Categories:

• Greatest Hits (25)

The Washington Wizards was first introduced to the NBA in the 1961-1962 season. However, did not start by using their current name. The team's name actually changed three times before they would get the name that they have today. When the team first started, they had a lot of success.

Originally, the team was known as the Chicago Packers. The following season they would be named the Zephyrs. In 1963, the team moved to Baltimore and were named the Bullets. It was not until 1995 that the owner, Abe Pollin, wanted to change the name. The reason for his decision was because he didn't think it had a positive overtone. The other reason that he wanted to change the name was because Washington had a very high homicide rate at the time. Able Pollin held a contest to change the name. The result of the contest was the changing of the team's name from the Bullets to the Wizards.

In the 1970s, the team did very well. The Bullets won six central division crowns. They also won four Eastern Conference Championships. The Bullets were in the NBA Championship series in 1973, and were even the favorites to win, but they lost a disappointing series to the Golden State Warriors.

The biggest year for the Wizards would be in the 1977-1978 season. This is when they won their first NBA championship against the Seattle Supersonics. The head coach Dick Motta used the catch phrase "it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings" as the Wizards made their way to the championship.

The Washington Nationals baseball team belongs to the National League's Eastern Division. The Nationals are an expansion team formed in 1969 as the Montreal Expos. They were the first major league team to ever play in Canada, but the team was not very successful while they played in Canada. They ultimately moved to Washington, D.C. in 2005 and became the Washington Nationals.

For the first three years in Washington, the Nationals played in RFK Stadium. They moved to newly-built Nationals Park this year. The Nationals are one of only four teams that have never played in a World Series. They did win a division championship and advanced to the playoffs, but got no further.

The best year in franchise history was the 1981 season. But the season was marred by a player's strike that split the season into two halves. Many considered the Expos to be champions that year, though unofficially. They also had the best record in baseball in 1994-- when another strike ended the season prematurely.

When the Expos moved to Washington, they followed in the footsteps of a number of previous teams who played in Washington. As they were looking for a new name, many thought they should revive the Senators name, but this met with dissent from those who said Washington, D.C. had no senators and thus shouldn’t use the name. The Texas Rangers still owned the rights to the name Senators as well, so the Expos became the Washington Nationals. The Nationals are owned by Ted Lerner. Their manager is Manny Acta, and the general manager is Jim Bowden.

The Washington Capitals Hockey Team did not exist until 1972, and started in the league season of 1974-1975. The team lost their first home game to the New York Rangers. During their first year in the league, they set a lot of futility records, scoring 21 points, losing 67 games, and only winning 19 games.

Their first two seasons were very tough because of frequent changes in coaches and because the team as a whole did not have much experience. In 1982-1983, the team made its first playoffs but then lost to the team that would end up being the Stanley Cup Champions -- the New York Islanders. The team had their first Stanley Cup Final in the 90's where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings.

The next year, the Team had a lot of disappointment. Although they were one of the favorites for the playoffs, because of injuries they did not make it. Later on that year they were sold to a group headed by AOL executive Ted Leonis. In 2001 the team won back-to-back division titles and got Jaromir Jagr, the three time Art Rose Trophy winner.

In 2003-2004, 42 of their games were one-point games. They won 2/3 of those games. The team's best player, Alex Ovechkin, tied for third for the NHL scoring and goals that year.

In 2008, the team changed their logo and uniforms with a new red, white and blue color scheme. They also fired the head coach because of that season's record of 6-14-1. Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green later that year were added to the sports news all-star team.

Donald Brashear is a six-foot three-inch 240-pound professional hockey player, and is rather intimidating on or off the ice. He is considered the enforcer, plays left wing, and ranks fourth in NHL penalty minutes for the Washington Capitals. His career started in 1992 when he played for the Montreal Canadiens. He has also played for the Vancouver Canucks, the Philadelphia Flyers, and now the Washington Capitals. His most recent contract with Washington has warranted him over $1.2 million for the 2008-2009 season.

Brashear's parents divorced when he was quite young. After moving between parents, Brashear was eventually raised by foster parents. While living with them he learned hockey. His motivation to learn the skills needed for hockey came not only from his foster parents but also from his four brothers. He has used his body checking skills and skating abilities to propel himself into the lead of penalty minutes for both the team and league.

The Pelle Lindbergh Memorial trophy was awarded to Brashear during the 2002-2003 season while he was playing for the Flyers, for showing the most improvement in his hockey skills and play. He does have a well-rounded field of training not only in hockey, but also with boxing. Joe Frazier, a legendary boxer, played an important part of Brashear’s life by allowing the hockey player to train with him. Also, James "Hoss" Skelton, UFC Champion, has contributed to Bradshear's training. Another important aspect of Donald Brashear's professional life is his involvement as a NHL Diversity Task Force member.