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/...

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/...

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/...

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/...

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/...

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/...

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/...

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/...

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.

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/...

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/...

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/...

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/...

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/...

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...

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/...

“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/...

The proposal to ban the Eagles' tush push failed? Good. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

“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/...

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.”

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/...

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/...

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 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.

“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/...

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/...

Monday felt momentous. But any celebration was premature. On a deal for a Commanders stadium that isn’t done — and needs work. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

“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/...

What hasn’t Alex Ovechkin done? The list is short. After Monday night — with an overtime winner in the playoffs — it’s shorter still. On the captain’s season and the captain’s franchise, still going after all these years. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Yep.

“I’ve carried that burden since August 2014.” On what might have been an easy path to greatness for Rory McIlroy, but instead was incredibly difficult. What a day. What a career. What a relief. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

There is a real chance that I will not physically be able to write about this tournament.

Had Justin Rose made a four-foot putt for birdie at the par-3 16th on Saturday -- rather than three-putting for bogey -- his upcoming birdie putt at 16 would be to tie for the lead. Instead, it's to climb within two of Rory McIlroy.

Walked the course at Augusta National this morning. Saw them cutting the hole at the par-3 16th. Get ready for something different: A back right pin placement, rather than what has become the traditional low left, where shots feed.

“I came in here talking about being the most complete version of myself as a golfer, and I just have to keep reminding myself of that." When Rory McIlroy is his most complete, there's no one better. Can he be that with the lead on Sunday at the Masters? www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

“I’m a competitor, and I love this game. It doesn't really love me back right now.” On Nick Dunlap, opening the Masters with a 90 — and willing your way to respectability. It’s about one round of golf. It’s also about humans’ ability to respond. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

With the Capitals off today and Ovechkin's chase of Gretzky over, check out the Post store for your commemorative options. They include not only reprints of key pages, but an upcoming book, "Unbreakable." Pretty cool stuff. printshop.twpprintsolutions.com/twpstore/sta...

When was the last time you spent eight hours — or more — without your phone? Come to Augusta National, where I tried it yesterday. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Bleachers? Uh, no. Observation stands. Rough? Please. Second cut. Pine needles? Nope. Pine straw. The Masters and Augusta National have their own language, and it dictates what you hear on TV. On the banned phrases from an exclusive club. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Had a really fun time working on this project on Alex Ovechkin: Eight characters from No. 8's career. A scout. A vet teammate. Support staff. A coach. An exec. A peer. A rival. A sidekick. All important characters. All with different roles. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Is the day after 895 a day to consider Alex Ovechkin’s … retirement? Maybe. Maybe not. But at some point, it’s coming. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

A tradition unlike any other.

Ovechkin over all.

On Aug. 7, 2007, I was the Nationals beat writer when Barry Bonds connected off Washington lefty Mike Bacsik for homer 756, passing Hank Aaron. Today, I was on Long Island to watch Alex Ovechkin pass Wayne Gretzky with No. 895z Anyone else in this club?

“This is something crazy.” On No. 895, and the man who changed a sport in a town — forever. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

#895

“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/...

One was an artist with a finely pointed brush. The other is a battering ram with a cudgel. They both have 894 goals. On Gretzky, Ovechkin, different styles and different eras — and the dinner that forged a relationship between legends. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...