Talk Back

Some fans wonder why the Nationals did not schedule midweek day games this season, as in the three previous years. It's a g ood question that we'll pursue next week. The Baseball Gang, with its aging members, enjoys day ball.

It's apparent that a steroid cloud will always hang over baseball. From 1990 to 2005, most players are unfortunately suspect. Circumstantial evidence is admissible in the court of public opinion and we can look back at past incidents, like Roger Clemens throwing a broken bat at Mike Piazza, as symptomatic of what these guys were doing beyond the obvious physical changes. The repeated denials carry no weight to me.

Glenn Goldstein, Reston

Still, who in this country gets convicted without a trial?

* * *

I agree completely with all the good things you said about Joe Gibbs. Unfortunately, his retirement means that the Redskins have nowhere to go but down. Simply, there is no coach available with Gibbs's coaching talent and leadership ability. Additionally, Daniel Snyder has indicated that he does not intend to do anything about the team's personnel operation.

Kevin Keenan, Oakton

The Redskins team that finished the season with four straight wins and made the playoffs looked pretty good to me.

* * *

Why is it I get the feeling that last week saw the departure of the reigning Washington sports icon, Joe Gibbs, followed by the emergence of his successor, Alex Ovechkin? The news that Ovechkin will play the next 13 years with the Caps makes me think that he may be next to join the pantheon of Washington sports royalty. D.C. isn't known as a hockey town, but Ovechkin is so talented, so ingenuous, so passionate about the game and so marketable, that he just may turn that around. Kudos to Ted Leonsis for coming through on his promise to open up the wallet at the appropriate time.