The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

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, 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

Catonsville native Nick Barrett, 31, drives off the tee at the U.S. Open qualifying tournament at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville on June 2. Barrett, who works as a UPS delivery driver, was disqualified after one round for failing to turn in his scorecard.
Kyle Goon: A local UPS driver’s shot at the U.S. Open crashed out after a brain fart. We’ve all been there.
Catonsville resident and delivery truck driver Nick Barrett forgot to turn in a scorecard between rounds, denying him a chance to qualify for the U.S. Open. But even in his anguish, the working-class weekend warrior keeps a refreshing perspective.
Starting pitcher Corbin Burnes walks off the field with assistant athletic trainer Max Esposito during the fifth inning.
Kyle Goon: Corbin Burnes’ injury doesn’t let the Orioles off for free agency flop
The Orioles shouldn't be feeling any relief about the fact they didn't step up to sign the ace.
Ravens Rich Tamayo, Senior VP of Stadium Operations and Guest Experience, conducts a tour of the new M&T Bank Stadium improvements underway for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Kyle Goon: Ravens need to dream big to justify stadium costs
There's nearly half a billion of public money being sunk into renovations at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore and Maryland deserves bigger events at the venue to justify the price tag.
Buck Showalter watches the action from the dugout during an Orioles game against the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018, his last of nine seasons in Baltimore.
Kyle Goon: Buck Showalter is not the answer for the Orioles — but his ideas might be
The manager of the very good 2010s teams says 'I don't have the answers' for the current-day Orioles' slumps. It might be that his legacy in Baltimore is best left in the past.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever dribbles the ball while defended by Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty on May 24.
Caitlin Clark’s injury means Fever star won’t suit up Wednesday in Baltimore
The city's splashy WNBA game on Wednesday night will now be missing its biggest star, as the second-year guard is struck with a quad strain.
Coach Brenda Frese led Maryland to the NCAA Sweet 16 and a No. 12 national ranking, then went right to work in the transfer portal.
How Maryland women’s basketball mastered the unrelenting task of recruiting in the transfer portal
With drastic changes caused by the loosening of transfer rules and proliferation of name, image and likeness dollars, building championship teams often comes down to speed in recruiting transfers.
New Maryland Athletic Director Jim Smith tours the football facilities at Xfinity Center in College Park on Thursday.
(Mackenzie Miles/Maryland Terrapins)
Kyle Goon: New AD Jim Smith gets why the Terps chose him. It’s time to show Maryland the money.
Smith is all about business — and that’s exactly what Maryland needs.
Mike Elias, executive vice president and general manager for the Baltimore Orioles, speaks to the media before a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Milwaukee.
Kyle Goon: Mike Elias is finally facing the Orioles’ issues. But it’s much too late.
It's positive to hear Mike Elias finally taking ownership of some of the Orioles' biggest shortcomings — but he should have been taking stock in the offseason, when he could have done more than he can now.
The grandstand at Pimlico Race Course after the conclusion of Preakness Day on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
One last Preakness: Pimlico’s past looms large before demolition
Amid the rush to modernize an aging Pimlico, traditionalists feel conflicted as the track they’ve come to love for its history is about to be changed forever.
Brandon Hyde, right, took the fall. But Mike Elias is just as responsible for the Orioles’ poor play.
Kyle Goon: Brandon Hyde’s firing shifts all the heat to Mike Elias. He must be bolder.
Mike Elias pulled the trigger on firing his longtime manager after supporting him. Now there's no protection between him and the blame for the disastrous 2025 season.
Baltimore Orioles fans at the team’s home opening game against the Boston Red Sox in March.
Kyle Goon: The Baltimore ‘O!’ is about community pride. Don’t lecture us about it.
A Washington Post letter to the editor criticizing the Baltimore national anthem tradition for being disrespectful misses the point of what patriotism should be about.
Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer (61) drives past Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series.
As Pat Spencer scraps in the NBA playoffs, his old Loyola lacrosse teammates are loving every minute
The Maryland native and former Tewaaraton Award-winner at Loyola is now tearing up the hardwood in the NBA playoffs for the Golden State Warriors. Former Greyhounds who shared the field with him are enthralled, but not surprised.
Gunnar Henderson homered during Sunday’s win over the Angels, but he has not reached his All-Star heights this season.
Kyle Goon: We’re only getting glimpses of the Orioles we expect. That’s everyone’s problem, especially coaches.
Wins like Sunday's 7-3 series clincher against the Angels have come too rarely. If they can be aggressive and opportunistic on offense, why can't they do it more often?
Kyle Gibson allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks in four innings Saturday night against the Angels.
With a poor start and quiet bats, the Orioles’ latest loss to the Angels is painfully formulaic
Gibson gave up five runs in his third straight ugly start, and the Orioles failed to summon a response.
Brandon Hyde’s teams have a .463 winning percentage in seven seasons.
As fans grumble about Brandon Hyde, the Orioles manager is worried about a turnaround — not his job
After a 14-23 start, the veteran skipper said he isn't happy with how the team has played but doesn't worry about being fired. GM Mike Elias’ backing “means a lot,” he said Saturday in Anaheim.
Tomoyuki Sugano allowed one run on three hits in 7 1/3 innings Friday night against the Angels.
Tomoyuki Sugano’s great start helps Orioles bust 5-game slide against Angels
The Orioles could have hardly asked for more from Sugano, who threw 92 pitches and went deeper than any other O’s starter this year.
General manager Mike Elias took accountability for the Orioles’ dreadful start to the season, but that is just a small step toward fixing the problem.
Kyle Goon: Owning the Orioles’ ugly start isn’t enough. Mike Elias needs to try to save the season.
Acknowledging this shortcoming is only a tiptoe toward redemption for Elias and this front office, who need to amp up their ambition before it's too late.
Baltimore Ravens' Justin Tucker watches from the sidelines during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Baltimore.
Kyle Goon: The Ravens’ backwards explanation for cutting Justin Tucker only shows they can’t be trusted
The Ravens behave like they’re above reproach. That’s simply not good enough.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta, right, and coach John Harbaugh take questions at the team’s predraft news conference.
Ravens reset: Trading Mark Andrews? Prioritizing an edge defender? Answering 5 big NFL draft questions.
The Ravens’ long wait for the NFL draft is finally over. What happens next?
Tai Felton caught 172 passes for 2,207 yards and 17 touchdowns in 46 games at Maryland.
Kyle Goon: Where is the love for the Terps’ Tai Felton? He shows a blind spot in the NFL draft
In one of the most scrutinized processes in sports, somehow it feels as if NFL talent evaluators are overlooking the talented Maryland player who was one of the most productive receivers in the country last year.
Load More Stories
Oh no!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes. If the problem persists, please contact customer service at 443-843-0043 or customercare@thebaltimorebanner.com.