Orioles are First Team to Reach 100 Home Runs

Jess Mayhugh — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 14:28:00 +0000

Orioles are first team to reach 100 home runs.
Well it’s safe to say the Orioles had a pretty good week. At the top, first baseman Chris Davis was named the American League Player of the Week, considering he homered in five consecutive games. Next, coming off a series sweep by Toronto, the O’s really needed to get their mojo back in Boston. And we did, winning the series and firmly cementing us at the top of the AL East. Along the way, we managed to be the first team in the league to reach 100 home runs (now up to 103), which doesn’t come as a total shock with power hitters Mark Trumbo, Chris Davis, Manny Machado, and Adam Jones rounding out the top of the roster. Then our series game to a glorious end when Tyler Wilson pitched a phenomenal game, keeping the Red Sox scoreless for eight innings. Let’s hope we keep it up as the dreaded Blue Jays come to Baltimore this weekend.

Your O’s are back on top of the the AL East after @t_willy18’s stellar outing.https://t.co/p3hriyNAP9
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) June 17, 2016

The Ravens released Eugene Monroe.
Just one month after Ravens tackle Eugene Monroe told The New York Times that he thinks the NFL should stop testing players for marijuana, the Ravens have announced his release. The injury-riddled offensive tackle also told the Times he was unsure whether one had to do with the other. “I can’t say for sure whether or not my stance on medical cannabis was the reason the Ravens released me,” Monroe said. “However, as I’ve said in the past, they have distanced themselves from me and made it clear that they do not support my advocacy.”

We’re not exactly sure what Steve Bisciotti and co.’s stance on medical marijuana is but, as ESPN’s Jamison Hensley points out, the release caps off the “worst deal in the franchise’s history.” A little over two years ago, the Ravens guaranteed Monroe $17.5 million and he only made 17 starts. “If you’re counting at home, that amounts to $1.03 million per start or $17,500 per snap over the past two seasons,” Hensley wrote. We are pretty sure that (and the drafting of Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley) had more to do with his departure than any sort of politics.

Ravens rookie Ronnie Stanley chose “not-so-adoptable” dog from BARCS.
Speaking of Stanley, he is quickly warming up to fans. This past weekend, Stanley and his girlfriend stopped by BARCS with a simple request: “We are looking for a dog that’s been there a long time and is maybe not-so-adoptable.” Cue the heart-eyes emoji. After meeting with a handful of dogs, they came upon Winter, a 6-year-old pit mix who had been locked inside a room in an empty home with no food, water, or fresh air. She had been dehydrated and scared, and a has a sagging belly that indicates she’s given birth to a lot of up puppies. Stanley’s response? “Well, that’s just what happens when you’ve had babies.” If this photo from BARCS is any indication, it looks like the beginning of a really beautiful friendship.

Cambridge brewery makes beer inspired by Billy Ripken.
Craft breweries get more creative every day. And we were super excited when Cambridge-based RaR Brewing released a new sour ale this week inspired by an Oriole. Not Brooks, not Eddie (though that exists and is delicious), and most definitely not Cal. No, RaR’s new Puck Face pays homage to infielder Billy “Fuck Face” Ripken.

The Lemondrop dry-hopped Berliner clocks in at only 3.6-percent ABV and has flavors of lemon hard candy on the nose, with tasting notes of key lime and lemon pith. Put more simply by the brewers: “Think Billy Ripken on a hot summer day, crushing brews and hating his brother.” Perfect on so many levels.

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Catching Air

Jess Mayhugh — Thu, 12 May 2016 14:00:00 +0000

Whether you’re a serious water lover, a gung-ho gardener, or a fan of the forest, the Baltimore area is a great place to dine alfresco. So head to one of these standout spots and enjoy your moment in the sun.

For the Patron of the Arts

Gertrude’s Restaurant: There’s outdoor dining, and then there’s the flagstone terrace at Gertrude’s. Painterly plates, such as Gertie’s crab cakes and grilled rockfish, pair perfectly with Henry Moore and Auguste Rodin sculptures. 10 Art Museum Dr., 410-889-3399.

For the Green Thumbs

Ladew Café: With one of the top topiary gardens in the world as your backdrop, feast en plein air on house-made chicken salad and enjoy the groomed gardens once visited by the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Somerset Maugham. 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, 410-557-9570.

Woodberry Kitchen: Dine at the herb-filled patio out front. 2010 Clipper Park Road, 410-464-8000

The Turn House: This new HoCo spot, situated on the bucolic Hobbit’s Glen Golf Course, hits a hole-in-one with its inventive farm-to-table cuisine, covered patio offering weatherproof outdoor dining and heat lamps, and a chef (Thomas Zippelli) who worked at the Michelin-starred The French Laundry and Eleven Madison Park before bringing it back to his native Howard County. 11130 Willow Bottom Dr., Columbia, 410-740-2096

For the Craft Beer Aficionado

RAR Brewing: When the temps top out, RAR Brewing raises its retractable garage doors. It’s a known fact that everything—from designer dogs to tater tots—tastes that much better when you let the sun shine in. 504 Poplar St., Cambridge, 443-225-5664.

Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar: Quaff a cold one and a plate of meat and fixins on the restaurant’s back deck. 1601 Union Ave., 443-948-5590.

For the Urbanite

Tapas Teatro: There’s nothing like watching the street scene while tasting tapas and chilling out over sangria at this beloved Station North cafe. 1711 N. Charles St., 410-332-0110.

Clavel: Grab a crock of queso fundido and seat yourself at a peach picnic table in Remington. 225 W 23rd St., 443-900-8983.

For the Water Lover

Barcocina: It’s hard to beat the picturesque Fells Point harbor views and potent house-made margaritas.1629 Thames St., 410-563-8800.

Boatyard Bar & Grill: This Naptown nook with colorful red umbrellas and killer crab cakes is minutes from the marina and the perfect perch for people-watching—here, you’ll see fishermen, Naval Academy midshipmen, tourists, and locals alike. Severn Avenue and Fourth Street, Annapolis, 410-216-6206

Citron: It took years for the natural rainwater to fill the old quarry in Pikesville. At 500 feet, it’s now the deepest body of water in the state and a sanctuary for geese, ducks, and all manner of flora and fauna. You’ll understand why it was worth the wait as you sit on the patio snacking on tuna tartare at Charles Levine’s contemporary fine-dining venture. 2605 Quarry Lake Drive, Pikesville, 410-363-0900

Cosima: The rushing waters of the Jones Falls, an herb garden filled with rosemary and thyme, a flute of Proseco, and sexy Sicilian noodle dishes spell an ambiance that’s perfect for a little romance. 3000 Falls Road, 443-708-7352

For the Seafood Lover

Loch Bar: Take a front-row seat at this Chesapeake seafood bar and watch the boats bob in the Patapsco. Order a shot of one of the many rare whiskeys on hand, then toast to the inexplicable alchemy of sun, stars, and seafood towers. 240 International Dr., 443-961-8949

Ryleigh’s Oyster: So many outdoor spots in the ’burbs offer nothing but a view of a parking lot. Not so at the suburban outpost of this beloved Baltimore institution. With its hedges and white Adirondack chairs, think Lutherville-Timonium meets the Eastern Shore. 22 W. Padonia Road, Hunt Valley, 410-539-2093

For the Equestrian

The Oregon Grille: Smack dab in the middle of Hunt Valley’s horse country, this well-heeled spot boasts that miles-from-the-city feel. As you take in the natural world, consider a simple Cobb salad or a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from the deep wine list. 1201 Shawan Road, 410-771-0505

Manor Tavern: Gaze at the stars at this equine-themed spot. 15819 Old York Road, 410-771-8155.

The Valley Inn: This bustling Brooklandville tavern boasts a sylvan setting and a patio that’s the perfect place for sipping champagne on tap. 10501 Falls Road, 410-828-0002

The Milton Inn: This historic inn (where John Wilkes Booth learned his A, B, C’s) recently underwent a $400,000 renovation, including the addition of a new patio and a pergola with a retractable roof. 14833 York Road, Sparks, 410-771-4366