Throw the Flag on the '12th Man'

Monday, Monday

Mark Tuohey, chairman of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission, spent the weekend in New York. He said he saw the play "Doubt" but quickly added in a Friday telephone interview he has "no doubt" that the city and Major League Baseball will come to an agreement on a lease for a new stadium along the Anacostia River by 2008 "over the next week." That, Tuohey said optimistically, will result in MLB finally selling the Nationals.

Tomorrow, the D.C. Council will hold a hearing on the rising costs of the stadium that should result in lots of posturing from the Usual Suspects while my friend at Channel 4, Tom Sherwood, will in his most dire tones have dopes like me believing the Nationals are headed for the contraction heap with the Florida Marlins, with Fenty & Co. bidding "good riddance."

"No big deal," Tuohey said. "A hearing is a hearing."

Nationals President Tony Tavares said, referring to the city's agreement with MLB last year: "A deal is a deal. This stadium could be something special, but I hope it doesn't get ugly Monday."

Meanwhile, the Marlins -- whose efforts to get a new stadium in downtown Miami apparently has ended in failure -- began dumping players, a la the pre-lockout Capitals, for the second time in their 13-year history despite winning two World Series.

"I still think Atlanta and Philadelphia are the teams to beat in our division," Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden said of the Mets adding first baseman Carlos Delgado from the Marlins last week.

Bowden, who did a good job for the Nationals last season, says the uncertain ownership situation here, stadium lease, or his pursuit of the GM job in Boston are no impediments to his working for the Nats.

"I work for the Nationals every day," Bowden said. "I've taken 10 hours from the Nats to interview with the Red Sox. We need another starting pitcher and to upgrade the center field position so we can play Brad Wilkerson elsewhere."

Meanwhile, the Red Sox, without a GM, acquired Josh Beckett from the Marlins and Jaromir Jagr from the Rangers.

Touching the Bases

Redskins broadcaster Sam Huff, a Hall of Famer from his linebacking days with the New York Giants and Redskins, had his No. 75 retired at West Virginia on Thursday night. The 71-year-old Huff wore number 70 in the pros; he and Jerry West are the only Mountaineers to have their numbers retired.

Tough luck award to the Good Counsel football team and its coach, Bob Milloy. The Falcons lost to DeMatha, 21-20, in the WCAC title game last Sunday, after losing to the Stags, 22-21, in the regular season and 30-29 in last year's title game. "Can't catch a break," Milloy said. But a nod to Bill McGregor's Stags, who won the close games, and Dunbar Coach Craig Jefferies for defeating Coolidge, 43-14, for its seventh Turkey Bowl triumph in eight years.

Big night: Washington's Alex Ovechkin went up against Pittsburgh rookie Sidney Crosby last Tuesday. Crosby got the best of it and the Penguins won, 5-4, but these two super rookies are the real deal. One of them plays here.

Played in a 34th Turkey Bowl in Bethesda on Thursday. I caught two balls for 30 yards, but would have caught more if the QB was any good and my teammates appreciated me more and game organizers would think to get Brett Favre after he retires because he'd make me better.

Have a comment of question? Reach me at talkback@washpost.com.