Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
LOVERRO: Mo’Ne Davis would be rooted on by Lizzie Murphy, the original ‘Queen of Baseball’
Only 18 girls have ever played in the Little League World Series, and just four of them have been American. So now we celebrate the return of young girls — and maybe women — to the game of baseball with boys and perhaps men as if it is breaking new ground. It is, though, a return. Published August 17, 2014
LOVERRO: As Bud Selig exits, D.C. should be thankful for his work
Baseball named a new commissioner Thursday to succeed Bud Selig, who can now at least continue his farewell tour knowing that his hand-picked successor, Rob Manfred, is in place. When he comes to Washington as part of that tour, the city should hold a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue in his honor. Published August 14, 2014
LOVERRO: As 3rd NFL season nears, ‘hopefully’ Robert Griffin III is ‘making progress’
Progress from what, exactly? The quarterback who threw 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions in his record-breaking rookie season? The one who played on one leg last year, with just one receiver and an offensive line that leaked like a sieve, still managed to throw 16 touchdown passes and 3,200 yards in 13 games? Published August 12, 2014
LOVERRO: Will Nats-Orioles MASN dispute keep All-Stars away?
The Washington Nationals have been pushing hard to host the 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star game. And as of the All-Star game in July in Minneapolis, it looked as if it was going to happen. Washington's competition for the 2017 games is one of the cities lobbying to host the 2016 All-Star game — Baltimore. Published August 10, 2014
LOVERRO: After 60 years in Baltimore, the Orioles Way endures
The Baltimore Orioles are celebrating their 60th anniversary in Charm City with a ceremony Friday at Camden Yards, and over those 60 years, their fans have led a charmed baseball life. Published August 7, 2014
LOVERRO: Redskins’ preseason opener features plenty to watch, starting with QB
It may be just a preseason game, but Thursday night at FedEx Field is the first time we will officially see the unchained Washington Redskins when they face the New England Patriots. Published August 5, 2014
LOVERRO: Pick a side in war of Nats-O’s boardrooms
Boys and girls, it's getting serious between the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles, who come to Nationals Park Monday for one leftover Battle of the Beltways contest. Published August 3, 2014
LOVERRO: The Patriots are coming to Redskins’ training camp for the wrong reasons
The Redskins have invited the Patriots to practice with them at their Bon Secours training center in Richmond starting Monday through Wednesday, before their first preseason game Thursday at FedEx Field. Somebody thought this was a good idea. Published July 31, 2014
LOVERRO: Redskins should be great before declaring greatness
The Washington Redskins seems to exist in two worlds. There is the world where they look at themselves in the mirror and say to everyone, "Damn, we're great. How can we lose? Then there is the world they have won 149 games and lost 212 since they last time they were great and couldn't lose. Published July 29, 2014
LOVERRO: Hall of Fame is one birthday present A-Rod will never unwrap
Alex Rodriguez got a birthday present Sunday on the day of his 39th birthday. The Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies took place in Cooperstown — another reminder for A-Rod of what he has lost. Published July 27, 2014
LOVERRO: These are Bruce Allen’s Washington Redskins now
Allen has become the most powerful person owner Daniel Snyder has ever employed since he purchased the team in 1999. He arrived here in the final weeks of the 2009 debacle, the valet for soon-to-be-hired head coach and executive vice president Mike Shanahan, and now rules over everything Redskins. Published July 24, 2014
LOVERRO: CBS Sports leaves broadcasters hanging in Redskins name debate
This winter, CBS paid $250 million for the rights to broadcast eight Thursday night games. Upon announcing the deal, Sean McManus declared, "The NFL is the most powerful programming in television." Apparently, not as powerful as any broadcasters who, after announcing Redskins games throughout their career, may have suddenly decided they can't live with themselves anymore and will no longer use the name. Published July 22, 2014
LOVERRO: Who are the men behind D.C. 2024 curtain?
The local Olympics bid is likely going to be some form of Maryland, D.C., and Virginia effort. Local organizers are trying to do all they can to hide their bid and keep the public in the dark as long as possible, until, perhaps, through some sort of cursed miracle, all of a sudden you wake up one morning and find out the Olympics are coming to the Washington region in 2024. Published July 20, 2014
LOVERRO: Ian Desmond could follow Jeter model in D.C.
Jeter hit the trifecta for a sports icon — money, love and respect. Desmond should have been paying close attention to Derek Jeter's All-Star evening. He, too, has that rare opportunity to win that triple crown. Published July 17, 2014
LOVERRO: Red Klotz an unquestioned winner despite 14,000 losses
Klotz, who died Saturday at 93, was best known for being the coach of the biggest losers the game of basketball has ever seen — the Washington Generals, the patsy for the Harlem Globetrotters — from 1953 to 1995. He lost and lost and lost. And people loved him for it. Published July 15, 2014
LOVERRO: As King James returns home, all is forgiven
James was the best player on the Miami Heat, leading them to four straight Eastern Conference titles and two NBA championships. But he was never the most beloved player on that team — the man. Now James returns to the Cavaliers, more empowered than ever, ruling over a basketball franchise that will surely respond to his every whim, however petty, to keep the King happy. Published July 13, 2014
LOVERRO: Suck-up Buck Showalter needs history lesson
Buck, the reason for the very existence of the franchise you work for now is because the owner of the Washington Senators was kind enough to let them have a team in Baltimore. And the reason you have this wonderful ballpark to play in is because of Washington and its baseball fans. Published July 10, 2014
LOVERRO: Jordan Zimmermann validates wisdom of Nats’ Strasburg shutdown plan
I'm not going to argue the merits of the Strasburg shutdown yet again. But often overlooked in all the debate about Strasburg was the fact that this was the recovery plan the organization came up with for the pitcher who preceded Strasburg in the surgery and recovery path — and has made two All-Star teams since returning. Published July 8, 2014
LOVERRO: ‘Ulterior motives’ at Redskins Park — but who was to blame?
It's not a stretch to reason that Robert Griffin III has taken another veiled shot at former coach Mike Shanahan and/or his son, former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. But we don't know, because he didn't pin the ulterior motives on anyone in particular. Published July 6, 2014
LOVERRO: ‘Luckiest man’ Lou Gehrig gave us gift of perspective 75 years ago
On Friday, July 4th, America will rediscover its connection with Lou Gehrig by the reminder of the courage of the Iron Horse's words on July 4th, 1939 — 75 years ago, when a courageous man dying of an incurable disease stood on the field at Yankee Stadium and told everyone he was the "luckiest man on the face of this earth." Published July 3, 2014
