Photo credit: Chris “Effing” Gordon

Brooks Laich threw a strike.

That’s kind of his modus operandi. Ever reliable and always competent, Laich excels at pretty much everything he does. And before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Baltimore Orioles game on Monday, Laich gave time to the media on a variety of issues. He nailed that too.

In the interview, Brooks speaks at length about his fan allegiance (split between the Orioles and Expos), how his struggles in the postseason extended to youth baseball, and his totally appropriate adulation of Cal Ripken.

We know you love baseball. You have an unusual first name in every part of the country but this one.  How did you get to be named Brooks?

So my dad said when he was younger, he used to take his radio into school and listen to the ballgames. He was a huge baseball fan.  And he became a huge fan of Brooks Robinson.  He liked Brooks’ approach to the game. My dad really appreciated the defensive aspect of the game and Brooks brought that. He liked the name. That’s the story, but it’s pretty cool.

I got a chance to meet Brooks. And that was a very, very special day for us.

Watching Brooks play, did that teach you anything playing hockey?

You know what? Probably indirectly.  My dad was a very good baseball player, good defensive baseball player.  He was a catcher and I’m assuming he took some of that from watching Brooks play.  When I grew up playing hockey, he always stressed the defensive side of the game to me, maybe indirectly because of Brooks.

It’s really neat I got to meet him. He was incredible, humble, and genuine. These are all things people always said about him and I got to tell my dad “this is who I met.” It was an awesome experience.

You grew up a long way from Baltimore.  It would seem that maybe you’d have somebody from the Minnesota Twins or Toronto Blue Jays as your hero.

I watched the Blue Jays growing up. I was a fan of the Blue Jays.  But as far as meeting your namesake, obviously, I have a vested interest in that.  A couple years ago, I was able to get a Brooks Robinson signed baseball and a Brooks Robinson signed photo and I gave those to my dad as a gift.  So I had hopes that one day we would cross paths. Certainly being in the area I’m an Orioles fan and [I] also say [I'm] a Nats fan too. I cheer for them both equally.  I’m pretty excited to be here to watch the game.

Are there any kids named after you?

When I met Brooks, he said that he and his wife keep a list of all the Brooks who are named after him and I thought that was a really good idea, that’s incredible. And then the other day, a lady approached me and said I have to show you my friend who named her son after you. She asked me, “Have you ever had that happen before?” I said,”I’ve had it two or three times that I know of.” People have contacted me and said, “We named our son after you” and it’s an amazing, humbling honor. It’s really sort of shell-shocking to hear. But maybe I should start a list. I don’t know. It’s a pretty cool thing. I really don’t know how to describe it.

You said your father played baseball. How big was baseball in your household compared to hockey?

Baseball and hockey growing up were pretty equal. I mean we played baseball in the summer and hockey in the winter. My mom always wanted me to be a baseball player, because she wanted to sit outside. She was like, “I want to sit outside in the sun and watch the games.” Our rinks in Canada are very cold. You have to dress very warmly to watch the game. And I said, “Mom, the rinks I’m going to be playing in are very warm. You’ll be alright.” I always loved hockey. It was number one. But in baseball we won the division title twice. We lost in the final twice. And our town had very [a] good baseball [team], but we could never win it in hockey. Nine boys in our class was all we had and they were all very good baseball players but just SUCKED at hockey. It just drove me crazy.

What position did you play?

I was a pitcher, catcher and shortstop.

Not a third baseman though?

Nope I played maybe one or two games at third. Terry Bako used to play third base for us. Curtis, my friend standing next to us in the blue, he was our second baseman. He was also a pitcher. We were very good at baseball growing up.

When did you stop playing baseball?

I moved away from home at 16 to pursue hockey and then after that, my summers were consumed with summer hockey and training. I wasn’t able to make all the games and all the practices. I sorta had to sacrifice it. Every time I see Curtis, he brings his ball and glove and we play catch all the time. It’s a game I will love forever. If I couldn’t be a hockey player, I’d probably be a baseball player.

Are you one of the guys that play catch before Capitals games?

No. I don’t do that. Some guys do. I don’t know how many of those guys were ballplayers. They might tell you they were. I don’t know if they were or not. I might step in and throw some every now and then.

Are you feeling any pressure with the first pitch tonight?

Absolutely none. People keep asking that, “Are you going to be nervous? Don’t bounce it!” I’m looking forward to it. It’s like passing a puck for me. I played growing up. I’m gonna grab it and I’m gonna whip it in there.

Have you thrown any first pitches before?

Nope, I’ve never done it, but I’m not going to be nervous. I’m excited. It’s something that’s going to be fun for me.

Are you going to try and outdo Ovi from last year? His pitch was high and kind of outside.

Did he? I’m just going to try and whip it in there. Like there’s going to be scouts in the stands. I want a minor league deal for the summer. It might be the only chance of my life. I’m gonna whip it in there!

So what’s this experience been like being on the field and everything?

It’s actually really awesome to be a fan. I mean we’re used to playing, we’re used to [focusing on our own] careers. But to be a fan… I’ve been to a Redskins game. Last night, we were at the DC United game. Being on the field here, especially after growing up playing baseball, there’s still a big part of me that’s a fan. My friend Curtis, he’s really enjoying it. He’s one of those big baseball people: come to the ballpark, get a beer, get a hot dog. I’m a kid in the candy store right now.

What jersey are you going to wear? Did you ever have a chance to find a Brooks Robinson jersey?

I haven’t. There’s still a little time before I go on. We’ll find a Brooks Robinson [jersey]. Huge, huge Cal Ripken fan as well. I have a signed picture of him. I have so much respect for that man. I respect consistency and a guy that plays everyday. And everyday the Orioles play, Cal Ripken was playing. That was a certainty. And I have so much respect for that: never taking days off or time off playing everyday. He must have had a huge, huge passion for this sport. I’m torn between a Ripken and a Robinson [jersey], but I have to go with the Robinson.

Maybe someone will throw you one down from the stands.

[Laughs] I’ll buy one. Curtis and I are going to go buy a jersey. I was hoping [Brooks] was going to be able to make it. I really hoping he’d be able to make it, but it doesn’t sound like he is.

Is there anybody on the field today that you’re really excited about meeting?

I hear JJ Hardy is a big hockey fan.

Jim Johnson is a big New York Rangers fan.

I don’t want to meet him then. [Smiles.]

It’s weird though. JJ was born in Tucson, Arizona and it’s odd for somebody to… I guess it’s odd for a Canadian to be a baseball fan. It’s neat. I really enjoy meeting the athletes of the other teams. Got to know a couple of Redskins guys, Nats guys, DC United guys. I really enjoy seeing them, meeting them, and leaving them tickets to come to a game. It’s pretty cool.

Cal Ripken, Jr., the greatest man ever to live, attended the Washington Capitals 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.

Ripken played all 21 seasons of his MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles, the greatest baseball franchise ever to live. He finished 5 seasons with a batting average above .300, hit 431 home runs, won the World Series in 1983, and batted in 1697 runs. Ripken owns the MLB record for consecutive games played (2,632) and also our hearts.

Seriously, just look into those baby blues. What a hero.

Below the jump, check out pictures of Cal hanging out at the Verizon Center.

Photos

Caitlin W. (@cwowarren) poses with the Ironman.

Eileen C. (@eileencrems) takes a pic of an unaware Ripken, who’s sitting five seats away.

Jordan F. (@Jordanfabian) managed to grab a pic with Cal as he was leaving.

If anyone else managed to snap a picture of Ripken at the game, send it over and we’ll put it up!

See also: Alex Ovechkin Wears Cal Ripken’s Number 8 During Ceremonial First Pitch at Camden Yards

Vokes and the boys celebrate the shutout. (Photo credit: Patrick McDermott)

The Washington Capitals lost two straight games in California before coming back home to lick their wounds and face the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pittsburgh Penguins, however, were not available for hockey. The team that showed up was some shell-shocked, injury-riddled assemblage of yinzers in PGH uniforms. Not that the Capitals were much better.

Jason Chimera stepped up for the national broadcast, scoring on a breakaway set up by Jeff Halpern’s lovely set pass and some poor decisions by Paul Martin and Evgeny Malkin. And then… nothing. That’s all she wrote. Caps beat Penguins 1-0.

• Caps-Pens is supposed to be a good hockey game. It’s supposed to be one of the best games of the season, a high-scoring affair with lots of personality and salty attitude. This game was just kind of grumpy, and it seemed like the skaters forgot the whole “shooting” part of the game for a while there. Most of the night was spent in the neutral zone, as each team volleyed the puck back to each other. Despite the lack of shots or scoring in general, this game still had its moments.
• Matt Hendricks, who chucked a puck off the post for the second time in five days and may very well never score a goal again, dropped the mitts with Craig Adams in the first period. Despite the fact that nothing really happened except helmet punches, we give the decision to Hendy for his Kurt Angle-esque takedown.

• And while we’re talking about Adams, let’s watch this video of Ovi mollywhopping him to the ice. Oh man, that third replay is the stuff right there.
• Despite Alex Ovechkin going pointless on the night, he certainly made his presence felt. He dished out three hits. Blocked two shots. He even went to one knee in the waning moments to try and block a chance in the slot. And of course, with Cal Ripken in attendance, he had to have at least attempt one shot on net via the baseball swing. Oh, Ovi.
• The Capitals really played good team defense blocking 21 shots to the Penguins’ six. Roman Hamrlik, the Caps’ shot block leader on the year, led both teams with four. The Penguins now have not scored more than three goals since December 27th. Yikes!
• Predictably, the line of Troy Brouwer (11 hits!), Brooks Laich, and Mike Knuble did not score. Really, Dale? Though to their credit, they never had a moment where they all stood in the crease looking around confused.
• Tomas Vokoun stopped 30 pucks to earn his shutout. The Penguins were up in his grill for most of the night, and Vokoun was tenacious and active in sending them away unsatisfied. Vokes has 69 goals against, you’re damn right that we giggled over that stat.
• In Tomas Kundratek‘s NHL Debut, the Czech defender played 11 respectable minutes and had one shot on net.
• With Jason Chimera scoring tonight’s only goal, it sure looks like we’re going to have to post this video before every game.

After the 1-0 victory, Mike Knuble spoke to Pierre McGuire (who we’re pretty sure was in this music video). Kanoobs said, “We’ve been treading water. We’ll win one, and then lose one… But I have a lot of faith in this group.”

I do too, Kanoobs. Sure, this team looks like a shell of itself on the road, but at home — when they bring the intensity — they are still a very hard team to beat. At this point, it’s all about consistency and sticking to the system.

The Capitals’ now turn their attention to Skeletor, that ugly midget Martin St. Louis, and division rival Tampa, who’s struggling almost as bad as the Penguins right now. The Lightning have a minus-28 goal differential, an aging dinosaur in net, and are 3 games under .500. Though, after last year, I’m not going to feel too sorry for them when we beat their ass on Friday. See you then!

Photo credit: Ian Oland

On the eve of his 26th birthday (send us your birthday cards!), Alex Ovechkin — adorned with *gasp* Cal Ripken’s retired #8 Orioles jersey — traveled up I-95 Friday to take batting practice and throw out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of Baltimore’s match-up against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Great Hockey Eight, making his first ever appearance at Camden Yards, had only one goal: not to embarrass himself in front of a few thousand Charm-Citiers.

“I’m kinda excited,” Ovechkin told CSN’s Chris Miller before the first pitch. “I saw on YouTube John Wall’s [first pitch] a couple of minutes ago, and I hope it’s not gonna happen with me. I practice a little bit so it’s good. I feel comfortable.”

Ovechkin smiles before taking the long walk to the mound. (Photo credit: Ian Oland)

Ovechkin, who happily took the field wearing a white Nike hat, designer jeans, and Nike sneakers, sparked a bit of controversy on Twitter by wearing the number eight, which was absent-mindedly un-retired by Orioles officials for the night.

“I don’t want to take his number in baseball. He’s a Hall of Famer and he was the best. I’m lucky I got to meet him,” the Russian superstar told the Baltimore Sun, referring to a fundraising event he met Ripken at in Janaury. “It’s always so nice when you meet that kind of person and that kind of a star.”

Forget the controversy. So how about that first pitch? Ovi’s pitch, er, more like heave, sailed a bit high — and wide — but was easily snagged at home.

Earlier in the night, batting practice didn’t go much better. “I try to make home run. Do funny stuff,” Ovechkin explained. “But not even close.”

All in all though, it was a good night. The lowly Orioles won, 8-3 (you gotta be kidding me); Ovechkin got to hang out on the field with former model and now Angels commentator, Leeann Tweeden; and Tuesday’s Charm City Classic, an event where Ovi can wear his red #8 sweater with no objections from the people of Baltimore, got plenty of pub.

“I guarantee if you put the ball on the rubber with a hockey stick he’d throw a strike,” said O’s manager Buck Showalter.

Video of Alex Ovechkin’s Ceremonial First Pitch

Caps365 Behind-The-Scenes Video

Ovi’s Interview with CSN’s Chris Miller

Additional Photos by Ian Oland (click to enlarge)

Matt Hendricks celebrates his shoot-out goal. (Photo credit: Mitchell Layton)

Last time the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers met, well… it was bad. But we had higher hopes for tonight and a rejuvenated Caps offense.  Aside from Matt Hendricks and the superb Braden Holtby, we got disappointed big time.

Matt Hendricks found the perfect spot to receive a surgical pass from Marcus Johansson and turn it into a goal. Then, late in the third, Marian Gaborik scored a greasy goal following a series of puck bounces and deflections that only the Large Hadron Collider could map. And so we headed into overtime, which has been famously unkind to the Caps lately. The five-minute, four-on-four period was exciting but scoreless, and so the gimmick beckoned. The Capitals lasted until the fourth round, when Martin Biron rebuffed Marcus Johansson and Artem Anisimov beat Braden Holtby with alacrity. A lazy loss. Rangers beat Caps 2-1 (SO).

"How 'bout the power of flight? That do anything for you?" (Photo credit: Evan Vucci)

• Braden Holtby, for the third consecutive game, was a rock in the net. He turned away 28 Rangers pucks, 10 of them legitimate scoring chances.  The one that got past him in regulation was the kind of nasty, fluke-y goals that no one wants to see put against their team. Some might criticize his shootout performance, getting beat by two lateral moves in a row, but I’d like to point out his bold, diving poke check on Brian Boyle. And don’t forget the new fan favorite: Braden’s patented big-stick, penalty kill clear. So here’s the crucial question: has Holtby earned another start? RMNB votes yes!
• No seriously, Braden’s save percentage in his last three starts is .967. That’s 87 saves on 90 shots. PEOPLE.
• Matt Hendricks has somehow become the nucleus of the Capitals offense. Consider that at once to be a celebration of Hendy’s grit and a condemnation the team’s prospects in enemy territory. Hendricks had 4 shots, 1 goal, and a capably converted penalty shot– using the same move he used on Saturday night. I wish we could clone the guy. Oh wait. We did.
• Alex Ovechkin had an Alexander Semin-kind of game. He drew penalties and committed them; he led the team in shots but converted none of them; he accounted for more than his fair share of scoring chances, but he coughed the puck up at excruciatingly bad times. Simply put: Alex is the team’s single biggest problem, and their collective success depends entirely on him playing like the superstar that we know he is.
• Ovechkin was back on point for the useless power play unit, evidencing that Bench boss Bruce Boudreau refuses to admit that either a) his man-advantage system is not working, or b) his players aren’t executing it correctly. No one actually cares which of the two is at fault, we just want to see this improve.
• The Laich-Perreault-Knuble line is not doing anything for anyone. If we see this combo again on Wednesday, it’ll be because no one actually reads this blog.
• Overtime was refreshingly lively for the Caps, finding five scoring chances in those precious minutes. That effort was led by a surging Marcus Johansson (2 shots, 1 assist, 100% Swedish), who might have been Biron’s greatest threat all night.
• Cal Ripken was at the game. Cal Ripken is awesome. Cal Ripken hangs the stars. No joke: I have recurring dreams about hanging out at a T.G.I. Friday’s with Cal. In my dream he knows the owner, and he gets me free mozza sticks, and there’s a ton of high fiving and a couple hugs. What were we talking about again?
• Oh yeah, I’ve been burying the lede, and I’m sorry. Here it is: the Caps fired a season-low 17 shots through regulation. Across two power plays, they managed a whopping two shots. Who was uncharacteristically quiet? Mike Knuble (1 shot on 1 attempt), Jason Chimera (1 shot on 2 attempts), Mike Green (1 shot on 2 attempts), Mathieu Perreault (1 blocked on 1 attempt), and Jay Beagle (1 shot on 2 attempts.) What the dickens has convinced these guys to be so frugal with shots all of a sudden? The goals aren’t coming, so shouldn’t they be doubling down, firing any piece of rubber floating near them? Even Ovechkin passed up golden opportunities to attempt some cutesy nothingness. If you’re looking for a culprit for the L, this is it.

Joe B's suit of the night

So there you have it. The Caps had the lead and let it go. Because they let up the pressure, Gaborik’s nasty but inevitable goal was able to catch the Rangers up. This loss was unbefitting of the work that Matt Hendricks and Braden Holtby put in, but this is the way the season (and postseason) will continue to go until the team enacts its top-secret protocol, OPERATION: SCOAR MOAR GOALS.

Check you on Wednesday. Date with the Thrashers.

Additional reporting by Neil Greenberg, who is in Ohio or something and followed the game via smoke signals.