Time for a new sports update for 2024. The covid virus finally has subsided and no longer has an impact on sports. No games have been postponed and just a few players have missed games because of covid-related problems this past year in all sports. The fans have fully returned to watching the games with no limited attendance and a just few fans wearing masks. But, I personally have not been to any sporting event the past four years.
The Washington Nationals won the World Series in 2019, but have had bad years since including the 2023 season and missed the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. The Nats have lost all players from their 2019 World Series team, including the retirement of Stephen Strasburg. They still have not found a third basemen and have no real star on the team. They had their best season since the World Series and could become a ".500" team this coming season. They have added arms to the bullpen and have some good young starters but still need the stra pitcher. This coming season will be hard because the NL East is extremely strong this season with three teams possible World Series contenders.
The Washington football team was a mess, but the re-boot is finally happening. No longer the "Redskins", the "Commanders" do have a new owner(Phillip Harris) and have hired a new GM. They fired their coach and should be getting a new coach within the month. They have a good defense and some very good receivers on offence, but still need an offensive line.The team has several good young players on both offense and defense, and I still think they have a good quarterback in Sam Howell. The team needs better leadership, more discipline and play tougher. The NFL East division is very strong, and the Commanders need a lot more pieces to challenge for a playoff spot this coming season.
The Washington Wizards traded away several veteran players the past year which has helped the team. They traded guard Bradley Beal and added a couple good players, but this team of semi-stars has not totally jelled. They have a good coach in Wes Unseld, Jr., but they are not playing good this season and won't make the playoffs this year. More changes may be coming. This is a team that just can't make it over the hump and become a very good team. The Wizards need to keep building to get better.
The Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup in 2019(yes!!! finally!!), and are good(again) this season, and should be in the playoffs. Hopefully they get on a run during the playoffs like 2019 and win another Stanley Cup. Alex Ovetchkin had another great season and keeps getting better with age. But, so far this season, Alex has not been scoring at all. Not sure what the problem is? Alex is now the number two all-time goal scorer with only Wayne Grestsky with more total goals. Alex could pass Grestsky in a couple more years if he plays like he did last season and not the way he is playing so far this season.
In college sports, the Maryland Terps football team had another winning(barely) season with their head coach Mike Locksley. They also got a third in a row bowl bid and won their third bowl in a row. The Terps lose their star quarterback for next season, but they still have great receivers and good running backs. The defense has to get better. The Terps had another good recruiting season again this year, but need to show more improvement or won't keep getting good recruiting classes.
The Maryland Terps basketball team got off to a great start last season and made the NCAA playoffs but lost in the first round. This year the Terps were ranked in top 30 pre-season but got off to a bad start and are a "bubble" team at best for making the NCAA tournament this March. They need to win a few more big games to make the tournament. The women's basketball team is also having a down year and not in the Top 20 for the fist time in several years. I still believe both teams will turn it around this season.
The Maryland Terps baseball team was better last season and made the College World Series playoffs but did not advance past the first round(regionals). The Terps have lost several good players to the draft but have a good new young coach and had another good recruiting class this year. They should be ranked in the top 40 for this coming season and are looking to advance to the college World Series.
As usual, the Maryland Terps have good teams in both women and men in the minor sports of Lacrosse, soccer and Field Hockey. Both the men and women lacrosse teams lost in playoffs. The women's Field Hockey team lost in the final 4. Both the women's gymnastics and volleyball team keep getting better each year with good young coaches and good recruiting classes.