The Smithsonian's National Zoo has given us plenty of baby animals to coo over this summer, but most of them remain at the Front Royal Conservation and Research Center, not on display to the public at the actual Zoo. So if you're jonesing for some cute and in need of a fix, you might consider a weekend road trip to the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, where four lion cubs are making their debut today (and don't be confused by the Associated Press's story, which appears to have misidentified the cubs as tigers - they are in fact lions). The baby lions, three boys and one girl named Ajani, Razi, Dakari and Zarina, were born on May 2, and this will be the first weekend that the public will be able to see them in person. They're no clouded leopards, of course, but they'll do in a pinch. more ›

UPDATE (4:10pm): Nuthin! Per Barry Svrluga, the Nats passed the trade deadline without making a move, despite a flurry of late rumors. While they might make minor moves in August (like last year with Livan), they decided against moving Rauch or Cordero. Let's hope Chief's feelings aren't hurt and he strikes out Dunn for the save tonight! UPDATE (2:35pm): The Red Sox, rumored to have sought after Cordero since last winter, have reportedly filled their... more ›

Well, we may have been reluctant at first due to his, um, colorful past (as were many others). We also doubted his All Star chances. Now, though, we’re now firmly aboard the Dmitri Young Chuckwagon. In the same week he was named to the NL team for next week’s All Star Game in San Francisco, Young went 3-4 yesterday. His day was highlighted by a grand slam, cementing the Nats 6-0 win in front of... more ›

The talk about the Nationals being the worst team in major league history seems to have been slightly exaggerated. That being said, they've been pretty awful in losing 5 in a row, including being swept by the Cubs this weekend. The Nats are 9-22, 10.5 games out of first place in the National League East and 5.5 behind the fourth place Phillies. And they face the surprising Brewers, who have the best record in baseball,... more ›

>> We note the passing of one of the sporting world's all-time greats: former Grambling State University coach Eddie Robinson. Robinson coached the Tigers from 1941 through 1997, compiling a record of 408-165-15. Redskins fans owe Robinson a debt of gratitude for coaching up the man who would ultimately replace him at Grambling, Doug Williams, who won the MVP award for leading the Skins to victory in Super Bowl XXII. >> Thank you, DCist... more ›

When Butterstick's official name was to be chosen, the National Zoo put the decision in the hands of us, the normal folk. Now they're looking to do the same with the three newest additions to the zoo's stock -- the tiger cubs. more ›

It was bound to happen. Butterstick, the National Zoo's resident mound of animal cuteness (a panda cub, to be exact), has ceased being the cutest thing to hit Woodley Park since, well, ever. more ›

So, in case you hadn't heard, George Mason is in the Final Four. As an 11-seed and member of the Colonial Athletic Assocation, the Patriots are the natural underdogs heading into Indianapolis. But in a tournament full of upsets, with four unlikely combatants -- Mason, UCLA, LSU, and Florida -- left standing, it's absurd to heavily favor one team or heavily discount the chances of another. This Final Four is the toughest to handicap in... more ›

We've all heard the news -- the negotiations between MLB and the District over the new stadium aren't going particularly well. The City Council is increasingly annoyed with a stadium that is fast exceeding expected costs, while MLB continues being its own worst enemy by refusing to consider even the most basic financial concessions to the city. In a private meeting with the council yesterday, MLB chief negotiator Jerry Reinsdorf both surprised and angered the... more ›

Alrighty then, so much for momentum. After seemingly turning their lost season around with big victories over Duke and Georgia Tech (two Final Four participants from last year), Maryland laid an egg last night by losing on the road to ACC doormat Clemson. The 88-73 win marked the Tigers first victory over Maryland since the last millenium. "We're still trying to find our identity in terms of being able to play hard every night," Maryland... more ›