subject: The Big Satellite Tv Happenings For Virginia Sports Fans [print this page] While you might not see much in the way of sports teams in Virginia proper, there is so much action for fans around the state that it doesnt really matter. Maryland has the Orioles, DC has the Nationals, college football is everywhere and North Carolina has the top college basketball teams. So is there really anything for a Virginia sports fan to not love about the present day scene? Here are some of the big happenings on satellite TV.
1. The resurgent Orioles. The Orioles were a true laughingstock at the beginning of the 2010 season. Some analysts even predicted they would break the record of futility set by the Mets at the beginning of their franchise for most losses in a season. The typical managerial firing took place, prompting everyone to say so what? Then, something happened. They hired not another stopgap manager but a real game changer: Buck Showalter. Hes the man who set up the Yankees and Diamondbacks for their championship runs, so he knows a thing or two about winning. The Orioles immediate turnaround under Showalter simply validated this fact.
2. The Strasburg Era. An injury might have temporarily shelved super prospect Stephen Strasburg, but there is on doubting that this phenom is here to stay. Packing the house whenever he pitches and living up to the incredible amount of hype surrounding him, Strasburg immediately sparked so much excitement that he is the newest rock star in baseball (as if it needed one). There is no doubt that his fastball and fantastic breaking pitches will continue to befuddle batters for many years to come. Virginia sports fans have a lot to look forward to.
3. The pennant races to the North and South. Whether you want to look up or down the East Coast, you are going to see pennant races being fought tooth and nail. The Braves have been able to hold off a Phillies repeat for months now by holding down first place, while the Yankees, Rays and Red Sox are wrapped up in a pas de trois for the ages. It doesnt matter who you root for: its must-see satellite TV.
4. The return of the Ravens. Up in northern Virginia, state lines matter little, so fans are always looking over to Baltimore and what the teams are up to. As football season approaches, that means its time to check in with the Ravens. It may have been a disappointing 2009-2010 season, but there is never any quit in this franchise.
5. The Wizards get back in step. It was a chaotic, even ugly year for the Washington Wizards in 2010, but much of that will change with the dawn of the new season. Its clear that the building blocks are already in place. Gilbert Arenas return will mean everything to the team, so its time to have a look and see what this highly talented group of basketball players is made of.
