Dick Heller

D.C. can only watch

Dick Heller: Little reason to cheer here.

January 29, 2009

THE WAY IT WAS: Door won’t close on Fridge

The monstrous defensive lineman-turned-temporary fullback claimed he didn't believe it when quarterback Jim McMahon called his number near the goal line in the third quarter of Super Bowl XX. His Chicago Bears were leading the New England Patriots 37-3, making another touchdown totally superfluous. The idea was for superstar running back Walter Payton to score his first Super Bowl touchdown after waiting 11 years.

January 25, 2009

Dick Heller: Oval Office realizes a net gain

No matter what other changes President Barack Obama brings to the District and the nation, one appears certain.

January 21, 2009

Going by the numbers

The Way It Was: How athletes came to wear digits on uniforms.

January 19, 2009

Dick Heller: Overachieving is the constant

Let's give a rousing cheer to the Patriots as one of the region's most consistent winners in men's hoops circles.

January 18, 2009

Dick Heller: Hare and hair forever entwined

Dramatic differences characterize the newest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, except for one thing.

January 13, 2009

The Way It Was

Dick Heller: Teddy was for change in football, too.

January 12, 2009

DICK HELLER: It’s time to cut back on hoopla

Momentarily at least, let's hold up on the hoopla concerning Georgetown hoops.

January 4, 2009

DICK HELLER: Reich mastered the comeback

The Buffalo Bills' No. 2 quarterback had just seen an interception returned 58 yards for a touchdown that put his team 32 points down in the third quarter when No. 3 quarterback Gale Gilbert trotted over and patted him on the back.

January 4, 2009

Dick Heller: Fearless forecasts for 2009

This prospective peek at the fun and games of 2009 guarantees it will be a better year for somebody, somewhere.

January 1, 2009

Managing an unusual swap

The way it was: One of baseball's oldest traditions holds that it's easier to fire the manager of a bad ballclub than to fire 25 players. But how about trading a manager?

December 28, 2008

Recalling Barber’s excellence

It's no balls, two strikes, three on. It's a high fly ball going to medium center field. Harry Craft comes under it, sets and takes it, and it's a double no-hitter for Vander Meer."

December 26, 2008

Dick Heller: A dandy outing, except for Navy

Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo gave credit to Wake Forest, repeatedly. Wake coach Jim Grobe gave credit to Navy. And EagleBank, which sponsored the best local college football game ever played five days before Christmas, gave credit to anybody who's feeling the pinch these grim economic days.

December 21, 2008

Dick Heller: For Baugh, one heck of a ride

The death of legendary Washington Redskins quarterback Sammy Baugh on Wednesday produced a flood of tributes featuring the word "great." Yet very little was said of Slingin' Sam's great sense of timing.

December 21, 2008

DICK HELLER: No substitute for Slingin’ Sam

Back in 1949, when our family first became affluent enough to spend a whopping $39.60 for a pair of Redskins season tickets at Griffith Stadium, we always looked for one guy in a burgundy and gold uniform when we reached our seats.

December 19, 2008

Sammy Baugh, early Redskins great, dies

Sammy Baugh, the greatest player in Washington Redskins history and one of the National Football League's earliest superstars, died Wednesday night. He was 94.

December 18, 2008

Dick Heller: Redskins always fire away

If Dan Snyder makes Jim Zorn eligible for membership in the Redskins Alumni Association, he'll be one step closer to catching George Preston Marshall for the local title of Most Impetuous Owner.

December 17, 2008

Another home run for HBO

HBO has won enough awards to fill several trophy cases for its sports documentaries, and the latest is one of its best - high praise indeed.

December 14, 2008

Dick Heller: Black day for the Black Knights

Army's recent gridiron misadventures are nothing new, of course, except that new depths are constantly being plumbed.

December 7, 2008

Halting the Colts’ dominance

The Way it Was: The Redskins will take the field Sunday night against the Ravens without history on their side.

December 7, 2008