Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
LOVERRO: Strasburg earned place in hearts of fans, teammates
Everyone who was in soldout Nationals Park the day Stephen Strasburg made his MLB debut likely remembers. The hype, for once, was real. Strasburg, Washington's No. 1 draft pick in 2009, struck out 14 Pittsburgh Pirates in seven innings on his way to a 5-2 win. Published April 7, 2024
LOVERRO: Larry Lucchino’s mission to save baseball began in Baltimore
Lucchino passed away this week at 78 with a resume unrivaled in sports, one that makes you wonder why they will have waited until he died before enshrining him in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He will have a plaque there soon, maybe before the one he should have had years ago in the Orioles Hall of Fame. Published April 4, 2024
LOVERRO: Qatar cash undercuts Leonsis, Monumental message of LGBTQ inclusivity
Here is how Pride Night is celebrated in Qatar, Monumental Sports' business partner: Any public display of LGBTQ support would likely result in arrest and hard jail time that would include interrogations to reveal to the police anything you may know about other LGBTQ people in hiding in the Islamic country. Published April 3, 2024
LOVERRO: An opening day with something new in the air: Hope
It was the home opener Monday at Nationals Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and that's not something any Washington baseball fan should ever take for granted. Published April 1, 2024
LOVERRO: Keeping Leonsis and his teams may cost District any chance of landing Commanders
Ted Leonsis' lack of preparation for the political fight for his proposed arena project in Virginia, a politically volatile state, was stunning. Published March 28, 2024
LOVERRO: Commanders may need to weigh ‘mom factor’ on draft day
Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn told the NFL Network last week that it would "be fair to envision we'd be taking a quarterback" with the second pick in the draft next month. Published March 27, 2024
LOVERRO: Angelos, the Orioles and one drama after another (after another)
The relationship between Peter Angelos, who died Saturday at the age of 94, and the press would sour as the team fell into a dysfunctional abyss for 14 straight losing seasons. But in those first years of ownership, Angelos loved bending the ears of the sportswriters who covered him and his team. Published March 25, 2024
LOVERRO: Rivera’s ballyhooed ‘roster building’ meant zilch to new brain trust
Adam Peters and Dan Quinn really didn't think much of what Ron Rivera left in the building. Published March 18, 2024
LOVERRO: Lipscomb making plays in a play to join Nationals infield
There are more heralded names in the group of young prospects seen as the foundation of the Washington Nationals' future. But don't be surprised if Trey Lipscomb is the first to make it to Nationals Park. Published March 13, 2024
LOVERRO: Nationals prospect Darren Baker has lived a life steeped in baseball
Darren Baker is a polite, composed young man who, if you didn't know his last name, you might miss that he comes from baseball royalty - the son of future Hall of Fame manager Dusty Baker. Published March 12, 2024
LOVERRO: The Nationals’ future is inside the spring training clubhouse in the lockers on the right
Why does Dave Martinez smile when he walks through the Nationals' clubhouse door in West Palm Beach? There on the right, just as he enters, are the lockers of Dylan Crews, James Wood, Robert Hassell III, Brady House, Darren Baker and Trey Lipscomb, all one tight after the other. Published March 11, 2024
LOVERRO: Leonsis, man of no regrets, likely nursing a few after botched arena deal
As always, when it comes to the business of Transparent Ted Leonsis, I usually refer to the blueprint he laid out for all of us to be happy -- "The Business of Happiness -- Six Secrets to Extraordinary Success in Work and Life." Published March 10, 2024
LOVERRO: Kuznetsov, Capitals had one glorious, magical year. Washington won’t ever forget that
In hindsight, 2018 was as good as it got for Evgeny Kuznetsov. Off the ice, the challenges were too great for the Capitals star, whose time in Washington now seems to have come to an ignominious end after the team last week placed him on waivers. Published March 4, 2024
LOVERRO: Harris headed for stadium fights in two cities — D.C. and Philadelphia
From Las Vegas to Chicago to Kansas City, Jacksonville and other cities, debates are taking place about who pays for new stadiums and arenas, who benefits and who suffers. Josh Harris will likely soon find himself at the epicenter of those battles, on two fronts -- Washington and Philadelphia. Published February 29, 2024
LOVERRO: Washington baseball history, in the official record book in black and white
Jud Wilson is in Cooperstown because he was one of the greatest hitters in Negro League history. Those in the know realize that means he is considered one of the greatest hitters in baseball history, period. Published February 28, 2024
LOVERRO: Washington struck gold with Sammy Baugh, but taking QB high since has rarely worked
The Washington Commanders have what could be -- and should be - a franchise-changing decision in front of them with the second pick in the NFL draft in April. At least, that's what the fans, the new coaches and the owners hope. Published February 26, 2024
LOVERRO: Lefty Driesell had a courtside view of basketball history as it happened
Charles "Lefty" Driesell was a larger-than-life figure, and so his passing should be large as well -- perhaps more than just one column of tribute to the Hall of Fame coach who turned Maryland basketball into a Broadway show and college basketball into a passion in the Washington region. Published February 21, 2024
LOVERRO: Keeping Kuzma shows Wizards can’t even tank right
The NBA showcased its unwatchable product Sunday night with their annual All-Star Game, where the league's superheroes displayed little intelligence, artificial or otherwise, in an absurd 211-186 Eastern Conference win over the Western Conference. Published February 19, 2024
LOVERRO: Lefty Driesell put Maryland basketball on the map
Lefty the Showman passed away Saturday at the age of 92 and the DMV sports community -- marked these days by dullness and depression -- mourned not just the man, but the excitement he created that still resonates to this day. Published February 18, 2024
LOVERRO: That done deal to move Wizards, Capitals seems to be coming undone
Down here in the Loverro Southern Fortress of Solitude along the Florida panhandle, I often am asked, "Where's home?" Published February 14, 2024
