Mike Harris
Articles by Mike Harris
Nationals recall memorable MLB debuts as Anthony Rendon arrives
Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa has a very vivid memory from his major-league debut. It was Sept. 1, 2010 and the Nats were playing in Florida against the Marlins. Espinosa drove in a run with a double. That isn't the memory. Published April 22, 2013
HARRIS: Nationals have some issues, but it’s way too early to panic
If the season ended Thursday, the Nationals even with all their "problems" would qualify for the playoffs. Which sounds just as stupid to say now as it does to say the season is already off the rails. Published April 18, 2013
HARRIS: Alex Ovechkin’s MVP case bolstered with each Capitals win
Adam Oates coaches the Capitals, which means he coaches Alex Ovechkin. So of course he's going to be "very biased" when discussing the Most Valuable Player candidacy of the man who has put the Caps on his back like a big ol' piano and carried the team to the cusp of the NHL playoffs. Published April 17, 2013
HARRIS: Jack Hillen’s surge symbolic of contributions from the Caps’ entire roster
There is more to the Capitals' win streak than the play of those expected to play at such a high level. Steve Oleksy's play on defense, Jack Hillen's solid defense as well as his scoring surge, Jason Chimera showing he still has "it" – pretty much the entire roster is playing at a high level. Published April 16, 2013
HARRIS: Boston horror latest tragedy to chip away at hope
Monday's attack at the Boston Marathon served as another kick in the stomach, a reminder we can never get too comfortable. Any time. Anywhere. Published April 16, 2013
Nationals lose another game to Braves, Wilson Ramos to hamstring injury
At least Washington came out of Friday's disappointment in good physical health. Not so Saturday, as catcher Wilson Ramos injured his left hamstring trying to beat out a ground ball in the eighth. Published April 13, 2013
HARRIS: In Freddie Freeman injury, a flip side to Redskins’ RG3 approach
The lessons here -- and this is where the other local team needs to pay attention -- are athletes don't make the call and you make the decision based on what you see, not on what you hear. Published April 11, 2013
HARRIS: Alex Ovechkin surge boosts entire Caps roster
Ovechkin is hot and he's carrying the Caps along for the ride. Sure, others are playing well. Sure, they don't do anything without being a team and all that. But let's make one thing clear — Alex Ovechkin rows that boat. Published April 10, 2013
HARRIS: Wilson Ramos, Kurt Suzuki catching onto dual role
Faced with a choice between two No. 1-capable catchers, Nats manager Davey Johnson made an unusual call: Let's use both. Published April 9, 2013
HARRIS: We’ll have to wait a while to judge Capitals’ Martin Erat trade
George McPhee is either a genius who has been able to oversell or a schlub who got taken in a moment of delusion and mad desire to finally see his team make a real, live run at the Stanley Cup. We may know the answer in a couple of weeks. We may not know for a few years. Published April 4, 2013
HARRIS: Wilson Ramos’ return a hidden highlight of Opening Day
If ever there's a person who could use some good fortune, it is Ramos. Saying he had a difficult stretch doesn't do justice to what the young Venezuelan went through. Published April 2, 2013
HARRIS: Opening Day a grand stage for Nationals’ young superstars
Washington opened its 2013 season Monday at Nationals Park with a 2-0 victory over the Miami Marlins. No offense to all the others who took part. The day was about The Top Pick Twins and all about The Top Pick Twins. Published April 1, 2013
HARRIS: Nationals’ Opening Day brings Stephen Strasburg, unwrapped
Monday, more than four years after they earned the right to draft him, the Nationals will send Strasburg to the mound at Nationals Park to open the 2013 season. In many ways, it is the real beginning of the Strasburg Era. Published March 31, 2013
HARRIS: Keeping Henry Rodriguez is, for now, the right call for the Nationals
Talented but inconsistent Henry Rodriguez will be in the bullpen to open the season for the Washington Nationals. He can be maddening but it is still too early to give up on him. Published March 29, 2013
HARRIS: Almost done early, Marquette plays on in the NCAA tournament after crushing Miami
The Marquette team that struggled to get past a 14-seed in Davidson and had to rally from nine down in the second half to beat Butler in its next game put together a shockingly strong performance to beat Miami 71-61 on Thursday night at Verizon Center. Published March 28, 2013
Nationals 2013: HARRIS: Cooler than winning it all? Winning it all during the day
Bill Millsaps is a former sports editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. During a long and distinguished career, he won multiple Virginia sports writer of the year awards and he was named The Associated Press Sports Editors' Red Smith Award winner in 2011. Published March 28, 2013
HARRIS: Which of Washington’s young stars might stay in D.C. for duration?
In D.C., we're beginning to assemble a collection of players across all the major pro sports who would be welcome to stay here as long as they desired. But how realistic is that? The message: don't get too attached. Published March 28, 2013
HARRIS: Jim Larranaga’s Miami miracle has familiar feel
When Larranaga is introduced before Miami's NCAA tournament East Region game against Marquette on Thursday night, the applause at Verizon Center is likely to be very loud. Published March 27, 2013
HARRIS: The path to the national championship will go through Washington
Which is the only region in the NCAA tournament where the top four seeds advanced through the first weekend? Yep, Verizon Center is stuck Thursday night with No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 4 Syracuse and No. 2 Miami against No. 3 Marquette. Published March 26, 2013
Robert Griffin III is making progress by playing it safe - on his NCAA brackets
Robert Griffin III played it pretty safe with his NCAA tournament bracket - and still has a shot with his projected winner Miami alive in the tournament. Published March 25, 2013
