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Deron Snyder

Deron Snyder

deronsnyder@gmail.com

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 deronwashtimes@gmail.com.

Articles by Deron Snyder

Houston Astros relief pitcher Roberto Osuna reacts after giving up a two-run home run to New York Yankees' DJ LeMahieu during the ninth inning in Game 6 of baseball's American League Championship Series Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) ** FILE **

Smart, analytical Astros? How about dumb, caveman Astros

Houston has been lauded for its acumen in analytics, its ability to gather and dissect data in determining the best moves -- on and off the field. The Astros' new-school approach, once revolutionary, is now commonplace in major-league front offices, largely run by Ivy Leaguers with business and finance degrees.

October 23, 2019
Houston Astros take batting practice for baseball's World Series Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in Houston. The Houston Astros face the Washington Nationals in Game 1 on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

SNYDER: Astros made tanking attractive

Need more reason to root for the Nationals? The Astros tanked their way to the top. They lost on purpose, and it worked, and sports is poorer for it. All of us are. Go Nationals.

October 21, 2019
Members of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Landover, Md. San Francisco won 9-0. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Redskins’ season already a washout as 49ers party

With conditions to remind them of home -- wet, windy and chilly -- the 49ers displayed a mindset directly from the school of positive psychology, finding sunshine on a rainy day. Meanwhile, the elements provided a perfect reflection for the Washington Redskins' damp and dreary season, which is already a washout less than halfway through.

October 20, 2019
Washington Redskins wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) grabs a pass, during the second half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. McLaurin scored two touchdowns. The Redkskins defeated the Dolphins 17-16. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Terry McLaurin shines on a team lost in the dark

In a season that couldn't be much worse -- beating Miami on Sunday was like putting a Band-Aid on a spouting jugular -- thank goodness for Terry McLaurin. Washington's rookie receiver is the gift that keeps giving.

October 14, 2019
Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen speaks to the media at an NFL football news conference, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Ashburn, Va. Jay Gruden was fired as head coach of the Washington Redskins on Monday after an 0-5 start to the sixth season of a tenure that featured only one playoff appearance. Owner Daniel Snyder and team president Bruce Allen informed Gruden he was out early Monday morning, a day after a 33-7 loss to the New England Patriots. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Redskins’ formula works for Bruce Allen, everyone else is on their own

Pick a coach. Bill Belichick. Nick Saban. Mike Tomlin. Dabo Swinney. Not one of them would thrive with this franchise as currently constructed. Not with Allen lording over the football and business operations, both sides of Snyder's crater-ridden aisle. Not in a culture that Allen incredulously labeled "damn good," but is more like "noxious dysfunction."

October 7, 2019
Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez speaks at a baseball news conference, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019, in Washington. The Nationals are scheduled to host the Milwaukee Brewers in a National League wild card game Tuesday, Oct. 1. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ** FILE **

Nationals’ wild card game a hindrance before the hump

Tuesday's matchup doesn't represent the obstacle Martinez had in mind when he brought three camels to Washington Nationals spring training last season. The wild card game is a start, but it's also just a hindrance before the hump.

September 30, 2019
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) on the bench during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack) ** FILE **

Objections to trade requests only show selfishness on fans’ part

There's been a lot of coverage lately about players who request -- no, demand! -- to be traded. Their desire to work elsewhere has caused great consternation among some fans and media members, who fret that these players are upsetting the natural order.

September 23, 2019
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson rushes the ball in the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) **FILE**

Lamar Jackson as offensive threat makes NFL life twice as nice

Mahomes is merely continuing the exploits that made him the 2018 NFL MVP. Jackson is trying to convince the league that he's not just a halfback taking snaps. Putting himself in the same sentence with Mahomes makes a great opening argument.

September 18, 2019
Virginia coach Tony Bennett speaks at the start of a celebration of Virginia's NCAA men's basketball title, Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, in Charlottesville, Va. A banner was raised at John Paul Jones Arena. (Andrew Shurtleff/The Daily Progress via AP)

Tony Bennett giveback rare in coaching industry

The Cavaliers' men's basketball coach knowingly violated his association's unwritten rules, the unspoken agreement that members will always prime the pump for the members coming behind.

September 16, 2019