This article is about the original Baltimore Blast that played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1980 to 1992. For the current team, see Baltimore Blast.
The Baltimore Blast were a longtime member of the Major Indoor Soccer League. From 1978 to 1980, the team played as the Houston Summit, but moved prior to the 1980–81 season. The team won the league's championship in the 1983–84 season. The team folded when the MISL ceased operation in the summer of 1992.
The aggressive promotion of the team by radio partner WFBR (then 1300 AM) was instrumental in the Blast's popularity. Art Sinclair and Charley Eckman handled the play-by-play.
The team was owned by Bernie Rodin, who also owned the Rochester Lancers and the New York Arrows. Mike Zolotorow was the long-time Equipment Manager for 20 years.
The 1983–84 championship team
In the 1983–84 playoffs, Baltimore advanced to the championship series by defeating the New York Arrows 3–1 in the quarterfinal best-of-five series, then beating the Cleveland Force 3–0 in the semifinal series. In the best-of-seven championship series, Baltimore defeated the St. Louis Steamers 4–1 to claim the 1984 MISL championship.[1]
In 1991, the Blast contested the Trans-Atlantic challenge, a one-off indoor soccer game at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England. They beat English First Division team Sheffield Wednesday to win the trophy. Wednesday had American international John Harkes in their ranks. The game was the one and only occasion that Eric Cantona played for Sheffield Wednesday during his infamous trial.
^Major Indoor Soccer League (1984). "MISL 1984–85 Media Guide". p. 67.
^"Blast to honor Reynolds". The Evening Sun. 18 October 1991. p. C6.
External linksedit
Baltimore Blast historical rosters via nasljerseys.com
November 28, 2023
baltimore, blast, 1980, 1992, this, article, about, original, baltimore, blast, that, played, original, major, indoor, soccer, league, from, 1980, 1992, current, team, baltimore, blast, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, i. This article is about the original Baltimore Blast that played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1980 to 1992 For the current team see Baltimore Blast This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Baltimore Blast 1980 1992 news newspapers books scholar JSTOR September 2023 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Baltimore Blast were a longtime member of the Major Indoor Soccer League From 1978 to 1980 the team played as the Houston Summit but moved prior to the 1980 81 season The team won the league s championship in the 1983 84 season The team folded when the MISL ceased operation in the summer of 1992 Baltimore BlastFull nameBaltimore BlastFounded1980Dissolved1992GroundBaltimore ArenaBaltimore MarylandCapacity11 271ManagerKenny CooperLeagueMajor Indoor Soccer League Contents 1 History 2 Year by year 3 Personnel 3 1 Head coach 3 2 Players 4 Retired numbers 5 Arenas 6 References 7 External linksHistory editThe aggressive promotion of the team by radio partner WFBR then 1300 AM was instrumental in the Blast s popularity Art Sinclair and Charley Eckman handled the play by play The team was owned by Bernie Rodin who also owned the Rochester Lancers and the New York Arrows Mike Zolotorow was the long time Equipment Manager for 20 years nbsp The 1983 84 championship teamIn the 1983 84 playoffs Baltimore advanced to the championship series by defeating the New York Arrows 3 1 in the quarterfinal best of five series then beating the Cleveland Force 3 0 in the semifinal series In the best of seven championship series Baltimore defeated the St Louis Steamers 4 1 to claim the 1984 MISL championship 1 In 1991 the Blast contested the Trans Atlantic challenge a one off indoor soccer game at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield England They beat English First Division team Sheffield Wednesday to win the trophy Wednesday had American international John Harkes in their ranks The game was the one and only occasion that Eric Cantona played for Sheffield Wednesday during his infamous trial Year by year editYear League Reg season Playoffs Attendance average1980 81 MISL 2nd Atlantic Semifinals 6 5401981 82 MISL 3rd Eastern Semifinals 9 5571982 83 MISL 1st Eastern Finals 10 7291983 84 MISL 1st Eastern Champions 11 1891984 85 MISL 1st Eastern Finals 11 0511985 86 MISL 4th Eastern Quarterfinals 10 1891986 87 MISL 2nd Eastern Division Semifinals 9 9361987 88 MISL 4th Eastern Division Semifinals 8 2211988 89 MISL 1st Finals 8 1701989 90 MISL 1st Eastern Finals 8 5301990 91 MSL 3rd Eastern did not qualify 7 4321991 92 MSL 4th Semifinals 8 206Personnel editHead coach edit nbsp Kenny Cooper 1980 1992Players edit nbsp Robert Prentice 1981 1983Retired numbers editThis list is incomplete you can help by adding missing items October 2023 nbsp Mike Reynolds playing for the Blast in 1988 3 Mike Reynolds 2 Arenas editBaltimore Arena 1980 1992References edit Major Indoor Soccer League 1984 MISL 1984 85 Media Guide p 67 Blast to honor Reynolds The Evening Sun 18 October 1991 p C6 External links editBaltimore Blast historical rosters via nasljerseys com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Baltimore Blast 1980 1992 amp oldid 1178492200, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
