Column | Europe’s Ryder Cup team is better. Is it also more likable? Personalities are on display at the partisan golf competition, for better and for worse.

This Ryder Cup is a blowout. But you must have a favorite player here? A most hated? Is one a European? The other an American?

An assessment of the two sides -- based on likeability.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

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.

Some weekend reading from me, @andrewcgolden and @chelsea_janes: At a critical juncture in the Nationals' existence, the decision-making process can seem "chaotic," the franchise "directionless."

A look at the Lerners, who's in the room, and the vibe.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

What’s in store for the Commanders’ encore? Ask our reporters. The Washington Commanders begin their season Sunday. Post Sports writers Barry Svrluga and Adam Kilgore answer your questions during a chat on Thursday at 11 a.m. Eastern time.

Welcome to NFL season! When have the Washington Commanders entered a campaign with this much anticipation amongst their fans?

Have Q's about that season? Hopefully, @AdamKilgoreWP and I have some A's.

Thursday, 11 a.m.
Submit questions at the link.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | Decrepit RFK Stadium had to come down. It still kind of stings. As the former football, baseball and soccer venue gets torn apart, let’s remember all the times it shook.

Driven by RFK Stadium lately? Do it. Quickly. It’s coming down.

On an inevitable outcome, the nostalgia that goes with it — and a baseball buried beneath.

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

Overmatched, indifferent and ugly: Is this what Nats fans signed on for? We knew the Nationals were going to be bad when they embarked on this rebuild. It’s one thing to be bad by design. It’s something else to be borderline unwatchable.

Sooooooo … who’s staying up to watch the Nats at 10:15 p.m. Friday? Not I!

On a franchise in flux, and seven weeks when — please — can’t we just see some clean, competitive baseball?

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

Column | The Commanders aren’t trading Terry McLaurin, but they need to make a deal With Washington and its star wide receiver at a contract impasse, every day matters, and time is on neither party’s side.

Trade Terry McLaurin? Don't worry. That ain't happening.

On the star wideout's threat, and the ways an impasse can end.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | Trade MacKenzie Gore? The Nationals at least have to think about it. Parting with a promising young pitcher is a complicated decision, but Washington has several reasons to consider the right offer if it presents itself.

MacKenzie Gore is the Nationals' best pitcher. He doesn't become a free agent for two-and-a-half more seasons. He should be part of the future.

Trade him? It could shake up the league -- and help the Nats move forward. On an ace and the deadline ...
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | After baring his soul, Scottie Scheffler laid waste to the British Open The world’s top-ranked golfer isn’t in crisis. He’s explaining his brilliance.

Scottie Scheffler began the week by seemingly outlining an existential crisis. He wasn't. He was lowkey explaining his brilliance.

On the British Open champ's fifth major -- and the mentality that could easily lead to five more.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Analysis | The Nats need a president of baseball operations. Here are some options. This search promises to be very different from the last one, which Stan Kasten ran in 2009.

I spent the last week or so asking execs and agents about potential candidates to run the Washington Nationals' baseball operation. Here are some names that came up most frequently.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | MLB’s 2027 work stoppage? Baseball folks already are talking about it. If you think the sport’s next labor standoff is a ways away, you’re not listening to the executives who say it’s affecting today’s decisions.

The Home Run Derby was a blast. The All-Star Game should be fun. Unfortunately, labor strife looms over it all.

On MLB front offices preparing for a work stoppage that's a year-and-a-half out. Ugh.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Chatter with scouts, agents, execs ahead of the Nats with the No. 1 pick in tonight's MLB draft:

* Nats are being verrrry quiet about their intentions.
* LSU LHP Kade Anderson and Oklahoma prep SS Eli Willits come up most.
* Ethan Holliday hasn't been mentioned to me as likely.

Column | The Nationals need more than a new GM. They need a voice. What else do the Nationals need besides a general manager and a skipper as they remake their front office? How about a forward-facing president?

Fifteen years ago, the Nationals’ team president left, and the GM said: “We have a void to fill.”

They never filled it. It’s time.

On a new direction for a directionless franchise.

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

The Nationals fired their manager and GM. What’s next? Ask us your questions. Barry Svrluga, Chelsea Janes and Spencer Nusbaum will answer your questions about the firings of Mike Rizzo and Dave Martinez Tuesday at noon.

What: A live Q&A on the future of the Nationals.
Who: Me, @chelsea_janes and @spencernusbaum_ .
When: Noon on Tuesday, but get those questions in early at the link below.

Looking forward to it!
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | How a baseball lost cause suddenly became a leading man again Javier Báez’s redemption arc is a reminder of the power of patience, and the danger of giving up too early.

Last season, 324 players had at least 250 plate appearances. Javy Baez's .516 OPS ranked 323rd.

Wednesday night, he was named the starting center fielder on the AL all-star team.

On lost causes that aren't always lost.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | A lousy first half should put everyone with the Nationals on notice A disappointing first 81 games brings scrutiny to everyone involved with the Nationals, from ownership to player development to coaches.

A 33-48 first half brings scrutiny to all levels of an organization.

Like this: Since 2012, the Nats have drafted and signed 45 players who made the majors. Six have a bWAR of 4.0 or greater; 23 have a bWAR that is below 0.0.

On the team’s temperature.

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

Column | Slumps are part of baseball. The trick for CJ Abrams is weathering them. CJ Abrams was every bit an all-star when the Midsummer Classic rolled around last season. But the second half of the season was a prolonged slump.

In his first 37 games, CJ Abrams slashed .311/.372/.561 and led all shortstops in OPS. In his last 10, he's 5 for 39 (.128) and hasn't driven in a run.

On a potential star, and making sure the inevitable slumps are somehow contained.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | The IOC’s policy on Russia takes a complex issue and muddles it further Alex Ovechkin won’t be in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Some individual Russian athletes will. This is how the IOC defines “politically neutral.”

The problem isn't that Alex Ovechkin and the Russian men's hockey team won't be at next year's Olympics (though that would be awesome). The problem is the IOC's inconsistency with applying its penalties.

On Ovi, Russia, and an awesome hockey tournament.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...

Column | Padraig Harrington, a mental blip and the maddening game of golf Without total focus, golf will make you pay. After Sunday at the Senior PGA Championship, just ask Harrington.

Padraig Harrington had a two-shot lead and a cocky strut. Then, his brain let him down.

On the Senior PGA, and the kind of brain lapse that affects us all.

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 | Stop whining about the tush push and figure out how to stop it The Philadelphia Eagles’ highly efficient and effective short-yardage play is here to stay? Good.

The proposal to ban the Eagles' tush push failed?

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

Column | In a blink, deafening goes to silent — and the Capitals’ season ends A season that began with low expectations turned into a campaign that produced the most points in the Eastern Conference. And it felt like it ended too soon.

“It’s awful. I told ‘em that. It’s awful.”

On the end of a season that felt too soon — and a transition that’s now in full swing.

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

Proof.

Drove by the Rialto Theater in the heart of Raleigh’s classic old Five Points neighborhood.

Marquee currently reads: “All are welcome except Tom Wilson.”

Column | If the Capitals are to beat Carolina, they need something from Alex Ovechkin The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer has no points through three games. If the Capitals want to survive this series, that needs to change in a hurry.

Alex Ovechkin, through three games in this series: zero goals, zero assists.

Number of times he went three straight games with no points in the regular season: one.

Is it all on the captain? No. Do they need production from him? Absolutely.

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

Friday's sports front: Confidence men

Here's @baileyannej.bsky.social on a Game 2 win: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

And @barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social on two-goal leads, and trying: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | How to take a one-goal lead and make it two? It’s not easy. The cliché says a two-goal lead is the hardest lead to protect in hockey. But getting a two-goal is no easy task either. Just ask the Capitals.

Connor McMichael put the Caps up one. But how hard — and how important — is it to get that second goal?

On a must-win May game, and the tension within.

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

Column | Carolina’s identity defined Game 1. The Caps must find theirs in Game 2. The Hurricanes can be a force of nature. It’s up to the Caps to survive. Thursday’s Game 2 will be pivotal.

In Game 1, the Canes played like the Canes. Going into Game 2, it’s up to the Caps to play like the Caps — or else.

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

The Last of His Kind The definitive biography of Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, examining the genesis of his brilliance, his epic quest to win the World Series, and his singular pl...

THE LAST OF HIS KIND is out in paperback today. It includes a new epilogue about the 2024 Dodgers season. I am biased, but I think it's a good book. www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andy-...

And we’re still doing bookplates! Send an email to ByMcCullough at gmail dot com.

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.
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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/...