The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Germano & Clark profile Houston-based endocrinologist Dr. JEFFREY BROWN, who worked with former Olympians CARL LEWIS and GALEN RUPP. Brown "stands alone in believing that endurance athletics can induce early onset of a hormonal imbalance called hypothyroidism." He is seen as a "medical hero" in athletic circles. Brown is a "paid medical consultant to Nike," and athletes in "growing numbers are coming to share Brown's belief that heavy training can suppress the body's production of the thyroid hormone, leaving them too exhausted to perform at peak" levels (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 4/10).
BALTIMORE CHOP: A WALL STREET JOURNAL editorial states attorney and Orioles Owner PETER ANGELOS last year "took the audacious step of asking" the Baltimore City Circuit Court to "consolidate 13,000 of his asbestos claims into a single suit." No court has "agreed to a mass asbestos consolidation in more than a decade." Angelos has been "suing for a long time, and many of his 13,000 claims were filed long ago -- some in the 1980s." The first "discovery was that more than 1,500 claimants were duplicates." Of the "remaining 11,383 plaintiffs, nearly 70% had been diagnosed by one or more of the same five doctors." One physician, WILLIAM GOLDINER, "works as a team doctor" for the Orioles. This information "all but obliges" Judge JOHN GLYNN to "dig into the claims and see how many are bogus suits manufactured with the help of friendly doctors" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 4/10).
HEAT CHECK: Heat play-by-play announcer ERIC REID said that he "gains about 5 pounds" during the season, so it is "important for the self-proclaimed basketball junkie to keep active during the off-season." Reid said, "I have a shoulder injury to my right shoulder that's stopped me from lifting and doing pushups. So I've become a treadmill warrior. I love to run." He added, "I played basketball until I was 45 years old. ... At this point, running is really great for me. Frees my mind and gives me energy and calm" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/4).
AWARDS & RECOGNITION: The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER named NBC's BOB COSTAS one of its "35 Most-Powerful People in Media" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 4/26 issue)....Nationals CF BRYCE HARPER yesterday was honored with a ceremonial
resolution at City Hall in DC to commemorate his ’12 NL Rookie of the
Year award. Nationals manager DAVEY JOHNSON also was “honored with a resolution” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/9)….Shoal Creek Golf & Country Club officials announced that former Secretary of State CONDOLEEZZA RICE and actress COURTENEY COX will be guests during the Champions Tour event from June 5-9, with Rice serving as honorary chair (AL.com, 4/9).
NAMES: Monumental Sports & Entertainment Founder, Chair & CEO TED LEONSIS “will resign” from the BOD of Arlington, Va.-based Rosetta Stone. Leonsis joined the BOD in December ’09 and “helped bring” CEO STEPHEN SWAD to the company. The company said that Leonsis is “leaving to focus on other business interests” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/9)….Golfer RICHARD STERNE has signed with IMG for management and marketing representation (IMG)....Former NFLer STEVE MCMICHAEL yesterday lost the Romeoville, Ill., mayoral election to incumbent JOHN NOAK by a margin of 61% to 39% (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/10)….The Ravens are partnering with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake to “build rowhouses in Baltimore.” Team players, coaches and staff will “take part in building the projects May 16 and June 6" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 4/9)…. Actor DENIS LEARY will play the Browns coach in the movie “Draft Day,” alongside actors KEVIN COSTNER and JENNIFER GARNER (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/10)….NASCAR driver JIMMIE JOHNSON and his wife CHANDRA are “expecting their second child” in September (LATIMES.com, 4/9).
