That’s my take.

Wild Bill

Thank you for taking on the majority ownership of the Wizards. I am confident that under your stewardship they will ultimately rise to the same high level of quality play we fans have come to expect and enjoy from our Capitals.

I couldn’t help but notice when I was at the February 4th Orlando Magic game Friday night that Black History facts were being displayed on the large jumbotron. I’m not sure what sources the Wizards use, but in my day job I’m the Director of the Study of the Legacy of Slavery at the Maryland State Archives so I have to pay attention a little bit about researching and finding/double checking facts. One of my uncle’s was also Alex Haley, author of ROOTS, so the pressure is often on me to be cognizant of any Black History facts or statements going out.

I noticed that one of the statements on the big screen said that Congressman J.C. Watts was the African American statesman who gave the Republican response to the President’s State of the Union Address in 1966. I thought that sounded wrong but my iphone was not giving me good enough reception to check it on the spot. My suspicion was that JC Watts would have been very very young to have given any kind of address as I recalled him to be a relatively young man even now. Checking Wikipedia and other sources later that night, I found that former Congressman Watts was born in 1957. He did indeed give the Republican response to President Clinton’s address but that occurred on February 4, 1997. Since it was so early in the year, the decision might have been made in 1996, but no earlier.

I know your daily concerns with the Wizards and Capital lay far above this matter, but as DC is a predominantly African American city it would not do the Wizards or their supporters any good to be known for communicating wrong information however well intended it might have been. I’ve also sent a comparable message to my seasons ticket holder representative, Tony Duffy, who has been an excellent representative of your organization, always providing me with prompt and accurate information. He said he will forward this to the appropriate department in the Wizards organization.

I once used the internet to bring up daily Black facts to my staff at the Maryland State Archives to make sure we were always somewhat aware of Black History data that was being broadcast and checking that statements were right. I applaud you for doing this at the Wizards home games. If I can be of any help, please let me know.

Onward and to multiple NBA championships and Stanley Cups.

Thanks,
Chris

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/nbh/2011/02/03-26/State-archivists-uncover-stories-of-slavery.html

Thanks,
Chris

Ernie Grunfeld has been GM for 8 years. He has been making trades and having high draft choices most of the time. Who in your starting 5 would start on a playoff team? How many of his draft choices are making an impact or how many are even in the league? How is last years number 5 choice doing for the Wizards? How have the coaches he put in place done or is than directly related to the players he has selected? There must be someone better to select next years high pick and develop a plan.

I’m from way out on the West part of Canada (British Columbia), in 100 Mile House, BC. You had sent us a signed Cap’s jersey for our sports feilds fundraiser through Liz about 6 years ago that we will not forget. I follow the Caps regularly and only wish they could get out to Vancouver more often. But there’s hope yet as both the Canucks and the Caps are contenders and would be my dream match up.
Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks again and trust all is well.

Regards,

Walter

Les

Ewing,NJ

Να είστε καλά και ο Θεός να σας ευλογεί, εσάς και την οικογένειά σας και να σας κρατήσει καλά.

Dimitri

I think there has been a Wizards disconnect for sometime.
The Washington Bullets with their wonderful uniforms were
changed to the Washington Wizards because the words “Bullets”
upset Mr. Pollin. That said, it is strange that Steve Buckhantz uses the word “Dagger” when the Wizards close out a game.

A bullet needs a gun in order to be lethal. A dagger doesn’t.
Maybe we should have Steve say: Presto Changeo

OR…lets go back to the: Washington Bullets.

Take care, Ted. Glad you are in DC and a major figure in
Washington sports.