George Vlosich III, the Ohio-based advertising guy who may be the preiminent artist in the world in his medium, has immortalized another Baltimore sports hero.

Vlosich -- who works in Etch-a-Sketch and has had a replica of one of his creations featuring Cal Ripken and Lou Gehrig on exhibit at the ESPN Zone at the Inner Harbor -- has created an action portrait of Denver Nuggets' star Carmelo Anthony, who grew up in Baltimore and went to Towson Catholic.

The artwork of Anthony is reminiscent of a similar portrait of Cleveland Cavalier LeBron James last year. The making of the James portrait was made into a video with rap music (written by Vlosich's gather, George Jr.) and became a YouTube sensation. We featured it on this blog and it is currently in the running for best sports video of the year in YouTube voting. This is where the ballots are being cast.

The Vlosiches flew to Denver in late January to make the Etch-a-Sketch presentation to Anthony during a Nuggets' game; refrigerator magnets of the portrait were given to fans, and the video was shown at halftime on giant TVs. For your viewing pleasure, below is Melo in Etch-a-Sketch. For more info on George Vlosich III, click here.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

A guy that we've highlighted here numerous time, singer-songwriter Ryan Parker, keeps coming up with clever, timely tunes that capture sports moments.

I don't know about you but NFL withdrawal is beginning to set in for me and I'm just happy that the NFL combine is getting under way in Indianapolis. But, of course, the combine isn't exactly like the weekly drama that becomes the rhythm of life for many football fans. In this song, Parker captures that longing with poignancy and humor.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

It's a slow sports news day (You interested in the merger of IRL and Champ Car? Me neither.) so we're bringing out the videos a little early.

This one comes to our attention via Kissing Suzy Kolber, an award-winning Web site that also comes with an NC-17 label. Back to the video -- it's a genre that can be most generously described as suburban rap and is a paean for the 2008 Detroit Lions.

I guess these kids didn't learn from Jon Kitna.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Today's musical tribute acknowledges the obvious -- the Patriots' pursuit of perfection. This video was done when the team was 14-0, but you can fill in that cakewalk against Miami last week and it sets up tomorrow's historic game against the Giants.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Earlier today, we had a little fun at the Oriole Bird's expense -- with considerable help from the folks at the Bugs & Cranks Web site -- so we wanted to make sure that we got back on the right side of the city's favorite mascot.

It's been pretty grim around here lately, what with eight-game losing streaks by the Ravens and the constant cloud of steroids, so here's the Oriole Bird doing what he does best -- making us smile.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Some people think the once proud Dolphins began to lose their luster when Don Shula was replaced by Jimmy Johnson. Others think it was when Dan Marino retired. I know better. It's cosmic retribution. The road to NFL purgatory began with the making of this music video -- and deservedly so. You will notice that Marino is conspicuously absent from this early 1990s effort. I believe that left-handed quarterback at the end is Scott Mitchell. And we all know what happened to him.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The service academies tee it up for their 108st meeting on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium but for just the fourth time in Baltimore. The Midshipmen have won the last five and are two-touchdown favorites again this year. Navy is 7-4 and headed for the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego against an opponent yet to be decided. Army is 3-8 but, of course, it will be a successful season if the Black Knights win Saturday.

Here's a look back on the storied rivalry with the musical theme of "If I could be like that." It's definitely pro-Navy with the Joe Bellino and Roger Staubach clips, but both sides can take pride in the sentiment.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

It goes without saying that this is an emotional time in the sports world. Much is being being expressed about Washington safety Sean Taylor's untimely and tragic death and there's not a great deal we can say here that would add to the reflection. Some of our Sun colleagues, as well as other voices, are doing a much better job than we could.

But this event comes at a sadly coincidental moment, just as Jimmy V Week begins. As many of you know, Jimmy V Week is an ESPN push to assist with fundraising for cancer research and treatment on behalf of the late Jim Valvano, the coach of the North Carolina State basketball team that won the national championship. There'll be programming and basketball games on ESPN's TV channels and tons written on ESPN.com, and I'm not here to advertise on behalf of the sports network.

But I did want to bring the spirit of Valvano's message to your attention, particularly at this moment. It was a message to appreciate life and, as much as possible, make every moment count. Obviously, Jimmy V said it better. And so here he does at the 1993 ESPY Awards. It's nearly 10 minutes but worth the time.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Say what you will about the Ravens kicking to Cleveland's Josh Cribbs, whose returns set up the tying and winning field goals a couple of weeks ago. How do you figure Denver coach Mike Shanahan kicking to the Chicago Bears' Devin Hester yesterday? On track to shatter NFL return scoring records, Hester brought back both a punt and a kickoff for TDs in the Bears' OT win over the Broncos.

Here's a look at Hester at work. The first 20 seconds or so are still photos and then you get Hester on the move.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 1:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Few sports subjects have inspired so much musical expression as Barry Bonds -- both in tribute and as satire -- and we've presented quite a few of them during our little show over the past season. This one we just came across. So on a day when another milestone in the Bonds saga has been reached, we offer this turn on a 1959 classic. With sincere apologies to the Coasters.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The annual Battle of the Midwest, Ohio State-Michigan, is this Saturday and despite the fact that both teams are coming off losses -- Michigan to Wisconsin and Ohio State to Illinois -- to the winner will go the spoils of a Rose Bowl trip.

In the past, we've brought you some humorous renditions of Michigan's famous fight song, The Victors, now we offer a Michigan version of OSU's equally familiar Fight the Team Across the Field.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Had lunch yet? You may not want to after this.

Here's a send-up on NASCAR with all your favorites represented, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. The No. 20 Stewart is my personal favorite -- I think I even heard him crabbing about something or other. The title above comes from the You Tube video. Frankly, we couldn't think of anything better or more appropriate.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

One problem for NASCAR is that it winds up crowning its champion in the middle of the NFL season. A lesson that we should all have learned by now is that it's not a good idea to do ANYTHING important in the middle of NFL season. For instance, did you know that the NBA season started? Yep. NHL too.

So with your attention understandably riveted on the scramble for NFL wild-card spots, we want to pause and give props to Jimmie Johnson in the Lowe's No. 48 Chevrolet for winning his 10th race of the year Sunday in Phoenix. In the process, he closed in on the Chase championship and should win it in the absence of a breakdown in South Florida next weekend. So in anticipation of JJ's second straight NASCAR championship, we offer this salute. There's no joy at Home Depot today.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The Patriots deserve high praise for the season they've had so far. So on the day after the latest game of the decade/century/whatever, we'll recognize their accomplishments with this musical tribute.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Navy and Notre Dame  meet on the football field for the 81st time tomorrow and as most followers of the rivalry know, the Irish have dominated. Notre Dame has won the last 43 straight and the all-time series record is 9-70-1. We took a historical look at the series in today's Sun.  Because Notre Dame (1-7) is having one of its worst seasons ever and Navy (4-4) has a high-powered offense, albeit porous defense, the Mids have one of their better opportunities to break the long losing streak. Despite the lopsided results over eight decades, Navy doesn't concede a thing to Notre Dame -- not even a claim to Hibernian pride.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

As you read this, they're supposed to be having a parade in Boston to celebrate the Red Sox World Series victory. Good for them. Here's a sincere wish that they have a joyful and, just as importantly, safe afternoon.

Three years ago, when the Red Sox came back from three games-to-zero to beat the Yankees in the ALCS and, of course, went on to win the Series, there was also a celebration. That one turned increasingly unpleasant, even violent, and tragically a college student, a young woman, was struck and killed by a plastic pepper spray projectile fired by police as they tried to disperse a crowd.

Most of the music videos we post here are fun clips, sometimes amusing, sometimes sentimental. This one, that shows scenes from a portion of the '04 Red Sox ALCS celebration, is different. There is a genuine sense of irony here, a bitterness. And we don't present this as a criticism of any particular city or its fans. Actually, I think it stands as a proxy for all those instances when something that should be a truly happy communal event, a city's sports team winning a championship, is sullied by the behavior of just a few who confuse partisan fervor with boorishness.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

Notwithstanding their come-from-behind win over Philadelphia last Sunday, this has been a tough season for the defending NFC champion Chicago Bears. True to the curse of the Super Bowl runner-up, the Bears have been struggling. They're 3-4 and trail the Packers and Lions in the NFC North. But they still have one of the best fight songs ever, and here's one of the more interesting renditions of that gridiron classic, Bear down, Chicago Bears.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

YouTube regulars may already be familiar with this attempt by Olympic track and field star Carl Lewis to leverage his athletic triumphs into a recording career back in the late 1980s. But for folks who don't comb the Internet for campy videos, this music gem will be, to put it kindly, a revelation of sorts. In honor of the 20th anniversary of Lewis' 1987 pop-reggae debut (and swan song), we bring you Break It Up. And no, there's nothing wrong with your computer, the video pixilates a little on some of the action scenes. But Lewis' vocalizing comes through loud and clear.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

With World Series time rolling around, the TV viewing public will get a healthy dose of Fox baseball broadcaster Tim McCarver. Now, I have to admit that I've never been one of those folks who get worked up over McCarver as a broadcaster. Perhaps I have a soft spot for the former catcher from the days he would have to act as the earth-to-Steve Carlton go-between in Philadelphia. But there's no denying that McCarver does evoke a visceral reaction from many viewers, including this one who put his unhappiness into song.
Following the music, we have a Family Guy bonus clip.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

If you missed it last night, Red Sox Nation was in full celebration mode after winning the American League championship, led by relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon's impromptu Riverdance. What I'm curious about was, how much practice did he put into this thing?

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

As part of our tireless quest to find novel and, when possible, extremely perilous athletic pursuits for your edification and amusement, we present -- Muni Riding.

Muni riding -- that would be the smash-up name for mountain bike riding on unicycles. It's in that same general sports category as javelin catching. Actually, it will remind some folks of trails bike riding. The video has a clever opening and some pretty amazing stuff out on the trails. The usual disclaimer applies: Kids, don't try this at home.

You know, maybe this is the way to save the Tour de France.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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