I went to the Nationals game last night with my family. It was a fun game and a great win for the home team.
We saw an inside the park home run AND a triple play and some great plays by our fantastic third baseman.
I was congratulated about a thousand times with quotes like:
“Good work last night.”
“Way to go.”
“Awesome start.”
“You da man.”
“We love you. Way to get that first pick.”
As if I had anything to do with any of that 
. Thank you so much. Embrace the luck and the good fortune.
Later in the game I went to the men’s room, and as I walked up the stairs fans in the stands started to chant “Don’t trade the pick… don’t trade the pick… don’t trade the pick.” Don’t worry — we won’t!
As we were leaving the game the same group started to chant “We want Wall… We want Wall…We want Wall.” No comment.
Thank you for feeling positive and enthusiastic. I love mingling and hanging out with fans. I feed off your energy. Read this article and thank you again.
Wow, just saw the fox and friends interview. Washington fans are lucky to have such a passionate owner. I hope the Wilpons learn your approach so baseball becomes more enjoyable for me and countless Met fans to watch. That being said…can you buy the Mets?
Mr. Leonsis;
Congrats on your purchase of the Wizards. I’m a lifelong Caps and Bullets/Wizards fan. I remember the joy of winning the NBA championship in 1978, and singing along to that horrid “Bullets Fever” song. lol
With all due respect to the wishes of Mr. Pollin, I really think that the name Wizards, however, has always kind of been the answer to a question more than our team’s name. I thin there is no other place in the world where red white and blue can be worn with pride than in Washington D.C. The Bullets is who we are. It’s the soul of the franchise, and I really do not think it represents violence in its most nefarious sense. I recently read an article in the Washington Post where your thoughts on the subject were summarized; I hope you make that change. When I think of the Bullets (having lived my entire life in the D.C. metropolitan are with the current exception of moving to Korea for two years)I think of Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, Gus Williams, Terry Porter, Mike Riordan, Bobby Dandridge, the Bruise Brothers and the champions of Bullets lore….I think of basketball greatness (and that song-lol). I am very much looking forward to the coming seasons and as a fan I believe in you as our owner. We are uniquely positioned to do some really special things ooner than later. Thanks for reading!
Regards,
Jeff
Damn it Ted,
Just say your going to pick me, you know you want me ;D
Mr. Leonsis,
Welcome to the Wizards family. We miss Mr. Pollin dearly but we are thrilled to have you take over. In the history of sports I’m not sure there has been a better change-of-ownership situation than this right here. And sure enough, with you looking in on your first lottery and Mr. Pollin giving our lottery balls a boost from above, we win. It’s been years since us Wizards fans have been this excited.
This is a great time for the D.C. sports scene: the arrival of Shanahan/Allen/McNabb, the dominance of Ovechkin, the debut of Drew Storen and that other guy (Steve Strasburg?) along with the #1 overall pick yet again in the MLB draft (Bryce Harper) and now, the greatest of them all, the Washington Wizards winning the lottery in a draft that has an actual player worthy of being the #1 overall pick. In the 27 years of my life, there has NEVER been so much hope in Washington D.C.
I have a favor to ask you though Mr. Pollin. Well two favors actually. First one: Please just tell us you’re drafting John Wall. Us Wiz fans have been traumatized over the years. We have the sports-equivalent of shell shock. Our bursting-at-the-seams enthusiasm has really been dampened by the though that we might try to get cute and not go with the best prospect in years at the most important position on a basketball team. The suspense isn’t fun. It’s heart wrenching.
My second favor: I help moderate a Wizards fanboard– http://www.wizardsextreme.com. It is one of the few–if not the only–Wizards-dedicated message boards in the entire universe. Swing by some kind and tell us fans hi. That would be the coolest thing ever. And you’re clearly a cool guy
Congratulations to you Mr Leonsis. What a great way to start you reign as the owner of the Wizards. However, I must employ to and your staff to please to think before getting rid of Gilbert. There have been so many negatives things said about Gil that I feel I should defend him as will many other DC fans. Yes, Gilbert made a mistake but he is not the cancer to this team that some people portray him to be. Like you, I believe in second chance and feel in my heart that Gil wants to do right by the Wizards and win this city and organization a championship, if given the opportunity. I keep hearing rumors that you all want to buy him out. As an accountant that does not make sense. Make no doubt about it, when Gil returns he will return with a vengence and I would prefer that that talent stays in DC. So many times a lot of great players have been sent packing from this team only to come back and blast us. Please Mr Leonsis, don’t make that mistake. Remember, Gil was allowed free reign and not held to task as he should have been. Maybe if the head brass had told him to cut it out with the pranks, we would not be talking about this now. I understand the need to want to go young, but, you must remember, the fans have suffered through two HORRIBLE season and are tired of all of the broken promises. I will stay a Wizards fan but if Gil goes, sorry, but I will root for the team he plays with. Anyway, once again, CONGRATULATIONS! Wall baby! I also hope you all bring Josh Howard back. He started the resurgence after the house cleaning but was unfortunate enough to fall under the injury curse it seems this team has.
yes big draft coming up—-hockey that is—
Ted,
Congrats again on the pick. Having been born and raised in D.C. it is pleasent to see good fortune finally come our way.
All the best!!
P.S. Please change the Wizards name, I haven’t met a washingtonian that is fond of the current moniker.