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Deron Snyder

Deron Snyder

Deron Snyder is an award-winning journalist and Washington Times sports columnist with more than 25 years of experience. He has worked at USA Today and his column was syndicated in Gannett's 80-plus newspapers from 2000-2009, appearing in The Arizona Republic, The Indianapolis Star, The Detroit News and many others. Follow Deron on Twitter @DeronSnyder or email him at [email protected]

Articles by Deron Snyder

Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch, center, speaks to Jose Altuve, left, Carlos Correa, second from left, Marwin Gonzalez, second from right, and Yuli Gurriel (10) during baseball spring training at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via AP)

SNYDER: Tanking trend is a scourge (unless it's my team)

The Astros' World Series title last fall and the Philadelphia Sixers' uptick (currently seventh in the Eastern Conference), have amplified discussions about teams tanking. If it works, copycats will follow. Published February 21, 2018

Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles holds his daughter, Lily, after the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Eagles won 41-33. (AP Photo/Matt York)

SNYDER: The NFL and its fans needed this Super Bowl

This season was a rough one for the NFL, full of political potshots, lower TV ratings, higher fan apathy, questionable replay rulings and controversial concussion protocols. The league needed a great Super Bowl. Published February 5, 2018

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo speaks during a news conference before Game 4 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

SNYDER: Making Rizzo wait could end up costing Nationals

Bryce Harper might not be the Washington Nationals' most important free agent-to-be. That distinction could fall on the team's architect, general manager Mike Rizzo, whose contract also expires in 2018. The Nationals have yet to discuss an extension. Published January 22, 2018

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2016 file photo, Godfrey Dillard, left, and Perry Wallace take part in a lecture at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.  Wallace, who broke down a racial barrier by becoming the first black varsity basketball player in the Southeastern Conference, has died. He was 69. Wallace's death was announced Friday, Dec. 1, 2017,  by Vanderbilt University, where Wallace became an all-SEC player and remains among the Commodores' all-time rebounding leaders. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File) **FILE**

SNYDER: Sports can teach 'uncomfortable truths' about race and society

Athletic competition can teach us a lot. Through sports, we're able to learn about athletes and fans, as well as coaches and owners. The most obvious lessons center on principles like sacrifice, dedication and commitment. No one comes close to, or reaches, championships without paying a price, whether in team or individual sports. Published January 17, 2018

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

SNYDER: Teams winning in playoffs despite having mediocre quarterbacks

Entering the weekend Case Keenum, Blake Bortles, Nick Foles and Marcus Mariota combined had one game of playoff experience. That proved to be irrelevant.The quarterbacks in Sunday's conference championships will form history's all-time easiest, "Which of these don't belong?" Published January 15, 2018

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2017, file photo, Commissioner Larry Scott gestures while speaking about the formation of a task force on recruitment issues during NCAA college basketball Pac-12 media day, in San Francisco. Top leaders from the major professional sports leagues and individual franchises are looking at ways to avoid the kinds of sexual misconduct scandals that have rocked politics and the entertainment industry. The Anti-Defamation League's new Sports Leadership Council, chaired by Pac-12 Conference Commissioner Larry Scott and also featuring key civil rights activists and women's sports advocates and representatives, held its first meeting last week in New York. In attendance were NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, NCAA President Mark Emmert along with other top leaders such as Big East Commissioner and former WNBA President Val Ackerman, various pro sports owners and team presidents.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

SNYDER: Hypocritical NCAA disses college athletes. Again

Maybe I missed all the times NCAA execs complained about college administrators jumped from school to school or the cautionary tales about coaches chasing bigger paychecks at bigger programs. Why is it only athletes who get the finger-wagging? Published January 1, 2018

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) blocks Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2017. The Warriors won 99-92. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

SNYDER: Yes, instant replay has flaws. So fix 'em

Instant replay has its faults, as has been made abundantly clear in recent days. But does anyone really think sports would be better with no ability to correct any bad calls? Published December 27, 2017