Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
LOVERRO: When local athletes need tickets or advice, they call ‘The Fixer’
If you are in the sports business in this town, sooner or later, you will hear about a mystery man who is, as they say, the man you need to see if you want to get things done. Eric Shuster's shorter — and more apt — title might simply be, "The Fixer." Published February 10, 2015
LOVERRO: Dean Smith life’s was about much more than basketball
Smith was the gold standard for coaching, yet he was known just as much for his compassion and courage. He was known for his character as much as his championships. Published February 8, 2015
LOVERRO: To reach Rob Manfred’s goal, youth baseball’s structure must change first
Rob Manfred was crowned commissioner 35 miles north of the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy last summer, and when he officially took his seat on the throne last month, Manfred laid out the business plan for his new administration. Published February 5, 2015
LOVERRO: Pete Carroll complicated a simple story for the Seahawks on Sunday
If you had told Carroll before Super Bowl XLIX that the Seahawks would be down 28-24 with about a minute left and he would have the ball at the goal line for three shots by Marshawn Lynch, he would have taken that every time. Instead, he decided he was bigger than the moment. Published February 3, 2015
LOVERRO: NFL getting discounted rate for investigations?
In the old days, the Super Bowl used to be the end of the NFL season — the days before Roger Goodell reigned over the league. Now, though, there is the investigation wrap-up portion of the league schedule — which, despite being time-consuming, the NFL is getting at some sort of discounted rate. Published February 1, 2015
LOVERRO: Junior Seau’s likely Hall of Fame selection could be troublesome for NFL
The NFL's concussion nightmare is about to blow up again with the likely election of Seau to the shrine for the very game that his family members say drove him to suicide. Published January 29, 2015
LOVERRO: Paths diverged in Richmond when Patriots, Redskins shared practice
Crowds filled the Bon Secours Redskins Training Center for a chance to get a first-hand look at the Patriots excellence that led to three Super Bowl titles and five AFC championships — and a preview of a sixth. Published January 27, 2015
LOVERRO: Ernie Banks a greater ‘champion’ than Bill Belichick
Banks was one of the greatest players of the 20th century, the greatest power hitting shortstop ever, and we remember him for his decency. That man died Friday night. And we're supposed to care about someone like Belichick today? Published January 25, 2015
LOVERRO: Personality wipes out transgression in NFL
Ray Rice, you had a rough 2014. You knocked your future wife out on a New Jersey casino elevator and the whole world (save for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell) saw it. You don't know what future, if any, you have in the NFL. Published January 22, 2015
LOVERRO: Scott Boras becoming pope of D.C. baseball
Pope Francis will reportedly visit Washington, D.C. on his trip to the United States this fall. Maybe he will get a chance to have an audience with Scott Boras. Published January 20, 2015
LOVERRO: Keeping Tyler Clippard a luxury the Nationals couldn’t afford
The Lerner family is going to keep this team's payroll in the $140 million neighborhood — an upscale, if not luxury, neighborhood. In order to do that, you can't be paying the setup reliever $9 million. Published January 18, 2015
LOVERRO: Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather fight would be end of an era
The only thing bigger than a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight being close is an actual Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. When that happens — if that happens — you can break down the ring and put it away in a storage unit. Published January 15, 2015
LOVERRO: Joe Jacoby still waiting for his Hall of Fame selection
Jacoby has been a semifinalist three consecutive years and five times overall. But he can’t make the finalist cut. Who he failed to block during his career to fall short of a Hall of Famer, I don’t know. Published January 13, 2015
LOVERRO: Want a glimpse of the Redskins’ future? Look at the Seahawks’ present
Why would Redskins fans get any satisfaction over a Seahawks win? Because the man who supposedly helped build the roster of the defending Super Bowl champions was introduced Friday as the alleged new architect of Washington Redskins personnel. Published January 11, 2015
LOVERRO: The Redskins have a new savior. How’d the last few work out?
You recognize that feeling in your gut. It’s very familiar. It was there five years ago, and six years before that, and two years before that. It’s called hope. You must hate hope by now. Published January 8, 2015
Hall of Fame voters got it right by electing Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and others
Somehow, despite headlines like "Baseball's broken Hall of Fame process" and "Hall of Fame PED hypocrisy must end," baseball writers managed to elect four qualified Hall of Fame candidates. Published January 6, 2015
LOVERRO: Bruce Allen’s platitudes would have disgusted his father
Allen's father, former Redskins coach George Allen, knew how hollow future promise was after a long history of failure past. Then again, the father would have never given his team a pat on the back for winning two games and trying. Published January 4, 2015
LOVERRO: Winter Classic victory may be start of something special in D.C. in 2015
The sun rose on the first day of 2015 — and it was a bright sun, a signal of a new dawn in Washington sports thanks to the Washington Capitals, delivering a message that redefined hope in this town. Published January 1, 2015
LOVERRO: Former Winter Classic hero Eric Fehr ready for Capitals’ outdoor showcase
The last time Fehr played in the Winter Classic, he made the most of the opportunity, scoring two goals to lead the Capitals to a 3-1 win over the rival Penguins in Pittsburgh in 2011 before a standing-room only crowd of more than 68,000 frenzied fans. Published December 30, 2014
LOVERRO: Years later, still no debate over steroid users in Hall of Fame
For some reason, it is difficult for some voters to face the tough decisions of judging admitted or proven cheaters who used performance-enhancing substances to make their Hall of Fame case. Published December 25, 2014
