Michael Phelps (2008)

Michael Phelps drawing

A Baltimore native, Michael's record eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing China, is considered one of the greatest Olympics performances ever. He is considered by most as the greatest Olympic athlete ever with 16 total medals (14 golds and 2 bronze).

Chirstiano Renaldo (2008)

Christiano Renaldo drawing

Considered by many as the greatest soccer player in the world, at the time of this drawing Christiano was playing for Manchester United. The Red Devils as they are called are from where my father was born in England.

Randy Johnson 2009

Randy Johnson drawing (2009)

Randy Johnson "The big unit", left handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. On June 4,2009 I went by myself in a pouring rain to Nationals Park to see Randy Johnson pitch. The previous night I had sat by myself for four hours in a pouring rain to see him pitch. When the game was finally over, Randy had won his 300th game as a starting pitcher. He was the 24th pitcher all time to do so, and only the 6th left hander. Experts think that he may be the last pitcher ever to achieve this.

Larry Fitzgerald 2009

Larry Fitzgerald drawing

Wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. During the NFL 2008 playoffs, Larry re-wrote the playoff record books for receivers. He had 546 yards on 30 receptions, with 7 touchdowns. In the NFC Championship Game, he tied the game record with 3 touchdown catches (all in the first half). He scored 2 touchdowns in the Superbowl, and 2 more in the Probowl, winning the MVP award for that game. He is just amazing to watch!

Ryan Zimmerman (2009)

Ryan Zimmerman drawing

In the 2008 season, the Washington Nationals opened their new stadium Nationals Park. Pop and Joshua and I were there for the Inaugural game, when in the bottom of the ninth inning Ryan hit a walk off home run! At the end of the 2009 season, Ryan was awarded with his first Gold Glove award for the National League third baseman.

Yankees (The Evil Empire)

Mario Rivera Drawing

Mickey Mantle Drawing

Babe Ruth Drawing

Closer Pitcher Mariano Rivera

Every one knows how I feel about the Yankees, but you can't deny the talent of some of the players over the decades. Mariano Rivera is one of those players, nicknamed the "sand-man" because he puts the other team to sleep when he enters the game. Mariano will be in the Hall of Fame one day, and will probably be considered the best closer that ever played the game.

Mickey Mantle

One of the of the New York Yankees "Sultans of Swat". My parents first date was in 1961. They went to Yankee Stadium to see Roger Maris, and Mickey Mantle in their epic home run battle.

Babe Ruth

There is no question that Babe was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Although he never played for the Baltimore Orioles, he was born just a couple blocks from what is now Orioles Park at Camden Yards. His number was retired at Yankee Stadium on June 13,1948 just a couple months before his death. That day was also my fathers tenth birthday, and first birthday in the United States after emigrating from England. The photograph that this drawing was done from was taken by New York News photographer Nat Fein. In 1948 the photograph won a Pulitzer Prize, and has been called by the New York Times, "the most celebrated photograph in sports history."

Josh Bard and Joshua Bardsley (2009)

Josh Bard Drawing

Joshua Bardsley drawing

In 2009 my son, Joshua Bardsley, played little league for the Kent Island Youth Baseball and Softball Club. He Played middle infielder for the Zussman Hooks. The team went undefeated in the regular season, and steamed through the end of the year double elimination tournament without a loss, winning the championship. Joshua went the entire regular season without a strikeout, and had an on base percentage of .827. That same season, the Washington Nationals had a catcher named Josh Bard.

Matt Wieters (2008)

Matt Wieters drawing

Matt Wieters about to autograph my drawing at a Bowie Baysox game.

The Orioles number one pick in the 2007 draft out of Georgia Tech. Matt is a big switch hitting power hitting catcher with a cannon for an arm. Joshua and I went to see him play for the Bowie Baysox (Orioles AA) in his first professional season. In 2009 he was called up to the big club where he is the starting catcher.

Boog Powell (2008)

Boog Powell drawing

Boog Powell was the big power hitting first baseman for the Orioles the year I was born. I got him to autograph this drawing at Camden Yards, at Boogs barbecue stand where he still signs autographs at every game.

George Sherrill (2009)

George Sherill drawing

George Sherrill autographing my drawing at Orioles fanfest 2009

George Sherrill was the Orioles closer pitcher for most of the 2009 season. Towards the end of the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired him to be their closer for the playoff stretch. George was nicknamed the "brim reaper" because of the way he wears his ball cap with no curl in the brim.

Luke Scott 2008

Luke Scott Drawing

Luke Scott signing my drawing at Orioles 2009 fanfest

Luke Scott is a christian, and points to heaven every time he crosses home plate. I tried to capture this in my drawing.

Ray Knight 1986 World Series MVP

Ray Knight drawing

Me with Ray Knight at National Park

If you read the Gary Carter post, you know I was a Mets fan when they won the World Series in 1986. Ray Knight was the third baseman, and MVP of the series. In 2009 he did the pre and post game show for the Washington National games. He autographed my drawing at National Park.

Alexander Ovechkin (2009)

Autographed Alexander Ovechkin Drawing

Alex autographing my drawing

Arguably the best hockey player on the planet, The Russian Rocket Alexander Ovechkin, is Joshua's favorite athlete ever. We got a chance to get his autograph at the Washington Capitals 2009 season ticket holders party. We were guests of the Hoover family.

Brian Roberts (2008)

Brian autographed at Orioles 2009 fanfest

My oldest son Joshua played second base for his first little league team. Brian Roberts of the Baltimore Orioles is his favorite all time player. Joshua and I went to the Orioles 2009 fanfest and Brian autographed my drawing book. Joshua also got him to autograph a jersey.

Gary Carter (1986)

Gary's autograph on a photo of me with his drawing (1986)

The player card Gary sent me

Gary Carter was one of my favorite baseball players during college. I spent my summers in New Jersey and followed the New York Mets during the season. When the Mets won the world series in 1986, I had the privilege of going to the World Champions reception in the Rose Garden at the White House. I slipped and envelope to Gary with photos of the drawing I had done of him. Months later I received an envelope from Shea Stadium that contained my photos autographed, with an autographed player card from Gary. I did mail him the drawing at Shea Stadium. In 2003, Gary was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.