Pete,

Last time I did the plunge was 2 years ago. I have to admit though, it's not for the faint of heart.

As we made our approach, my friend actually pushed me in. Pete, I have to tell you...... it was a feeling one never forgets.

I won't be in town for this years, but it's a charity I will always support. I hope it;s a great turnout!

Now, back to my dark, negative, gloomy basement to write more negative post about the O's (enter Thriller laughter here).......

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Pete's reply: It's actually possible to insert sound effects into the blog. I'll work on that. Do you realize that a lot of people think you're me? That I made up an alter ego to spice up the conversation? I couldn't possibly be that much of an evil blog genius, could I? Though I could just have a multiple personality...and so could I.

This year will be my 1st time Freezin' For A Reason.

I did a Plunge down here on New Year's Day as a 'warm-up' to this Saturday's Plunge. The water and air temps at Lake Norman on the Point were both in the 40's and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Oh yeah, the weather forecast says it might even snow this Saturday. Ah yes, nothing like a cold swim in the snow.

See ya'll there.

I may not there in MD. But I'm with you in spirit. I'll be sure to go take a plunge in the water Saturday.

Pete,

There are many worthy causes that a middle aged sportswriter could support short of risking hypothermia and exposure. Coming off Achilles surgery you should ask your alter ego to substitute and take the plunge for you. If you are one and the same Wayne could then blame the whole event and weather conditions on Peter Angelos

Wayne, would you consider DH'ing for Pete?

I would but I am too old and chicken to boot.

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Pete's reply: Gil, thanks for the concern, but I'll be careful. I have an ankle brace for the occasion. I do support a number of charitable causes, but only this one allows me to jump into the bay in the winter. How could I pass it up.

Two words Pete,

Dry suit

We all know Roch is Wayne and Gil, while Schmuckster is Jack, Chris, Paul, Brummie and KPB. Let the hate flow and the blog page views pile up!

What do I win?

hahaha Thriller laughter..do you do the dance before logging in? Too funny!

Pete,

Guru76 just gave me an idea. You supply the make up and wardrobe, and I'll come in so you can tape me dancing to Thriller as I prepare my daily Oriole bashing. Or, since we're the same person, you just just do it yourself.

Now there's a blog subject that will wake folks up.....

NOOOO!!! Who knows what will happen if the two personas meet face to face! Maybe you'll cancel each other out in a nuclear explosion. Maybe it will be a black hole type scenario...forget CERN, maybe the persona paradox black hole will be the earth annihilator!

bms-

I'm Guru76, Ravens76, Optimist76, Warehouser76, wayne76, not brooks76, Gil76, Chris in Hawaii76, jim6676, huh???76, jason c in south florida76, easywriter0176, MountainFan76, dave in glen burnie76, bob76, jimmy jazz76, Stu Miller76, Peter Schmuck76, Peter Angelos76, Andy MacPhail76..whew!

There are others as well, but my hand's tired from copy/pasting from my master Schmuckerooni blog identity list.

It's just me and you, buddy. There's something that keeps giving my identities away, but I'll be damned if I can figure it out...

ha Guru.... Good point!

make sure you wear your russian hat. Weather is not lookin' good for ya saturday...

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USMD0018?from=today_bottomnav_SportingEvents

Gil,

I'd be happy to fill in if I were in town for the event.... Besides, Pete's already filling in for me. No wait, that's not right - as we're one and the same.

How bout as he's heading towards the frozen water, i'll be the devil on his shoulder screaming 'don't do it you dumb ass schmuck'...

Careful, Pete. Chessie is attracted to flowered prints.

I did the Chesapeake Bay Swim -- the one-miler, not the 4.4 -- a few years ago in 60º water, and did my last two weeks of training in water ranging from 48-55º. Brrrrr! Doing a 2000 as prep was hard on the breathing. I had to do backstroke for the first 50-75 just to get acclimated, and didn't start flip turns until the last 500.

35º? Good for you!

I'll pledge if the higher power allows me. We have our charities and we already upped the ante with regards to Haiti. I donated double-reds this past Saturday so I'm in the mood for giving.

Meadowbrook will have a Red Cross presence on 1/31 for anyone wanting to donate blood. (I do not work for MB but I am a member.)

About Pie....

I agree with the detractors, the guy has NO baseball instincts. He made plays in the field, almost all year, that little leaguers stop making by the age of 12. He takes bad routes to balls even when he does catch them & then you have to hold your breath that he might throw it to the wrong base, to no one at all, or just eat it.
The guy does hustle, I'll give him that much, but he appears to be injury prone. Anyway, I don't understand the "pass" he gets. I think it's an AM thing just as much as it's DT. They are in love with the "tools" they see I suppose.
I think Pie & Montanez ought to be on equal ground going into ST, best man gets the spot, but I think we all know that isn't the case, too bad... at best Montanez goes to AAA since he has an option left & has to wait for an injury, severe slump, or trade.

Have fun Schmuck at the plunge and please, for the sake of women and children world wide, don't post a photo of you in a speedo plunging. Spare us that please.