Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
Directing blame for Redskins cheerleader scandal
If you are a Redskins fan and have read the New York Times story about how some of the team's cheerleaders claim they were pressured into serving as escorts for clients and felt uncomfortable during topless photo shoots on a trip to Costa Rica, you're probably angry. Published May 3, 2018
How 1988 losing streak gave birth to Camden Yards
At some point, Baltimore and Orioles fans embraced the losing streak of 1988 and turned it into a badge of honor -- at least for the start of the season. By the end, with a 54-107 record, it wasn't as much fun. Published May 1, 2018
Ted Leonsis should know better: this team isn’t close
The Wizards just closed down another yet forgettable season in a half-century-long run of mediocrity. Change, from top to bottom, should be a topic for discussion. Published April 29, 2018
Washington’s sports Mount Rushmore would have six names
Mount Rushmore opened in 1941, and we've been rebuilding it ever since. It's become a popular measuring stick for sports greats — the Mount Rushmore of baseball players, the Mount Rushmore of NFL coaches, the Mount Rushmore of pickleball greats, among many others. Published April 26, 2018
Braden Holtby has to get hot, stay hot
If 2018 is to be the year that Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals finally make it past the second round, Holtby is key. Published April 24, 2018
Bruno Sammartino sold credibility, respectability in business that had little
I was going to see Bruno Sammartino -- the greatest wrestling champion of all time, who passed away last week at the age of 82 -- at Madison Square Garden, perhaps the greatest gift a young Italian Brooklyn boy could receive from his father. Published April 22, 2018
Dusty Baker’s impact adds up to more than 1s and 0s
Dusty Baker talks with Thom Loverro about his decision last season to stick with Jayson Werth -- arguably one of the decisions that may have led to his departure. Published April 19, 2018
Dez Bryant only has himself to blame for Dallas ouster
The reality is that Bryant will never find a more protective atmosphere than he did under Jason Garrett and the Cowboys -- a staff and organization far more willing to accept Bryant's personal baggage, his lackluster effort at times showing up teammates and other issues. Published April 17, 2018
Robert Griffin III doesn’t have to be the hero to win
If it is true humility -- and not another RG3 show -- may be the difference between the once-celebrated quarterback having any sort of career, backup or otherwise, in the NFL. Published April 15, 2018
Worst Game 1 loss since the last worst Game 1 loss
It's clear the Washington Capitals don't appreciate the postseason hump they carried into the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs Thursday night at the arena, because they only made it bigger by blowing a gift of a 2-0 lead, losing game one in overtime 4-3 to the first wild-card team in the Metro Division, the Columbus Blue Jackets. Published April 13, 2018
Redskins ripe to be replaced atop local sports hierarchy
I get why there isn't much excitement in town about the Washington Wizards and Capitals starting their respective playoff seasons. The indifference has been well earned. Published April 12, 2018
Capitals don’t need any motivational speeches after past playoff failures
The long and consistent failures of the Capitals in the playoffs in the Ovechkin early -- early exits -- can be chalked up to many things, including the randomness of playoff hockey. Published April 10, 2018
Alex Ovechkin knows there’s only one trophy that counts
Those personal milestones are nice, but there's more at stake this postseason. Published April 8, 2018
Mike Rizzo extension a bargain for Nationals
There was some grousing and booing from the announced sold-out crowd of 42,477 (there were a decent amount of empty seats), because people come to this ballpark now expecting to see their team win. Which wasn't always the case. Published April 5, 2018
Baseball’s back in D.C. and there’s nothing wrong with it
When you first see Nationals Park Thursday, take time to savor the moment. It's too easy to forget the decades that went by when the city missed out on Opening Day excitement. Published April 3, 2018
Band-aid won’t fix NFL’s wounds
Last week at the NFL owners meeting in Orlando, the league revealed its long-awaited "solution" to the concussion fears that have put the foundation of the game at risk -- fears that are prompting state legislatures to consider passing laws banning tackle football for kids. Published April 1, 2018
Lefty Driesell is a long-overdue Naismith selection
Finally, the University of Maryland's larger-than-life basketball coach from 1969 to 1986 will take his place where he belongs -- the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Published March 29, 2018
Dave Martinez must now win over Nationals fans’ trust
Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez's circle of trust is about to get a lot bigger -- more than 30,000 a game at Nationals Park and many more watching via television and other devices. Published March 27, 2018
John Lynch comments evidence of Redskins’ bungling
We all heard Redskins personnel boss Doug "Don't answer your phone" Williams declare that Kirk Cousins was old news. Published March 25, 2018
Top 10 most-dominant Washington athletes of last 20 years
Whatever Stanley Cup holes the Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin may have in his resume, he has been the most dominant athlete in Washington over the last two decades, transforming every game at the now Capital One Arena into a hockey event. Published March 22, 2018
