Mike Harris

HARRIS: Whole lotta stupid going on in sports world

Where do we even begin? Let's go local and discuss Nationals reliever Rafael Soriano. Don't go anywhere, Sergio Garcia, Alex Ovechkin, George McPhee and Ryan Mattheus — you're next.

May 23, 2013

HARRIS: Ryan Mattheus latest to learn hard lesson about anger management

Sadly, the Nation's Capital has another entry to add to its sports pantheon otherwise known as the Gus Frerotte Concrete Wall of Shame.

May 21, 2013

HARRIS: Capitals’ offseason task: Find Alex Ovechkin a worthy wingman

Easier said than done, of course. No one is going to hand the Caps a top-level player. Can they afford to sign one? Can they put together enough of a package to trade for one, even if it might cost them someone like Braden Holtby? If they can get one, they need to make sure they do it.

May 16, 2013

HARRIS: Rafael Soriano’s untucked jersey a welcome celebration of job well done

The untuck thing is a celebration that is a lot like Soriano. It's understated, easy to miss. It's also effective. And cool. Most important, for all its simplicity, it's fun. Sports are supposed to be fun, remember?

May 15, 2013

HARRIS: Capitals’ latest playoff collapse not ghosts’ fault, but still might haunt

That the Rangers may be a smidge better is not arguable. Five-oh better? No way. That a tight series became a laugher in the finale can be, in part, blamed on the Caps' ugly playoff past. There's not an elephant in that room. There's a herd of them in there and it is not an easy thing to clear out.

May 14, 2013

HARRIS: At elimination time, Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist stands taller in the net

Who knew Mike Ribeiro's overtime goal on Friday would be the Caps' last of the season and that 72 hours they'd be sitting in their locker room wondering what happened.

May 14, 2013

HARRIS: Hockey, playoff style, is a spectator’s delight

If 19-year-old rookie Tom Wilson wasn't wide-eyed during his 6:24 of uneventful ice time, he was afterward. He's unbeaten as a Cap, as Washington posted a 2-1 victory in overtime on Mike Ribeiro's first goal of the series

May 11, 2013

HARRIS: Nationals recover from self-inflicted mistake with ticket policy reversal

The Nationals' front office did something similar Wednesday, albeit with a mistake of their own making. To their credit, they reacted properly and rectified the error.

May 8, 2013

HARRIS: Nationals sell out fans with inflexible ticket policy

The Nats have changed their policy to basically say unless your tickets are part of a season-ticket plan, you use them or you lose them. It's a move that pretty much violates every fundamental of Customer Service 101. Take care of those who pay for your services.

May 8, 2013

HARRIS: In the playoffs, too soon for Capitals fans to draw conclusions

You thought the New York Rangers, who finished with one fewer point than the Capitals during the regular season, were going to roll over after losing two games in D.C.? You thought the Rangers, who collected five points in three regular-season meetings with Washington, were going to go away that easily?

May 7, 2013

HARRIS: Capitals’ Steve Oleksy proving he’s more than just a pretty (beat up) face

A couple of weeks ago, Capitals defenseman Steve Oleksy had a fresh set of stitches in his lower lip. They're gone now. Taking their place are a couple of scrapes that will probably be followed by a bruise on his right cheek. That's what happens when you take a puck to the face from close range.

May 2, 2013

HARRIS: Next Triple Crown winner could be long time coming

My son turns 30 in two months, and he hasn't seen a horse win a Triple Crown since he's been alive. My guess is he likely never will see one, even if he lives to 100 as I hope he does.

May 2, 2013

HARRIS: A day with the Stanley Cup: What would you do?

"Somebody brings it right to your front door," said winger Troy Brouwer, the only Capitals player who has been on a Cup-winning team. "They'll come as early as you want. You get a full day to do what you want."

April 30, 2013

Jason Collins receives support from team, NBA rivals and others after coming out as gay

Washington Wizards center Jason Collins on Monday became the first "active" player in the "big four" of American professional sports to reveal he is gay, and the immediate reaction from athletes was overwhelmingly supportive.

April 29, 2013

HARRIS: Before the results matter again, take some time to appreciate Alex Ovechkin

There is about zero question Alex Ovechkin is the most valuable player on the Caps roster. After a couple of un-Ovechkin-like seasons, he's rebounded in a big way and rejuvenated his team's Stanley Cup hopes.

April 25, 2013

HARRIS: Don’t hang those ‘Titletown’ banners just yet, D.C.

In 205 days, three of the area's four teams in the major professional sports leagues won division titles. It's a start. Let's be clear on something, though: It is hardly a finish.

April 25, 2013

Nationals manager Davey Johnson: time to get a little mad

Tuesday's loss was Washington's fifth straight at home and the team that started the season 7-2 is now 10-10. Yes, indeed, it remains very early in the season. But early is about half done and the Nats are in a funk.

April 23, 2013

Meeting ‘real heroes’ at Walter Reed a reality check for Nationals

"I met a guy today who had been through 49 surgeries," said Chad Tracy. "I've been through four of five myself, just to imagine a guy going through almost 50 surgeries, to see he was still a driven, confident, leader of a man really touched me."

April 23, 2013

HARRIS: With pick No. 51 in NFL draft, Redskins could use a Clinton Portis

With the No. 2 overall pick, you expect an immediate impact player. With No. 51? Who knows what you'll get? That's kind of what makes the draft fun.

April 23, 2013

Dan Haren eager to show Nationals his innings-eating ways

A way to force something good out of another downer of a night was sitting right there for Nationals pitcher Dan Haren, waiting like a hanging curveball to be swatted out of the park. Haren wanted nothing to do with it.

April 22, 2013