Strasburg, Wall, McNabb, Ovechkin Make Washington DC Sports Relevant

The last Washington DC area team to win a championship was Major League Soccer's D.C. United in 2004. But how important was it really?

There wasn't even a victory parade for the MLS Cup—just a humble celebration at RFK Stadium.

The Redskins Super Bowl victory in 1991 marked the last championship for a team most of DC actually cared about.

And aside from the pro football team, it's been quite some time since Washington DC was a dominant sports town.

Yet, in the past few years, everything has started to swing.

First the Capital got a baseball team, then a hockey superstar. Now a few rookies have the town abuzz, and it finally appears championships are near for the diamond district.

As a fan of all the district teams (with the exception of the Redskins, who I'll cover without bias in this article), the upcoming decade has the potential to be the best stretch in DC area history for sports.

The next few slides examine the town's four major teams in light of their recent acquisitions, past failures, and future potential.

Washington Capitals

Founded: 1974
Last Playoff Appearance: 2010 (Upset in first round by Montreal Canadiens)
Last Championship: Never (One Stanley Cup Appearance, in 1998. Swept)

Reasons to believe things will turn around:

An afterthought in the DC landscape before Ovie, the Capitals are doing the best out of any city team right now, thanks to captain Alex Ovechkin and a group of inexperienced but promising players.

Mike Green is a regular season gamer, but has yet to show he can do anything in the postseason.

Goalkeeper Semyon Varlamov was amazing during the 2009 playoff run, but gave up some odd scores in this year's first round upset.

Will they be successful?

Early indications are that Ovechkin could be a Dan Marino, but it's very early. Heck, those same questions used to dog Peyton Manning.

This team dominated the regular season in 2009-2010, and it appears they have no reason to take steps back in 2010-2011.

The team that arguably initiated DC's sports renaissance will probably win the town's first championship in this millennium as well.

The Washington Redskins

Founded: 1932
Last Playoff Appearance: 2007 (First round loss)
Last Championship: 1991 (One of three Super Bowl championships in the team's history)

Reasons to believe things will turn around:

Looking at those numbers up top, it seems odd that Redskins fans are panicking. But after a 4-12 year in 2009, including a loss to the Lions, Burgundy and Gold faithful have already pushed the red button.

The Jim Zorn era didn't work, but now Skins fans are slowly coming out of their doldrums. The team hired proven winner Mike Shanahan and brought in former-rival quarterback Donovan McNabb—ending the Jason Campbell experiment after just a short time.

The combination of a veteran coach and veteran quarterback, combined with more-than-decent role players in Clinton Portis and Santana Moss, have most fans thinking the team can turn it around in just a year or two.

Will they be successful?

I think with Dan Snyder as an owner, they'll never win a championship.

But if Snyder can truly not interfere with the day-to-day operations (which he has promised to Shanahan), then the team will be much better off.

I think they're back in the playoffs in two years.

Washington Nationals

Moved to DC: 2005
Last Playoff Appearance: Never in Washington
Last Championship: No really, never even sniffed the playoffs

Reasons to believe things will turn around:

Despite being by far the worst team in the Capital area over the last four years, the Nationals may have the most championship potential down the road.

In baseball, where most teams besides Boston and New York (AL) have to build rosters over the course of a few years, the Washington Nationals have done just that.

While many teams at the bottom stay there, the Nats have shown marked improvement in 2010, thanks to great drafting and minor league development.

Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is one of the best in the league, and the team has a slugger in Adam Dunn.

And, oh yeah, they have the league's future-best pitcher in Stephen Strasburg, the only person who has generated a sellout for the Nationals since their park opened in 2008.

Lastly, the Nats have added phenomenon Bryce Harper, likely to be in the majors by 2012, through their recent draft. He'll be another key to their future success.

Will they be successful?

By 2013, the Nationals will make the playoffs. I said it.

Strasburg, Zimmerman, Harper, and relievers Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard all highlight a very good young roster.

Current problems with the team (lack of a true rightfielder, lack of a true closer) can be addressed through free agency and would add about 15 extra wins at least per season.

As for the excitement around a DC area team, the Nats and their future are getting plenty of hype.

The Washington Wizards

Played in DC area since: 1973
Last playoff appearance: 2008 (lost in first round, third time in three years)
Only championship: 1978

Reasons to believe things will turn around:

Wizards fans have been tantalized by one supposed turnaround already in the mid-2000s, when the "big three" of Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison, and Caron Butler took the team to three straight playoff appearances, only to lose to the Cavaliers in the first round every season.

But now, after unloading Jamison and Butler, the Wizards successfully tanked the end of the 2010 season, and parlayed it into the team's savior.

John Wall.

Sure, the tumultuous relationship with Arenas may be tested by bringing in another point guard, but now the Wizards have two great players again, and an emerging talent in Andray Blatche (pictured).

The Wall pick has resurfaced a number of Wizards fans who hid in shame after the Arenas/Crittendon debacle of last December, infusing more money into the team.

Also, as devastating as the passing of team owner Abe Pollin was, the team now has a new leader in Ted Leonsis, who led the Captials recent rise to prominence.

So, will they be successful?

As we've seen with Derrick Rose, drafting a point guard won't lead to instant gratification. But in 2-3 years, I think they'll be back in the playoffs.

Wall is an electric player, and should thrive in an NBA offense. If nothing else, his presence has led to a greater interest in the team, and could lead to a big free agent signing in 2011's offseason.

Of all the DC team's, this is probably the least sure thing as far as success, but the Wizards could also have the highest ceiling over the next few years.