Inside the Press Box: Peter Schmuck

Storming the Crease is conducting a series of interviews with people who cover (or work for) the Caps and the NHL. You can find a link to the series archives on the right sidebar. Today's 16th installment: Baltimore Sun columnist Peter Schmuck.

1. How did your blog first get started?

My blog got started because Roch Kubatko, who did the popular "Roch Around the Clock" blog for the Sun for several years, took a new job with MASN and the paper wanted to replace that with another high-traffic baseball-oriented blog. I was asked to do it and it sounded like a great way to really interact with readers and fans, and it has been just that.

2. Please talk about your experience at Caps’ media fantasy camp and your subsequent coverage of the team.

The Caps' media fantasy camp is a bit of a blur, probably because of the concussion, but it was fun to get out there and embarrass myself on skates. Being a guy who grew up in Southern California, I think I've been on skates about four or five times and it really showed. Taking the header while attempting a slap shot wasn't a lot of fun, but at least they got it on video so I everybody could see it on the Caps Web site. I'm not proud to say that I've only been to one game since then, because of the heavy emphasis on the Ravens big season, but as Arnold would say "I'll be back!"

3. What similarities and differences do you see between the development of the Caps and the Orioles?

Don't know if you can compare the Orioles rebuilding with the Caps. The Caps had some great success just before Ovechkin and now are moving forward with some great cornerstones for the future. The Orioles still have not established that kind of talent, though there is real hope with Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters.

4. What's your favorite hockey-related moment?

Does anybody have any favorite hockey memory other than the 1980 Olympic victory over the Russians?

5. What occupies your time when you're not working?

When I'm not working, I like to play golf and take part in the occasional Texas Hold-Em tournament. I also do a regular radio show, so there isn't that much time right now when I'm not doing something sports-related, but I'm not complaining. I've been living the dream for a long time, getting paid to go to sporting events.