WBAL.com

Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson is home recovering this weekend, after undergoing abdominal surgery late last month.

In a statement sent to the Baltimore Sun, Robinson wrote that “the surgery was successful and I anticipate a full recovery.

“I have assured my wife Connie and my doctors that I will take it easy over the next few months. I thank you for the outpouring of prayers, compassion and concern.”

Rob Lang of WBAL radio has a story on a statement by Elijah Cummings’ office on Mark McGwire’s admission that he took steroids. The Cummings statement is also on their site if you want to read it – since, as of yet, it’s not on the Cummings website.

From the story:

Five years ago, Mark McGwire refused to answer a question from Maryland 7th District Congressman Elijah Cummings during a hearing on the use of steroids in baseball.

Now that McGwire has admitted to steroid use, Cummings said that he is happy McGwire has made the admission.

Now Cummings says McGwire should do what Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez has been doing and talk about the dangers of steroid use to young people.

From the statement:

“I am happy that Mr. McGwire has finally admitted what has been speculated about for so long,” said Cummings. “His playing career was tainted with the scourge of steroids, as indicated by the recent Hall of Fame voting, but it was further marred by his refusal to admit wrongdoing and failure to try to rebuild his credibility. Now, after apologizing and admitting wrongdoing, he can do exactly that. “

According to various news reports including this one from MLB.com, McGwire was prepared to testify that he used steroids but was not given immunity from prosecution at the time of his testimony. McGwire told Bob Costas that yesterday, and Congressman Tom Davis of Virginia confirmed it to be true by saying that then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales turned down a request from Davis’ office for immunity for McGwire’s testimony.

Babe Ruth Museum

For Immediate Release October 2, 2009

JIM PALMER, BOOG POWELL & FRANK DEFORD ADDED TO BABE RUTH MUSEUM’S TRIBUTE TO BROOKS ROBINSON “

An Evening with Brooks” Will Take Place on October 26th at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall

Baltimore, MD – The Babe Ruth Museum today announced that Jim Palmer, Boog Powell and Frank Deford have joined the lineup for the Museum’s tribute event celebrating legendary Baltimore Orioles’ third baseman and National Baseball Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. “

An Evening with Brooks,” presented by the Baltimore Orioles and Crown Quality Gasolines, will take place on Monday, October 26th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Tickets are available by calling 410.727.1539 ext 3033 or visiting www.BabeRuthMuseum.com. “

As we prepare to celebrate ‘Mr. Oriole’ it is only fitting that Brooks’ teammates and media members who witnessed him in action play special roles in this tribute,” stated Michael Gibbons, executive director of the Babe Ruth Museum. “Adding Jim, Boog and Frank only enhances our program and we are certain it will be a tremendous evening as we celebrate one of Baltimore’s greatest sports stars and people in Brooks.”

Jim Palmer was only 19 years old when he played his first game with the Orioles in 1965. The high-kicking, smooth- throwing hurler was a key part of the Orioles’ six championship teams of the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. His numbers include 268 victories, a .638 winning percentage, eight 20-win seasons and a 2.86 ERA over 19 seasons. Palmer pitched his entire career without allowing a grand slam. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is the Orioles’ all-time winningest pitcher. Brooks’ teammate for 13 seasons in Baltimore, Palmer was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

Boog Powell played for the Orioles from 1961-1974. He began playing first base full-time in 1966 and was teammates with Brooks for 14 years. A powerful left-handed slugger who batted clean-up, Powell helped lead the Orioles to the World Series four times in six years from 1966 to 1972. He won the American League Comeback Player of the Year honors in 1966 while being hampered by a broken finger.

Baltimore native Frank Deford is among the most honored and versatile sports personalities in the country and his work has appeared in virtually every medium. He is Senior Contributing Editor with Sports Illustrated and can be heard as a commentator every Wednesday on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.” On television, he is a correspondent on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” and has worked previously as a commentator at both NBC and CNN.

The evening on October 26th will begin with a VIP/Cocktail reception, followed by a program honoring Robinson. The event will include tributes to Robinson from special guests, including former teammates, along heavy passed hors d’oeuvres, food stations, an open premium bar and silent auction. Sponsorship opportunities for the gala range from $2,500 to $25,000, and tickets are available at either $105 for the cocktail reception or $55 for the program only. While the event benefits The Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation, $5.00 from each ticket sold will be donated to the American Cancer Society in honor of Brooks & Constance Robinson. Event sponsors include M&T Bank, Continental Realty, MASN and The Winstead Family.
— www.BabeRuthMuseum.com —
CONTACT: Tim Richardson – Maroon PR Andrea Kunicky – Maroon PR 410.442.1221 410.442.1221 Tim@MaroonPR.com Andrea@MaroonPR.com

Museum release

For Immediate Release September 1, 2009
BABE RUTH MUSEUM TO CELEBRATE BROOKS ROBINSON AT ANNUAL GALA ON OCTOBER 26th

Event will include Program Featuring Special Tributes to Orioles’ Legend

Baltimore, MD – The Babe Ruth Museum today announced that its fall gala will celebrate legendary Baltimore Orioles third baseman and National Baseball Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. “An Evening with Brooks,” will take place on Monday, October 26th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in downtown Baltimore.

“Brooks Robinson is one of our most beloved Orioles, a Hall of Fame third-baseman and a pillar of kindness in the community,” stated Mike Gibbons, executive director of the Babe Ruth Museum. “The Babe Ruth Museum is honored to pay tribute to Baltimore’s ‘human vacuum cleaner’ who, along with the great Johnny Unitas, is the foundation of Baltimore’s storied sports heritage.”

Robinson established a standard of excellence for modern-day third basemen. He played 23 seasons for the Orioles, setting Major League career records for games, putouts, assists, chances, double plays and fielding percentage. A clutch hitter, Robinson totaled 268 career home runs, at one time an American League record for third basemen. He earned the league’s MVP Award in 1964 and the World Series MVP in 1970, when he hit .429 and made a collection of defensive gems. Robinson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983 after receiving 344 votes of 374 ballots cast (91.98%). Highly regarded for his defensive ability, he was named as the third baseman for the Rawlings 50th Anniversary All-Time Gold Glove Team. Over his career, Robinson won 16 Gold Gloves.

Each year, the Babe Ruth Museum’s fall gala celebrates a significant figure or crowning achievement in Maryland sports history. The evening on October 26th will begin with a VIP/Cocktail reception, followed by a program honoring Robinson.

The event will include tributes to Robinson from some special guests, heavy passed hors d’oeuvres, food stations, an open premium bar and silent auction. Sponsorship opportunities for the gala range from $2,500 to $25,000, and tickets are available at either $105 for the cocktail reception and program or $55 for the program only.

While the event benefits The Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation, $5.00 from each ticket sold will be donated to the American Cancer Society in honor of Brooks & Constance Robinson. More information is available by calling
410.727.1539 ext. 3033 or visiting www.BabeRuthMuseum.com. MASN is a Media Partner for the event.

The Babe Ruth Museum operates both Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards and the Babe Ruth Birthplace.
— www.BabeRuthMuseum.com —

WBAL.com

Baltimore police say four young men stole the 4-foot aluminum No. 8 that commemorates Orioles great Cal Ripken outside Camden Yards.

The four were arrested early Wednesday, about two hours after the theft, and the monument was recovered.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says surveillance camera footage shows the four men removing the monument and placing it in the back of a pickup truck.

They were later arrested in east Baltimore. The suspects are 18-year-old Patrick Reynolds, 19-year-old Jason Stonebuner, 19-year-old Matthew Rayner and 19-year-old Gary Parker. Parker is from Baltimore, while the other three are from Essex.

Guglielmi says they will be charged with theft and destruction of property.

UPDATE
A parody ad selling the monument is up on Craigslist now while it lasts.