Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
LOVERRO: Don’t underestimate importance of Nationals’ community connections
You can't quantify the emotional value to a community to have an institution like the Washington Nationals, from April through September and during the winter, reach out — connections that didn't exist before baseball came to Washington in 2005. Published June 15, 2014
LOVERRO: As Baseball Hall celebrates 75th anniversary, people will come
The predictions of the demise of the Baseball Hall of Fame because of the absence of some of the biggest stars of the steroid era have been greatly exaggerated. That's about the change dramatically next month, and for years to come. Published June 12, 2014
LOVERRO: Nats much better off with Michael Morse gone
There are still Nationals fans that believe that Morse is the missing piece of Washington's championship puzzle — which is puzzling, considering his dismal performance last season. Morse should be celebrated by Nationals fans — for what he brought to Washington with his departure. Published June 10, 2014
LOVERRO: @RGIII and the @Redskins, influencing people one #hashtag at a time
Robert Griffin III is connecting with and building an army of loyal, devoted followers who he reaches out to daily through social media. They do love SuperBob, because they believe he loves them. He cares about them. It's a beautiful thing. It's also brilliant. Published June 8, 2014
LOVERRO: Triple Crown should have been Smarty Jones’ to wear
California Chrome may wind up being the Triple Crown winner, but he was not the horse who should have been the next winner of horse racing's highest trifecta. No, the horse who was right — and ripe — to be America's next Triple Crown winner won at Churchill Downs and Pimlico, but came up just short at Belmont Park 10 years ago. Published June 5, 2014
LOVERRO: Ryan Ripken a rare recognizable name in MLB draft
Yes, time has passed by that quickly, and Cal Ripken's son — Ryan, the 2-year-old Cal lifted in his arms and held that historic night when he broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive game record at Camden Yards 19 years ago — is now a 20-year-old, 6-foot-6 junior college ballplayer. Published June 3, 2014
LOVERRO: Quest for 2024 Olympics a race D.C. is better off losing
Unfortunately, the powers that be in Washington are still committed to wasting more money and resources for a chance to host an event that, at the very least, will make nearly all of your lives miserable for an entire summer, or, at the very worst, send governments into economic tailspins and leave broken dreams in its wake. Published June 1, 2014
LOVERRO: Will Redskins rue Morocco Brown as another one who got away?
The general manager of the Super Bowl champion Seahawks, John Schneider, was once in the Redskins' front office — as were others on his Super Bowl-winning staff. Did the Redskins repeat the same mistake when they let Morocco Brown leave for Cleveland? Published May 29, 2014
LOVERRO: Ted Leonsis takes easy way with Caps hires, but success will boil down to Alex Ovechkin
Talk about a safe choice for GM. I'm surprised Ted Leonsis didn't just hire George McPhee back and ask him to change his name and wear a disguise. At least he didn't just give the job to Ernie Grunfeld. Published May 27, 2014
LOVERRO: Memorial to baseball’s lost would be fitting tribute
Before Memorial Day became a celebration of barbecues, discount sales and ball games, it was a day when the men and women who died while serving in the United States armed forces would be remembered. Perhaps there should be a place at Nationals Park to commemorate the 139 pro ballplayers who died in World War II. Published May 25, 2014
LOVERRO: Fight against NFL’s pill-pushing culture has been waged before
A group of NFL players field a lawsuit Tuesday charging that NFL team doctors and trainers gave out narcotics and painkillers like "candy at Halloween" during their playing careers, leading to addiction and serious long-term health problems. This is the path that Walt Sweeney walked down nearly 20 years ago. It didn't end well for him. Published May 22, 2014
LOVERRO: Mike Rizzo will get credit or blame for how 2014 Nationals fare
When this happens — when the starting players who nearly everyone predicted for the second straight season to lead the Nationals to the NL East title and the postseason aren't starting — then the season falls on the spare parts used to carry the team until they get whole. The season falls on general manager Mike Rizzo. Published May 20, 2014
LOVERRO: Wizards’ lack of accountability leads to Game 6 apathy
Those empty seats were created in 2010, when Leonsis bought the team and did nothing to show fans that the man in charge, whose personnel decisions and coddling atmosphere set the stage for the Gilbert Arenas debacle, would be leaving. Instead, Leonsis embraced general manager Ernie Grunfeld. Published May 18, 2014
LOVERRO: Rafael Soriano make you nervous? Don’t hate — appreciate
It's not that Nationals fans don't feel connected to their team's closer. Their connection is anxiety. But for now, take your hands away from your eyes and show a little love for the 34-year-old Dominican who untucks his jersey after every save. He's telling you to relax. Published May 15, 2014
LOVERRO: Remembering Joe Louis at 100, a heavyweight champ like no other
When Joe Louis was the heavyweight champion, they held title fights in ballparks, with 70,000 people on hand, and the heavyweight championship was the most important title in the world. Published May 13, 2014
LOVERRO: Accountability begins anew with Redskins’ draft class
Defensive end Trent Murphy? That's on this crew's tab. So is offensive tackle Moses Morgan and the six other players they selected in the 2014 draft. Published May 11, 2014
LOVERRO: Redskins history shows you don’t need first-round draft picks to excel
The Redskins had a selection in the first round of the NFL draft just three times — three times — from 1969 to 1990. And they managed to do just fine without one. With the opportunity to pick in the top round in the draft only three times, the Redskins had a remarkable record of 205-118. Published May 8, 2014
LOVERRO: Drew Gooden, the Verizon Center houseguest who never left
Gooden is on the roster because Nene got in trouble this season — the typical Nene injury trouble— and Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld is a nice guy. Being nice paid off for Washington Monday night in Indianapolis . Published May 6, 2014
LOVERRO: Wizards are the real deal, but enjoy them while you can
They exceeded expectations basketball-wise and heart-wise by handling the experienced Chicago Bulls in five games, and it's reasonable to see this team beating Indiana and likely facing the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals. Beyond this season, though ... Published May 4, 2014
LOVERRO: Bob Dandridge likes what he sees in current brand of D.C. hoops
"The city is getting behind this team," said the 66-year-old former Bullets star. "There is an enthusiasm and excitement there now. And the players can feel the excitement that something big is going to happen." Published May 1, 2014
