Ted vs. Expectations

Almost exactly two years ago, I posted this after the Caps were bounced out of the NHL playoffs.

On his blog, Ted Leonsis good-naturedly disputed my belief that he was crying after the loss (not that I meant it as an insult or anything), but I think my overall point stood: That he was the kind of sports team owner D.C. was lucky to have. Especially compared to...well, you know.

I'm still not a hockey fan, and I haven't been to a Caps game since I was a kid and they were still playing at the Capital Centre. But like everyone else in D.C., I am a Ted Leonsis fan. And even though the last year was hella depressing if you were a Redskins, Wizards or Nats fan, it was comforting to know that at least one D.C. sports team was on the right track.

Maybe after so many years of disappointments and false starts, I'm just grasping for hope, but the truth is that even with the Caps losing in the first round after all but being anointed the inevitable NHL champs by the fans and media, I'm more optimistic about sports in D.C. than I have been in years.

The Redskins added Shanahan, Allen and McNabb.

The Nats are looking shockingly respectable. And that's even before Strasburg has been called up.

The Caps are automatically going to enter next season as a prohibitive favorite to go to the finals.

And the Wizards? The Wizards now have Ted Leonsis.

So as I see it, one man is responsible for 50% of that optimism. Which is pretty damn impressive.

I'm sure Leonsis is having a lousy night right now. But tomorrow, next week, whenever, he'll get back to turning the Capitals and the Wizards into winners. And at some point in the next couple of years, we'll all benefit from his hard work.

Thanks, Ted. If nothing else, you've made being a D.C. sports fan fun again.