline reporter for NBA, radio personality and sports guru), Violet Palmer (NBA referee)  and Tammie Erskine (only female in Mich. who is a state steward, horse-racing line judge) for feature story. Subsequent stories have followed at SET’s website.

Shaking Sugar Ray Leonard‘s hand… a couple of hours before getting the surprise of my life….in the form of a 40th birthday/Halloween Party.  The signs read, and I’ll never forget them, Happy Malloween.

When Sugar Ray Leonard enters a room, it doesn't take long for him to get recognized.

Talking to Tom Matte and Raymond Berry at Grazing with the Greats- a tribute to the 1958 game (story not yet published).

The NFL conference call I was in on with Frank Gifford, Pat Sumerall, Lenny Moore and Raymond Berry (story not yet published). 

I have lots on my plate for 09…it’s all sports and it’s all fun.

Thanks for being a part of it.

January 5, 2009January 21, 2009 by Molly Categories: 8 Things, baseball, basketball, Freelancing, giving backTags: Buses for Baseball, Cal Ripken, Carmelo Anthony, Cool Kids Campaign, Jai Lewis, Lenny Moore, MLB, NFL, orioles, Raymond Berry, SET Magazine, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tom Matte Leave a comment

Greatest Game Ever Played

December 28, 1958…

Baltimore Colts versus the New York Giants-

Had the extraordinary opportunity to take part in a conference call through the NFL with Frank Gifford and Pat Summerall (NYG) and Raymond Berry and Lenny Moore (Balt.) this past Friday.  It was an amazing conversation…

This game is being televised this Saturday night on ESPN and has been digitally reformatted and will be in color.  I’m expecting it to be a slopppy game- as many of those who took part have stated- however it is on the records books for a reason.   First overtime game in the NFL, the first to be televised to a national audience.   There are other reasons: NY media was on strike so a lot of the national media picked up the story;    12 players from this game made it into the Hall of Fame and 17 people altogether have been inducted into the National Football League Hall of Fame. 

Tune in to witness the game that changed the NFL…Saturday night

December 10, 2008December 29, 2008 by Molly Categories: football, sports historyTags: Baltimore Colts, ESPN, football, Frank Gifford, Lenny Moore, New York Giants, NFL, Pat Summerall, Raymond Berry 2 Comments