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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

Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson congratulates pitcher Edwin Jackson as they walk off the field in April after the Nats beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-1. Mr. Johnson, 69, stays active mentally, physically and socially and controls stress. (Associated Press)

SNYDER: Nationals actually had quick rise to postseason

The Nationals played seven forgettable, regrettable seasons in Washington before establishing themselves among the majors' best teams this year. It seems like only yesterday that they compiled back-to-back 100-loss campaigns, while finishing last in the NL East five times in their first six seasons in D.C. There were times when you wondered if the Nats ever would field a winner.

October 4, 2012
**FILE** Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) drives to the basket April 14, 2012, against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of the Cavaliers' 98-89 victory in Washington. (Associated Press)

SNYDER: Wizards try to put best foot forward

The Wizards' path to respectability is littered with land mines, potholes and other assorted obstacles in the Eastern Conference. But at least Washington seems headed in the right direction, having jettisoned the goofballs and blockheads who steered it off course the past few seasons.

October 2, 2012
Mike Rizzo, center, celebrates making the playoffs with the team after the Washington Nationals in their locker room at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C., Monday, October 1, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

SNYDER: Finally, Nationals can pop the cork as division champs

As the home team prepared to bat Monday night in the bottom of the eighth at Nationals Park, the video screen flashed a favorable update from the Braves-Pirates game. A rousing cheer rose from the slightly-chilled crowd of 35,387 fans, one of the few chances they had all evening to fully exercise their vocal chords.

October 1, 2012
The Wizards have not made the playoffs since 2008. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

SNYDER: Wizards need to conjure up a potion for relevance

No one would suggest that D.C. has suddenly morphed into the nation's sports capital. The city has too much losing in the rearview mirror — and too many transient fans on the side — to make a grand proclamation just yet. But Washington clearly has been a center of attention lately in the world of professional fun and games.

September 27, 2012
File - In this Aug. 25, 2012 file photo, Buffalo Bills' Vince Young kneels on the turf after throwing an interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y. Six years after entering the NFL as the third player taken in the draft, Young finds himself without a team and with only a fraction of the money he received from a contract that paid him a guaranteed $26 million. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert, File)

SNYDER: For Vince Young, a tale of fame, fleeting fortune

HBO's Emmy-winning newsmagazine, "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," returned Tuesday night to open its 18th season. The lead story was a feature on Magic Johnson, the NBA great-turned-businessman whose net worth is estimated at $750 million. His famous smile was bigger and brighter than ever in the piece.

September 20, 2012
andrew harnik/the Washington Times Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns at New Orleans in his NFL debut, and he hasn’t even scratched the surface.

SNYDER: At long last, feel free to dream big with Redskins

In the NFL, lasting impressions have a seven-day shelf life. Seasons can soar and swoon from week to week, careening through the levels of ecstasy to the stages of grief. We know we shouldn't put too much stock into any given Sunday, but we do it anyway.

September 13, 2012
Washington Nationals' John Lannan delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

SNYDER: No Strasburg for Nats, no stress for Lannan

The Washington Nationals' 2-0 victory over the New York Mets basically was like any other game for all but two of Washington's players — Stephen Strasburg, the phenom whose season was shut down last week, and John Lannan, the one-time rotation stalwart now filling the gap.

September 13, 2012
** FILE ** Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins. (Associated Press)

SNYDER: A bit of Baylor in RG3’s offense

Running quarterbacks were oxymorons in the NFL, as curious a term as "blocking offensive linemen." Running was the nature of each back in the backfield -- whether he was a quarter, half or full -- until a metamorphism began about 75 years ago.

September 11, 2012
associated press Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg gave up five earned runs in three innings Friday against Miami in what was his last start of the season. He finished 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 159¿ innings.

Stephen Strasburg shutdown right move for future

Based on my totally unscientific measurements, about 90 percent of the national media have blasted Washington for Project Shutdown Stephen Strasburg. But of the 10 percent that support general manager Mike Rizzo's decision, the overwhelming majority is based in the D.C. metro area.

September 9, 2012
Xavier transfer Dez Wells on Wednesday was ruled eligible to play immediately at Maryland by the NCAA. (AP Photo/Zach Gibson)

SNYDER: In expelling Dezmine Wells, Xavier commits intentional foul

In cases involving a man, a woman and a closed door, the difference between accusations and actualities can be difficult to assess. Verdicts rendered by the criminal justice system aren't always accurate, no matter which side they favor. Unfortunately, regardless of who's lying and who's not, both parties are stained.

August 30, 2012