As Southeast Texas continues to recover from the destruction of Hurricane Ike, Major League Baseball decided last week to lend a helping hand, donating $500,000 to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund to benefit the victims of the natural disaster. In addition to the donation, MLB will also conduct a variety of activities geared towards getting fans to support the relief effort, which will include airing a public service announcement starting Sunday in ballparks and on nationally and locally televised games encouraging fans to help in some way.
Former University of Georgia running back and current New York Giant Danny Ware was arrested last week on an alcohol charge, according to Athens-Clarke county jail records. Ware was charged with pedestrian under the influence and pedestrian in the roadway following the Bulldogs’ loss to Alabama Saturday night. Ware, now 23, admitted to drinking and, according to the police report, a breath test showed he had a blood-alcohol content of 0.152. He was released from Clarke County jail after posting a $500 cash bond.
The Carolina Panthers may have gotten away with a 24-9 Week 4 win over the Atlanta Falcons, but they didn’t get away with everything, as the NFL announced last week it will fine Panther defensive end Julius Peppers $10,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on quarterback Matt Ryan. Replays showed Peppers led with his shoulder, but the NFL determined on Friday that Peppers then hit Ryan in the head, drawing the fine and supporting the call made on the field by referee Ed Hochuli.
MOVING UP
The Georgia High School Association is ready to add another school to its loaded ranks, as Macon’s First Presbyterian Day School (FPD) announced last Wednesday its intent to join the GHSA. According to the news release, the school’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the move on Monday. Currently, FPD is a member of the GISA and will not officially compete in the GHSA until the fall of 2010. With only 345 high school students, FPD will join the Class A GHSA division.
In national horse racing news, last Saturday during a six-furlong allowance race at Zia Park, New Mexico thoroughbred Peppers Pride put herself in the record books. Winning the race in comfortable fashion, Peppers Pride has now won 17 times in as many starts, a new modern North American record. Before Saturday, Peppers Pride shared the mark of 16 straight victories with Triple Crown winner Citation, two-time Horse of the Year Cigar, Mister Frisky, and Hallowed Dreams. Currently, Peppers Pride has career winnings of more than $867,000.
COMING BACK
They may not be Braves, but Atlanta is a good baseball town and, therefore, should appreciate the great seasons had by pitchers Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians and Brad Lidge of the Philadelphia Phillies. Both players were honored last Tuesday as Major League Baseball’s Comeback Players of the Year. Lee went 22-3 with an American League-leading 2.54 ERA after he was 5-8 with a 6.29 ERA last year. In the National League, Lidge was a perfect 41-for-41 in save opportunities as the Phillies’ closer. In 2007, the then-troubled closer converted just 19 of 27 save opportunities for the Houston Astros.
If you’re sick of being limited to sideline observation at football games, your chance to become a part of the action is finally here, as the Georgia Force recently announced it will hold its only open tryout of the offseason at the team’s practice facility in Flowery Branch on Saturday, Nov. 22. Skill positions (quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back) will begin registration at 2 p.m. while offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, fullbacks and kickers will register at 3:45 p.m. If you haven’t already gotten to work, now’s the time, as those who audition will participate in physical skills such as the 40-yard dash and the short shuttle drill.
Janovitz can be reached at sjanovitz@scoreatl.com.
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