Posted on July 30th, 2018
By DERON SNYDER (as published in The Washington Times)
The heart says no.
Don’t give up on the Nationals’ core. Resist the urge to be sellers as the MLB trade deadline approaches. If you must go down, do so fighting in possibly your last season with Bryce Harper.
The head says … I don’t know.
General manager Mike Rizzo has good reasons to listen as playoff-bound teams call him. He’s usually the person reaching out to also-rans, sniffing for their players who could make an immediate impact in Washington. Being on the receiving end of such inquiries must be difficult, especially when the Nats were considered World Series contenders entering the season.
This team was built to win, not surrender. It was supposed to capture its fifth NL East title in seven years and advance to the NL Championship Series for the first time. Rookie manager Dave Martinez was supposed to be an upgrade over Dusty Baker as the Nats de-emphasized gut decisions.
But what does the gut say about this?
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Posted on July 25th, 2018
By DERON SNYDER (as published in The Washington Times)
Imagine if your wife asked a younger, sexier, better-looking version of you to move into the basement.
That’s how starting quarterback Joe Flacco probably felt when the Ravens drafted Lamar Jackson, wondering how long before the rookie replaces him in the master bedroom.
The question is when, not if. But early reports suggest Flacco’s performance will improve, allowing him to retain his position one more season.
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Posted on July 23rd, 2018
By DERON SNYDER (as published in the Washington Times)
Did you hear the one about the Florida man playing music in his garage? Police responded to a noise complaint and killed him – shooting through his closed garage door. A federal jury last month awarded the family $4 for its pain and suffering.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said the shooter “was placed in a very difficult situation, and like so many fellow law enforcement officers must do every day, he made the best decision he could for the safety of his partner, himself and the public given the circumstances he faced.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans heard about the case over the weekend and contributed $11,000 to a GoFundMe campaign for Gregory Hill’s family, including the three now-fatherless children.
Sadly, gross injustices such as Hill’s death don’t rile up folks nearly as much as NFL players’ symbolic gestures during the national anthem.
I understand if you’re tired of the ongoing debate on proper posture and policies during pregame proceedings. But the cause should be more tiresome and troubling than the effect. The same energy used to protest players who protest, should be directed at our nation’s systematic inequality.
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Posted on July 19th, 2018
By DERON SNYDER (as published in The Washington Times)
Terrell Owens is one of the greatest NFL receivers ever, period.
He’s also one of the strangest NFL players ever, period.
The latter has no bearing on the former, or at least it shouldn’t. But Owens continually proves he’s in a class by himself, which will be the case during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Aug. 4.
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Posted on July 17th, 2018
By DERON SNYDER (as published in The Washington Times)
In case you wondered, Bryce Harper was favored to win the All-Star Home Run Derby at +225, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddShark.com. Chicago Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber was the second choice at +333.
If you preferred an alternative source and a different presentation of odds – maybe wagers in $100 increments aren’t your thing – Bovada had Harper atop the board at 11/4, followed by Milwaukee’s Jesus Aguilar at 7/2. Schwarber trailed the field, tied with Houston third baseman Alex Bregman, arguably a bargain at 9/1.
As for the game itself, SportsInteraction.com has the American League at -140 (compared to +120 for the NL). The site also offers a plethora of propositions involving runs per inning, the score at various junctures, winning margin, etc.
Anyone who wagers on All-Star games might need an intervention.
Then again, Westgate Las Vegas offered championship odds on the 30 teams in Vegas for Summer League – from 8/1 on Phoenix to 50/1 on Denver and Minnesota.
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Posted on July 12th, 2018
By DERON SNYDER (as published in The Washington Times)
At least Damon Evans knew what he was getting into when he became Maryland’s new athletic director. He was elevated to the permanent position a couple of weeks ago, having spent the previous eight months in the role on an interim basis.
He wasn’t naïve about the challenges ahead and wasn’t blindsided by repercussions from the past. But events that transpired shortly before and after his promotion probably gave him more gray hair than existed when former AD Kevin Anderson stepped away in October.
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Jordan McNair experienced a health challenge during conditioning drills in late May and died on June 13. Evans had to address the tragedy then and he addressed it again during his introductory new conference.
“It has been a trying time,” he said. “When you deal with something as significant as a student-athlete passing away, it’s something that you just never imagine or expect to happen at your institution.”
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Posted on July 11th, 2018
By DERON SNYDER (as published in The Washington Times)
Bryce Harper was bound to reach the All-Star Game in the home ballpark of the franchise that drafted him. He’s one of the biggest names and most marketable stars in a sport that struggles to players with high Q-ratings and multiple advertising campaigns.
Harper’s whereabouts on July 17 were never in doubt. We just weren’t certain he’d participate in the Home Run Derby, since he skipped the last four. But with the All-Star Game in Washington for the first time since 1969, we thought Harper’s sense of history and duty would win out.
The face of the Nationals will be plastered over TV and cyberspace next week as the franchise welcomes everyone to town. Harper will have significant duties as an ambassador and in-demand target of corporate sponsors. It should be a lot of fun … until someone asks him about next season.
He opened his first spring-training interview with a threat to “walk out that door” if any reporter inquired about the 2019 season. When the New York Yankees visited Nationals Park for a series in May, their press corps danced around the prospect of pinstripes in Harper’s future while coming as close as possible.
His admiration of Mickey Mantle? His childhood affection for the Yankees? His knowledge about the Bronx Bombers’ current lineup and their longstanding policy on facial hair?
Reporters swung and missed more than Harper has done lately.
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Posted on July 4th, 2018
By DERON SNYDER (as published in The Washington Times)
Once again, it’s time to check off some items on my “TIDU List” – Things I Don’t Understand:
*HOW OTHER NBA TEAMS CAN EMULATE GOLDEN STATE.
The Warriors embrace Gordon Gekko’s philosophy: “Greed is good.” The record for victories in a season and a championship the next year wasn’t enough. Adding a league MVP (Kevin Durant) didn’t suffice, either. Now, after back-to-back titles, the Warriors have bolstered their portfolio with All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins. Here’s a message to envious opponents, amid complaints that Golden State is ruining the league:
Develop three home-grown All-NBA players and then we’ll listen.
*WHY THE NATIONALS CAN’T CATCH A BREAK.
Considered a virtual lock to win a third consecutive NL East title, the Nationals could miss the second wild card at this rate. Injuries and slumps keep arising at the most inopportune moments. The former caused starter Erick Fedde to exit Wednesday’s game in the second inning; the latter has led to a 6-18 record since the Capitals won the Stanley Cup.
Maybe DC’s sports curse hasn’t given up the ghost yet.
*HOW MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CAN IGNORE ITS DOLDRUMS.
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Posted on July 2nd, 2018
By DERON SNYDER (as published in The Washington Times)
You can’t say the NBA was hurting with LeBron James in Cleveland.
Nearly every measure was up last season, including attendance, TV ratings, merchandise, and streaming. The league dominates social media like none other. And the average franchise value is at an all-time high.
James apparently could’ve played in Memphis or Salt Lake City without losing any personal wattage or reducing his marketing value to the NBA. Lesser stars can do quite well on both counts in markets smaller than Cleveland, like Anthony Davis in New Orleans and Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.
We’re long past the time when high profiles and national appeal were constricted outside of major metropolitan areas, particularly New York and Los Angeles. Oakland and Oklahoma City are home to some of basketball’s biggest personalities. San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard could be on that list, too, if he ever opened his mouth.
But despite the league’s ability to market players in any city, and players’ ability to promote themselves via the Internet, nothing really compares to luminaries joining the Lakers.
Hollywood has a knack for drawing the brightest stars and James is just the latest.
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