The Redskins stink. The Wizards and Capitals aren’t much better. The Nationals just lost their best player. Georgetown was upset by Old Dominion. George Michael’s retiring.
Whew — not a lot to be thankful for right now around Washington. Just waiting for the next loss, injury or bad free agency signing. What’s next? No parking at the new baseball stadium?
It’s enough to make you stop reading the sports section until you see all the really bad news on the front page. For the few good things we have in local sports, let’s say thanks to:
» Jason Campbell for not blowing his debut and putting the Redskins quarterbacking into a further quandary. Double thanks to Joe Gibbs for finally conceding Mark Brunell needs to retire and replacing the aging passer.
» Maryland athletic director Debbie Yow for not listening to alumni grumbling over firing Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen. Granted, the man was a second half away from being 3-3 before rallying to beat Virginia and winning five straight games by 13 points. Suddenly, the Terrapins may enter Saturday’s season finale against Wake Forest with a chance to reach the ACC Championship and a BCS Bowl.
» Dan Snyder for not meddling lately. At least, not that we know.
» Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams for finding a new freshmen class to restore the program. These new kids can play. The Terps are heading to the Sweet 16.
» Barbaro’s doctors for saving the Preakness Stakes favorite. It was a miracle the Kentucky Derby winner survived a broken ankle and laminitis.
» Maryland voters for saving the state’s horse racing industry by choosing Gov. Martin O’Malley. The long-awaited and debated slot bill should be passed next year and pour millions of dollars into racetracks and state coffers. A real win-win deal.
» Ted Lerner for providing the Nats a local owner. This management group looks like a winner.
» RFK’s employees for keeping the relic in working order. One day after e-mailing my bleacher seat was broken, they fixed it. (No, I didn’t break it when sitting down.) And thanks to whoever created the food court with edible offerings like crab cakes. What’s next — a competitive team?
» Red Zebra for giving WTEM some competition and raising local radio. Now there’s something else to listen to when Andy Pollin is whining.
And while we’re at it, how about no thanks to:
» Snyder for not hiring a general manager. Come on Dan, you have new interests in Hollywood and amusement parks. Time to give up the Redskins as a toy and hire a GM to assemble needed talent.
» Redskins coaches for imploding a playoff team. The defense is clueless, the offense in shambles. Look for an offseason shakeup.
» The PGA for abandoning Washington from its prime circuit. The rained-plagued final event was the cosmic karma’s way of saying we don’t need you and don’t come back in a few years when needing our market.
» NBC for destroying the best news team in town. This is the nation’s capital, but Channel 4 has been turned into some backwater with the coming departures of George Michael and his crew. The worst part is Brett Haber may become the top sportscaster in town.
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected]
