Alex

When Murray Alexander Schmoke Jr. told his family that he was going to South Africa as a volunteer English teacher, relatives worried about his safety but did not try to stop him."I was real concerned," Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke said. "But I remembered my own experience at that age. When I told my parents I was going somewhere that they considered dangerous, I'd always say 'I'll be all right.' "So it was for the mayor's 25-year-old half brother, who confidently left for South Africa in January.

I don't tend to make that many predictions. My thinking is that there is already enough material online that is less than certain, and I don't need to add to the morass. I try to confine my writing to topics with solid factual underpinnings and leave guesswork to others. I really want people to believe what they read here. But this is sports, and sports are meant to be fun. So, against my better judgment, I do lighten up and offer some predictions in unguarded moments. Since we should all be held accountable, here are some of the blog and Twitter (@sunjeffbarker)

ALEX TASI IS SO taken with motor scooters that he has them hanging from his ceiling. It 's not clear how many he owns. He lists four scooters of various vintages that are operational. And a motorcycle, a beefy 1984 BMW, also in use. Then there are the carcasses of five scooters overhead in his workshop, Maritime Plastics, on Second Street in Annapolis. Tasi is a very serious hobbyist. He is not alone. Annapolis pals Jody Danek, Tom Karppi and Francis Geraci own at least two Vespas each.

Right-handed reliever Alex Burnett, who was officially sent to the minors Saturday, was promoted to take Wei-Yin Chen's place Tuesday (which is allowable under baseball's rules because he was replacing an injured player). It's the third time Burnett has been called up by the Orioles this season; he has pitched just one scoreless inning of relief in the majors this year.   "The first time I came up here, they made me feel like a part of the team, just with the guys who are in this clubhouse and the coaching staff,” said Burnett, who had a 1.86 ERA in seven games with the Tides.

On April 17, 2005, VIRGINIA M. ALEX (nee Zebron), beloved wife of the late Thomas Alex. Devoted mother of Janet Lantieri, Susan Filliaux and Richard Schiminsky. Loving sister of Anthony Zebron, Fr. Samuel Zebron, Bernard Zebron, Frank Zebron, and Sr. Juanita Zebron. Loving grandmother of five and great grand-mother of four. Friends may call at the CVACH/ROSEDALE FUNERAL HOME, 1211 Chesaco Avenue, on Wednesday, 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Viewing Thursday, 10:30 A.M. to 11 A.M. Service to follow at Oak Crest Village Chapel, Walther Blvd.

On February 4, 2004, M. DIANE ALEX, beloved wife of Robert G. Alex, Sr., devoted mother of Robert G. Alex, Jr. and Melissa A. Williams; cherished grandmother of Rebecca, Amanda, Jason, Joshua, Randy and Matthew; loving brother of Patricia Generao, Theodore Foti, James Foti and Angela Sullivan; caring aunt to many nieces and nephews.Friends may call at the family owned Evans Chapel of Memories - Parkville Friday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM. A Funeral Liturgy will be held 11AM Saturday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Loch Raven Blvd.

On July 22, 2004 JOHN JOSEPH beloved husband of Martha Alex, devoted father of Ronald Alex, Marlyn Myers, and Kathy Holloway; loving grandfather of Rucker and Byron Alex, Michelle and Michael Myers, and Shawn and Mark Holloway. The family will receive friends at the W. Dabrowski-Chojnacki Funeral Homes, P.A., 1005 Dundalk Avenue Sunday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart of Mary Church Monday at 10 a.m. Interment Holy Rosary Cemetery. Christian Wake Service Sunday 4:30 p.m.

NEW YORK -- With the opening bell, the nation's oldest investment bank began trading on the nation's oldest exchange yesterday morning as Alex. Brown Inc. partner emeritus Ben Griswold III bought 100 shares in his company on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.The 80-year-old Mr. Griswold was there with a half-dozen other senior Alex. Brown officials, including his son, company Chairman Ben Griswold IV.Mr. Griswold paid $22.50 for each of his shares, which now trades on the NYSE under the symbol "AB."

Alex. Brown & Sons Inc. is Baltimore. The investment banking firm was instrumental in building this city and state. It financed early industries, it bankrolled the B&O Railroad. For that reason, confirmation that the firm is shopping for a new headquarters -- and does not rule out leaving downtown Baltimore -- is alarming.Whether Alex. Brown is serious or just driving a hard bargain, Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke must do everything to make sure the firm stays here. Otherwise, Baltimore's downtown will suffer a terrible psychological and economic loss.

On November 14, 2003, ALEX M. of Cockeysville; beloved husband of Donna L. Nargi; devoted son of Margaret Nargi and the late Nicholas Nargi; loving father of Tina Kotanski and her husband John, Margaret, Alex III and his wife Georgie and the late John Nargi; devoted stepfather of Kimberly Sheldon and her husband Joseph; cherished grandfather of Blaine Hamilton, Mark Lynch, Tyler and Joey Sheldon, Nicholas, Domenic and Alexander Nargi and Macy Sheldon....

Baltimore Sun reporter Don Markus and editor Matt Bracken weigh in on the three biggest topics of the past week in Maryland sports. Will Alex Len's injury impact his draft status? Don Markus: Len, who will be out four to six months after undergoing surgery to stabilize his left ankle, is definitely going to be a lottery pick in next month's NBA draft. Most mock drafts have the 7-1 center going anywhere from No. 5 to No. 11, but a lot will have to do with the outcome of the bouncing balls that determine the order of the lottery.

Departing Maryland center Alex Len underwent surgery for a partial stress fracture in his left ankle that was diagnosed after he declared for the NBA draft, according to his agent. The injury -- and subsequent surgery performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C. -- will complicate NBA teams' efforts to evaluate the 7-footer before the June 27 draft. The surgery "will keep Len out of basketball for four-to-six months,  and the player will miss activities leading up to the draft," said a release by Sports International Group Inc., of Gaithersburg.

The Orioles recalled right-handed pitcher Alex Burnett from Triple-A Norfolk, and he is in the clubhouse for tonight's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. In a corresponding move struggling right-hander Jake Arrieta was optioned to Norfolk. Burnett hasn't been told about his role, but he could serve as the team's long reliever for the next two days before the Orioles need a starter for Wednesday's afternoon game. The 27-year-old Arrieta, who is vastly talented but has been inconsistent throughout his big league career, has a 6.63 ERA after four starts this season.

Alex Len was given the Len Bias Award as Maryland 's most valuable player at the team's awards banquet. Len also earned the Len Elmore Award for most rebounds and the Buck Williams Award for most valuable defensive player. Dez Wells received the Greivis Vasquez Award for most inspirational player. Other winners were: Jake Layman , Juan Dixon Award for most improved player; Shaquille Cleare , Walt Williams Coaches Award for most coachable player; Pe'Shon Howard , Steve Blake Award for assists; and Logan Aronhalt , Tom McMillen Award for academic achievement.

Maryland coach Mark Turgeon took the two little turtle figurines out of his coat pocket and placed them on the table in front of him. Alex Len, whose mother Juliya had given Turgeon the figurines when her then 18-year-old son first committed to the Terps, sat at the coach's side. One of the figurines represented a baby turtle, the other one fully grown. “She said I am giving Alex to you as a baby, when he leaves here I want him to be a man,” Turgeon recalled Tuesday after Len announced he was leaving Maryland to make himself eligible for the NBA draft.

What has been anticipated around the Maryland basketball program for months has become reality: sophomore Alex Len will forgo the last two years of his college career, a source with knowledge of the situation said Sunday night. Yahoo Sports first reported Sunday that the 7-1 center from Ukraine has put his name into the NBA draft. It is not known whether Len, who is expected to be a lottery pick, has hired an agent. Len, who averaged 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds for the Terps last season, had until April 28 to put his name in the draft.

With Alex Len headed to the NBA, how will the Terps replace their 7-1 center? The Len Replacement Committee will be convening shortly at Comcast Center. For someone who has been around the Maryland basketball program, this is not like replacing  Joe Smith after he was the No. 1 pick in the 1995 NBA draft. To tell you the truth, it's not like finding another Lonny Baxter after the Terps won the national championship in 2002. Both Smith (20.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.9 blocks)

So now comes the speculation about where Alex Len gets picked in the NBA draft and how good a player the Maryland center might be.   One possibility: The Oklahoma City Thunder, which has more than just its own pick in the first round. The Thunder has rights to Toronto's first-round pick this year unless that pick happens to be in the top three. The Raptors have the NBA's 10th-worst record. I know for a fact the Thunder has looked into Len. So, of course, have quite a few teams.