Milestone Broadcasting Network

"Book Talk" with Doug Miles 5/20/12

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:42:44 GMT

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Listen to internet radio with Doug Miles on Blog Talk Radio

Doug Miles radio interview with Jonathan Alpert author "Be Fearless" 5/17/12

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:05:48 GMT

"Sports Talk" guests Pete Hamill and Bob Dvorchak 5/14/12

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:02:32 GMT

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Listen to internet radio with Doug Miles on Blog Talk Radio

"Book Talk" May 8, 2012

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:48:03 GMT

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Listen to internet radio with Doug Miles on Blog Talk Radio

Cherie Calbom radio interview on her book "Juice Lady's Weekend Weight Loss Diet".

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:53:05 GMT

Dr. Mark Hyman radio interview "Blood Sugar Solution"

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 01:52:54 GMT

Sarasota Film Festival Opening Night Red Carpet Frank Langella "Robot and Frank".

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:35:32 GMT

Paul Hill author "Panic Free Job Search" radio interview

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 18:32:58 GMT

Desmond Jennings 3 homers lift Rays over Orioles 8-5 Sunday in Sarasota

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:52:14 GMT

(Sarasota, FL) Rays fans are hoping Desmond Jennings would save some for the regular season as he belted three home runs, including a grand slam, leading Tampa Bay to an 8-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles Sunday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Jennings drove in six runs with his trio of round-trippers.

The game saw a total of 8 home runs including a pair by Baltimore’s J.J. Hardy and solo shots by Nick Johnson, Nick Markakis and the Rays Evan Longoria.

Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen (2-2) pitched 5 innings giving up 7 runs on 6 hits (3 HR’s) with 2 walks and no strikeouts taking the loss. James Shields (3-0) pitched 4 innings for the Rays allowing 1 run on 2 hits (1 HR) with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts to pick up the win.

The Orioles finish the 2012 Grapefruit League season with a record of 11-13-6. The O’s will play Florida Southern Monday night and State College of Florida Tuesday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium before heading up north.

Sunday’s crowd of 8219 gave the Orioles its second highest overall spring training attendance of 106,398 for 15 home dates at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Last year’s attendance figure was higher because of one extra home game. The O’s averaged 7093 per game at home during the Grapefruit League season.

Bird Droppings

Time of game: 2 hours 30 minutes. Game time temperature: 79 degrees. Today’s attendance: 8219.

The Orioles will host the Florida Southern Moccasins Monday night at Ed Smith Stadium in a 7:05 p.m. start. On Tuesday, the O’s will conclude its spring training schedule in Sarasota with a game against State College of Florida at 1:05 p.m.

Wednesday, the Orioles travel to Norfolk for a game against its Triple-A affiliate at 3:05 p.m.

Thursday, the O’s hold a workout day at Camden Yards in Baltimore at 3:00 p.m.

According to a press release from the Sarasota Convention and Tourism Bureau, “the (SCV has seen a significant increase in requests for destination information from the Mid-Atlantic region, largely due to the continued relationship between Sarasota County and the Baltimore Orioles. Over the last three years, inquiries from the Mid-Atlantic region grew 2.2% in 2009, 6.4% in 2010 and 7.3% in 2011 during the January through March time period. Statistics show a 44% increase in visitation from 2009 to 2010 and 6.9% increase from 2010 to 2011.”

Harlan Coben "Stay Close" book interview

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:17:43 GMT

Orioles defeat Yankees 6-3 Sunday night in Sarasota

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:41:31 GMT

(Sarasota, FL) The Orioles were ready for the Yankees only spring training visit to Sarasota and put a four spot on the board in the first inning off Ivan Nova on route to a 6-3 win over New York Sunday night before a sellout crowd of 8686 at Ed Smith Stadium.

Adam Jones hit a towering home run over the center field wall off Nova giving the O’s a 3-0 lead. Matt Weiters followed that with a solo shot over the right field wall making it 4-0.

The Yankees got one back in the top of the second when Mark Teixiera doubled to left center field and scored on Justin Maxwell’s ground out to first.

The O’s scored their fifth run in the bottom of the frame on Endy Chavez’ RBI single.

Ivan Nova left after four innings having allowed 5 runs on 7 hits including 2 home runs with 4 strikeouts. Alfredo Simon made his first start of the spring for the Orioles and pitched 2 innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits with a walk.

Baltimore added its sixth run in the bottom of the sixth when Robert Andino singled to drive in in Xavier Avery.

The Yankees scored twice in the top of the seventh on a Dewayne Wise double and Jose Gil RBI sacrifice fly to make it 6-3.

The O’s have an off day Monday and will host the Phillies on Tuesday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. Roy Halladay is scheduled to pitch for Philadelphia.

Bird Droppings

Game time temperature: 74 degrees. Time of game: 3 hours 1 minute. Tonight’s attendance 8686 a new Orioles single game record for Ed Smith Stadium.

The Orioles played a split squad game earlier Sunday afternoon against the Atlanta Braves in Lake Buena Vista. The game ended in a 2-2 tie after 10 innings.

Players and staff from the Orioles minor league Carolina League affiliate Frederick Keys received their championship rings before tonight’s game. The Keys won the Carolina League pennant in 2011.

Monday is a rare off day during the spring training schedule for the Orioles. Ed Smith Stadium will be closed. The O’s resume Tuesday at Ed Smith against the Phillies at 1:05 p.m. Brian Matusz is scheduled to start for Baltimore. Roy Halladay is slated to start for Philadelphia.

The Orioles honored former player Dave Philley who passed away this weekend with a moment of silence before tonight’s game. Philley played 18 years in the major leagues with the Orioles, Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants. He was 91 years old.

Orioles and Red Sox play 3-3 tie in Sarasota Saturday

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:21:43 GMT

(Sarasota, FL) There was plenty o’green on the field and in the stands but no winner as the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles played to a 3-3 ten inning tie on St. Patrick’s Day Saturday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, FL.

Wei-Yin Chen started his third outing of the spring for the Orioles and was rolling along pitching four scoreless innings until the top of the fifth when Boston catcher Ryan Lavarnway led off with a single to center. Pedro Ciriaco followed with a single down the third base line. Third baseman Nate Spears then blasted a 1-1 pitch over the right field wall for a three run homer giving the Red Sox a 3-0 lead.

Chen left after five innings, the longest stint for any Oriole pitcher this spring, having given up six hits, three earned runs, one walk, one home run with three strikeouts.

Baltimore got two runs in the bottom of the sixth when Nick Markakis hit a lead-off double. Adam Jones singled up the middle. With runners at first and third, Markakis scored on a throwing error by pitcher Clayton Mortenson on a pickoff attempt at first. Adam Jones plated the Birds second run on a passed ball by catcher Luis Exposito.

Baltimore tied the game in the bottom of the ninth on Joe Mahoney’s two-out double and Steve Tolleson’s single to left field off Boston reliever Doug Mathis.

Neither team mounted a threat in the tenth inning and the game was called a tie.

In a second split-squad game in Ft. Myers Saturday afternoon, the Red Sox defeated the Orioles 7-4.

The Orioles host the N.Y. Yankees Sunday night at 7:05 p.m.

Bird Droppings

Game time temperature: 81 degrees. Time of game: 2 hours 48 minutes. Today’s attendance: 7,777.

The Orioles will travel to Lake Buena Vista Sunday to play the Atlanta Braves at 1:05 p.m. Jason Hammel is scheduled to start for the O’s. Mike Minor is slated to start for the Braves. Tsuyoshi Wada is also slated to make his first appearance in a spring game for the Orioles tomorrow against the Braves.

The O’s will also play the Yankees Sunday night at 7:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Alfredo Simon starts for Baltimore while Ivan Nova gets the opening nod for the Bronx Bombers.

Orioles’ roster moves this week:

(March 11) Infielders Ryan Adams and Josh Bell were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Pitcher Dylan Bundy was optioned to Class-A Delmarva. Non-roster invitee outfielders Xavier Avery and L.J. Hoes, catchers Michael Ohlman and Brian Ward and pitcher Steve Johnson were reassigned to minor league camp.

(March 14) Infielder Joe Mahoney was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.

(March 15) Pitcher Oliver Drake was optioned to Double-A Bowie.

The Boston Red Sox wore its green and white jerseys with green caps today in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. The Orioles wore special green caps that are being auctioned online with proceeds going to “Keep Sarasota Beautiful”. The online auction will be held exclusively on www.orioles.com next Saturday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m.

Pirates clobber Orioles 11-5 Wednesday afternoon in Sarasota

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:27:48 GMT

(Sarasota, FL) Three consecutive losses and an anemic offensive showing against the Phillies, Rays and Twins in their last three games gave the Pittsburgh Pirates some extra incentive to right the ship. ‘Bucs’ bats banged out 15 hits en route to an 11-5 drubbing of the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, FL.

J.J. Hardy gave the O’s a 1-0 lead with his first home run of the spring, a one-out drive over the left field wall off Pirates starter James McDonald in the bottom of the first inning.

The Pirates put up a four spot on Birds starting pitcher Jake Arrieta. Clint Barmes bases loaded double to the left field wall scored two runs. Alex Presley batted in two more with a single down the first base line giving the Bucs a 4-1 lead.

Orioles 3B Mark Reynolds hit his first Grapefruit League homer to left field in the bottom of the second, a solo shot, cutting the Pirates lead to 4-2. Nolan Reimold followed with a double. Endy Chavez’ RBI single down the right field line pulled the Birds to within 4-3. J.J. Hardy then knocked in his second run of the game with a single to center tying the game at 4-4.

Jake Arrieta left the game after 2 2/3 innings having given up 4 earned runs on 5 hits with 4 strikeouts and no walks.

Baltimore took a one run lead in the bottom of the third when Mark Reynolds RBI groundout put the Birds up 5-4.

The Pirates scored three in the top of the fifth with RBI’s by Andrew McCutcheon, Garrett Jones and Pedro Alvarez.

After a scoreless sixth frame, the ‘Bucs’ hung another four runs on the board lighting up Willie Eyre who left after 2/3 inning.

The Orioles spring record falls to 4-5-2. The Pirates improve to 4-7.

Baltimore plays the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland Thursday afternoon. The Pirates travel to Ft. Myers tomorrow to face the Minnesota Twins.

Bird Droppings

Time of game: 3 hours 1 minute. Game time temperature: 82 degrees. Today’s attendance: 5836.

DH Nick Markakis played his first spring game today. He had been recovering from off-season abdominal surgery.

The Ed Smith fire alarm system had some malfunctions during today’s game. The emergency alarm and announcement kept going off and brought out the Sarasota Fire Department. Public Address announcer Grant Boxleitner made several announcements that it was a false alarm until the situation was fixed.

The Orioles travel to Lakeland Thursday to play the Detroit Tigers at 1:05 p.m. Scheduled pitchers for Baltimore: Brian Matusz, Alfredo Simon, Miguel Socolovich, Jon Link, Troy Patton and Oscar Villarreal. Tigers scheduled pitchers: Justin Verlander, Jose Valverde, Chris Bootcheck and Bryan Villarreal.

The O’s head down Ft. Myers on Friday afternoon (1:05 p.m.) to face the Minnesota Twins. Birds scheduled hurlers: Chris Tillman, Dana Eveland and Zach Phillips. Twins slated to throw Nick Blackburn, Brian Duensing, Alex Burnett and Sam Deduno.

Baltimore returns to Ed Smith Stadium on Saturday to play the Boston Red Sox in a 1:05 p.m. start. Wei-Yin Chen is scheduled to start for the O’s. Boston has not announced a scheduled starter at press time.

Wednesday was “Kids Run the Bases” day at Ed Smith Stadium. All kids in attendance 14 and under had a chance to run the bases after the Pirates/Orioles game.

Orioles and Rays end game in 7-7 10th inning tie in Sarasota

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:18:05 GMT

(Sarasota, FL) Joe Maddon commented on the lack of runs scored by the Rays offense during batting practice before Tuesday’s game against the Orioles. Tampa Bay had scored just 23 runs in 11 games so far this spring. For eight innings it looked like the trend would continue but a five run ninth overcame a three run deficit sending the game into the tenth where it ended up a 7-7 tie at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.

The Rays mustered just two runs off of Orioles pitching until the top of the ninth frame when Jesus Feliciano’s two-run double to left field cut the O’s lead to 5-4. Hak Ju-Lee hit a two-out two-strike triple down the right field line giving the Rays a 6-5 lead. Baltimore pitcher Stuart Pomeranz then gave up an RBI single to Chris Giminez for Tampa Bay’s seventh run.

The Birds answered back in the bottom of the ninth when Jai Miller doubled off Ryan Reid to lead off the inning. Ryan Flaherty followed by belting a two-run homer to left field to even the game at 7-7.

Steve Johnson held the Rays scoreless in the top of the tenth.

Baltimore loaded the bases in the bottom of the scheduled final inning on singles by Steve Tolleson and Scott Beerer and a Dane De La Rosa walk to John Hester. Pinch-hitter Caleb Joseph hit into a force play at home. Jai Miller struck out. Wilson Betemit lined to short ending the game in a 7-7 tie.

Matt Joyce gave the Rays a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a towering home run to right center field off Orioles’ starter Jason Hammel. Hammel pitched three innings allowing just one run on one hit with two strikeouts and a walk in his second spring training start.

Baltimore’s Ronny Paulino lined an RBI single to left off Rays starter David Price in the bottom of the first tying the game at 1-1. Jai Miller blasted a three-run homer to dead center field on a Price straight fastball giving the O’s a 4-1 lead. David Price pitched 3 2/3 innings allowing four runs (four earned) with four strikeouts on five hits and two walks.

Jai Miller’s third run batted in of the game in the bottom of the seventh increased the O’s lead to 5-2.

The Orioles Grapefruit League record is 4-4 with 2 ties. The Rays are 3-7 with 1 tie.

Bird Droppings

Time of today’s game: 3 hours 30 minutes. Today’s attendance: 8045. Game time temperature: 79 degrees.

Four students from Booker Middle School in Sarasota performed the National Anthem in a string quartet before today’s game against the Rays.

Before Wednesday’s game against the Pirates, the Orioles will have “Kids Run the Bases” day. All kids 14 and under will be invited onto the field at Ed Smith Stadium to have a turn running the bases.

Wednesday’s scheduled Orioles pitchers vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates 1:05 p.m. are Jake Arrieta, Jim Johnson, Willie Eyre, Luis Ayala and Kevin Gregg. Pirates scheduled pitchers are James McDonald, Joel Hanrahan, Jason Grilli, Evan Meek, Jaren Hughes and Shairon Martis.

Tampa Bay hosts the Miami Marlins Wednesday in Pt. Charlotte at 1:05 p.m.

The Orioles will play the Rays one more time this spring on April 1 at Ed Smith Stadium.

Rays manager Joe Maddon will have his head shaved Thursday at 11:30 a.m. before the team’s home game in Port Charlotte against the Phillies to pay tribute to children battling cancer. 25 other players and coaches have also signed up to shave their heads. All proceeds will benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation (PCF) and the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at All Children’s Hospital in Tampa Bay. To show support for a player or participant, the public is invited to donate by texting “Cut” to 50555 to make a $10 donation or visit www.pcfcutforacure.org.

Boston Red Sox clip Orioles 6-1 Sunday afternoon in Sarasota

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:49:04 GMT

(Sarasota, FL) Red Sox Nation travels well. A sellout crowd of more than 8000, about half which were Boston fans, saw their Red Sox defeat the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 Sunday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, FL.

Red Sox pitchers, led by starter Jon Lester, held the Orioles to just three hits in the game. Lester pitched four innings allowing one earned run on one hit with four walks and two strikeouts to pick up his first win of the spring season. Baltimore starting pitcher Dana Eveland left the game after two innings of work giving up three runs, one earned, on six hits, with two strikeouts to take the loss.

Boston jumped out to a quick one run lead in the top of the first when Ryan Sweeney singled to center driving in Nate Spears. Baltimore tied it up in the bottom of the frame with its only run of the game on Adam Jones’ base hit to right field off Lester that scored Robert Andino.

Dustin Pedroia’s two-run double in the top of the second put Boston ahead 3-1. The Red Sox added two more runs in the top of the seventh on Lars Anderson’s RBI single and a ground ball fielding error by the Orioles.

Baltimore did not get another hit until the bottom of the eighth inning when Matt Antonelli singled with one out in the bottom of the eighth.

Orioles’ third baseman Steve Tolleson doubled in the bottom of the ninth for Baltimore’s third hit of the day. The game ended when Cory Aldridge fly ball to right was caught and Steve Tolleson, trying to score from third, was out at home on the throw.

The Orioles (4-3-1) will travel up to Dunedin Monday to play the Toronto Blue Jays in a 1:05 p.m. start. The Red Sox (5-2-1) head home to Ft. Myers for a game against the Miami Marlins Monday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. which will be televised on ESPN.

Bird Droppings

Today’s attendance was 8316. The first sellout of the spring at Ed Smith Stadium.

Time of game: 2 hours 40 min. Game time temperature 82 degrees.

Sarasota/Bradenton Congressman Vern Buchanan threw out the first pitch before Sunday’s game.

O’s pitchers scheduled for Monday afternoon’s game at Dunedin against the Toronto Blue Jays: Wei-Yin Chen, Armando Galarraga, Pat Neshak, Oliver Drake and Jon Link.

The Orioles return to Ed Smith Tuesday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. against the Tampa Bay Rays. Jason Hammel is scheduled to start for Baltimore.

Nolan Reimold’s status is listed as day-to-day after being hit with a pitch in the left side of his face during Friday’s game against the Rays in Pt. Charlotte. X-Rays were negative.

The Orioles and Red Sox play five times during the Grapefruit League season. Next Saturday, March 17, the teams will split squads with a 1:05 p.m. game at Ed Smith in Sarasota and a 1:35 p.m. contest in Ft. Myers.

Baltimore Orioles edge Atlanta Braves 2-1 Thursday afternoon in Sarasota

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:23:01 GMT

(Sarasota, FL) Jason Hammel took the mound for his first Oriole spring start and pitched two innings of shutout baseball as Baltimore went on to defeat the Atlanta Braves 2-1 Thursday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, FL.

The rest of the birds pitching staff continued to impress. Orioles pitchers combined for 15 innings of scoreless baseball in the last two games until Eric Hinkse ended that streak with a solo home run to right center field in the top of the seventh inning off Zach Phillips to give the Braves a 1-0 lead.

Jai Miller singled home the tying run for Baltimore in the bottom of the seventh inning off Jaye Chapman scoring Joe Mahoney.

The Braves had runners on the corners with no outs in the bottom of the seventh. Miguel Socolovich struck out Brandon Hicks. Orioles third baseman Steve Tolleson playing in, stabbed a hard grounder by Ernesto Mejia and turned a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Caleb Joseph led off the eighth inning with a double to left field. Manny Machado singled to put runners at the corners with no outs. Xavier Avery’s sac fly to deep right scored Joseph with the go-ahead run to make it 2-1 Orioles.

Troy Patton pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save. Socolovich (1-0) picked up the win for Baltimore. J.J. Hoover (0-1) takes the loss for Atlanta.

The Orioles (3-2) will travel to Pt. Charlotte to play the Tampa Bay Rays Friday at 1:05 p.m. The Braves (1-5) will play split squad games in Lake Buena Vista against the Mets and in Tampa vs. the Yankees. Both games are 1:05 p.m. starts.

Bird Droppings

Today’s attendance: 5938. Game time temperature: 83 degrees and sunny. Time of game: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Friday’s scheduled pitchers at Pt. Charlotte: Orioles will start Jake Arrietta. Tampa Bay will start Alex Cobb. Brad Bergesen is also scheduled to see mound action for Baltimore. Other Rays pitchers will be Alex Torres, J.P. Howell, Jhonny Nunez, Ricky Orta and Ryan Ried.

The Orioles will play the Braves again on Sunday March 18 at Champion Stadium in Lake Buena Vista.

The Oriole Bird will visit Tuttle Elementary School in Sarasota Friday (March 9) to take part in the Tuttle Turtle’s Walk which raises money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

On Saturday (March 10), the OriolesREACH Youth Baseball Clinic will be held on the main field at Ed Smith Stadium.

On Sunday (March 11), fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the game for donation to the All Faiths Food Bank. The Orioles host the Boston Red Sox at 1:05 p.m.

Orioles blank Twins 6-0 Wednesday afternoon in Sarasota

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:50:08 GMT

(Sarasota, FL) Orioles’ fans haven’t had much to cheer about recent years and a lack of pitching talent is one of the biggest concerns the team has had to deal with. For at least one day in spring training, those worries were alleviated as Baltimore pitchers combined for a six hit 6-0 shutout of the Minnesota Twins Wednesday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, FL.

Wei-Yin Chen picked up the win for Baltimore pitching the first two innings while allowing just one hit and striking out three Twin batters. Armando Gallaraga hurled two innings of shutout ball while giving up three hits. Luis Ayala, Matt Lindstrom, Steve Johnson, Stu Pomeranz and Oscar Villarreal each threw one inning.

Twins starter Carl Pavano took the loss in three innings of work allowing one run on six hits and striking out two.

Baltimore scored six runs on 13 hits off of seven Minnesota pitchers in the game.

Robert Andino singled in the O’s first run off Twins starter Carl Pavano in the bottom of the second driving in Mark Reynolds.

Adam Jones brought home Endy Chavez with a line drive base hit to left in the bottom of the fourth to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead.

After four scoreless innings, Scott Beerer singled to left scoring Xavier Avery with the Orioles third run of the game.

Jai Miller’s three run double in the bottom of the eighth frame off Jason Bulger plated Josh Bell, Matt Antonelli and Scott Beerer to make it 6-0.

Baltimore evens its Grapefruit League record to 2-2. Minnesota falls to 3-3.

The Orioles will host the Atlanta Braves Thursday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium in a 1:05 p.m. start.

Bird Droppings

Wednesday’s attendance: 5080.

Time of the game 2 hours 43 minutes.

Game time temperature 82 degrees.

Regular Ed Smith Stadium public address announcer Grant Boxleitner had the day off from the microphone to make way for Orioles Park at Camden Yards new PA voice Ryan Wagner to get some spring training of his own. Wagner was selected out of more than 670 applicants last fall to become the O’s new public address voice this season. Wagner spent last season in Major League Baseball’s Fan Cave where he watched more than 2450 major league games in a 15,000 square foot space in Greenwich Village, N.Y.

Grant Boxleitner, who is also a reporter for Sarasota’s SNN News 6 cable station, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Wednesday’s Twins/Orioles game.

Thursday’s scheduled Orioles pitchers against the Braves are Jason Hammel, Troy Patton and Miguel Socolovich.

Pittsburgh Pirates defeat Orioles in Ed Smith spring opener 10-3

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:04:32 GMT

(Sarasota, FL) The final score was about the only thing that didn’t work out for the Baltimore Orioles in its 2012 spring training debut Monday night at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Despite dropping a 10-3 decision to the Pittsburgh Pirates, opening night was about as good as it gets. The weather was perfect, the stadium was immaculate, the staff was friendly and the spirit of baseball was in the air.

Orioles starting pitcher Brian Matusz gave up three runs in two innings in his Grapefruit League debut Monday night. Matusz is coming off a dismal 1-9 season in 2011 having dropped his last nine decisions in a row and mounting an ERA of 10.69. The 25 year old lefty allowed six hits while striking out three and did not give up a walk.

Matt Hague belted the first home run of the spring at Ed Smith for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a two-run shot in the third inning. He had three runs batted in for the Bucs who lit up O’s pitching for 18 hits in the game. Hague, Alex Presley and Starling Marte had three hits apiece.

The Orioles travel to Ft. Myers Tuesday to play the Boston Red Sox in a 1:05 p.m. start. The next home game at Ed Smith is Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. vs. the Minnesota Twins.

Andrew Breitbart and Davy Jones leave lasting media legacies

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:56:02 GMT

By Doug Miles, Tampa Bay Media Examiner

(Tampa Bay, FL) Sad news on two fronts today. First, the shocking passing of political commentator Andrew Breitbart at age 43 Thursday. Second, Davy Jones death from a heart attack at age 66 on Wednesday. Both men carved out unique careers in the media and left us too soon.

Andrew Breitbart was a conservative voice in a crowded field of political bloggers and pundits. He was also a frequent panelist on cable news shows and fill-in host on Dennis Miller’s syndicated radio show. Last year, Breitbart spearheaded an investigation into former New York City congressman Anthony Weiner which led to his resignation from Congress.

While not everyone agreed with Breitbart's commentary, he was, in my opinion, fair-minded in his criticism of the left.

Breitbart's website, www.bigjournalism.com announced Thursday he died of natural causes in Los Angeles. He leaves wife Susannah and four children. His father-in-law was actor and comedian Orson Bean.

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SNN News 6 owners file for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

www.dougmilesmedia.com — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:50:20 GMT

By Doug Miles, Tampa Bay Media Examiner

(Tampa Bay, FL) The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported over the weekend that SNN News 6, Sarasota’s news channel which airs on Comcast Cable, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Friday. The move was made, according to the station’s owners, as an effort to reorganize its finances.

On February 10, at a Broadcaster’s Club of Florida luncheon in Sarasota, SNN General Manager Linda DesMarais was asked about the financial situation of the station in regards to a report in “The Observer” newspaper that SNN was facing a sell-off of its assets due to a default on a creditor’s loans. She said that situation was “resolved” and “it was business as usual and essentially handled”. She also said “there’s not much there”.

SNN News 6 has had its financial troubles in the past. Three years ago, the original parent company of the news station, the Herald-Tribune Company, which publishes the Sarasota Herald Tribune, sold the station to a group of investors including Linda DesMarais and her husband Doug Barker who manage the daily operations of the station and own fifty percent of the company.

According to the Herald-Tribune report, Ms. DesMarais said SNN “will continue operating as usual and does not plan any layoffs”.

SNN Associates LLC, a separate group of investors which has lent money to SNN to keep it operating, owns the other fifty percent.

The bankruptcy filing comes less than a month after a judgment against SNN by a creditor holding a note on a portion of the station’s broadcast equipment and computers. The creditor, according to a report in “The Observer” is owed approximately $400,000.

Friday’s Chapter 11 filing indicates, according to the Herald Tribune report, that LDB Media, the operating name under which Linda DesMarais, Doug Barker and a third major investor own SNN, has about $300,000 in accounts receivable, and that its 20 largest unsecured creditors, including Desmarais and Barker, are owed about $770,000. There are 50 to 99 creditors, the petition says.

SNN is only available on Comcast Cable in Sarasota and Charlotte counties.