Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
LOVERRO: Ali’s mountaintop retreat prepared him for war, offered him peace
It was the place where Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Andy Warhol, Sylvester Stallone, the Jackson Five and many other celebrities came to watch Muhammad Ali work and hold court. Published September 23, 2021
LOVERRO: A pattern emerges — and for Chase Young and Co., it’s not a pretty one
Them Loverro gets that the NFL is a week-to-week league, and a win is a win, all of it. But the hyped Washington defense is developing a pattern of taking too much punishment. Published September 19, 2021
LOVERRO: Waldorf’s baseball treasure climbing into record books a game at a time
Last week, Stan Cliburn won his 1,800th game as a minor league manager, leading the Atlantic League's Southern Maryland Blue Crabs to a doubleheader sweep over the York Revolution. He's managed 3,631 games total, and those numbers have him on the brink of cracking the all-time top 25 for minor league managers. Published September 16, 2021
LOVERRO: The solution at quarterback? Not on this Washington roster
Face it: Washington will face a mismatch at quarterback most weeks this season -- whether Ryan Fitzpatrick returns, or Taylor Heinicke gets the call or Kyle Allen takes over the job. Published September 12, 2021
LOVERRO: ‘Are you not entertained?’ Yes Maximus, we are, so add a 17th game
There is no honest "data" that says the danger isn't going to go up when players, who are at risk every time they step on the field, are asked to play one more game. Ask factory workers who work 50 hours a week or more instead of 40. Published September 8, 2021
LOVERRO: New Orleans storm refugee made lifelong Nationals connection
As Hurricane Ida bore down on New Orleans last month, Benjamin Camp wasn't going to risk winding up being stuck in a flooded house, rescued by boat and helicopter, and then flown to some unknown location. Not again. Published September 6, 2021
LOVERRO: In Thomas, Nationals may have found a gem sitting on the shelf
Outfielder Lane Thomas, who seemed like an afterthought pickup at the trade deadline a few weeks back, is making a name for himself with the Washington Nationals. Published September 1, 2021
LOVERRO: Ruiz, Gray signal new chapter for Nationals
Retooling instead of a complete overhaul makes sense in a division like the National League East, where no one seems to be able to run away from the field. Published August 29, 2021
LOVERRO: District’s Sternburg has been there, step by step, with Pacquiao all this time
Manny Pacquiao's epic journey, still ongoing, has been of the great stories in sports for decades, and one of the architects of the tale has been Fred Sternburg, a favorite son of the District who learned from one of the masters, Charlie Brotman. Published August 26, 2021
LOVERRO: Maryland, Virginia, District can demand honesty from Snyder
There may be a way to give a voice in the future to those who wind up muzzled by nondisclosure agreements -- legal contracts that pay accusers for their silence -- wielded by powerful sports owners. At least here in Washington, as it relates to Dan Snyder, there may be. Published August 22, 2021
Loverro: Remembering ‘Over-the-Hill Gang’ member Rich Milot
Rich Milot passed away last week at the age of 64, leaving several generations of Washington football teammates in mourning. Published August 16, 2021
LOVERRO: Biles made right decision to withdraw, but isn’t worthy of canonization
This was a competition decision, one that is part of the world of gymnastics. It prevented her from competing, so she didn't compete. Yet her legion of protectors sought to paint this as some sort of seminal moment in sports, where an athlete refuses to compete because of mental health issues, an overreaction and overcompensation to protect her legacy and defend her decision. Published August 9, 2021
LOVERRO: Nationals’ reboot likely to test owners’ commitment to winning
We knew that Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo could build a baseball team. Now we know he can raze one. ... Rizzo is not a big fan of rebuilding. We'll see if he has the resources that he's had for this past reign of success. Published August 2, 2021
LOVERRO: Rodgers, Packers boss Murphy come from different worlds
Is Aaron Rodgers -- who reported to training camp after giving every indication he wouldn't play for the Packers again -- really back? Published July 27, 2021
LOVERRO: Unseld name carries weight, good and bad, for Wizards fans
The Unseld name carries a lot of weight. But for Washington Wizards fans, it also comes with a lot of baggage from Wes Unseld Sr.'s losing stints as the team's vice president, coach and general manager. Published July 18, 2021
LOVERRO: Two-way Ohtani takes center stage at All-Star Game
Ohtani, 27, is the starting pitcher for the American League All-Stars, facing off Tuesday night against the National League starter Max Scherzer. For Scherzer -- 7-4 with a 2.66 ERA this season -- it's a fourth All-Star Game start. For Ohtani -- 4-1 with a 3.49 ERA and 33 home runs -- it's an acknowledgment of one of the most remarkable seasons since the days of Babe Ruth. Published July 12, 2021
LOVERRO: Berra, Campanella defined an era of greatness
Playing in the same city -- one in the National League, the other in the American League -- Yogi Berra and Roy Campanella each won three league most valuable player awards. It was a five-year run of unprecedented excellence recognized for the position. Published July 4, 2021
Snyder’s slap on the wrist isn’t so surprising. NFL’s brazen hypocrisy, though, is stunning
So how do we think it went, that little chat? You know, the conversation between NFL lackey Beth Wilkinson and the man in charge of league lackeys, Commissioner Roger Goodell -- the one about Dan Snyder and the sexual harassment scandal inside his Washington Football Team organization. Published July 2, 2021
LOVERRO: The real story behind Dan Snyder’s twisted fairy tale
It's always someone else's fault. It's Bruce Allen's fault. It's Mike Shanahan's fault. It's the minority owners' fault. Published June 29, 2021
LOVERRO: Villanova’s Wright would be right pick to change Wizards’ loser culture
Sheppard is stepping up to the plate now in a key moment, a moment that could change the fortunes of a franchise that has been walking in the desert for more than 40 years. And the swing he needs to take is just up the interstate in Philadelphia. Published June 21, 2021
