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Kyle Goon

Kyle

Kyle Goon joined the staff of The Baltimore Banner in April 2023 as a sports columnist. He previously covered the Los Angeles Lakers for The Orange County Register, including a three-month stint in the NBA bubble for the team’s 2020 NBA championship. He started his career at The Salt Lake Tribune, where he covered high school sports, Utah State University, the University of Utah and the Utah Jazz. Kyle grew up in Ellicott City and is a Mt. Hebron High and University of Maryland grad.

The latest from Kyle Goon

Kyle Goon: Orioles slugger Pete Alonso seeks a deeper connection to Baltimore. It’s not just for show.
COLUMN | He came from New York, but the Polar Bear might be an even better culture fit in Charm City. A look inside how Pete Alonso has tried to adapt to his new market, and how it has embraced him back.
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026 - Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso toured Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter on Tuesday, where he met Fletcher, a young dog. He and his wife donated $10,000 to the shelter.
Kyle Goon: Navy’s ‘2 knuckleheads from Pittsburgh’ are chasing their hometown dream
COLUMN | Eli Heidenreich and Alex Tecza were high school teammates for state title champion Mt. Lebanon, then helped elevate Navy football 21 wins in their final two seasons. Now, they have a chance to fulfill a crazy dream of playing for their hometown NFL team.
Navy fullback Alex Tecza, (46) celebrates his touchdown run with running backs Eli Heidenreich (22) and Brandon Chatman (24) during the first half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Kyle Goon: Ravens GM Eric DeCosta still has to tackle his toughest task — replacing Tyler Linderbaum
COLUMN | After a run on centers in the second round, the Ravens were left with unattractive options to replace their Pro Bowl center. It’s not a mistake to get out of the draft without picking one, but that leaves the front office with a huge challenge even after the NFL draft.
Former Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, who left in free agency, had rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Kyle Goon: Vega Ioane or Rueben Bain? The Ravens made the only choice they could afford.
COLUMN | The Ravens' No. 14 selection of Vega Ioane may be great, but he'll forever be compared to Rueben Bain Jr., a Miami edge rusher the Ravens passed over. The decision to draft a guard over a pass rusher is, in large part, a reflection of how much Baltimore backed itself into a corner with its roster management.
This could be remembered as the year the Ravens didn’t take Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami in the draft. The edge rusher went to Tampa Bay.
Kyle Goon: Downtown Baltimore fight card showcases city’s working-class boxers
COLUMN | A fight night at the Hilton is a test of downtown Baltimore’s viability for hosting fights and a way to generate economic interest in a historic sport.
Coach Warren Boardley, right, offers advice to cruiserweight Tyler Langer between sparring rounds at the Mack Lewis Boxing Gym in Baltimore.
NFL draft primer: Whom the Ravens should pick — and how it could all go wrong
The NFL draft is expected to be unpredictable. The Ravens could add to the chaos. Here’s what reporters Jonas Shaffer and Giana Han and columnist Kyle Goon expect from a pivotal weekend.
People rehearse ahead of the NFL football draft, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Kyle Goon: Jeremiah Jackson’s fiery start for the Orioles merits a serious look at his long-term lineup spot
COLUMN | Jeremiah Jackson has surprised Baltimore fans with his confidence and attacking mentality. After a laborious journey through the minors, the 25-year-old is seizing every moment with an unsure future when the club gets healthy, but he deserves more assurance that he’s earned a solid spot.
Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson watches his home run during the eighth inning.
Orioles’ offense swings and misses in 4-2 loss to Guardians
Baltimore hitters struck out 16 times. Pete Alonso and Colton Cowser both went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.
Outfielder Leody Taveras hit his first Orioles home run in the fourth inning Saturday night in Cleveland.
Orioles rally late to top Guardians behind red-hot Jeremiah Jackson’s home run
The Orioles rallied in the eighth inning with six runs to flip a 4-0 deficit and snap a three-game losing streak.
Jeremiah Jackson receives a low-five from third base coach Buck Britton on his eighth-inning home run trot.
Orioles break up no-hitter against Parker Messick but can’t complete comeback in loss to Guardians
Parker Messick nearly threw a no-no against the Orioles. But, despite a late rally, Baltimore couldn't muster enough in the ninth to avoid its third straight loss.
The Orioles’ Leody Taveras gestures to the dugout after breaking up a no-hitter by Cleveland’s Parker Messick in the ninth inning.
Kyle Goon: Through pranks and texts, Orioles manager Craig Albernaz feels the love in Cleveland return
COLUMN | Craig Albernaz returned to Cleveland, where he spent the last two seasons on the staff of manager Stephen Vogt. His old club teased him but also showed him love.
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, rear, embraces Craig Albernaz, front, former Guardians coach and current Baltimore Orioles manager.
Kyle Goon: With hard plays and new Orioles teammates, Blaze Alexander throws himself into the fire
COLUMN | The Orioles utilityman has played four positions this season in just 13 games. And you'll never meet someone happier to be thrown all over the field.
Blaze Alexander has started at third base, second, shortstop and center field this year.
Kyle Goon: How Craig Albernaz’s toughness after foul ball scare inspired the Orioles’ comeback
COLUMN | By simply showing his smiling, bruised face after getting nailed by a foul ball, Craig Albernaz helped set the tone for a fighting comeback — the kind the Orioles have had all too rarely for the past two seasons.
Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso celebrates his go-ahead two-run home run in the dugout with teammates in the seventh inning.
Orioles’ big money stars Pete Alonso and Shane Baz struggle in loss to Giants
COLUMN | High-priced contracts for Pete Alonso and Shane Baz have yet to pay dividends. Both struggled in a 6-3 loss to the Giants, highlighting how huge investments the Orioles made over the offseason haven’t helped much so far.
First baseman Pete Alonso went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts Friday night in the Orioles’ 6-3 loss to the Giants.
Kyle Goon: The Ravens might need a first-round receiver in the NFL draft even more than a blocker
COLUMN | With the issues on the offensive line, many observers assume the Ravens’ No. 14 pick will go toward a blocker. But, behind Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews, there's no proven receiving depth. Using a draft pick for a pass catcher would be just as prudent.
Mark Andrews #89 and Zay Flowers #4 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after Flowers scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 27, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Kyle Goon: Lamar Jackson is here. He’s needed at Ravens offseason training more than ever.
COLUMN | Jackson’s mere attendance speaks volumes to his personal buy-in. After he passed on a $750,000 contract stipulation last season, we know what Jackson is willing to trade for not coming to OTAs.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws to wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) during the team’s training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Kyle Goon: 3 Baltimore kids are living out their NBA dream with the Wizards
COLUMN | Julian Reese, Bub Carrington and Cam Whitmore grew up in the same basketball circles. Now their NBA dreams have become a reality — together.
From left, Washington Wizards players Julian Reese, Bub Carrington and Cam Whitmore.
Kyle Goon: The Orioles need to sign big extensions. Shane Baz’s deal could be a stepping stone.
COLUMN | While there are bigger fish for the Orioles to nail down extensions with, Shane Baz is a great early entry who keeps the organization pointed in the right direction to lock down more players.
Shane Baz is scheduled to make his first start for the Orioles on Sunday against the Twins.
Kyle Goon: Orioles fans have missed home batting practice for years. Finally, they get their wish to see it again.
COLUMN | When COVID-19 hit, the Orioles ended the long-standing practice of letting fans in early to watch the home team take batting practice. The opportunity finally returned for early arrivals.
Gary Mangold, center, from Allentown, Penn., attends his first opening day at Camden Yards. He got to the park early to watch batting practice, something the Orioles hadn’t opened to fans since before the pandemic.
Kyle Goon: After ticketing brouhaha, Orioles Birdland Members have mostly returned
COLUMN | The Orioles caused a stir within their fan base last season by changing the Birdland membership tiers and displacing a number of members from their seats. After a few months, most fans who spoke to The Banner remain season ticket holders, but they are cynical about the direction of the program.
Fans rally for the Orioles on Opening Day at Camden Yards on March 28, 2024.
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