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Jesse Dougherty

@jessedougherty.bsky.social
7.5K followers 356 following 1.4K posts

Typing about sports for @washingtonsun.bsky.social (formerly NOTUS). Used to type about sports for the Washington Post. Get in touch: jessedougherty@washsun.com And subscribe to my free newsletter: collegesportsmoney.substack.com

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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The Protect College Sports Act passed in the Senate tonight, 77-22. Now it's on to the House. For @washingtonsun.bsky.social: www.washingtonsun.com/congress/sen...
washingtonsun.com
The Senate Passes Its College Sports Bill, Setting Up a House Fight
The bill passed 77-22 after a more than five-year battle over regulating college sports.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I've already reached broken record status on this, but I really can't get past these dissonant ideas. Feels like the whole thing to me. And more here: www.washingtonsun.com/sports/natio...
washingtonsun.com
The Nats Took a Step Forward This Year. Fans Still Deserve More.
It is nearly impossible to judge this Nationals season, which came to a conclusion on Sunday, within the binary of good or bad.
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Internet Contrarian @internetcontrarian.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The one thing about spending money is that, as you saw with Werth and Max, sometimes you need to do it a year earlier than anyone would think. You saw that in the flabby results and poor ticket sales this year. Only so much you can spend in a single offseason. But over 2-3? Alas.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2026 Washington Nationals. Did they overachieve or underachieve in the end? Drop your thoughts here, if you are moved to. I worked through it a bit for @washingtonsun.bsky.social: www.washingtonsun.com/sports/natio...
washingtonsun.com
The Nats Took a Step Forward This Year. Fans Still Deserve More.
It is nearly impossible to judge this Nationals season, which came to a conclusion on Sunday, within the binary of good or bad.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Have Cowboys-Ravens on mute while my baby sleeps in my lap (b/c my fantasy team has sucked me in again, which will last another two weeks max). Subtitles just showed the announcers discussing the teams traveling to Brazil. “Some guys slept.” “Some episodes.” And …
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Kevin Bartner @heshsson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A character based on him will appear in a remake of Field of Dreams in 60 years.
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The Washington Sun Metro @washsunmetro.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The Washington Sun’s @jessedougherty.bsky.social is hosting an AMA on r/Nationals today at 12 p.m. ET. Bring your questions!
reddit.com
From the Nationals community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the Nationals community
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Neighbors just had a baby with the middle name Aldo. Learning this, I said (to my wife): “Of course, after Aldo Ramirez, acquired by the Nats in the Kyle Schwarber trade.” It’s an incurable sickness.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The Nationals have spent the second half experimenting with calling pitches from the dugout. But Keibert Ruiz is still calling his own games, a sign of his growth as a catcher + the trust he's earned from the coaching staff and front office. More here: www.washingtonsun.com/sports/natio...
The Nationals have experimented with calling pitches from the dugout. But not when catcher Keibert Ruiz is behind the plate, because of the trust Ruiz has earned from the coaching staff.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Here’s what I saw, heard and learned while spending this past weekend with the Nats. Within: a customized bobblehead, the consensus most intriguing relievers + a key caveat to the team calling pitches from the dugout. And more for @washingtonsun.bsky.social: www.washingtonsun.com/sports/natio...
washingtonsun.com
Lessons From the Final Days of the Nationals’ Season
A customized bobblehead, pitchers showing promise, and a star player benched before owning his mistake.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The Nationals have spent the second half experimenting with calling pitches from the dugout. But Keibert Ruiz is still calling his own games, a sign of his growth as a catcher + the trust he's earned from the coaching staff and front office. More here: www.washingtonsun.com/sports/natio...
The Nationals have experimented with calling pitches from the dugout. But not when catcher Keibert Ruiz is behind the plate, because of the trust Ruiz has earned from the coaching staff.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Here’s what I saw, heard and learned while spending this past weekend with the Nats. Within: a customized bobblehead, the consensus most intriguing relievers + a key caveat to the team calling pitches from the dugout. And more for @washingtonsun.bsky.social: www.washingtonsun.com/sports/natio...
washingtonsun.com
Lessons From the Final Days of the Nationals’ Season
A customized bobblehead, pitchers showing promise, and a star player benched before owning his mistake.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Aside from some very quick analysis toward the end, this doesn’t get too into the money, why it makes sense for both sides, what it might indicate for future moves and spending, etc. But those are interesting topics for other days! Spreading ‘em out. www.washingtonsun.com/sports/cade-...
washingtonsun.com
Cade Cavalli Got His Big Contract. Then He Showed Everyone Why.
The Nationals won big Friday night, after reaching a contract extension with their ace.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
In the visitors clubhouse at Busch Stadium on Friday, the most important person in the room was also the loneliest. On Cade Cavalli and his contract extension, which just happened to be announced right before he pitched (for @washingtonsun.bsky.social): www.washingtonsun.com/sports/cade-...
washingtonsun.com
Cade Cavalli Got His Big Contract. Then He Showed Everyone Why.
The Nationals won big Friday night, after reaching a contract extension with their ace.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
In the visitors clubhouse at Busch Stadium on Friday, the most important person in the room was also the loneliest. On Cade Cavalli and his contract extension, which just happened to be announced right before he pitched (for @washingtonsun.bsky.social): www.washingtonsun.com/sports/cade-...
washingtonsun.com
Cade Cavalli Got His Big Contract. Then He Showed Everyone Why.
The Nationals won big Friday night, after reaching a contract extension with their ace.
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lindsey adler @lindseyadler.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I love when Hillary Clinton posts my friend's work.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Hillary Clinton, noted Washington Sun reader. (Also this is a great story by @emmabaccellieri.bsky.social about working moms in the NWSL)
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
What do active athletes think of the Protect College Sports Act? It's impossible to get an accurate cross-section of opinions across the 500,000+ across three divisions. But we got a tiny sense from two distinct pressers Monday (for @washingtonsun.bsky.social): www.washingtonsun.com/sports/colle...
washingtonsun.com
Lobbying for the College Sports Bill Is Heating Up
Athletes representing both sides of the debate spoke at competing news conferences Monday.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
With the Senate back next week, lobbying around the Protect College Sports Act has picked up again. And behind the scenes, two of the biggest names in sports labor are fighting it together. On Michele Roberts and DeMaurice Smith (@washingtonsun.bsky.social): washingtonsun.com/sports/miche...
washingtonsun.com
Two Sports Labor Giants Join Fight Against College Sports Bill
Michele Roberts and DeMaurice Smith, former heads of the NBA and NFL players’ unions, are lobbying against the PCSA.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I asked some professional hitting coaches to break down Vivek Ramaswamy's swing. "Very, very, very much a front-foot hitter, so that’s the first thing we’d attack. But I’m not sure it’s salvageable." For @washingtonsun.bsky.social: washingtonsun.com/campaigns/vi...
washingtonsun.com
Hitting Coaches Break Down Vivek Ramaswamy’s Baseball Swing
The candidate for Republican governor was mocked for his swing in a campaign video. We asked experts to weigh in.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
With the Senate back next week, lobbying around the Protect College Sports Act has picked up again. And behind the scenes, two of the biggest names in sports labor are fighting it together. On Michele Roberts and DeMaurice Smith (@washingtonsun.bsky.social): washingtonsun.com/sports/miche...
washingtonsun.com
Two Sports Labor Giants Join Fight Against College Sports Bill
Michele Roberts and DeMaurice Smith, former heads of the NBA and NFL players’ unions, are lobbying against the PCSA.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
If you, a politician, post your baseball swing on the internet, you will (maybe) get feedback from some of the brightest hitting minds around. That is the Washington Sun promise.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I asked some professional hitting coaches to break down Vivek Ramaswamy's swing. "Very, very, very much a front-foot hitter, so that’s the first thing we’d attack. But I’m not sure it’s salvageable." For @washingtonsun.bsky.social: washingtonsun.com/campaigns/vi...
washingtonsun.com
Hitting Coaches Break Down Vivek Ramaswamy’s Baseball Swing
The candidate for Republican governor was mocked for his swing in a campaign video. We asked experts to weigh in.
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Oriana González @oriana.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
SCOOP: Democrats' allies in Hollywood and entertainment industry are disillusioned with the party Dems are still asking them for messaging help in 2026 Hakeem Jeffries' team has hosted at least 2 meetings with screenwriters this cycle w/ @kadiagoba.bsky.social washingtonsun.com/2026-electio...
washingtonsun.com
Democrats’ Hollywood Allies Think the Party Has Lost the Plot
A number of entertainment industry figures who worked on Democrats’ successful 2018 cycle are sitting this one out.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The best writer in my house (@joanniesen.bsky.social) wrote a moving essay about her first cat. Eloise died last week at 16 years old. RIP to a good one. You should read it: joanniesen.substack.com/p/dont-get-a...
joanniesen.substack.com
don’t get a kitten
An ode to a weird and wonderful cat
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
For the @washingtonsun.bsky.social (!) ... I wrote about the blown saves record as the product of an interrupted growth curve. That doesn't absolve the Nationals of the bullpen they've run out this year. But it feels like necessary context for the whole thing: washingtonsun.com/sports/natio...
washingtonsun.com
The Nats, the Blown Saves Record, and Unforeseen Expectations
The Nationals have blown more saves than any team in MLB history. But there's more to it than just an embarrassing record.
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Wordblindness @wordblindness.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I am definitely in the minority of fans in feeling like last year’s bullpen was worse, but inarguably this year’s bullpen has had a much larger negative impact on the team record. Anyway, enjoyed this article (and I’m excited about the Sun in general).
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LetTeddyWin @blog.letteddywin.com · 09/09/2026
Spectacular stuff. Today NOTUS became The Washington Sun, and @jessedougherty.bsky.social writes the definitive perspective piece on what it really means that the @nationals.com have blown a record-setting 38th save. Must follow:
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Ellen Clair Lamb @eclamb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
It's true that the Nats wouldn't have blown saves if they hadn't been in the lead first. Doesn't ease the pain in the moment, but . . .
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
For the @washingtonsun.bsky.social (!) ... I wrote about the blown saves record as the product of an interrupted growth curve. That doesn't absolve the Nationals of the bullpen they've run out this year. But it feels like necessary context for the whole thing: washingtonsun.com/sports/natio...
washingtonsun.com
The Nats, the Blown Saves Record, and Unforeseen Expectations
The Nationals have blown more saves than any team in MLB history. But there's more to it than just an embarrassing record.
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Anna Kramer @annackramer.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
🌞 I’m a reporter for the @washingtonsun.bsky.social. And I’m so proud to be part of this next great investment in the news. Believe in what we’re doing? Subscribe and get in touch. Send tips, tell us what stories could use some sunlight. Can’t wait to do this together.
washingtonsun.com
Dana Milbank: The Washington Sun Rises Today. I Hope You’ll Join Our Orbit.
My boss, Tim Grieve, posted a photo on X last week of a shipment of office chairs that had just arrived at the Arlington, Virginia, headquarters of our new publication, The Washington Sun. “It's fun t...
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
NEWS, as they say: @notus.com is no longer; say hello to The Washington Sun! 🌞 Oh, and: We’ve struck a deal to carry daily weather reports from @capitalweather.com! www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/b...
nytimes.com
Politics News Site NOTUS Rebrands as The Washington Sun
A trademark dispute scuttled its plans to relaunch as The Washington Star, so the site chose a different name.
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Dana Milbank @danamilbank.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Launching tomorrow! Here comes “The Sun.” The Washington Sun, that is. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/b...
nytimes.com
Politics News Site NOTUS Rebrands as The Washington Sun
A trademark dispute scuttled its plans to relaunch as The Washington Star, so the site chose a different name.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
A little late to this, but @zcrizer.bsky.social wrote this incredible piece on Chris Sale last week. His newsletter, The Bandwagon, is a must-read for any baseball fans, casual, diehard or otherwise. I am here to suggest a subscription. Do it! bandwagon.ghost.io/legend-of-a-...
bandwagon.ghost.io
Legend of a thin man
Chris Sale and the shape of the unbelievable
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
For @newyorker.com, I wrote about Oberlin football. Or, more accurately, I wrote about Oberlin and football, a student newspaper scrap — and how the sport is a reflection of wherever it exists, no exceptions: www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
newyorker.com
How an Op-Ed in Support of Football Divided Oberlin’s Campus
The liberal-arts college Oberlin has barely won any football games in the past few years. Still, one senior argued, the school and its students should support the team.
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jesse @jesseltaylor.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
they're reading from the ancient tomes!
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Jacob Kramer-Duffield @jaykaydee.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Jesse does a good job laying out the current state of play but as a former Oberlin Review sports (&c., &c.) editor I can tell you that this EXACT discourse cycle has repeated many, many times over the long history of Yeoman Football's decrepitude.
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The New Yorker @newyorker.com · 06/09/2026
How an op-ed arguing that Oberlin should support its football team divided the campus. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
newyorker.com
How an Op-Ed in Support of Football Divided Oberlin’s Campus
The liberal-arts college Oberlin has barely won any football games in the past few years. Still, one senior argued, the school and its students should support the team.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
In its season opener today, Oberlin lost to Hiram College, 33-2.
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t2va.bsky.social @t2va.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I’m tickled by Oberlin football getting more coverage in the New Yorker than on any sports site. Feels very Obie!
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
For @newyorker.com, I wrote about Oberlin football. Or, more accurately, I wrote about Oberlin and football, a student newspaper scrap — and how the sport is a reflection of wherever it exists, no exceptions: www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
newyorker.com
How an Op-Ed in Support of Football Divided Oberlin’s Campus
The liberal-arts college Oberlin has barely won any football games in the past few years. Still, one senior argued, the school and its students should support the team.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I tried to delete this and take out the typo but now I've just posted the same typo twice and will have to live with that. It should say up-and-down SEASON, not stories. Sorry. Thanks for reading.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Wrote about Daylen Lile. And the brain game of following up a rookie breakout with an up-and-down stories. And the negative stories we tell ourselves. And a conversation I had in 2022 that I still think about. For @notus.com: www.notus.org/sports/dayle...
notus.org
Daylen Lile, Nationals Cornerstone?
The 23-year old outfielder is in the middle of a (very) hot streak.
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Emma Baccellieri @emmabaccellieri.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Today’s my first day with @notus.com! Stoked to get started here writing about sports in DC + beyond. emmabaccellieri@notus.com for all your tips, releases, etc. Let’s go 🤸🏻‍♀️
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
So, so excited about this hire for our sports section @notus.com. Emma is an incredible reporter, writer, storyteller — all the things. She's also long made me very, very jealous with her ideas, so it's awesome to get to be on the same team now.
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Jenn Hatfield @jennhatfield.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
This is one of the best stories I've read all summer because of how layered it is - and also how relatable it is. A lot of us have "what if?" thoughts about our athletic careers (and plenty else), just at much lower levels than MLB. Kudos to @jessedougherty.bsky.social and @notus.com.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
How can you not be romantic about baseball (between the Nationals and Rockies in a near-empty ballpark in late August of a season in which both teams are out of the playoff race)? My latest for @notus.com: www.notus.org/sports/washi...
notus.org
No-Stakes Baseball Doesn’t Exist — Not Even at Nats Park
The Nationals’ season is going off the rails, but that doesn’t mean the games don’t matter.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Incredible work here by @annackramer.bsky.social
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Anna Kramer @annackramer.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
SCOOP: Trump officials are pressuring the National Park Service to find a way to give a small piece of Yosemite to a private developer. The land would be used for a road, to give the developer rare private access to the heart of the park.
notus.org
Trump’s Quietly Working to Give Part of Yosemite to a Private Developer
The National Park Service is under pressure to make an unprecedented deal that cedes a quarter-mile strip of the park.
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Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
How can you not be romantic about baseball (between the Nationals and Rockies in a near-empty ballpark in late August of a season in which both teams are out of the playoff race)? My latest for @notus.com: www.notus.org/sports/washi...
notus.org
No-Stakes Baseball Doesn’t Exist — Not Even at Nats Park
The Nationals’ season is going off the rails, but that doesn’t mean the games don’t matter.
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