Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
LOVERRO: Nationals saw the greatness early in Soto
You can't separate the greatness of Juan Soto the player from Juan Soto the person. He is among the greatest players in baseball and one of the greatest hitters of all time in large part because of the remarkable maturity and composure he has displayed at every turn. Published December 9, 2024
LOVERRO: Disappointing but not surprisingly, the rookie has comes back down to earth
It had the feel of a big game - a sunny fall Sunday afternoon with a good crowd at Northwest Stadium for Commanders and Cowboys, a legendary, if somewhat frayed, rivalry. Published November 24, 2024
LOVERRO: What the NFL wants, it usually gets
The NFL is a powerful force on Capitol Hill. Published November 20, 2024
LOVERRO: Daniels, Quinn say no injury, but the rookie has cooled off
I know it may be a bit stunning, since we saw Jayden Daniels play the position in his first eight games like we have never seen a rookie play quarterback before, but maybe he is merely mortal. Published November 18, 2024
LOVERRO: That object in Gretzky’s rearview mirror is closer — much closer — than it appears
This is getting serious. When the Washington Capitals season opened, you still needed binoculars to view "The Great Chase" -- the relentless pursuit by Alex Ovechkin of the all-time NHL goal-scoring record of Wayne Gretzky. Published November 13, 2024
LOVERRO: In a yardstick game, Commanders need a few more inches
As Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was trying to lead his team in a comeback in the final minutes against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, the scene inside Northwest Stadium was a sea of towels. Gold "Terrible Towels." Published November 10, 2024
LOVERRO: Quinn is a coach who knows how to roll with the punches
Dan Quinn fell in love with boxing the same way many people fell in love with boxing -- watching the greatest three-round fight in history, the legendary 1985 brawl between Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns. Published November 7, 2024
LOVERRO: Daniels is in the midst of a magical masterpiece of a rookie season
There are some things that you can't exaggerate. The power of the sun. The soul of Otis Redding. The rookie NFL season of Jayden Daniels. Published November 4, 2024
LOVERRO: Ali’s stunning upset of Foreman began 50 years ago in hills of Pennsylvania
Deep in the heart of Africa 50 years ago, Muhammad Ali changed history, upsetting the seemingly invincible George Foreman to win back the heavyweight championship of the world that had been taken from him seven years earlier for his refusal to enter the draft during the Vietnam War. Published October 29, 2024
LOVERRO: Daniels-Williams rivalry has potential to be NFL’s next Brady-Manning
Sunday's Jayden Daniels-Caleb Williams showdown was supposed to be a sneak preview of one of the NFL's hottest coming attractions: an updated version of Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning for a new generation of fans. Published October 28, 2024
LOVERRO: Terry McLaurin, who’s always been a next-level player, now surrounded by a next-level team
Terry McLaurin has always been a guy who embraced high standards and lofty expectations. Published October 24, 2024
LOVERRO: Soto’s growing exploits as a Yankee overtake his legacy as a National
Juan Soto is gone now. He belongs to New York. He belongs to the Yankees. Published October 23, 2024
LOVERRO: Commanders don’t miss a beat while missing Daniels
Marcus Mariota, 30, the former No. 2 overall pick who had his best season in Tennessee in 2016 when he threw for 3,426 yards and 26 touchdowns, proved to be more than capable as a backup Published October 20, 2024
LOVERRO: Anniversary events more party than wake with Capitals staying in town
The Washington Capitals lost their home opener Saturday night, 5-3, to the New Jersey Devils, which was not the icing on the cake everyone hoped for while the organization celebrated its 50th anniversary. But it was still a party last week at the Capital One Arena - a 50th birthday. Published October 15, 2024
LOVERRO: Daniels keeps Commanders in the fight against Ravens
When Jayden Daniels steps on the field in big moments -- in this case, trying to bring his team back from a 27-13 Baltimore lead going into the fourth quarter -- you just believe this 23-year-old can win the game for you. Published October 13, 2024
LOVERRO: Commanders getting most bang for their buck from offseason bargain shopping
I wouldn't blame Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters if he held a press conference, stood in front of a microphone waving a copy of his team's roster, and declared, "How do you like them now?" At 4-1, going into a marquee matchup against the Ravens, I would say we pretty much like them now. Published October 10, 2024
LOVERRO: Tiant demanded attention, respect be paid to his artistry on the mound and off
Luis Tiant is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but I wouldn't be surprised if he winds up inducted posthumously. He is up for consideration next year by the Classic Baseball Era committee. That would anger him because Tiant demanded attention and respect be paid to his artistry when he was alive. Published October 9, 2024
LOVERRO: Raucous, rowdy home-field energy back in style in Landover
Before Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn answered any questions from reporters in the postgame press conference following his team's 34-13 beatdown Sunday of the visiting Cleveland Browns, he had something important he wanted to say. "I thought the fan support today was awesome," Quinn said. Published October 6, 2024
LOVERRO: Late-season issues, ownership’s level of commitment raise concerns about Nationals
Manager Dave Martinez had high hopes for his Washington Nationals squad in September -- not a championship run or anything, but he wanted to see how his young team would respond in important games with a lot on the line -- even if it was the opponents who had the most at stake. Published October 3, 2024
LOVERRO: Only Rose himself prevented the all-time hits leader’s Hall of Fame induction
If Pete Rose couldn't be honest about Pete Rose when he was alive, let us, at least, try to be in his death - Pete Rose is what stopped the all-time baseball hit leader - "the hit king," as he liked to call himself - from being in the Hall of Fame. Published October 1, 2024
