Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
LOVERRO: Nationals realizing there’s more at stake in National League ‘arms race’
The Nationals thought they'd have the most dominant rotation in baseball this season, but the Dodgers, Pirates, Cardinals and, yes, the Mets have made their own claims to that title. Published July 21, 2015
LOVERRO: Nationals’ likely television windfall may end up being one of a kind
While the Nationals' local TV ratings are among the worst in the majors, they should be worried that MASN, co-owned by the Orioles and the subject of a legal challenge, will be rendered irrelevant by online streaming. Published July 19, 2015
LOVERRO: Frank Robinson slighted during MLB’s ‘Greatest Living Players’ salute
Robinson wasn't given his proper respect on Tuesday in Cincinnati, when a fan vote revealed Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax and Johnny Bench as the best living ballplayers. Published July 16, 2015
LOVERRO: Nationals’ answer for playoff skid could be found this week in Cincinnati
Like the All-Star Game, the upcoming trade deadline will be centered around Cincinnati, and the subpar Reds might not have to look much further than Washington to find a home for flamethrower Aroldis Chapman. Published July 14, 2015
LOVERRO: Nationals have two all-stars, but several others have proven their worth
In a season that has seen the Nationals' lineup decimated, again, by injury, several bench stalwarts, such as Danny Espinosa, Clint Robinson and Tyler Moore, have been able to keep the team on track. Published July 12, 2015
LOVERRO: After latest DUI arrest, Donovan McNabb struggling to cope with future
McNabb, who was arrested in a Phoenix suburb on June 28 and charged with driving under the influence, has struggled to live up to high expectations ever since he was traded to the Redskins in 2010. Published July 9, 2015
LOVERRO: Ruling a major setback for Redskins; Braves, Indians now in peril
So the football team in Washington has been forced into the reality of moving one step closer to being called something other than the name it brought down with them from Boston nearly 80 years ago -- the Redskins. Published July 8, 2015
LOVERRO: Bryce Harper skipping Home Run Derby is simple — and special
Harper, the leading vote-getter in National League all-star balloting, didn't want to participate in the Home Run Derby this year because his father, Ron, isn't able to do so. That alone is a reason for applause. Published July 7, 2015
LOVERRO: Unlike other ‘one-and-doners,’ Paul Pierce will be remembered fondly
Pierce, who has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract offer from the Clippers, brought several heart-stopping moments and a sense of leadership and responsibility to the Wizards. For that, we should be grateful. Published July 5, 2015
LOVERRO: Mike Green finally has chance to win Stanley Cup — in Detroit
Green, who signed a three-year contract with the Red Wings on Thursday, will be joining a team steeped in a tradition of winning and success. It'll be up to him to see how much he wants to pursue it. Published July 2, 2015
LOVERRO: Growing acceptance of sports betting should mean nothing for Pete Rose
At a time when professional sports leagues are contemplating embracing sports betting, Rose, who recent evidence shows bet on baseball while he was a player/manager, should still be on the outside looking in. Published June 30, 2015
LOVERRO: Wizards purged ‘knuckleheads,’ but Randy Wittman may have another
Kelly Oubre Jr. has been over the top in every aspect since he was drafted by the Wizards late last week, and taming that approach was a task neither Eddie Jordan nor Flip Saunders were able to accomplish. Published June 28, 2015
LOVERRO: Oscar De La Hoya delusional in thoughts of making a comeback
De La Hoya believes that, at 42, he can make a comeback similar to the one pulled off by Sugar Ray Leonard. In his last seven fights, over a dozen years, he won just three times, none of which were noteworthy. Published June 25, 2015
LOVERRO: After two down seasons, Danny Espinosa playing valuable role for Nationals
Espinosa has played around the diamond and even in the outfield this year for the Nationals, steadying himself after it appeared his time in Washington would run out following a run of injuries and a demotion to the minors. Published June 23, 2015
LOVERRO: Max Scherzer’s no-hitter went just as the Nationals had planned
Scherzer knew exactly what he wanted to do on Saturday against the Pirates -- and the Nationals also knew exactly how they wanted their defense to play behind him. Published June 21, 2015
LOVERRO: Max Scherzer makes history with Nationals’ second no-hitter
The fans at Nationals Park were roaring early Saturday afternoon. They kept roaring because they knew then the game had gone from a pitching duel to one pitcher's memorable performance: their pitcher. Published June 20, 2015
LOVERRO: Earnest Byner, known for ‘The Fumble,’ still feels Cleveland’s pain
The running back, whose late fumble in the AFC championship game in 1987 cost the Browns a shot at the Super Bowl, has embraced his place in the city's sports lore -- making it easy for him to pull for the Cavaliers. Published June 18, 2015
LOVERRO: Back where he started, Stephen Strasburg still has much to prove
Strasburg made his professional debut with Double-A Harrisburg five years ago, and when he takes the mound for the Senators on Wednesday for a rehab start, he'll still be a far way from the pitcher everyone thought he'd be. Published June 16, 2015
THOM LOVERRO: Redskins fandom could shift from location of possible new stadium
Redskins officials appear ready to start the move, entertaining discussions for a new home with officials from Maryland, the District and Virginia. Virginia would seem to have the edge. But the presence of a nearby NFL franchise may complicate that scenario. Published June 14, 2015
THOM LOVERRO: Sports teams betting on dips into gene pools
I'm not sure if it's a new method of sabermetrics, but the gene pool seems to be a hot way to pick talent these days, as teams are betting on bloodlines. Published June 11, 2015
