2. ‘Brother Lo,’ Roenicke, Mora Voted into O’s Hall of Fame.
It’s fitting that Orioles Magic platoon partners John Lowenstein and Gary Roenicke will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame together today. We’re also thrilled that Melvin Mora, who starred during some pretty lean years—and ranks among the team’s all-time leaders in several offense categories—is going in, too. Long-time scout Fred Uhlman Sr. will also be inducted. He spent 46 years in professional scouting, including the last three decades with the Orioles. The only downside is that the colorful Lowenstein—known as ‘Brother Lo’ during his playing days in Baltimore—won’t be in attendance. He apparently remains unhappy with the way his relationship with the team ended and has been reclusive in recent years. Nonetheless, here’s hoping the O’s remember they’re supposed to win on nights like this.

3. Yes, is the answer.
Frankly, we’re tired of the “elite” question about Flacco. Joe Cool has more than demonstrated his talent and mettle in big games, including putting the Ravens on his back during their playoff run to their last Super Bowl title. Yet, pro football observers still ask the question, “Is Joe Flacco an elite quarterback?” Exactly, who would they prefer to take into Pittsburgh or New England to win a big game? That said, we couldn’t help but love the sign that was held up after the recent GOP presidential debate putting forth that very question. It somehow managed to both put both the Flacco “controversy” and the political media’s obsession with the early presidential silliness into context.

4. The mustache that ‘crushed’ the American League. Briefly.
You know the story by now. The O’s Chris Davis grew a bushy throwback ‘stache recently—one blogger suggested he looked like a 19th-century railroad worker who might be found nailing down spikes around Camden Yards—during his August hot streak. Baseball being baseball, he couldn’t shave it off, of course, until his bat cooled. Which it did, along with everyone else’s in Wednesday’s no-hit loss to Seattle. Alas, and some will say thankfully, the razor came out.

5. Steve Smith announces retirement.
The feisty wide receiver quickly became a fan favorite last season and is being counted on again to do big things this season. But at 36, we understood his time in Baltimore would be brief: “If it’s going to be the end, this would be the best place for it to end.” Well said, No. 89. We think one more 1,000-yard receiving season and a Super Bowl title would be enough to send Mr. Smith to Canton.

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2. Ravens deny they tipped off the Colts.
Documents released in the Tom Brady “DeflateGate” case suggest that the Ravens may have tipped off the Colts about the possibility of the Patriots doctoring balls. But the Ravens are still denying the report.

“I’ve been consistent from the beginning when asked about whether the Ravens tipped off the Colts about deflated footballs,” Coach John Harbaugh said in a statement released Wednesday by the Ravens. “I’ll say it again—we didn’t. We knew nothing about deflated footballs.” The Ravens maintain that they gave Colts coach Chuck Pagano, a former Ravens defensive coordinator, a general tip about paying attention to how the refs rotated kicking balls into the game. The Ravens say that it is not unusual for teams to talk in general terms about field conditions and the conditions of the balls.

However, an email from Colts equipment manager Sean Sullivan to Colts general manager Ryan Grigson suggests otherwise: In it, he relates a phone call where Ravens special team coach Jerry Rosburg specifically tipped off Pagano about the Patriots letting some air out of the ball with a needle. The Ravens say such a tip never occurred.

3. Misty Copeland makes dreams come true.
Misty Copeland, Under Armour client and the first African-American principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre’s history, came to Baltimore’s Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Saturday to sign her new book, Firebird, pose for some pictures, and make fangirl dreams come true. “Try not to get caught up in the small things, like what people think of you,” she told the crowd of 1,000 that included many starstruck young girls in tiaras and tutus. “And don’t compare yourselves to other people. That’s probably one of the biggest downfalls that people have is trying to be someone you will never be.”

4. Chris Davis hits grand slam, continuing offensive surge.
Last night Chris Davis continued his epic offensive performance when he hit a full-count pitch over the centerfield wall for an extra-inning grand slam, see video below. This is coming during a peak time for Davis who, over the past 15 games, has hit nine home runs, 26 RBIs, and has bat .309. Not to mention that this is his second grand slam in less than two weeks. The slugger is currently leading the American League in RBIs with 79. Hearing Gary Thorne shout “Grand salami!” really made our week.

5. Terps Men’s Basketball ranked number one (!) in ESPN’S “Way Too Early” poll.
Yeah, it’s just August, but as far as we’re concerned, it’s never too easy to say that the Terps are the best team in men’s college hoops.

Additional reporting was provided by digital editor Jess Mayhugh.

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