Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
Max Scherzer takes Harper’s spot on throne
The former king of Nationals Park has left town. Now the realm belongs to Max Scherzer, who will take the mound Thursday afternoon on Opening Day at Nationals Park against his rival Cy Young winner from last season, the New York Mets' Jacob deGrom. Published March 26, 2019
Tom Izzo meltdown wrong, even if he is a legend
Michigan State strongman Tom Izzo will be coming to town this week as part of the NCAA Tournament East Regionals at the Capital One Arena. It hasn't been determined yet if extra D.C. police will be assigned to protect his players from their beloved coach. Published March 24, 2019
Lamont Peterson part of great week in D.C. sports
It's one of those weeks coming up in the Washington area -- one of those special weeks when the sports menu is full of great local choices. Published March 21, 2019
Mike Trout cuts short Harper bragging rights
Bryce Harper and his agent had what they most wanted -- baseball's richest contract. For 19 days, at least. Published March 19, 2019
Landon Collins comes with hidden costs
How much better is Landon Collins than D.J. Swearinger? Is he that much better than Swearinger? Published March 17, 2019
Dan Snyder still feels the Sean Taylor pain
The Landon Collins signing -- six years, $84 million, with $45 million, mind you, of that guaranteed -- appears to be a Dan Snyder-driven move. It's a high-priced, high-profile early free agency attention-grabber. Published March 14, 2019
Russell Westbrook’s run-in with Utah Jazz fans is NBA’s latest public relations nightmare
For a league that took years to recover from the "Malice in the Palace," when players went into the stands and attacked fans, the NBA can't sit idly by as one of its stars threatens fans as if he was in a nightclub and someone bumped into him or looked at him the wrong way. Published March 12, 2019
Tom Seaver made being Mets fan cool
The news last week that 74-year-old Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver is suffering from dementia and is retiring from public life shook the city of New York and Mets fans, both of whom have been given a lifetime of memories by one of the greatest right-handed hurlers to ever pick up a baseball. Published March 10, 2019
Steve Buckhantz a Wizards feature that works
Ted Leonsis seems to have found a way to get the dwindling, diminished, demolished Washington Wizards fanbase fired up and passionate about something: The boss is considering cutting loose perhaps the only good thing about the basketball team. Published March 7, 2019
Anthony Rendon will get paid
The Nationals can't let another star walk. Here's why they won't. Published March 5, 2019
Bryce Harper and Scott Boras twist the narrative
If we are to believe the Philadelphia Bryce Harper, the D.C. Bryce Harper never wanted to leave Washington. So why isn't he still a Washington National? Published March 3, 2019
Bryce Harper, flawed hero, now MLB’s best villain
Washington Nationals fans are about to find out that the next best thing to rooting for Bryce Harper is rooting against him. Published February 28, 2019
Nationals pitchers a club of Tommy John surgery success stories
No one wants to be in this club that doesn't have to be. Still, the days when a torn ulnar collateral ligament was a career-ender are fading faster than ever, and there are few clubhouses where that is more evident than here in the Nationals locker room. Published February 26, 2019
Nationals’ weaknesses up the middle last season are this year’s strengths
You'll have to excuse everyone in West Palm Beach if they are feeling good about their team this season. What were weaknesses last season are now strengths up the middle -- at catcher, second base and center field. Published February 25, 2019
Robert Kraft shines spotlight on real victims of sex trade
Kraft's bizarre trips to the Orchards of Asia Day Spa may have sounded the alarm to a sex slavery problem that others have devoted their lives to stopping. Published February 24, 2019
Victor Robles, Nationals outfielder, can finally show he’s worth the wait
We've all had glimpses here and there, but it appears everyone will finally get a long look this season, with Robles penciled in as the Nationals' starting center fielder. It could be well worth the wait. Published February 21, 2019
Anthony Rendon’s free agency won’t be Bryce Harper-esque
This sequel will be different. Rendon, 28, is no more at ease with the media attention -- he would rather chew broken glass than do a press conference -- than Harper, but there were no threats to walk out. There was a recognition of responsibility. Published February 20, 2019
Trea Turner brings similar expectations to Manny Machado, just at a lower price tag
Turner cost Washington $577,000 last year. He will cost them $3.7 million this year. He won't be eligible for free agency until 2023. And Turner may be just as exciting to watch as Machado this season if he delivers on Nationals manager Davey Martinez's goal for him. Published February 19, 2019
Juan Soto steps into spotlight that was Harper’s
20-year-old Juan Soto arrived at spring training in West Palm Beach Monday amid the kind of attention and fanfare typically paid to team leaders and stars. Published February 18, 2019
Dan Snyder the ‘peddler’ can’t sell a Redskins stadium
No one wants to stand next to Snyder these days, save those getting paid to do so. His public image has never been lower. It's as if the years of losing, the heavy-handed mismanagement and the long list of other issues -- including the controversial Redskins name -- are finally dragging under a franchise that was once an NFL showcase. Published February 17, 2019
