Jeremy

On the weekly Atlantic Coast Conference teleconference, Ralph Friedgen touched on a variety of topics in his allotted 10 minutes, from Wake Forest's defense to playing a true freshman at punter. He praised Erin Henderson's improvement from last year to this season but didn't answer one reporter's question about whether Henderson has practiced this week and is ready to go. (Henderson was at practice yesterday in a black, noncontact jersey, but Friedgen said he expects everyone to play this weekend.

Strengths -- He throws his fastball at 95, 96 [mph]. His splitter is his put-away pitch. That's what he goes to. He's very aggressive. He comes right at you. Weaknesses -- He is a guy, you can sit on his fastball, but you've got to get past his splitter. He can be a deep-count pitcher. He doesn't always get ahead, and he can get that fastball up in the zone with no movement. Overall -- Everything for him is predicated on his command. If he throws strikes and pitches ahead, he is tough.

Admittedly, the prank that someone in the New York Giants' Albany training camp pulled is garden-variety preseason stuff, but that the victim was tight end Jeremy Shockey just makes it seem funnier. The excitable and often impolitic Shockey was not pleased to find out after he slipped his hand into a receiving glove that someone had slipped in dye similar to the stuff banks put in special bags of money that covers the crooks. Shockey, who now sports a purple hand, reportedly had a terse message for the unidentified culprit.

Unsweetened relief Orioles manager Dave Trembley used four relievers in the seventh inning, with Jamie Walker being the least effective. Walker faced three batters and didn't retire any. Raul Ibanez hit a two-run homer off him that gave Seattle a 4-3 lead. Richie Sexson and Kenji Johjima singled before Trembley brought in Chad Bradford, who allowed a run-scoring single to Jose Lopez. Ibanez gets hot Ibanez hadn't homered in 31 games and 116 at-bats before connecting against starter Steve Trachsel leading off the second.

On Wednesday, August 1, 2007, EGHOSA EHIGIAMUSOE-MINES departed this world to be with God. He is survived by his beloved mother, Patricia Mines, daughter Chloe Glover, sister, Porter Ferrebee, brother, Osagie Ehigiamusoe, aunts, Linda and June Mines, uncles, Ronny, Danny, Freddy and Tommy Mines, grandparents, Garland and Lillie Mines, cousins, Garland and Jeremy Mines and a host of other loved ones. Services will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 7, at Phillips Funeral Home, 1721 N. Monroe St. in Baltimore.

The Ravens and Redskins are scheduled to play a simulated game today at M&T Bank Stadium, and - considering that it's barely August - there's only one possible explanation: Any excuse for a tailgate party. I know. I know. It's called a scrimmage, but the baseball terminology seemed appropriate since this is still the middle of baseball season, regardless of how eager a lot of Baltimore sports fans are to see a game that doesn't involve the Orioles' bullpen. It's not even a game, and the Ravens can charge $25 for a club seat because the hunger for NFL football has become so pervasive that even Michael Vick couldn't make a dent in it. Personally, I think the NFL should be flagged for encroachment on the national pastime, but I'm obviously in the minority.

Jeremy Guthrie's story is of a former first-round draft pick and top prospect who struggled to meet hefty - and perhaps unfair - expectations that were placed on him. Ultimately, he was forced to go elsewhere to get an opportunity, and when he did, his powerful right arm reminded everyone what the hype was all about. It is certainly a feel-good story, especially for Orioles fans who have waited patiently for the organization to develop top-flight young pitchers, only to watch one drop in its lap on a $20,000 waiver claim.

Poll results It's pretty clear now. Our readers think Orioles right-hander Jeremy Guthrie is legit. Last month, you overwhelmingly wanted him as the club's All-Star representative. And last week the majority of nearly 4,300 voters predicted Guthrie would win the AL Rookie of the Year honor over the Boston Red Sox's Daisuke Matsuzaka and four others. The results: Guthrie, 61.8 percent (2,641 votes) Matsuzaka, 23.9 percent (1,023 votes) Hideki Okajima, 4.9 percent (209 votes) Reggie Willits, 3.4 percent (144 votes)

Jeremy Guthrie, Orioles pitcher Is it distracting to you when rumors start circulating about a manager's job status? For me, it's not a distraction. As players, we really don't hear a lot. Fans think we hear and read everything, but we don't know nearly as much as the people asking the questions or the fans think we know.

Suddenly on May 16, 2007, ANASTASIA VIOLETT SHOOP cherished daughter of Jessica and David Shoop, dear sister of Brandon, Dakoda Rose, David and Jayden; loving granddaughter of Kevin and Sherry Lockner, beloved niece of Colleen Lockner and Jeremy Miller; cousin of Jeremy Jr., and Derrick. Relatives and friends may call at the family owned AMBROSE FUNERAL HOME OF LANSDOWNE, 2719 Hammonds Ferry Road on Saturday, May 19, 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M.