Brandon Jones, Bryant Nelson And The Real Sibling Rivalry

 BY MISSY ZIELINSKI

Despite being veteran players of the game of baseball, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs infielder Brandon Jones and Long Island Ducks infielder Bryant Nelson had never met on the same field once in their entire playing career until May 17, 2013. While this is a common occurrence for a majority of the players on the Blue Crabs and Ducks, their situation was unique. The two are brothers.

“It was a learning experience for me,” said Jones, 31, after the weekend series against Long Island (May 17-19) and his brother. “I think this was the first time in my career that I was actually nervous and it showed. I played horribly, but thankfully we got the win.”

In the game Jones committed his 11^th error of the season as his brother witnessed from the opposing dugout. Luckily it was all in good fun as the two met to talk of the experience the following afternoon.

“Lunch on Saturday consisted more of listening than eating, I caught an earful!”

The lunchtime lecturing was something that Jones had grown accustomed to in his relationship with his brother, as he and Nelson grew up with an eight-year difference between them. Starting with their childhood and beyond Jones had taken on the apprentice role.

“I spent most of my days trying to go wherever and do whatever Bryant was doing,” said Jones of their early years together. “He spent most days telling me what I was not supposed to do or where I wasn’t supposed to go. I hated to hear that.”

It was also the same situation on the baseball diamond.

“During the week, I’d be at baseball parks watching my brother play and just waiting for my chance to play,” said Jones. “He’d remind me every step of the way that I could not beat him and that always fueled the competition. I think sometimes its more so me being competitive with my big brother.”

When Jones finally did play “their career took totally different paths.” In addition to his baseball career, Jones experimented in the college basketball realm with the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions before “roaming the Indy leagues.”

Nelson on the other hand took a different route. The 39-year-old spent just 25 games during the 2002 season with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball, recording a .265 average with six runs and two RBIs. Yet he still had the career that Jones “could only dream of” as he spent seven of his 20 career seasons playing as high as Triple A with the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates, Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays organizations. In 1,949 career games, Nelson has a lifetime average of .285 with 1,045 runs, 2,125 hits, 663 extra-base hits and 1,091 RBIs.

Jones, who’s played in such independent leagues as the Northern League, American Association, Frontier League and the North American League, before joining the Atlantic League for the first time in 2013, has appeared in a little less than half the seasons his brother Bryant has played in.

While the two have found themselves with two completely different stories to tell, one key component has given them an undying bond – baseball.

“Baseball has given my brother and I another reason to spend time together and share experiences,” Jones said. “Clearly he has the most knowledge of the game, but he never hesitates to share it with me and that’s great.”

The mid-May series against the Ducks also gave the 6’2” always-smiling Jones a reason to revive the two’s competitive edge and offer some advice to his big brother.

“All I could say to my brother is ‘get faster man.’ I honestly think I can beat him running, but we will race one day,” said Jones.

That day to race will have to wait until the two meet again. The series at Regency Furniture Stadium against their division rival and sibling rival was the first for the brothers, but also the last – for now. Just two weeks after the two got to play each other for the first time, Jones was traded to the American Association. With each player unable to predict that they’d be playing one another this May, it’s difficult to predict when their next meeting will be. But for this pair of baseball brothers, their meeting on May 17 in Waldorf ensures that they will always share a common bond with America’s pastime.

READ MY STORY FOR WMAL.COM: After Spectacular Start, Redskins Offense Derails In Second Half; Lose To Seahawks 24-14

Missy Zielinski
WMAL.com

Landover, Md. – For the Washington Redskins, Sunday's NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks was a little bit of history - it was only the second time in the NFL that two rookie quarterbacks went head-to-head in the postseason. The winner would also be the only rookie quarterback left standing in the next round of the playoffs.

Unfortunately for the Redskins, history stopped there.

After what head coach Mike Shanahan called “probably their best first quarter,” the Redskins Robert Griffin III and the offense slowly derailed as the Seahawks rallied from an early 14-0 deficit to top the Redskins 24-14, leaving Seattle’s rookie quarterback Russell Wilson as the last freshman quarterback standing in the NFL playoffs.

For Redskins fans, the season far exceeded expectations as they watched their top draft pick bring their team to its first playoff berth since 2007 -  but it also left fans looking towards a cloudy outlook to next season until  more is clear about RG3’s latest knee injury.

Griffin, who sprained the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee in the Skins' victory over the Ravens December 9th,  was clearly not playing at full capacity in recent weeks, and appeared to re-aggrevate his knee during the first quarter Sunday.

“I’m the quarterback of this team and my job is to be out there if I can play,” said Griffin. “I don’t feel like me being out there hurt the team in anyway. I’m the best option for this team and that’s why I’m the starter.”
And RG3 did play, for awhile.

The Redskins started off the game the way they needed to, by delivering back-to-back touchdown drives against a stout Seahawks defense.

In 20 plays and 134 yards over 11 minutes of the first quarter, Griffin, along with fellow rookie phenom, running back Alfred Morris, led the Skins to a 14-0 score.  In between the drives, the Redskins defense did its part by stopping the Seahawks with a split sack of Russell Wilson by two of Washington’s top defensive lineman London Fletcher (last week’s NFC defensive player of the week) and Stephen Bowen.

Yet the Redskins could not sustain any momentum the rest of the game.

Seattle’s defense slowly and methodically worked the Redskins offense dry, as the Seahawks offense spent the second quarter on a slow comeback, beginning with a 32-yard field goal from Seattle kicker Stephen Hauschka early in the second quarter.

On a later drive, Wilson faked a handoff to running back Marshawn Lynch and fumbled, but Lynch was able to recover the ball for the Seahawks and advance it for a 20-yard gain, setting up a  four-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to fullback Michael Robinson to cut Washington’s lead to 14 - 10.

On the Redskins next drive, RG3’s pass intended for wide receiver Pierre Garcon was picked off bythe Seahawks defense in what ultimately shifted gears in Seattle’s favor, and led to a short field goal to pull the Seahawks to within a point, as the Redskins took a 14 - 13 lead into halftime.

Seattle opened the third quarter with a long drive that at first quieted the crowd at Fed Ex, only to see Lynch spoil it with a fumble at the goalline.  The Redskins, however, were unable to capitalize on the gift, and both teams traded punches without a score until midway through the fourth quarter, when Lynch avenged his turnover, running 27 yards to give Seattle its first lead of the game.  A 2-point conversion gave the Seahawks a 21-14 lead with seven minutes left.

The Redskins' comeback was simply not meant to be.

On the ensuing drive, RG3 went down for good, falling to the ground in a heap as he tried to handle a bad snap.  The Seahawks recovered the ball, and soon followed with a 22-yard Stephen Hauschka field goal that put the game on ice.

Griffin's final play leaves fans with a vivid and haunting memory to last through the long off-season.

Ultimately though, Griffin, who said he did put himself  "at more risk by being out there,” justified his actions.

“Every time you step on the football field in between those lines you put your life, your career, every single ligament in your body in jeopardy,” said Griffin.

As for his knee, RG3 said he’ll know “in the next few days” how much damage was done.

For fans worried about Griffin and his knee, the NFL Rookie of the Year candidate offered a little comfort.

“We’ll look back and see we won seven games, we finished 10-6, won our division and that was awesome,” said Griffin. “We know the future is very bright. The sky’s the limit for this team.”

It will also give the Redskins a chance to settle a score that includes now three playoff losses in a row to the Seattle Seahawks.

PHOTOS: THE REDSKINS FIRST HOME PLAYOFF GAME SINCE 1999

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2012-13 World Junior Championships: Prospects To Watch

BY MISSY ZIELINSKI

With the National Hockey League (NHL) dismantling more than half of their regular season thus far due to the lockout, a few unexpected faces will make appearances at this year's 2012-13 World Junior U-20 Championships (WJC) being hosted in Ufa, Russia.

 

The tournament that begun early Wednesday morning and runs through January 5, when the gold medal game will be played, doesn't just feature 2011's top draft pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the 2012 top draft pick Nail Yakupov, but some other leaders out of this year's draft class as well as draft eligibles to keep note of.

As today's games have all finished, each team in the tournament has now played at least once (Latvia and Germany have each played twice) and will continue the round robin part of the tournament until they've played each one of the teams in their pool (10 teams have been divided into two pools of five - 'Pool A' and 'Pool B') before moving on to the next rounds of the tournament next Wednesday (Jan. 2).

Here's my player-to-watch list to guide you through the up-and-coming prospects in the world of hockey team-by-team:

CANADA
Nugent-Hopkins, the first overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, is in this year's WJC simply by the fact that he's a junior by birthdate only. The 19-year-old center playing for Team Canada has already accumulated five points in the 2012-13 WJC with one goal and four assists. For Nugent-Hopkins an exemplary start may be due to the fact that he was cut by Team Canada at age 17 while with the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels in the 2010-11 season.

During his rookie season with the Edmonton Oilers in 2011-12, Nugent-Hopkins dished out 18 goals and 43 assists (52 points) in 62 games and was a part of the 2011-12 NHL All-Rookie Team. Nugent-Hopkins is currently playing for the American Hockey League's (AHL) Oklahoma City Barons, tallying 20 points in 19 appearances.

Team Canada, who's already achieved their first win in the tournament early Wednesday morning (a 9-3 victory against Finland), doesn't only feature Nugent-Hopkins, but a well-seasoned roster including: Jonathan Huberdeau, Mark Scheifele, Nathan MacKinnon and Malcolm Subban.

Nineteen-year-old Huberdeau, the third overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers has contributed three points already (one goal and two assists). Fans can expect to see great scoring and playmaking skills from this crafty left winger who attributed to nine points during last year's WJC with one goal and eight assists (nine points) in six games.

In his current stint with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's (QMJHL) Saint John Sea Dogs, Huberdeau has 45 points (16 goals and 29 assists) through his first 30 games.

Next on the docket for Canada, Winnipeg Jets center and right-winger Scheifele, whose two goals helped secure Canada's first win of the tournament. The seventh overall draft pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Scheifele's a dominant forward in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and should be able to help Canada cruise through the red robin round of the tournament with the playmaking and goal-scoring ability he exudes.

A member of the OHL’s Barrie Colts, Scheifele has an impressive 21 goals and 27 assists (48 points) in 29 games this season.

The highly sought after and arguably the top eligible draft prospect Nathan MacKinnon is also a representative for Canada in this year's tournament. Showcasing his skating abilities and puckhandling, MacKinnon has already added one helper during this year's WJC.

The 17-year-old is currently skating for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL and ranks fifth in the league with 52 points (22 goals and 30 assists) in 30 games.

Finishing off Canada's roster is goaltender Malcolm Subban.

Subban, the brother of Montreal Canadien’s defenseman P.K. Subban, was just named Team Canada's starter after his tournament start on Wednesday by achieving a 3.00 goals-against average and a .893 save-percentage despite stating that he was 'nervous' in his debut.

The 24th overall pick in the 2012 draft class serves as the netminder for the OHL’s Belleville Bulls and boasts a 2.17 goals-against average and a .932 save-percentage in 26 games, good for second in the OHL behind the Kitchener Rangers’ Franky Palazzese.

SWEDEN
The defending-champions began right where they left off from the 2011-12 WJC with a 4-1 win against the Czech Republic Wednesday morning.

Captain of team Sweden and the 11th overall draft pick for the Washington Capitals in the 2012 Draft, winger Filip Forsberg tallied a goal in the win, equaling his point count from last year.

For Forsberg the tournament will allow the highly-skilled, two-way player to grow as he shows off his impressive stick handling abilities and creativity during this year's tournament. Currently the 18-year-old is playing for Leksand of the Swedish Allsvenskan league where he's managed nine goals and 10 assists (19 points) during the 2012-13 season.

UNITED STATES
Playing their first game early this morning and winning 8-0 against Germany, two notable players skating for the United States in the WJC this year include 18-year-old center/left winger Alex Galchenyuk and 18-year-old winger Riley Barber.

The Montreal Canadiens pick in this year's draft (3rd overall), playmaker Galchenyuk is sandwiched between fellow tournament-goer Ryan Strome and the London Knights’ Seth Griffith for second in the OHL in points (62). In the 8-0 whitewash of Germany, Galchenyuk tallied one of those goals and assisted in two others (three points).

As a member of the Sarnia Sting, the American-born Galchenyuk is also tied for first in the OHL in goals with 27.

Another prospect drafted by the Capitals in this year's draft, Riley Barber has already gained attention from scouts in Game 1 of the tournament. Skating on a line with top prospect Galchenyuk and Miami University teammate Sean Kuraly, Barber helped lift the US to an early lead with three points (one goal and two assists) after just a little over one period in today's 9 a.m. contest.

The right winger represents the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) on this list and has 22 points (eight goals and 14 assists) for the RedHawks in 18 games.

RUSSIA
Escaping with a victory with a 3-2 overtime rally against Slovakia on Wednesday, this year's top prospect Yakupov and Mikhail Grigorenko represent Russia this year.

Edmonton Oilers top prospect Yakupov showed off his offensive ability and good hockey sense as he dished out nine assists in seven games during last year's WJC.

While skating for the Kontinental Hockey League's (KHL) Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk this season, Yakupov has seen playing-time in 22 games and contributed 18 points.

Finishing out the list is 18-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko, the 12th overall pick by the NHL's Buffalo Sabres during this year's draft. Grigorenko should be able to show off his playmaking ability and puck skills as he's done during the 2012-13 season with the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts. Only two points behind Canada's MacKinnon in points in the QMJHL with 50, Grigorenko scored two goals and added three assists for Russia in the 2011-12 WJC.

Honorable Mention
Canadian-born Griffin Reinhart and Morgan Reilly are two faces to watch for from the blueline. Drafted fourth and fifth overall (New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs) in this year's draft, respectively, Reinhart and Reilly both played in their first game for Canada on Wednesday.

Finnish-born Aleksander Barkov is considered a top prospect in the 2013 draft class and is currently playing for Tappara Tampere of the top Finnish League. At last year's World Junior's Barkov tallied one goal and three assists (four points) in seven games.

Blueliner Seth Jones represents the USA this year and should be an offensive threat if his performance can match his offensive output during the 2011-12 WJC-18 tournament, where Jones accumulated eight points (three goals and five assists) in six games for Team USA and already has three points in this year's tournament after Game 1.

A member of the WHL's Portland Winterhawks, Jones has shown off his athletic ability and solid offensive and defensive capabilities during this season by dishing out eight goals and 20 assists (28 points) in 31 games.

2011-12 World Junior Championships Results
In last year's WJC Sweden beat defending-champion Russia 1-0 in overtime for their first title in 31 years, while Canada missed the finals for the first time in 11 years after losing to Russia in the semifinals. Canada beat Finland in the bronze medal game, 4-0, extending their medal streak to 14.

Finland's fourth-place finish was their best finish since 2006 and the United States ended up in the relegation round for the first time since 1999.

Washington Capitals prospect and Russian forward Evgeny Kuznetsov's 13 points were good enough for the tournament's most valuable player as he tallied six goals and seven assists in seven games.

FOR THE FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE AND RESULTS: CLICK HERE