Welcome to the my Web site, v. XII. The blog is typically published Monday - Saturday. My primary topics tend to be the Nats, Penn State (esp. football), BeltwayLand, transportation, media, photos and more. The rest of the site gets updated as warranted and is noted on the blog.
How the Bullets became the Wizards - William World News
Thursday, February 04, 2010
How the Bullets became the Wizards
Why Abe Pollin went from Bullets to Wizards - DC Sports Bog, The Post Dan Steinberg goes into the archives and puts together a timeline of the Washington Bullets changing their name to Wizards.
As I have said before, if Ted Leonsis does acquire the team, the name "Wizards" stays because Leonsis has so much respect for Pollin. The colors will change back to red, white and blue, but perhaps not until the team is ready to be good again.
For the record, Dragons would have been a good name since they play in Chinatown, but what is done is done.
Ted Leonsis blogs about Wizards, Verizon Center sale - William World News
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Ted Leonsis blogs about Wizards, Verizon Center sale
An Update on Today's News - Ted's Take Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis issued a statement via his blog about the recent Post article on his bid to buy the Wizards, Verizon Center and the D.C. Ticketmaster franchise outright from the estate of Abe Pollin. This is a "calm down everyone" move, but perhaps also a "hey, Pollins remember we had a deal" move on his part.
Until a time comes that Leonsis completes the purchase, Washingtonians are going to holding their breath because the last time a D.C. team owner died (Jack Kent Cooke), things did not go according to plan and we got...Dan Snyder.
I now expect this will be a long and nerve-racking process. Hopefully, the good guy wins.
The Capitals broke a 1-1 tie with the Anaheim Ducks in the 3rd period and charged to a 5-1 win. Eight wins in a row, not bad, how about doing it in May and June? :)
Wizards & Verizon Center sale: No deal yet between Pollins and Leonsis - William World News
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wizards & Verizon Center sale: No deal yet between Pollins and Leonsis
Appraisers to determine value of Wizards, Verizon Center - The Post The sale of the Washington Wizards, Verizon Center and the local Ticketmaster franchise to Ted Leonsis by the Abe Pollin estate is entering round 2. After falling to come to an agreement over the last 10 days the Pollin estate and Leonsis will each have appraisers advise them on the value of the assets. If they can't come to an agreement then, a third round with an appraiser chosen by both sides would make a determination. If that is not satisfactory, the Pollin estate could offer the team to a third party. Leonsis would have the right to match that offer.
This is a disappointing development, but try not to be alarmed. Both sides are playing a little hard-ball right now and hopefully it will result in a sale to Leonsis. The critical part of the sale is the Verizon Center, since Leonsis' Capitals have been in an unfavorable lease with Pollin's Washington Sports & Entertainment. Leonsis' Lincoln Holdings currently owns 44% of WS&E.
Major deadline in Wizards sale to Leonsis on Wednesday - William World News
Monday, January 18, 2010
Major deadline in Wizards sale to Leonsis on Wednesday
Deadline nears in sale talks for Wizards - The Post Ted Leonsis is negotiating with the heirs of Abe Pollin to buy the majority of the Washington Wizards and Verizon Center. Wednesday is the primary deadline, although as explained in the article linked above, this isn't the only opportunity for him to seal the deal.
While fixing up the Wizards would be great, controlling Verizon Center is huge. Leonsis' Washington Capitals are tenants in the building. Not having control of things like club seats and ice conditions is tough on the franchise and Leonsis getting control would likely mitigate those issues and balance out the cash flow situation.
That's where I screwed up too, because instead of tweaking Steinberg, I should have kept my original headline "Gilbert Arenas will break your heart." That was my first instinct, but I ignored it because I thought the Steinberg one was funnier and more topical. I guess it was funnier, but sadly, the original headline turned out to be all too topical. Arenas pleaded guilty to a felony count of carrying an unlicensed pistol. This was after he "joked" about shooting his teammate and days later brought (unloaded) guns into the locker room. I can see why anybody would consider that intent. Here I though knee injuries would be the real problem (not that they haven't been a problem) not something so awful.
Javaris Crittenton has to go too and I fully expect he's out of there and due for suspension from the league too. He actually had a loaded gun in the locker-room.
So, Arenas is probably getting some jail time and the Washington Wizards have no choice to but to void his contract. I thought for a while before yesterday's details came out, that they were going to use this as an excuse to get out from a bad contract even though they knew Arenas was not serious about anything his life other playing offense on the court. Now, that more is known, I don't think that way. Void him, thank him for the pre-contract years wish him well and tell him to get help so that he can see the world in a way more similar to the rest of us. As "I said before, I don't think Arenas sees the world differently because he is a millionaire athlete, I think he's wired differently than everyone else, but he went way too far.
As for the Arenas situation, I don't have a problem with NBA commissioner David Stern suspending Arenas indefinitely or the Wizards agreeing with it. The photo of him cocking his fingers to "shoot his teammates" shows that Arenas just isn't being serious about a really bad situation for himself, the Wizards and the league. I'll admit I laughed though, shame on me. Shame on the NBA for trying to hide the photo though.
Last night when I drafted this post, I had written in length about how in addition to appropriate punishment, Arenas badly needed counseling because he was not a malevolent person, he just sees the world very differently than most people. However, as more details emerge, I am having trouble believing that any more. Javaris Crittenton, the injured player that Arenas taunted, is alleged to have loaded his own handgun and cocked it after seeing Arenas had left the four unloaded guns in his locker. That isn't a good idea either, but I can see why Crittenton allegedly did it, what Arenas did is a serious provocation. I expect Crittenton to be charged too.
So, there are a few things going on in D.C. sports - William World News
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
So, there are a few things going on in D.C. sports
The events of the last few days prove one thing -- The Wash. Times was SOOOOOOOO smart to cut their Sports section.
Washington Capitals name Alex Ovechkin captain - The Post Without hoopla and hype, superstar Alex Ovechkin was named the 14th regular captain in Washington Capitals history yesterday. I thought that Brooks Laich (who is another locker-room/media relations leader) may get it, but I find no fault with Ovi wearing the C -- nobody plays harder and that is one of the best examples a captain can set. Laich will certainly continue to contribute as well. The Great 8 turned down captaincy in 2006 because he was not yet comfortable with his English.
Now we move onto Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards nee Bullets...
MIKE WISE - Dear Gilbert, You've really blown it now - The Post In basketball, Gilbert continues to be Gilbert, but he is still in deep trouble. As I said before, never being serious is fun for a while, but not when the team is 11-21 and guns are involved. Its too bad, but his road to redemption is steep here in D.C. if he's even given the chance.
Some good news though -- the Wiz beat the Philadelphia 76ers again! Bad news -- they don't play again this season.
Redskins and Mike Shanahan reach agreement - The Post I for one welcome our new burgundy and gold overlord. I think Shanahan will make the Redskins respectable again, but don't see him getting a Super Bowl ring here. He will probably bring in a respectable offensive line though.
I've spoken with a few sources close to the situation -- including one individual that was in the locker room at the time and Arenas, as he tweeted yesterday had no malicious intent. And like Lee said, horse play was involved. That doesn't make this any less serious, however. If your franchise player is horsing around with guns on team property, no matter how good a mood he is in, it's still in violation of league policy and D.C. gun possession laws.
Arenas is tweetng away about how serious he isn't and that is all great when the team isn't 10-20 and guns aren't involved.
This is too bad, Arenas was so much fun in his heydey. The Wizards probably need to void his contract if they can, we'll see how the criminal justice system works out.
Can we expect your thoughts on the Jim Zorn firing?
# posted by TMBC :
Monday, January 04, 2010 3:24:00 PM
I hope so, I just haven't had the time for all I want to blog about lately.
# posted by WFY :
Monday, January 04, 2010 3:39:00 PM
Post a CommentNY Post: Wizards Arenas, other teammate pull guns on each other - William World News
Friday, January 01, 2010
NY Post: Wizards Arenas, other teammate pull guns on each other
NBA gunpoint guards in standoff - NY Post Hey, now we know why the Washington Wizards (nee Bullets) are 10-20. Gilbert Arenas allegedly pulled an unloaded gun on teammate Javaris Crittenton during an argument about a gambling debt, according to Kendrick "Bookie Ball" Long a friend of Crittenton. Long said that Crittenton then pulled a gun out as well. Arenas denied the incident.
Well, that is a headache for D.C. sports and the NBA. Arenas' carrying in the locker room came out over Christmas, but the article above says that became known only after the incident.
I have some a little bit of skepticism about this whole thing -- why would a "friend" of Crittenton go off and tell a New York tabloid about this incident? Either Crittenton wanted him too or the dude is not a very good friend methinks. I am sure there will be a lot on this story over the next few days. I wonder if the Wizards would use this to void Arenas' monster contract?
Thankfully, no shots were fired and no one was hurt. If true, I'll be really disappointed because I have always like Arenas. He is the quirkiest pro athlete D.C. has had in a long time, if not ever. I am glad this did not happen when Abe Pollin was alive.
NJ Nets: Biggest losers on two tabloid backpages, NBA - William World News
Thursday, December 03, 2009
NJ Nets: Biggest losers on two tabloid backpages, NBA
The New Jersey Nets lost their 18th game in a row to start the 2009-2010 NBA season. The ignominious distinction is observed by the backpages of both New York City tabloids today.
I like to think this is happening because the Nets took "NEW JERSEY" off of the road uniforms. Their owner, Bruce Ratner, has been trying to move them to Brooklyn for years and seems to be getting closer. I'd rather they stay in the Garden State and move into the Prudential Center in Newark where the NHL Devils play.
I wonder if the new BS Sports Blog will comment on this development.
Ted Leonsis has right of first refusal to buy Wizards, Verizon Center - William World News
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Ted Leonsis has right of first refusal to buy Wizards, Verizon Center
Leonsis has the option to purchase franchise - The Post Leonsis in line to buy Wizards, Verizon Center - The Wash. Times As part of the agreement that Ted Leonsis made to buy the Capitals and 44% of Washington Sports and Entertainment (Wizards and Verizon Center) from Abe Pollin, Leonsis has the right of first refusal to buy the those assets. Let's hope that he can and does. Leonsis is the best sports owner in Washington if not the country. Getting Verizon Center into his portfolio would greatly improve the Caps situation since their lease is not very good to them.
Wizards owner helped transform D.C. - The Post D.C. sports icon, Wizards owner Pollin dead at 85 - The Wash. Times Abe Pollin, a juggernaut of Washington D.C. sports, died yesterday at age 85. Pollin was the owner of the Washington Wizards (nee Bullets) of the NBA and Verizon Center. He had founded the Washington Capitals of the NHL and Washington Mystics of the WNBA as well, later selling them to Lincoln Holdings, Ted Leonsis managing partner. He also built the Capital Centre, since demolished, the first of two arenas he financed and built for his teams.
Pollin was a construction magnate who had moved to D.C. as an eight year old. He bought the Baltimore Bullets in 1964 and become sole owner in 1968. In 1973, he opened Capital Centre in Landover, Prince George's County, Md., moving the Bullets to just outside the Beltway. In 1974, he founded the Capitals, despite never seeing a hockey game. Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder had given Pollin 600-to-1 odds on landing the NHL expansion franchise.
In 1978, the Bullets, led by Wes Unseld won the NBA title for the first and to date only time, beating the Seattle SuperSonics. That would be the high water mark for Pollin's teams in competition. The lack of championships led a to mixed legacy for Pollin. He was often thought of, by Caps fans in particular, as unwilling to spend the money to win. The marketing of the Bullets was directed drawing fans to see the visitors, rather than the home team. Caps fans felt as though Pollin cared little for that team and those feelings only intensified when Pollin sold busloads worth of tickets to Detroit Red Wings fans during the lone Stanley Cup appearance. The Bullets went a decade between playoff appearances and about two decades between playoff series wins. Pollin also changed the name of the basketball team to Wizards after his friend Israeli prime minster Yitzhak Rabin was gunned down.
In 1999, he sold the Captials to Leonsis' Lincoln Holdings. The transaction also included 44% of the Wizards and Verizon Center. In 2000, Pollin and Leonsis brought Michael Jordan to Washington to be an executive and for two years had Jordan as a player. After Jordan ended his playing days, Pollin did not retain Jordan's services as an executive, a shocking move. Pollin rebounded by hiring Ernie Grunfeld who assembled the Wizards into a playoff team. Pollin has also been criticized for the terms of the lease with the Caps and the conditions of the ice.
While Pollin's legacy is mixed in the management of his franchises, his philanthropy at home and aboard and development of arenas is universally praised. He built Verizon Center with his own money (the District spent millions on infrastructure), setting off a building boom in the old Chinatown neighborhood. His decision to put a new arena in the District will ultimately by his greatest legacy. Gallery Place/Chinatown turned into a bustling neighborhood and led to more building and investment downtown. When Verizon Center (then MCI Center) opened in 1997, 7th Street was barren, now it is thriving along with the rest ofthe neighborhood. The return of baseball to Washington and Nationals Park happened in large part because Pollin proved what a magnet a sporting venue could be. That will be his greatest legacy.
DC Sports Bog: #26 is cursed in Washington sports - William World News
Thursday, November 12, 2009
DC Sports Bog: #26 is cursed in Washington sports
For D.C. sports, 26 = sign of the devil - The Post I did not get to this yesterday -- 26 is the number of the damned in Washington pro sports according to Dan Steinberg's frightening numerology. The Nationals, Capitals, Redskins, Wizards and DC United have all fallen victim to this dark number, though the spell seems to be indirect on the Caps.
By the way, the Caps now have 26 standings points - best in the Eastern Conference.
#11 was a magic number in DC on Wednesday. The Caps won their 11th game of season in an 11 round shootout. Ryan Zimmerman (#11) won the NL 3B Gold Glove. Both of these took place on the 11th day of the 11th month. Wild.
To which I added:
11 is also retired by Capitals (Mike Gartner), the Wizards/Bullets (Elvin Hayes), was worn by the last Redskins QB to win a Super Bowl (Mark Rypien). My favorite number too.
# posted by WFY :
Thursday, November 12, 2009 12:36:00 PM
Capitals and Wizards have below average ticket prices - William World News
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Capitals and Wizards have below average ticket prices
Report: Wizards, Caps among sports' best bargains - The Wash. Times D.C.'s two major indoor teams, the Capitals and Wizards, sell their tickets at less than their league averages. The Nationals have the 7th highest prices in MLB, but cut back tickets an average of 7% for 2010. The Nats also have $5 seats.
Capitals #6 for bang for your buck in ESPN Ultimate Standings, other D.C. teams in 90s - William World News
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Capitals #6 for bang for your buck in ESPN Ultimate Standings, other D.C. teams in 90s
ESPN The Magazine compiled the "Ultimate Standings" a ranking of all of the teams in the traditional four major sports. "The eight major categories that make up the Ultimate Standings were created based on feedback from fans about what they want most from their favorite teams (click here for a more detailed account of the method to our madness.)"
The Capitals led the way for Washington teams, coming in 6th overall and behind the Carolina Hurricanes and Detroit Red Wings amongst NHL teams. After that though, it gets really rough for Washington fans as the Redskins, Nationals and Wizards come in 92nd, 97th and 98th respectively in the overall survey. The Nats are 27th in baseball, the Skins 25th in the NFL and the Wiz are 21st in the NBA. The Nats came in higher than I expected and the Skins maybe a little lower than they should be. I think the Wiz got a bum rap in this since they were a perennial playoff team until they had two all-stars miss most of last season.
While far from being scientific, this certainly interesting and ought to be reviewed by the front offices.
Can you see 4 D.C. sporting events for under $100? - William World News
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Can you see 4 D.C. sporting events for under $100?
TIM LEMKE - D.C. sports scene on a budget - The Wash. Times Lemke tries to see a home game for the Nationals (exhibition), Capitals, Wizards and D.C. United in one week with $100 to spend. He is also includes getting a hot dog and soda at each game, plus the transportation to get there. Can it be done? Maybe, find out how.
D.C. teams in Bizjournals 2008 rankings - William World News
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
D.C. teams in Bizjournals 2008 rankings
Another ranking of teams from the four traditional big sports. Here is a look at how Washington franchises, minus D.C. United, did.
"Bizjournals analyzed the performances of all 122 franchises in the NBA, NFL, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League in the 2008 calendar year. The top scores went to those teams that were strongest at the twin missions of professional sports -- winning games and making money."
41. Washington Capitals (10th in NHL) 41-60 42. Washington Redskins (12th in NFL) 41-60 82. Washington Wizards (19th in NBA) 81-100 113. Washington Nationals (28th in MLB) 101-120 only better than the Orioles and Pirates
I would expect the Capitals to rise in 2009, the Redskins to stay about the same, the Wizards to fall and the Nationals to rise. Three of these teams were in the playoffs in 2008, but none of them advanced. In 2009, it will likely be just one postseason appearance for Washington unless the Nats pull off a miracle. The Redskins have alerady missed the 2009 playoffs and the Wizards may be offically eliminated already.
I wish I could find the complete 2008 Turnkey Team Brand Index too, but it is behind a paywall.
"That antique-gold color is just appalling, and frankly, the unbalanced black and white bands above the names look frumpy. Furthermore, the black star details running along the sides are very unflattering."
"No wonder the team is 7-26 this season," added Gunn, claiming he felt obligated to assist the "fashion-challenged" team.
How true.
The standard home and away unis for the Wiz are not bad, but not good either. The Wizards need to follow the Capitals lead and go back to the traditional red, white and blue. A number of people would say they need to be the Bullets again too, but don't count on it. I am almost used to calling them Wizards anyway. New colors might have to wait until Ted Leonsis buys the team which is dependent on another event occurring.
A healthy Gilbert Arenas and a lottery pick would not hurt either.
2009 New Year's sports resolutions - William World News
Thursday, January 01, 2009
2009 New Year's sports resolutions
A New Year means it is time for resolutions -- here are my sports ones:
Go to Penn State for homecoming for the first time in three years
Go to the Blue White Game, maybe even see most of it this year
Attend Opening Day for the Nationals
Attend July 4 Nationals home game
Get my son clothes for my respective teams
Go to a Nats vs. Red Sox game, call anybody with a B on their hat a poseur
Go to a Nats vs. Baltimore game, boo the visitors a lot
The rest are more goals than resolutions:
Organize office field trip to Nats or Caps game
Attend at least one home game of the Nationals, Capitals, Redskins, Wizards and DC United
See a NL team that I never have before (MIL or ARI)
See the Nats in Philly and/or Pittsburgh with friends from the opposition
One thing that may be seen as an omission is a visit to new Yankee Stadium. I don't want to see the old one while it is being dismantled. Maybe in 2010 I'll go.
As for real resolutions, not really my thing and I would not blog them anyway.
When do we get a parade? D.C. now tied for longest title drought - William World News
Thursday, October 30, 2008
When do we get a parade? D.C. now tied for longest title drought
With the Phillies World Series win, Washington is now tied with Minnesota's Twin Cities for the longest title drought amongst 4-team major league markets (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA). Coincidentally, both the Redskins and Twins won their titles in the Metrodome in Minneapolis after their 1991 seasons, though the Redskins came in January 1992. Technically, the Twin Cities have the longest drought, but I'll still call it a tie.
There is an asterisk on this though -- Washington has only been a 4-team major league market since 2005 when we got baseball back. There was not a hockey team in the Twin Cities for most of the 1990s for some reason either. D.C. United has won MLS Cups since 1996, but soccer is generally regarded as the fifth pro sport.
Of the four big league teams here now, my predictions for the most likely to end this streak.
CAPITALS: They are young, have the reigning league MVP in Alex Ovechkin and should just be entering their prime in the next season or so. On paper, the thing most likely to hold them back is goaltending while the most likely thing to move them ahead is their stable of goalscorers. Also, relying heavily on Russains could become problematic now that Russia is moving back to some Soviet-era behaviors.
REDSKINS: After many years of mediocrity, the Redskins have made the playoffs two out of the last three years and are 6-2 this season. They have a strong nucleus, a young quarterback, Jason Campbell, who seems to have turned a corner and a fiery, intelligent coach, Jim Zorn. They have the potential to make a deep playoff run with the team they have right now and may for another couple of years. With some breaks, they could win it all. Working against them is their owner, Dan Snyder, who has historically been meddlesome. Snyder may have learned to back off from the Joe Gibbs experience though.
WIZARDS: The Wizards (nee Bullets) have become a periennel playoff team in the last few years, but after breaking through in 2005, they have not won another playoff series, being eliminated by Cleveland annually. When healthy, they have a strong core with Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, but they have not played together too much lately. Even when these three are healthy, the Wizards are not much for defense though. It appears that the team will continue to make the playoffs for the foreseeable future, but a championship seems unlikely unless they have excellent health and good luck.
NATIONALS: They are young, lack power and get by with scrap heap pitchers exceeding expectations. After starting off well with the Lerner family ownership, the franchise seems to be spinning its wheels and backing off of "The Plan" to build a strong team through the farm system. 3B Ryan Zimmmerman, C Jesus Flores, OF Elijah Dukes, OF Lastings Milledge and P John Lannan provide a foundation, but not a spectacular one. Zimmerman could be a star with good health and perhaps some protection in the lineup. Dukes, who is the Nationals most exciting player, has to overcome some very strong character problems to meet his enormous potential and Milledge still has room to grow. Flores is a highly regarded young catcher, but he needs to improve his batting to become a cornerstone. Lannan has the makings of a solid middle of the rotation starter who could win 15 or more in a strong season. There is little hope of anything more mediocre for the foreseeable future, though if the system producers a few pitchers and a slugger in the next few years, they could contend.
D.C. has another eight seasons to avoid matching Philadelphia's recent title-less streak. Hopefully, it won't come to that but at least we are better off than Cleveland, whose three teams have not brought home a title since 1964.
What do you mean "we"? You aren't even a Redskins or Wizards fan, are you? (You are no longer an NFL fan, as I recall).
# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Thursday, October 30, 2008 1:44:00 PM
Good luck to your sports teams. I hope you don't have to wait as long as I did for a parade!
# posted by Kevin McGuire :
Thursday, October 30, 2008 2:17:00 PM
I occasionally take in a Wizards game, they are fun.
Saturday football is better than Sunday football, but I watch more Redskins than anyone else. I could see converting if not for two things:
Dan Snyder
That team I used to passionately follow until about ten years ago is the Redskins arch-rival. It would be quite an odd turn of events to switch, no? Perhaps I ought to ask Joe Queenan for some guidance.
# posted by WFY :
Friday, October 31, 2008 7:46:00 AM
Possible NHL or NBA team in Baltimore? - William World News
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Possible NHL or NBA team in Baltimore?
Baltimore wants to build a new arena (The Sun) that could support a franchise from either the NHL or NBA. I think Baltimore could support a NBA team, but am skeptical about the NHL. Either way, should a team be placed there, the established D.C. team should be granted 90% of the new Baltimore team's television rights. After all, what is fair for Baltimore is fair for Washington, right?
By the way, which bird would be the new Baltimore team's nickname?
Which bird, eh? Well clearly the oriole and raven are off the list. And you can probably scratch any birds that exist for other professional sports teams, especially those on the east coast, so good bye to the eagle and cardinal and falcon. The canary wouldn't be fit to a pro team but would make for some eye sores of a uniform.
What about the Seagulls, or Gulls? Weak, I know.
# posted by Kevin McGuire :
Thursday, July 24, 2008 1:09:00 PM
Vulture
# posted by John Taylor :
Friday, July 25, 2008 11:34:00 AM
Post a CommentI guess we won't need set up a Dan Steinberg suicide watch after all - William World News
Friday, July 04, 2008
I guess we won't need set up a Dan Steinberg suicide watch after all
I looked at like this: There is nothing I can do for my family with $127 million that I can't do with $111 million," said Arenas, who is traveling in Asia and Europe for two weeks as part of a promotional tour for a shoe company. "I mean, college is expensive but it ain't that dang expensive. Now, we have room to add a piece. There is a window of opportunity for us. Adding key pieces leads to championships and that's what we all want."
A healthy Arenas is good for the Wizards, the fans and Steinberg's D.C. Sports Bog, so lets hope that knee is healed. Between Agent 0 and Alex Ovechkin, the D.C. fans are enjoying the most fun athletes since John Riggins was running around and passing out under tables next to Sandra Day O'Connor.
Busy sports night in D.C., plan accordingly - William World News
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Busy sports night in D.C., plan accordingly
There are three sporting events (Nats, Wizards, United home games) going on in the District tonight, so there are a few things to keep in mind.
Nats Express parking will be in Lot 7 at RFK, not Lot 8 because D.C. United has a home match.
A few stops along the Green Line may be crowded, especially Gallery Place/Chinatown
Single-game parking can be bought online at the Nationals Way to Go page. There are apparently plenty of spots available. I think selling parking online is an excellent way at handling traffic management too.
There is no need to get all worked up about this or the Nationals attendance right now. I know that goes against our instincts as cynical, overreacting Washingtonians, but this whole thing is all going to work itself out. Just allow a little extra time and enjoy.
All told, there will probably at least 55,000 fans at three different venues tonight. Go Nats! Go Wiz! Go United!
A good December for D.C. sports - William World News
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
A good December for D.C. sports
Yesterday, I caught a few minutes of the Capitals latest dismantling of Ottawa on Comcast SportsNet. During a break in play, a graphic stated that for the first time since 1995, all local teams had a winning record in December.
A brief history of the Verizon Center - William World News
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
A brief history of the Verizon Center
Change on the Verizon - The Wash. Times A good article about how the Verizon (nee MCI) Center got built and what it meant for its neighborhood and the District. Hopefully, the ballpark will bring similar success near SE.
Left unsaid is what the Verizon Center has meant to its tenants. It has certainly been good for the Wizards, but less so for the Capitals.
Speaking of the Capitals, they scored a touchdown and extra point last night in Toronto, beating the Maple Leafs 7-1. They chased the Leafs goalie in the first period and five players scored their first goals of the season. Alex Ovechkin had two goals.
The Wizards begin their season tomorrow night and have their home opener on Saturday.
20. The Stanley Cup playoffs (late spring, various NHL cities).
Sure it was the first round, but I did this in 2002 twice, both at MCI Center, both Capitals losses to Tampa Bay.
34. MLB Opening Day (April, various cities).
2005: Nats at Phillies* 2006: Nats vs. Mets 2007: Nats vs. Marlins*
*Actual Opening Day
41. An NBA game from courtside (winter-spring, any NBA city). You'll never again say they don't hustle.
1992 - Bullets vs. TrailBlazers - my mom got us company tickets.
61. Midnight Madness (October, all over the country). An annual late-night party at campuses across the country. (Say hi to Larry Eustachy if you see him.)
1999 (maybe 1998 too, I don't remember) at Penn State - It was technically "Late-Night Madness." You can debate whether this really counts though since it was Penn State and that was during the good old days when the were mediocre.
90. Little League game (spring, early summer, everywhere).
Winning over Richmond - Times-Dispatch A look from Richmond's paper of record about what kind of marketing Washington teams are doing in Virginia's capital. In short, the Redskins are very active down there while the Wizards are getting more active. The Capitals focus most of their out of town marketing on Baltimore, but have a little bit of history in Richmond. D.C. United has a friendly relationship with the Richmond Kickers. The Nationals want to expand their reach there seeing it as the "largest out of town source for fans." In a more perfect world, they'll be able to snag the city's AAA team from Atlanta, but don't count on it.
William--Your memory is amazing. The Washington Warthogs!! I'd like to say that brings back memories; but, the only memory I have is saying "hey look, there's an indoor soccer league; it probably won't last long, but the teams got a decent name."
And I had to google Diplomats.
My money's on the summer-season Federals.
# posted by Jack Tatum :
Thursday, April 12, 2007 1:11:00 PM
The Caps and Les Boulez both snapped losing streaks (The Post).
The Pa-ritz are interested (Post-Gazette) in Tomo Ohka too. He could fetch $7 million this year, which would to eliminate the Nationals from consideration I think.
The Nittany Lions cagers rallied, but fell short (CDT) to Georgia Tech.
After 23 Years, Washington Is a Winner - The Post Wizards Defeat Chicago in 1st Round Of the NBA Playoffs At best, I am ambivilant about the NBA, I have been to all of three games in the 26+ years I have lived here. I am happy that D.C. has a(nother) winning team though. I am also happy to see Abe Pollin vindicated for not re-hiring Michael Jordan. Pollin's legacy as an NBA owner is mixed, but his contributions to the greater Washington area are unquestioned. Beating da Bulls makes it sweet. Sweetest of all is that the Wiz did it without Kwame "Popeye's" Brown, Jordan's (the NBA's?) biggest draft bust.
The Wizards are now the lamb to the slaughter vs. Shaq and the Heat. It looks like everyone enjoyed the victory a whole lot (fans rushed the court!), which is great because the next one might be in October.
Brad Wilkerson has switched his jersey number to #7, which allows newcomer (which is of course a relative term for a relocated team) Jose Guillen to wear #6. Hopefully, this change was not a result of any batting helmets being thrown around.
This got me to thinking about some D.C. sports numerology. If Wilkerson plays as well as he did last year in Montreal, he is just about assured of being the second greatest #7 in D.C. sports history. I think you all know who the best #7 is (even if you don't like him) and sorry, Yvon Labre, it is not you.
Here is a rundown of D.C.'s most notable by number, off the top of my head, more or less. It favors the Redskins since they have had many more players, more success, and higher numbers than other sports. However, it is a pretty good mix, I think.
0 - Gilbert Arenas, by default 1 - Eddie Yost, Senators catcher, manager 2 - Another tough one; Ralf Mojsiejenko? No, it turns out Roy Sievers wore 2 for the Senators 3 - Harmon Killebrew was starting getting good at the end of his D.C. years, so not him. Mickey Vernon wore #3 as well but I think you have to go with Mark Mosley, who was a vital part of championship teams. 4 - Joe Cronin 5 - Rod Langway 6 - Ali-Haji Shank? Calle Johansen? Nope, Joe Judge of the old Nationals 7 - Joe Theisman (nee Theezman) 8 - Johnny field goal, aka Chip Lohmiller 9 - Sonny Jurgenson easily over Frank Howard, Ted Williams, and Mia Hamm with Freddy Adu on deck. 10 - There has to be someone better than Jay Schroeder 11 - Elvin Hayes ('78 NBA title) edges Mark Rypien (Super Bowl XXVI MVP) for a better overall career. 12 - BONZAI! Peter Bondra, but I was pulling for Babe Laufenberg, perriennial third string QB. 13 - Not Max Zendajas or any Zendajas (the Gramatica's of the '80s) brothers for that matter 14 - Eddie Labaron over Brad Johnson, I guess 15 - Roy Lassiter? Bobby Convey? 16 - No one special, though Stan Humphries, Rich Gannon and Rodney Peete wore it before going to Super Bowls with other teams. Norm Snead wore this number and was most noteworthy for being sent to Philly for Sonny. 17 - Doug Williams over Billy Kilmer. Billy played longer, but never won a Super Bowl and fans were split between him and Sonny. Doug was briefly king of D.C. Forget Chris Simon ever worse this number. 18 - Craig Laughlin 19 - There has to have been someone better than Brendan Witt 20 - Josh Gibson of the Grays (should be retired, but Frank Robinson wears it now) 21 - Earnest Byner 22 - Steve Konawalchuk over Dino Ciccarelli 23 - Michael Jordan -- when Teddy E-mail gets Les Boulez, he'll retire it 24 - Champ Bailey 25 - Walter Johnson (never had a number as a player, wore it as a manager). As a player, Joe Washington deserves consideration. 26 - Paul Krause 27 - Ken Houston 28 - Darrell Green 29 - Mark Murphy because he is the only 29 I can remember 30 - Brian Mitchell over Bernard King 31 - Ken Jenkins, who returned kicks 32 - Dale Hunter with honorable mention to Buck Leonard 33 - Sammy Baugh. Honorable mention to Frank Howard, who kept wearing the number of someone more famous. More honorable metions - Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning and just because, Don Beaupre. 34 - Wild Thing -- Al Iafrate or Kevin Grevey? Iafrate was briefly famous, but Grevey has a pretty good sports bar in Merrified and won a championship. 35 - Calvin Hill 36 - Timmy Smith - the one game wonder! 37 - Olie Kolzig over Gerald Riggs 38 - George Rogers 39 - Otis Wonsley 40 - Another tough one; a lot of unspectacular Redskins come to mind. 41 - Wes Unseld 42 - Charley Taylor 43 - Find Larry Brown and punish him. 44 - John Riggins (no contest) 45 - Barry Wilburn 46 - anyone? 47 - Dick James 48 - Stephen Davis, another former Redskin who played in a Super Bowl. 49 - Bobby Mitchell 50 - Anyone? 51 - Monty Coleman 52 - Neil Olkawiez 53 - Jeff Bostic 54 - Not Pete Cronin 55 - Dikembe Mutumbo over Mel Kaufmann and Chris Hanberger 56 - Lavar Arrington 57 - Rich Milot over fellow Penn Stater Matt Millen 58 - Wilbur Marshall 59 - anyone? 60 - Chris Samuels, I guess 61 - LIVAN! 63 - anyone? 64 - anyone? 65 - Dave Butz 66 - Joe Jacoby - THEATERVISION! 67 - anyone? 68 - Pittsburgh native Russ Grimm or Pittsburgh transplant Jaromir Jagr 69 - Mark Schlereth 70 - The violent world Sam Huff 71 - Charles "Swanson's Hungry" Mann 72 - Dexter "currently paroled" Manley over Diron Talbert 73 - Trev Alberts' foil, Mark May 74 - George Stark 75 - Brandon Noble - I'll admit I am putting him in because he is a Penn Stater 76 - Manute! Oh wait, he wore that in Philly, here he wore #10. 77 - Adam Oates over Gheorge Muresan 78 - anyone? 79 - Jim Lachey 80 - Not Desmond Howard - Roy Jefferson 81 - Art Monk, who should be in the Hall of Fame already. 82 - Anyone but Michael Westbrook 83 - Pres. Reagan's favorite WR, Ricky Sanders 84 - Gary Clark 85 - Don Warren - he spoke at my middle school! 86 - Clint Didier 87 - Jerry Smith, though Downtown Charlie Brown wore it too 88 - Rick "Doc" Walker, but mostly for his post-Redskins career 89 - Terry Orr, the prototype "H-back," though Howard Cosell might say Alvin Garret.
I am not even boterhing with the 90s.
Disagree with me? Did I leave anyone out? Add your comments below...
Actually, I doubt either of us care quite that much. Still, it was pretty cool to see the home team beat someone. This was only my third NBA game and it was the first time Les Boulez had won. It was looking bad there for a while when Vince Carter kept making alley-oops, but treys started raining down for the Wiz. They also had a lot of steals, especially in the 4th quarter to seal the game. Highlights include 30 points from G Larry Hughes and mascot G-Wiz finding Sonny Jurgenson in the stands during the kiss-cam segment.
NATS MISS OUT ON PEREZ
Nats lose Perez; set spring slate - The Wash. Times Had GM Jim Bowden been wiser with signings, the Nats could have gotten this guy.Thom Loverro - At least the Nats should be fun - The Wash. Times Just having a baseball team in D.C. will make it more fun to be a Nats fan than a Yankees fan. Here, we can live without the high expectations and just enjoy the team. If you are a Yankees fan, there is no substitute for a World Series victory, anything else is a failure. I will let you know if Loverro is right at the end of the year, since the Yanks and Nats are my two teams.
PENN STATE FOOTBALL
PSU class of '09 shaping up into something special - Tribune Review More praise for this year's recruiting class. Also, QB Anthony Morelli says he expects to start this coming season. We shall see.Scott wants to stay, but - The Morning Call Parkland High grad is happy at Penn State, but not if he's redshirted. No surprise here. My advice to Austin Scott is to work really hard and do well in school. Those two things will keep him in action.
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