Art Modell Field at Mervo was dedicated last week, triggering memories of a promise Modell made to the city when he moved his Browns in November 1995.

Something was clearly missing at both Arundel and Forest Park High Schools this week. For the first time since Richard Nixon was president, Bernie Walter and Obie Barnes Sr. were not there.

As Michael Phelps stood on the victory stand in Beijing, Cal Ripken Jr. and Juan Dixon came to mind -- homegrown high school athletes who reached the pinnacles of their sports.

Last weekend in Johnstown, Pa., the 16-19 age-group powerhouse Orioles won their 26th All American Amateur Baseball Association tournament and their sixth in a row.

Since joining the Ravens in 1996, Jonathan Ogden has helped send hundreds of local student athletes to college, the most from Patterson High School in East Baltimore.