Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
THOM LOVERRO: Salisbury, North Carolina, an oasis of hope for sports media
Sports writers and broadcasters flocked to the small town outside of Charlotte to be honored for the work they do in their respective fields -- at a time when that work is often publicly ridiculed and attacked by anonymous critics with keyboard muscles, or dismissed by wealthy athletes with agent-driven personal web sites. Published June 9, 2015
THOM LOVERRO: Joe Ross the latest glimpse to Nationals’ pipeline
Did you like what you saw Saturday on the mound from 22-year-old Ross at Nationals Park? You may be seeing more of him -- maybe a lot more next season. You may have been looking at one of the members of the Washington Nationals' 2016 starting rotation. Published June 7, 2015
LOVERRO: No way picking up Robert Griffin III’s option was a no-brainer
Despite president Bruce Allen's recent insistence, the decision by the Redskins to pick up a hefty option on Griffin's contract for 2016 was anything but the most logical of decisions. Published June 4, 2015
LOVERRO: With Nationals’ bullpen in flux, loss of Craig Stammen hurting the most
Stammen, who had pitched the most innings in the major leagues dating to 2010, tore a flexor muscle in his right arm earlier this season. His unavailability has sapped the Nationals of their most reliable bullpen arm. Published June 2, 2015
LOVERRO: LeBron James’ place among the basketball greats still up for discussion
One could suggest that the debate over the greatest basketball player would center around James and Michael Jordan, but when considering the scope of the game, the argument isn't that clear. Published May 31, 2015
LOVERRO: DeSean Jackson looking out for ‘Home Team’ with recent absence
A year ago, Jackson said that "championships are won" because of near-perfect attendance at voluntary offseason workouts. His absence this week, undoubtedly tied to his TV show, shows how invested he is in the team. Published May 28, 2015
LOVERRO: Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer providing a little edge to the Nationals
The Nationals have become yet another lightning rod in the nation's capital, with Harper's play and Scherzer's antics among the things that have started to irk players and teams around the country. Published May 26, 2015
LOVERRO: The second coming of Stephen Strasburg seems to be a long way away
Strasburg, who former Nationals manager Frank Robinson termed "The Savior" on the night of his debut in 2010, has been dominant, down on his luck and disabled. Now, with a 6.50 ERA, he's just disappointing. Published May 24, 2015
LOVERRO: David Letterman’s memorable moments were often tied in with sports
Letterman, the late-night talk show host whose final show was broadcast Wednesday night, is a huge sports fan -- and two of his frequent guests, Harmon Killebrew and Artie Donovan, were local sports legends. Published May 21, 2015
LOVERRO: Welcome to ‘BryceFest.’ Make sure to sit back, relax and enjoy the show
Bryce Harper's recent tear through the major leagues, including consecutive National League Player of the Week honors, is what the Nationals needed, expected and wanted as soon as they drafted him. Published May 19, 2015
LOVERRO: By now, second-round playoff exits unacceptable for Washington fans
The recent losses by the Wizards and Capitals in the second round should be hard to stomach, considering the city's major sports teams never seem to be able to get past that obstacle. Published May 17, 2015
LOVERRO: No matter the perspective, Capitals’ playoff loss is still a collapse
First-year coach Barry Trotz and his players can say the Capitals are heading in the right direction, but another loss in the second round of the playoffs, especially after a 3-1 series lead, makes them the same old team. Published May 14, 2015
THOM LOVERRO: Alex Oveckin’s prediction of Game 7 win a declaration of desperation
Who knew when Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz compared Ovechkin to Mark Messier following his team's game one win over the New York Rangers, Ovechkin would take it seriously? Published May 12, 2015
LOVERRO: Urgency avoids Capitals, who again face elimination after big series lead
The Capitals needed to approach Game 6 on Sunday night as if it were they, and not the Rangers, who were on the brink of being eliminated. And, in typical fashion, they folded. Published May 10, 2015
LOVERRO: Point blame at Manny Pacquiao for Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight debacle
Much of the outrage is directed toward Pacquiao and the fact that he had injured his shoulder while training and failed to disclose it to Nevada boxing officials. That resulting in his inability to receive a pain-killing shot the night of the fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Published May 10, 2015
LOVERRO: Floyd Mayweather Jr. got his money’s worth, but the fans didn’t
There were a lot of angry people who were $100 lighter after watching Mayweather surgically take apart Manny Pacquiao on his way to a unanimous decision in their much-anticipated 12-round showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night. They paid to watch Sugar Ray Leonard-Roberto Duran I. Instead, they got Leonard-Duran II. Published May 3, 2015
LOVERRO: Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao setting stage for future of boxing
Executives from rival networks joined together to help make the superfight happen, but interest in the sport when the fight is over will be dictated by what happens with the top fighters afterward. Published April 30, 2015
LOVERRO: Leonard Ellerbe among the first to see something in Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Ellerbe became Mayweather’s advisor in 1997, shortly after he began his professional career. Now, 18 years later, he stands front and center of what will likely be the most lucrative fight in the history of boxing. Published April 28, 2015
LOVERRO: DeMarcus Corley valuable as Floyd Mayweather’s sparring partner
No one who has fought Mayweather, undefeated at 47-0 in his nearly 20-year career, has ever had the talented fighter in as much trouble as Corley, a Washington native, once did. Published April 26, 2015
LOVERRO: Former local public relations gurus in Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao corners
You may see Sternburg and Swanson in and out of the ring on May 2 for the much-anticipated Mayweather-Pacquiao fight in Las Vegas, protecting the fighters as their respective public relations representatives. Published April 23, 2015
