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Nestor Aparicio

Drawing the lines of power in America

Nestor Aparicio

You probably don’t know what they look like but you know their work. Lifelong cartoonists Kevin Kallaugher and Ricig tell some Nasty tales about the power of an image of power, and drawing inspiration to make readers think peeling back the layers of art, language, meaning and persuasion. One of the best political conversations we’ve ever had on The Maryland Crab Cake Tour. Listen and learn about media in modern America. (And you’ll meet the person responsible for “Nasty” Nestor, too!)

Soccer and sausage and Highlandtown

Nestor Aparicio

When the Di Pasquale’s family invited Nestor by the new Canton location to do the Maryland Crab Cake Tour, we knew we needed to gather around the Highlandtown soccer legend of Pete Caringi. Joined by Darren Paciocco (aka The Di Pasquale Sausage King), the trio discuss soccer, sausage and how the Pompei neighborhood sticks to together for life through Italian food and The Beautiful Game.

Racing to Timonium to see the new Costas Inn

Nestor Aparicio

The new Costas Inn above the grandstand at the Timonium Racetrack and Fairgrounds is now open and thriving. Pete and Christine tell Nestor the incredible story of their family working to open a second location while mourning the loss of their father and patriarch. Let them tell you why having crabs wasn’t possible at the new location and why they want you to (still) come and see them in Dundalk, too!

The melancholy and infinite sadness of Baltimore Orioles baseball in 2025

Nestor Aparicio

Sure, some of you will simply say that Nestor Aparicio (finally) lost his mind on the radio on Thursday morning after the Baltimore Orioles lost an 8-0 lead in Tampa in losing 12-8 in a minor league ballpark in Tampa. There’s been a lot of trauma over the years but even Jim Palmer called it the worst loss of the year for a team mired in last place in American League East and headed to The Bronx this weekend.

So, are these wins real Orioles’ signs of life this summer?

Nestor Aparicio

Don’t look now but the Baltimore Orioles have won 14 of their last 20 games and are headed to Tampa looking to continue to rectify the awful April and May with another series in a minor-league stadium against a MLB club. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss legitimate Orioles’ optimism after an Angels sweep featuring better pitching and a return to the lineup for some key young players ready to compete.

What does Katie Pumphrey find swimming in open water?

Nestor Aparicio

Legendary distance and open water marathon swimmer Katie Pumphrey returns to Faidley’s Seafood at Lexington Market on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to educate Nestor and Damye Hahn about the art of her international sport that has taken her from across the English Channel to the local education about the cleanliness of the Inner Harbor. Come take a swim with the dolphins and sharks…

Illuminating why Maryland Zoo light nights is perfect family fun this spring

Nestor Aparicio

After Bill Cole joined Nestor at Kooper’s North on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour for a spring chat on zoo lights, solar power, bad pitching and the real cost of tariffs in industries like his at Cole Roofing and Gordian Energy, it inspired our intrepid host to take the Aparicio family over to Druid Hill Park for the Spring Illuminations. We highly recommend getting back to The Maryland Zoo with your family at sunset soon!

eliashyde

The same potential that got Hyde fired puts Elias on watch

Nestor Aparicio

If the Orioles need to rebuild a last-place team devoid of pitching again, then it’s pretty clear that the future of Mike Elias in Baltimore is in deep debate amongst ownership. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss how the potential of the Orioles’ youngest and brightest players got Brandon Hyde fired last week.

So the Ravens are cutting Justin Tucker, right?

Nestor Aparicio

There is plenty of football to discuss in the aftermath of a weekend of 11 additions to the Baltimore Ravens’ roster but the big kick in the room belongs to Eric DeCosta and the front office now that Tyler Loop appears to be the new kicker in Owings Mills. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the biggest offseason story in the city for the football franchise and what happens next…

Dear Steve Bisciotti: Are you Tuckered out on that zero-tolerance policy?

Nestor Aparicio

Methinks we’re kinda getting to the point where we’ll soon hear from “your people” in a two-sentence press release on the team website about the future of the kicking department of the Baltimore Ravens. Probably after lunch on Friday, the way all the cowards in your industry drop the news they want to bury. Not-so-bold prediction: Justin Tucker has kicked his last kick for your franchise.

McCallum: All of the April issues that ail Birdland

Nestor Aparicio

It’s getting late kinda early this spring as the Baltimore Orioles have provided an April thud. Our venerable Birdland (former) insider Allen McCallum joins Nestor once again for their 30th anniversary season of talking baseball, new ownership, payroll and some wisdom on the importance of pitching.

Assessing the Charlie Morton disaster

Nestor Aparicio

After a 24-2 beat down in his latest start, Luke Jones and Nestor wonder what happens next for Charlie Morton and the Baltimore Orioles’ beleaguered starting rotation with the season teetering in the wrong direction (already). Bad times in Birdland and no answers for the injured and American League’s worst rotation. Up next: the Washington Nationals.

ColumnNes: My letter to Orioles President Catie Griggs

Nestor Aparicio

This month, I’ve had many Orioles fans ask me on the streets of Baltimore why David Rubenstein, a full year into his new ownership and trying to spread a different image from Peter Angelos with a stunt like this bobblehead promotion this weekend, would continue to deny me legitimate press credentials after 40 years of covering Baltimore sports. So, I wrote this letter to new President Catie Griggs a month ago, a week before Opening Day:

Breaking The Modell Law (and other crimes) in Cleveland, Ohio

Nestor Aparicio

At the turn of the century, Bernard Bokenyi was the Executive Producer of Nasty Nationwide on Sporting News Radio in Chicago but his sports heart was always in Cleveland. Nestor reaches to his seasoned media pal to discuss American democracy, Ohio stadium money and the criminals in Washington upending the Constitution. Oh, and the Browns in last place again…

Pitching problems persist for scuffling Orioles heading to desert

Nestor Aparicio

The Orioles haven’t won a series so far this season and head to Arizona a sub-.500 effort with some glaring problems. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the injuries, lack of pitching depth, defensive miscues and streaky bats of the Birds as the lineups of Brandon Hyde and institutional philosophy of Mike Elias collide on the field.

R.I.P. Mister Costas Triantafilos – the loss of a legendary man in Dundalk

Nestor Aparicio

Costas Triantafilos was a giant of a man in my community because his presence was omnipresent. His authenticity, beauty and kindness, displayed over a lifetime, leave no words here that will ever convey. Not many folks know a community like Dundalk, a place like Costas Inn or a man like the man whose life and business was profiled by Vice just 15 months ago, capturing his absolute essence brilliantly.

IMG 2580

Chapter 6: Baseball punched me a ticket to see The World

Nestor Aparicio

Ever watch a baseball game from far away and think: “It’d be cool to see that ballpark?” That was what inspired Nestor to see the world and chase Baltimore sports anywhere a plane would take him. And that was long before 30 MLB ballparks in 30 days in 2015.

Hitting it big – on or off the field

Nestor Aparicio

As the Home Run Riches hits it deep with Orioles baseball this week, John Martin of The Maryland Lottery has big news on bigger jackpots and a new twist on an enduring Mega game.

Chapter 3: My Pop and Little League in Dundalk

Nestor Aparicio

What are your Little League memories of youth? Here’s how Nestor fell in love with baseball at rec leagues at Colgate, Eastwood and Berkshire in Dundalk with his Pop as an umpire and manager for kids. And the tales of the diamond that last a lifetime…

My good walk of deep admiration and sportswriting on the brink with John Feinstein

Nestor Aparicio

John Feinstein and I had an awkwardly weird and beautiful friendship that had been strengthened by deep conversation and mutual respect over the last two decades since we somehow found ourselves in Brian Billick’s coaching office after games in stadia all over the country during the 2004 season. I know so many of you will miss his work. I will miss him.

The Ovechkin Fountain of Youth and fire on ice with snow on the mountain

Nestor Aparicio

Yes, the Fountain Dive of the 2018 Stanley Cup hangover celebration has been memorialized, but Ovechkin is still not done making memories for Caps fans. Leonard Raskin and Nestor discuss the fire of The Great Eight and the ice of the Justin Tucker scandal in their weekly podcast chat.

So hard saying goodbye to Simmer, my first friend in professional sports

Nestor Aparicio

“Simmer” – I’m not sure anyone I ever knew called him Shawn – left us this morning and all I can hear is the tone of his voice and his gentleness and polite Canadian demeanor. And my mind is mired in my adolescence in the 1980s, covering hockey and these special players who were all my age, trying to make it just like I was trying to be a sports journalist. We were 18 year-old kids when we met.

Nestor Aparicio media guy

My fall journalism “Declaration of Independence” – Breaking ‘kayfabe’ on how we’re going to cover Orioles and Ravens after 40 years

Nestor Aparicio

What does it say that Nestor Aparicio has been professionally bullied, gaslit and banned by Orioles and Ravens ownership after four decades of covering Baltimore sports as a professional reporter, author and journalist? Plenty. About billionaires, money, fealty and the death of local sports journalism and the emergence of team websites as monopoly “news” sources. Read and learn…

Legendary Dickey Betts educates Nestor about Allman Brothers history and peace with Gregg

Nestor Aparicio

Back during their first reunion in 1990, then-syndicated music critic Nestor Aparicio had a chance to chat with guitarist Dickey Betts about The Allman Brothers. “You know, we worked together with 20 years, and we had our differences, and they don’t amount to that much,” Betts said about Gregg Allman. “Even Jesus Christ had differences with his disciples…”

Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads burns down the house with Nestor in late 1980s chat

Nestor Aparicio

Some bands break up and never reunite. And forty years later, the music of Talking Heads has only aged gracefully and wistfully and joyfully. Back in the late 1980s during his time as a music critic at The Baltimore Evening Sun, Nestor Aparicio had a chance to talk about music, David Byrne and the magic of Talking Heads with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Harrison.

Ravens Browns logos

The January march to February begins by beating the lowly Browns

Nestor Aparicio

Plenty has gone right for the Baltimore Ravens this season regarding good health, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry and historic offensive productivity. The defense and special teams problems feel like ancient history as the team carries a three-game winning streak and are a gaudy 18-point favorite to finish off the AFC North crown with a victory over the lowly Cleveland Browns on Saturday afternoon. Luke Jones and Nestor set the stage for a January path to February.

Lamar hips

A Lamary little Christmas in big Texans win

Nestor Aparicio

The past 11 days have emphasized the potential for greatness for this Baltimore Ravens team. Luke Jones and Nestor recap a Christmas clinic in Houston as the Ravens embarrassed the Texans in a 31-2 rout as Derrick Henry ran over the AFC South champions.

Drawing the lines of power in America

Nestor Aparicio

You probably don’t know what they look like but you know their work. Lifelong cartoonists Kevin Kallaugher and Ricig tell some Nasty tales about the power of an image of power, and drawing inspiration to make readers think peeling back the layers of art, language, meaning and persuasion. One of the best political conversations we’ve ever had on The Maryland Crab Cake Tour. Listen and learn about media in modern America. (And you’ll meet the person responsible for “Nasty” Nestor, too!)

Soccer and sausage and Highlandtown

Nestor Aparicio

When the Di Pasquale’s family invited Nestor by the new Canton location to do the Maryland Crab Cake Tour, we knew we needed to gather around the Highlandtown soccer legend of Pete Caringi. Joined by Darren Paciocco (aka The Di Pasquale Sausage King), the trio discuss soccer, sausage and how the Pompei neighborhood sticks to together for life through Italian food and The Beautiful Game.

Racing to Timonium to see the new Costas Inn

Nestor Aparicio

The new Costas Inn above the grandstand at the Timonium Racetrack and Fairgrounds is now open and thriving. Pete and Christine tell Nestor the incredible story of their family working to open a second location while mourning the loss of their father and patriarch. Let them tell you why having crabs wasn’t possible at the new location and why they want you to (still) come and see them in Dundalk, too!

The melancholy and infinite sadness of Baltimore Orioles baseball in 2025

Nestor Aparicio

Sure, some of you will simply say that Nestor Aparicio (finally) lost his mind on the radio on Thursday morning after the Baltimore Orioles lost an 8-0 lead in Tampa in losing 12-8 in a minor league ballpark in Tampa. There’s been a lot of trauma over the years but even Jim Palmer called it the worst loss of the year for a team mired in last place in American League East and headed to The Bronx this weekend.

So, are these wins real Orioles’ signs of life this summer?

Nestor Aparicio

Don’t look now but the Baltimore Orioles have won 14 of their last 20 games and are headed to Tampa looking to continue to rectify the awful April and May with another series in a minor-league stadium against a MLB club. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss legitimate Orioles’ optimism after an Angels sweep featuring better pitching and a return to the lineup for some key young players ready to compete.

What does Katie Pumphrey find swimming in open water?

Nestor Aparicio

Legendary distance and open water marathon swimmer Katie Pumphrey returns to Faidley’s Seafood at Lexington Market on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to educate Nestor and Damye Hahn about the art of her international sport that has taken her from across the English Channel to the local education about the cleanliness of the Inner Harbor. Come take a swim with the dolphins and sharks…

Illuminating why Maryland Zoo light nights is perfect family fun this spring

Nestor Aparicio

After Bill Cole joined Nestor at Kooper’s North on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour for a spring chat on zoo lights, solar power, bad pitching and the real cost of tariffs in industries like his at Cole Roofing and Gordian Energy, it inspired our intrepid host to take the Aparicio family over to Druid Hill Park for the Spring Illuminations. We highly recommend getting back to The Maryland Zoo with your family at sunset soon!

eliashyde

The same potential that got Hyde fired puts Elias on watch

Nestor Aparicio

If the Orioles need to rebuild a last-place team devoid of pitching again, then it’s pretty clear that the future of Mike Elias in Baltimore is in deep debate amongst ownership. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss how the potential of the Orioles’ youngest and brightest players got Brandon Hyde fired last week.

So the Ravens are cutting Justin Tucker, right?

Nestor Aparicio

There is plenty of football to discuss in the aftermath of a weekend of 11 additions to the Baltimore Ravens’ roster but the big kick in the room belongs to Eric DeCosta and the front office now that Tyler Loop appears to be the new kicker in Owings Mills. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the biggest offseason story in the city for the football franchise and what happens next…

Dear Steve Bisciotti: Are you Tuckered out on that zero-tolerance policy?

Nestor Aparicio

Methinks we’re kinda getting to the point where we’ll soon hear from “your people” in a two-sentence press release on the team website about the future of the kicking department of the Baltimore Ravens. Probably after lunch on Friday, the way all the cowards in your industry drop the news they want to bury. Not-so-bold prediction: Justin Tucker has kicked his last kick for your franchise.

McCallum: All of the April issues that ail Birdland

Nestor Aparicio

It’s getting late kinda early this spring as the Baltimore Orioles have provided an April thud. Our venerable Birdland (former) insider Allen McCallum joins Nestor once again for their 30th anniversary season of talking baseball, new ownership, payroll and some wisdom on the importance of pitching.

Assessing the Charlie Morton disaster

Nestor Aparicio

After a 24-2 beat down in his latest start, Luke Jones and Nestor wonder what happens next for Charlie Morton and the Baltimore Orioles’ beleaguered starting rotation with the season teetering in the wrong direction (already). Bad times in Birdland and no answers for the injured and American League’s worst rotation. Up next: the Washington Nationals.

ColumnNes: My letter to Orioles President Catie Griggs

Nestor Aparicio

This month, I’ve had many Orioles fans ask me on the streets of Baltimore why David Rubenstein, a full year into his new ownership and trying to spread a different image from Peter Angelos with a stunt like this bobblehead promotion this weekend, would continue to deny me legitimate press credentials after 40 years of covering Baltimore sports. So, I wrote this letter to new President Catie Griggs a month ago, a week before Opening Day:

Breaking The Modell Law (and other crimes) in Cleveland, Ohio

Nestor Aparicio

At the turn of the century, Bernard Bokenyi was the Executive Producer of Nasty Nationwide on Sporting News Radio in Chicago but his sports heart was always in Cleveland. Nestor reaches to his seasoned media pal to discuss American democracy, Ohio stadium money and the criminals in Washington upending the Constitution. Oh, and the Browns in last place again…

Pitching problems persist for scuffling Orioles heading to desert

Nestor Aparicio

The Orioles haven’t won a series so far this season and head to Arizona a sub-.500 effort with some glaring problems. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the injuries, lack of pitching depth, defensive miscues and streaky bats of the Birds as the lineups of Brandon Hyde and institutional philosophy of Mike Elias collide on the field.

R.I.P. Mister Costas Triantafilos – the loss of a legendary man in Dundalk

Nestor Aparicio

Costas Triantafilos was a giant of a man in my community because his presence was omnipresent. His authenticity, beauty and kindness, displayed over a lifetime, leave no words here that will ever convey. Not many folks know a community like Dundalk, a place like Costas Inn or a man like the man whose life and business was profiled by Vice just 15 months ago, capturing his absolute essence brilliantly.

IMG 2580

Chapter 6: Baseball punched me a ticket to see The World

Nestor Aparicio

Ever watch a baseball game from far away and think: “It’d be cool to see that ballpark?” That was what inspired Nestor to see the world and chase Baltimore sports anywhere a plane would take him. And that was long before 30 MLB ballparks in 30 days in 2015.

Hitting it big – on or off the field

Nestor Aparicio

As the Home Run Riches hits it deep with Orioles baseball this week, John Martin of The Maryland Lottery has big news on bigger jackpots and a new twist on an enduring Mega game.

Chapter 3: My Pop and Little League in Dundalk

Nestor Aparicio

What are your Little League memories of youth? Here’s how Nestor fell in love with baseball at rec leagues at Colgate, Eastwood and Berkshire in Dundalk with his Pop as an umpire and manager for kids. And the tales of the diamond that last a lifetime…

My good walk of deep admiration and sportswriting on the brink with John Feinstein

Nestor Aparicio

John Feinstein and I had an awkwardly weird and beautiful friendship that had been strengthened by deep conversation and mutual respect over the last two decades since we somehow found ourselves in Brian Billick’s coaching office after games in stadia all over the country during the 2004 season. I know so many of you will miss his work. I will miss him.

The Ovechkin Fountain of Youth and fire on ice with snow on the mountain

Nestor Aparicio

Yes, the Fountain Dive of the 2018 Stanley Cup hangover celebration has been memorialized, but Ovechkin is still not done making memories for Caps fans. Leonard Raskin and Nestor discuss the fire of The Great Eight and the ice of the Justin Tucker scandal in their weekly podcast chat.

So hard saying goodbye to Simmer, my first friend in professional sports

Nestor Aparicio

“Simmer” – I’m not sure anyone I ever knew called him Shawn – left us this morning and all I can hear is the tone of his voice and his gentleness and polite Canadian demeanor. And my mind is mired in my adolescence in the 1980s, covering hockey and these special players who were all my age, trying to make it just like I was trying to be a sports journalist. We were 18 year-old kids when we met.

Nestor Aparicio media guy

My fall journalism “Declaration of Independence” – Breaking ‘kayfabe’ on how we’re going to cover Orioles and Ravens after 40 years

Nestor Aparicio

What does it say that Nestor Aparicio has been professionally bullied, gaslit and banned by Orioles and Ravens ownership after four decades of covering Baltimore sports as a professional reporter, author and journalist? Plenty. About billionaires, money, fealty and the death of local sports journalism and the emergence of team websites as monopoly “news” sources. Read and learn…

Legendary Dickey Betts educates Nestor about Allman Brothers history and peace with Gregg

Nestor Aparicio

Back during their first reunion in 1990, then-syndicated music critic Nestor Aparicio had a chance to chat with guitarist Dickey Betts about The Allman Brothers. “You know, we worked together with 20 years, and we had our differences, and they don’t amount to that much,” Betts said about Gregg Allman. “Even Jesus Christ had differences with his disciples…”

Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads burns down the house with Nestor in late 1980s chat

Nestor Aparicio

Some bands break up and never reunite. And forty years later, the music of Talking Heads has only aged gracefully and wistfully and joyfully. Back in the late 1980s during his time as a music critic at The Baltimore Evening Sun, Nestor Aparicio had a chance to talk about music, David Byrne and the magic of Talking Heads with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Harrison.

Ravens Browns logos

The January march to February begins by beating the lowly Browns

Nestor Aparicio

Plenty has gone right for the Baltimore Ravens this season regarding good health, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry and historic offensive productivity. The defense and special teams problems feel like ancient history as the team carries a three-game winning streak and are a gaudy 18-point favorite to finish off the AFC North crown with a victory over the lowly Cleveland Browns on Saturday afternoon. Luke Jones and Nestor set the stage for a January path to February.

Lamar hips

A Lamary little Christmas in big Texans win

Nestor Aparicio

The past 11 days have emphasized the potential for greatness for this Baltimore Ravens team. Luke Jones and Nestor recap a Christmas clinic in Houston as the Ravens embarrassed the Texans in a 31-2 rout as Derrick Henry ran over the AFC South champions.

Picture of Nestor Aparicio

Nestor Aparicio

Baltimore Positive is the vision and the creative extension of four decades of sharing the love of local sports for this Dundalk native and University of Baltimore grad, who began his career as a sportswriter and music critic at The News American and The Baltimore Sun in the mid-1980s. Launched radio career in December 1991 with Kenny Albert after covering the AHL Skipjacks. Bought WNST-AM 1570 in July 1998, created WNST.net in 2007 and began diversifying conversations on radio, podcast and social media as Baltimore Positive in 2016. nes@baltimorepositive.com
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Bringing women together via sports and leadership with forever Terp Bonnie Bernstein

Talking leadership, journalism and her new ABC show "The Champion's Edge" with longtime broadcaster and proud Maryland Terps graduate Bonnie Bernstein, whose latest chats emphasize and feature the life skills learned through sports for women in executive roles and careers.

Springing into May with April at Planet Fitness in Timonium

The newest Planet Fitness in the area welcomed Nestor and the Maryland Crab Cake Tour back to Timonium as April Fowler gets him ready to hit the weights, stairs and the streets of the Charm City this summer feeling even…

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About once a year we manage to bring longtime WJZ sports director Mark Vivano off the bench and away from his kids' Little League games to talk about life after television, press boxes and the locker room at deadline. He…
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