Dick Heller

HELLER: Peering into a cracked crystal ball

Here's a prospective peek at the fun and games of 2013 with the promise that it will be a better year for somebody somewhere. Published December 30, 2012

HELLER: Jack Pardee a class act during his days in D.C.

The news out of Houston last week was highly distressing to Washington Redskins fans with more than a touch of gray in their hair: Jack Pardee, one of the more significant figures in the club's 81-year history, has been diagnosed with gall bladder cancer and given six to nine months to live. Published December 3, 2012

HELLER: Stability is why ACC basketball became a power

As anyone who has ever ridden with me with tell you, geography isn't my thing. When the Beltway opened in 1964, this native Washingtonian was astonished that you could get from Maryland to Virginia without going through D.C. Published November 21, 2012

HELLER: Instead of swinging, Eddie Yost just walked away

Some disrespectful fans in these parts often unleashed a special yowl when Eddie Yost, the Washington Senators' longtime leadoff man, strode to the plate in the 1950s: "Take the bat off your shoulder, Eddie!" Published October 22, 2012

HELLER: Not to worry, Nationals’ rise is just starting

I don't feel all that badly about the Nationals' horrific loss to the Cardinals in Game 5 of their National League Division Series. No, really. Published October 15, 2012

HELLER: Nationals seize NLDS momentum

The crowd lets out a roar as the national anthem ends at Nationals Park, and the hope is that it will not be the last significant one of the day heard by Washington's embattled baseball team. Published October 11, 2012

HELLER: Nationals’ season on life support

The sun shines brightly on Washington's first postseason baseball game in nearly eight decades, but potential gloom also pervades the premises. One more loss to the muscular Cardinals will put the Nats on the brink of wait-'til-next-year territory. Published October 10, 2012

HELLER: Time to stuff seats at Nationals Park

Are you a baseball fan? More to the point, are you a Nationals fan? If so, tote your tail to South Capitol Street at least once over the next three days to say hail but not farewell to the most amazing, astonishing, astounding baseball team in these parts since FDR was a rookie president. (And, no, those adjectives aren't redundant.) Published September 30, 2012

HELLER: Terps still seem to be going nowhere fast

Maryland's 7-6 squeaker Saturday against William & Mary at Byrd Stadium did nothing to suggest the inexperienced Terrapins are poised to move onward and upward from coach Randy Edsall's 2-10 first season. In fact, it hinted the opposite. Published September 2, 2012

HELLER: Nationals have foundation to win now — and later

Use of a term such as "dynasty" is premature when applied to the Washington Nationals, who haven't won anything except respect from opponents and applause from long-suffering Washington baseball fans. But the potential definitely is there for the Nats to rule the National League East, as the Braves and Phillies used to. Published August 27, 2012

Nationals wow long-suffering D.C. ball fan

When friends recently invited us to join them for a weekend at their Bethany Beach, Del., vacation home in late September, I asked my wife, "Do they get MASN on the TV there?" Published August 8, 2012

HELLER: ’12: The year D.C.’s baseball team became a winner

Washington's baseball team suddenly morphed into a big winner after years of futility. Across the capital region, fans came out of the woodwork and cheered as it repeatedly atoned for past sins by beating the ears off longtime tormentors. Published August 5, 2012

HELLER: F.P. gives viewers the ABC’s of Nationals TV

F.P. Santangelo is the fourth MASN analyst to dissect the Washington Nationals' ups and downs alongside Bob Carpenter. Arguably, he is the best — and the biggest jabberwocky. Published July 23, 2012

HELLER: Remember when the All-Star Game was a big deal?

This was in July 1973 at Kansas City's new Royals Stadium, and I was wondering who to interview in the National League's clubhouse after the so-called Senior Circuit's 7-1 victory when a middle-aged man materialized beside me wearing a towel around his thickening middle. He was about my height, had salt-and-pepper hair and appeared totally ordinary. Published July 9, 2012

HELLER: Children learn from Tom Brown, a mentor who’s been there and done that

Tom Brown starred in football at the University of Maryland, started the 1963 season at first base for the expansion Senators and spent five seasons as a defensive back with Vince Lombardi's Packers. Yet his biggest athletic achievement might be continuing right now as Brown, 71, directs unique youth sports programs in Salisbury, Md. Published July 4, 2012

HELLER: Yankees stir memories of RFK fan-demonium

With the Yankees coming to town Friday night to start a series with the Nationals, the mind returns achingly to their last visit to play the Senators on Sept. 30, 1971 — truly a date that will live in local sporting infamy. Published June 13, 2012

HELLER: About face: Does Espinosa’s look affect his luck?

I'm worried about Danny Espinosa. Not about his hitting, or lack thereof, though there's plenty of room for concern there. I'm worried about his facial hair because I never know what to expect. Published June 5, 2012

HELLER: Adrian Dantley’s recognition among D.C. icons richly deserved

This was in January 1970 at Maryland's Cole Field House, and spectators were being treated to a prequel version of Bryce Harper minus five years. The chubby, 14-year-old DeMatha High School freshman was so strong that whenever he ascended for a rebound, opponents from Cardozo and Eastern flew off him hither, thither and yon. Published May 8, 2012