Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
LOVERRO: Several expiring contracts should make Nationals hungry for success
We've seen in sports the impact of playing for a new contract. Some or all of those whose contracts are expiring have been offered a lot of money to stay with Washington, and they said no, we want more. Published March 3, 2015
LOVERRO: Don’t give up on Wizards in Ernie Grunfeld’s second ‘Golden Age’
Wizards fans are up in arms over the team’s struggles of late, losing six consecutive games and 11 of their last 13, including an embarrassing loss to the lowly Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night. Published March 1, 2015
LOVERRO: Dave Butz’s College Hall of Fame selection a deserving honor
The Redskins may have been shut out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame this time around, but Butz was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Published February 26, 2015
LOVERRO: Nationals doing the right thing by finally honoring Frank Robinson
Washington was given a gift in 2005 not just of a baseball team, but to have the presence of such a historic figure in the history of the game connected to the baseball in this city. Finally, it is time to say thank you. Published February 24, 2015
LOVERRO: Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao fight will feel like biggest ever
To see boxing dominating the sports pages or trending daily, to see a fight become a national debate — it's been a long time, maybe more than a decade. Mayweather and Pacquiao would like to welcome you back. Published February 22, 2015
LOVERRO: Mike Shanahan confirmed fears of Robert Griffin III coddling
Shanahan confirmed the worst fears of Redskins fans — that the owner, Dan Snyder, has continued to meddle in everyday football affairs, and that the quarterback, Robert Griffin III, is every bit the self-absorbed diva he has appeared to be. Published February 19, 2015
LOVERRO: Kevin Durant speaks to media ‘friends’ — that pay him
Durant and Marshawn Lynch are freedom fighters, card-carrying members of the spoon-fed generation — stroked from the time they showed enormous talent to do what people will pay to watch them do. Published February 17, 2015
LOVERRO: Rob Manfred can’t have it both ways with Pete Rose, sports betting
Manfred, the new commissioner of baseball, has basically let everyone know that he is open for business and everything is on the table — including reinstating Rose, the all-time leader in hits, and supporting legalized sports betting. Published February 15, 2015
LOVERRO: Maryland/Indiana could be the start of a great Big Ten rivalry
As the two teams played a memorable 68-66 game, and as Maryland fans left after their Terps pulled out the victory, they might have been thinking, "Hey, this Maryland/Indiana thing could turn out to be pretty good." Published February 12, 2015
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
