Sarah Larimer

Washington Nationals begin sweeping organizational overhaul Assistant GMs Eddie Longosz and Mark Scialabba are among those affected by the organizational overhaul.

The Nationals began a massive overhaul of the organization today. Scouts, execs and others have been told they won’t be back.

“I think I was a Rizzo guy. Maybe they want to move on from all things Rizzo.”

Who is running the Washington Nationals? At a critical juncture in its history, the MLB franchise appears to some as “directionless,” with too many hands on the wheel.

The Washington Nationals appear to some as “directionless,” with too many hands on the wheel. From @barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social, @andrewgolden.bsky.social and @chelseajanes.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

What it feels like to love one of the worst teams teams in baseball The Washington Post talked to nine Nationals fans in nine innings. Man, they’re going through it.

When Mac was a baby, Bryce Harper cradled him in his arms. A decade later, that same kid led “sell the team” chants at Nationals Park.

On Wednesday, I talked to nine fans in nine innings about the state of the Nats rebuild. Here’s what they had to say: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Hi all! I’m writing about the state of the Nats rebuild through the perspective of the fans.

As such, if you’re at tonight’s game and interested in sharing your thoughts, please reach out! We’ll set up a time to talk for an inning during the game.

Thomas Boswell’s speech in Cooperstown: ‘Thanks, baseball’ After all these years, baseball is about generations. We don’t play the game. We replay the memories — together.

For anyone who missed Tom Boswell's awesome speech yesterday afternoon at the Baseball Hall of Fame, here it is on our site:

"For me, after all these years, baseball is about generations. We don’t play the game. We replay the memories — together."

the absolute best. kind to everyone, made us all better. it was such a joy to work with dan.

For Old D.C. - Newsletters & Email Alerts | The Washington Post A Commanders newsletter for Washington sports fans, including news, analysis and trivia from Scott Allen.

We are launching a Commanders newsletter. Sign up here www.washingtonpost.com/newsletters/...

Last-place Nationals fire manager Dave Martinez and GM Mike Rizzo Washington’s lengthy rebuild has cost its manager and its general manager their jobs.

“The sun will come up tomorrow,” Mike Rizzo wrote in a text message to ⁦‪Barry Svrluga‬⁩. “That’s the job. I had a great run. Navigated that ownership group for almost 20 years.” www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Their son is an MLB catcher. Years after his debut, they finally got to see him play. The parents of Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz were in the stands at Nationals Park on Thursday night after a long-awaited trip from Venezuela.

“Every inning, I just looked there [and] I can’t believe they were in the stands.”

“It still feels like a dream.”

After five applications and a decade of waiting, Keibert Ruiz’s parents finally got to America. They finally got to see their son play again.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | The extraordinary ability that may make James Wood a superstar Nationals outfielder James Wood has a gift, and it’s already turned him a terrifying major league hitter.

“Uh-oh. Good lord. Are you kidding me?”
“Oh, no he didn’t.”
“Yes, he did.”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Yes, he did.”
“No way. How many other guys in baseball are doing that?”

On James Wood, the announcers discovering his abilities, and the gift he already has.

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | When it rains, it pours for D.C. sports fans, who desperately need a towel After a clunker of a day for Washington’s teams, the Capitals might need to get a little messy to dig out of the hole they’re in.

vibes are bad

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Tom Wilson was everywhere for the Caps in Game 2 Wilson, Washington’s relentless winger, has had his fingerprints all over the Capitals’ best nights of these Stanley Cup playoffs.

Tom Wilson's fingerprints are all over Washington's best nights so far in these playoffs. On the Caps' relentless winger, the "heart and soul" of the team, whose teammates are running out of ways to describe what he does:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

a great time to re-up derek law content cc @spencernusbaum.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

The Caps are leaning on ‘agape love.’ Or ‘ogapey love.’ Whatever works. “I have so much agape love for you boys, it’s unbelievable,” Charlie Lindgren said back in January. Now, at Game 2, “agape love” is on the rally towel.

The Caps’ Game 2 rally towels feature “so much agape love” www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

such a great and charming story of fandom and video games and solid excuses to get out of work and screaming and crying and going to a Nats game to see your personal fave. (who is on the injured list)

Column | Spencer Carbery and the art of trying to get a little bit better Spencer Carbery has his Washington Capitals in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. His favorite part of coaching? Glad you asked.

“Sometimes as pro coaches we get in this idea like: ‘This player is what he is. He is who he is. There’s nothing that can be done.’”

Not so. On developing individuals for the good of the team — and driving deeper in the playoffs.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Breathe: After seven long years, the Capitals have won a playoff series Washington’s clinical closeout win sent the Capitals to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since that dreamy spring of 2018.

They hadn’t won a playoff series since they won the Cup. They hadn’t clinched at home in a decade.

On the Capitals over the Canadiens, the weight lifted — and what’s next.

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

No one throws a baseball like the Nats’ Mitchell Parker “Too many people coach the uniqueness out of people,” said Tim Campos, player development coordinator at Albuquerque Baseball Academy, who knew to leave Parker alone.

“Too many people coach the uniqueness out of people.”

But no one could coach it out of Mitchell Parker. And now, with the highest arm angle of any starter in baseball, he’s flourishing.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | These Capitals skate a fine line between being up 2-0 and down 0-2 Stanley Cup playoff series are won on the margins -— and every hit, every shift, every shot can make a difference.

“It’s so thin, you want to be on the right side of that.”

On the Caps’ tenuous 2-0 lead, and playoff hockey that eats away at the stomach lining. Welcome to spring.

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Eight for No. 8: The characters from Alex Ovechkin’s career From his sidekick to coach to rival, each had a distinct perspective on NHL history.

"I looked up,” Boudreau said, “and I said: ‘Holy f---! I’m coaching Alex Ovechkin.’” Here are eight awesome perspectives on an awesome history www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

154 days ago i started an ovi planning doc. What followed was months of meetings, calls, pressbox vibe checks, a broken leg, a combination photo/video/graphics/design session with No. 8, even. A ton of people helped, it was a team effort.

Then suddenly, 893, 894, 895. And this. Wild ride.

895 edition 📰

Column | Alex Ovechkin is hockey’s greatest scorer. He’s also Washington’s — forever. That Ovechkin has played his entire NHL career in a Capitals sweater is an amazing accomplishment unto itself. Passing Wayne Gretzky is just the latest high point.

“This is something crazy.”

On No. 895, and the man who changed a sport in a town — forever.

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky are bound by more than just greatness Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky have an irresistible fondness for hockey, scoring goals — and each other.

“Obviously, he’s the greatest player to ever play.”

As they both stand at 894 goals, a study of Wayne Gretzky and Alex Ovechkin, who have the same total but couldn’t have gone about it more differently.

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

What makes Alex Ovechkin’s shot so unstoppable? Ovechkin’s trademark one-timer has been an NHL wonder for two decades. Here’s why it can be a goalie’s worst nightmare.

Scroll down this piece for the video of Ovechkin taking a shot at your face. It says something www.washingtonpost.com/sports/inter...

“I have a nice relationship with Alex,” Gretzky said in a lengthy phone interview last month. “I’m always encouraging him to relax. I remember, I think he was stuck at 699 for a while.”

(It was actually 698.)

@barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social on Gretzky and Ovechkin, with a gift link: wapo.st/4lkofa6

Can help you out, I think!

Shoot me an email at sarah.larimer@washpost.com I’ll send you a print copy?

The shot, with a gift link: wapo.st/4jp3xEh

Gift links for 894

@baileyannej.bsky.social with the gamer: wapo.st/3FUddbn

@barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social with the column: wapo.st/4cnRCEn