Ace

When was the word ace first used in tennis, and where did it come from?2& George D., 12, Erie, PennsylvaniaThe term ace was used in tennis as early as 1890. An ace is a well-placed serve that the opposing player can't touch with his ,, racket. An ace is usually hit very hard.Some tennis historians believe the term ace came from the card game poker. In poker the four aces have the highest value.Buzz WordsBuzz Beamer's Guide to sports slang will help you talklike a pro!kiss 'n' cry (figure skating)

The New York Yankees' Johnny Damon says Daniel Cabrera is "an ace for the future." Is he right? An ace for the future? Of course. But will he be that ace? Anyone can be that star of the future. People were ready to give up on Markakis when he was hitting .220. Ask me that same question at the end of next year. Robert E. Lescalleet Baltimore McDonald, Pennington, Coppinger, Ponson: They are part of a lineage of Orioles pitchers who morphed from flamethrowers to flameouts. Cabrera has unfathomable potential, but Mr. Angelos may have to add a hypnotist to the payroll.

John Woestendiek, a features reporter at The Sun for six years, lives in South Baltimore with his dog, Ace. Work on the series began in February, when reports came out about a new DNA test that identifies what breeds are in dogs. Woestendiek, 53, who adopted Ace from the city animal shelter in 2005, pursued that and several other avenues on a quest to find his pet's roots and answer the question everybody asks: "Hey, Mister, what kind of dog is that?" Along with the Ace stories each day this week, baltimoresun.

DAY TWO BALTIMORE, MARYLAND Blogger John Woestendiek heads west with his dog, Ace -- on a 2,327-mile trip. Follow the adventures at baltimoresun.com/mutts

It was his house, his girlfriend who got the alcohol. The shotgun was his 2-day-old toy, and he was the one who, drunk and high, pumped a bullet into a friend's forehead. Within hours, he dumped the body in nearby woods, lied to the youth's mother, and cleaned the blood-splattered Odenton home so thoroughly that he recarpeted and patched the wall.That was Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge Philip T. Caroom's assessment yesterday of Jason K. Hamel, 19. When Hamel tearfully apologized for the first time moments before sentencing, Caroom said, "He, in court today, cries perhaps as much for himself as for his friend."

Quote: "Guys were running out and hugging me like it was your first victory."- Astros closer Billy Wagner, who got his first save since May 4. It's a fact: The Cubs' Sammy Sosa, who went deep for the first time at San Francisco's Pac Bell Park, has homered in 32 ballparks. Who's hot: The Marlins' Luis Castillo stole three bases and leads the majors with 22 steals. Who's not: The Expos have lost five straight. On deck: Former Cubs ace Greg Maddux (6-1) takes on current Cubs ace John Lieber (5-3)

The last flu clinic of the year sponsored by Action for Community Enrichment [ACE] will be held between 9 a.m. and noon Wednesday at Waxter Senior Center, 1000 Cathedral St., downtown.ACE has scheduled the flu shots in conjunction with the city Health Department. The threat of flu is at its peak between December and April.The shots are free to anyone 65 years or older who has Medicare "part B" insurance. Others receiving a flu shot will be asked for a donation. Information: Dorene Holloman, 410-396-1273.

Baseball Brewers: Named Bill Lajoie senior advisor for baseball operations. Basketball Mavericks: Waived F Ace Custis, F Jamal Kendrick and G Mike Jones. Pacers: Waived G Rex Walters and G Mitchell Butler. Football Jets: Signed FB-TE Jake Moreland. Terminated the contract of WR Vincent Brisby. Hockey Flyers: Re-assigned RW Mark Greig to AHL Philadelphia.