Lance Johnson

As a retiring professional athlete, Blast captain Lance Johnson already has plans to sharpen his golf game. It's not to pass the time or fuel his competitive drive, but more out of necessity as he prepares to move full time into his next playing field - the world of banking. "What I've been told, when you're out golfing, people tend to let their guard down a little bit. So it's not so much a business meeting as it is two friends playing a round of golf - that's where you can create some good business opportunities," he said.

The Towson University Alumni Association Board of Directors supports President Maravene Loeschke and her commitment to advance our alma mater's focus on student success and academic excellence. Since Ms. Loeschke's arrival, Towson alumni have witnessed countless examples of her enthusiasm and devotion to Towson University. Her love for students is evident in everything she does. Dr. Loeschke's leadership - transparent, compassionate, inclusive and decisive - has served her well in making difficult, sometimes heart-wrenching decisions.

The Towson University Alumni Association Board of Directors supports President Maravene Loeschke and her commitment to advance our alma mater's focus on student success and academic excellence. Since Ms. Loeschke's arrival, Towson alumni have witnessed countless examples of her enthusiasm and devotion to Towson University. Her love for students is evident in everything she does. Dr. Loeschke's leadership - transparent, compassionate, inclusive and decisive - has served her well in making difficult, sometimes heart-wrenching decisions.

As a retiring professional athlete, Blast captain Lance Johnson already has plans to sharpen his golf game. It's not to pass the time or fuel his competitive drive, but more out of necessity as he prepares to move full time into his next playing field - the world of banking. "What I've been told, when you're out golfing, people tend to let their guard down a little bit. So it's not so much a business meeting as it is two friends playing a round of golf - that's where you can create some good business opportunities," he said.

Opponent: Columbus InvadersSite: Battelle Hall, Columbus, OhioTime: 7: 35Radio: WWLG (1360 AM)Outlook: Columbus, formerly the Canton Invaders, is the only winless (0-5) team in the NPSL. One Invader, Ricci Greenwood, who has five points in three games, lasted one day in the Spirit's preseason training camp. The leading scorer is Willie Merrick with 13 points. Four Spirit players will miss the game, including Lance Johnson, who sprained a knee ligament in Saturday's loss to the Philadelphia Kixx and is on the disabled list for the second time this season.

* BLUE JAYS: Toronto's five errors in its 7-1 loss last night to the Rangers were a season high, and one shy of the club record, set on May 13, 1982, against Texas at Arlington Stadium.* BREWERS: Shortstop Pat Listach left yesterday's game in the eighth inning with a contusion on his right shoulder, an injury suffered after he dove for a Lance Johnson single in the eighth. . . . Outfielder Darryl Hamilton will consult another specialist for his jammed thumb today. . . . Kevin Reimer had his 12-game hitting streak stopped yesterday.

The Spirit, playing without its top scorer Bo Vuckovic, sidelined with an ankle sprain, went on a scoring binge and beat the Cincinnati Silverbacks, 21-17, at the Baltimore Arena last night.It was the team's third victory -- all at home -- in 13 games, and the second time over Cincinnati.The Spirit got off quick on two goals by Renator Sampaio to go ahead 9-2, only to go into one of its patented droughts.Outscored 9-0 over a 14-minute stretch, the Spirit fell behind twice before scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter.

BaseballAngels: Placed OF Tim Salmon (strained ligament in left foot) on 15-day DL, retroactive to April 23. Placed P Jack McDowell on 15-day DL. Purchased contract of P Greg Cadaret from Triple-A Vancouver. Activated IF Craig Shipley.Cubs: Placed OF Lance Johnson (inflamed right hand) on 15-day DL. Recalled OF Matt Mieske from Triple-A Iowa.Marlins: Sent P Gabe Gonzalez to Triple-A Charlotte.Orioles: Assigned OF Mack Haman, 13th-round draft pick last season, from extended spring training to Single-A Delmarva.

The Blast selected UMBC midfielder Ty Engram with its territorial pick in the National Professional Soccer League's amateur draft yesterday.The team used its first-round pick to acquire Clemson goalkeeper Josh Campbell, and its third-round pick on Wake Forest defender Chad Evans. Clemson defender Alan Woods was taken with the team's final pick in the fourth round. The Blast did not have a second-round pick.Engram was selected for the All-South Atlantic regional team, and is an All-American Honorable Mention.

Ask Lemar Johnson for a list of his favorite books, and he'll include "Hop on Pop" and "The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare." But best of all is "Green Eggs and Ham" - the 5-year-old kindergartner at Rognel Heights Elementary/Middle School learned the story of Sam-I-Am practically by heart when he was 3. His father, Lance Johnson Sr., had an interactive computer program at home that recounted the Dr. Seuss classic - over and over. "He played the CD-ROM constantly ... " said Johnson, 30. "He learned it well.

Quietly. That might best describe how rookie Billy Nelson has settled into a regular spot in the Blast lineup this season. For a 22-year-old defender in the Major Indoor Soccer League, that can be considered a fairly high compliment. Out of necessity, the Blast (6-7 going into tonight's game in Kansas City) had to bring along its 2001 first-round draft pick quicker than anticipated because of a rash of injuries in the back. The Bel Air High grad and former UMBC standout has turned the necessity into a luxury, developing into a reliable presence as a tough, physical marker whose confidence on the ball grows with every shift.

Ask Lemar Johnson for a list of his favorite books, and he'll include "Hop on Pop" and "The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare." But best of all is "Green Eggs and Ham" - the 5-year-old kindergartner at Rognel Heights Elementary/Middle School learned the story of Sam-I-Am practically by heart when he was 3. His father, Lance Johnson Sr., had an interactive computer program at home that recounted the Dr. Seuss classic - over and over. "He played the CD-ROM constantly ... " said Johnson, 30. "He learned it well.

The Blast selected UMBC midfielder Ty Engram with its territorial pick in the National Professional Soccer League's amateur draft yesterday.The team used its first-round pick to acquire Clemson goalkeeper Josh Campbell, and its third-round pick on Wake Forest defender Chad Evans. Clemson defender Alan Woods was taken with the team's final pick in the fourth round. The Blast did not have a second-round pick.Engram was selected for the All-South Atlantic regional team, and is an All-American Honorable Mention.

BaseballAL: Named Royals 3B Joe Randa Player of the Week.NL: Named Diamondbacks 3B Matt Williams Player of the Week.Cubs: Placed CF Lance Johnson (abdominal strain) on 15-day DL, retroactive to June 10. Purchased contract of P Doug Creek from Triple-A Iowa.Devil Rays: Recalled OF Bubba Trammell from Triple-A Durham. Sent OF Terrell Lowery outright to Durham. Assigned P Albie Lopez to Single-A St. Petersburg on rehabilitation assignment.Indians: Signed P Mike Manning.Phillies: Claimed P Jason Brester off waivers from Rockies; assigned him to Double-A Reading.

BaseballAngels: Placed OF Tim Salmon (strained ligament in left foot) on 15-day DL, retroactive to April 23. Placed P Jack McDowell on 15-day DL. Purchased contract of P Greg Cadaret from Triple-A Vancouver. Activated IF Craig Shipley.Cubs: Placed OF Lance Johnson (inflamed right hand) on 15-day DL. Recalled OF Matt Mieske from Triple-A Iowa.Marlins: Sent P Gabe Gonzalez to Triple-A Charlotte.Orioles: Assigned OF Mack Haman, 13th-round draft pick last season, from extended spring training to Single-A Delmarva.

The Spirit, playing without its top scorer Bo Vuckovic, sidelined with an ankle sprain, went on a scoring binge and beat the Cincinnati Silverbacks, 21-17, at the Baltimore Arena last night.It was the team's third victory -- all at home -- in 13 games, and the second time over Cincinnati.The Spirit got off quick on two goals by Renator Sampaio to go ahead 9-2, only to go into one of its patented droughts.Outscored 9-0 over a 14-minute stretch, the Spirit fell behind twice before scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter.

TORONTO -- And last night the American League playoffs got weird.Not to mention good.The White Sox's pole-thin Lance Johnson hit a home run -- his first in 411 days, and only the fifth of his major-league career spanning more than 2,600 at-bats.The Blue Jays' Tony Fernandez completed a stand-up steal of second while Sox pitcher Jason Bere was standing on the mound with the ball, then had to return to first when the batter hit a foul ball.The Sox's Tim Raines slid safely into second with a double, then was called out for stepping off the base while Fernandez continued to apply a tag.That kind of weird.

Opponent: Wichita WingsSite: Baltimore ArenaTime: 7: 35Radio: Updates after each quarter on WWLG (1360 AM)Outlook: This is the first Spirit-Wings game of the season; the only other will be Feb. 7 in Wichita. The series is tied at 5-5, with the Spirit holding a 4-1 edge here. The Wings (6-2), led by Jason Dunn with 29 points, have won three straight. Chris Damico is the NPSL's top-rated goalie with an 8.16 points-against average. Of the Spirit's injured, player-coach Mike Stankovic and Branko Segota are listed as out; Mike Henning, Ronnie Simmons and Lance Johnson are probable.