Sports Columns

Andrew Beyer

Shackleford fights off all comers

Shackleford isn’t going to be remembered as great Preakness winner, or even an above-average Preakness winner, but he proves to be a fighter in winning the Preakness.

Andrew Beyer

Animal Kingdom just might double up

COLUMN | Unlike most long-shot Derby winners, Animal Kingdom might be a legitimate champion, albeit in a slow 3-year-old class.

Andrew Beyer

Plenty of joy to go around

COLUMN | Syndicate members purchased shares in Kentucky Derby winner through Barry Irwin’s inventive business.

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Thomas Boswell

Trying times will test Riggleman

As the offense struggles to perform and the team hovers around .500, the Nationals will have to prove that they’re willing to play hard for Manager Jim Riggleman.

Thomas Boswell

From prodigy to Hall of Famer

COLUMN | Harmon Killebrew’s life and career demonstrate the benefits of patience in developing prodigious talents.

Thomas Boswell

A farewell to bad arms

COLUMN | With a cast of relievers with filthy stuff, the Nationals have a bullpen that could be dominant.

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Norman Chad

Fans always come back

COLUMN | Polls show some won’t return to watching sports after a work stoppage, but that never pans out.

Norman Chad

Cuban rarely on the money

Couch Slouch: The Mavericks’ loud-mouthed owner thinks people should listen to him, merely because of his wealth.

Norman Chad

Don’t take me out to the ballgame

Fans are wising up and staying away from MLB games as a result of the high prices, long games and hooligans in the upper deck.

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John Feinstein

The right choice isn’t always the obvious one

COLUMN | Mark Turgeon might not have been at the top of Maryland fans’ lists, but he might be the perfect coach to replace Gary Williams.

John Feinstein

Feinstein: Maryland will miss its man in motion

Gary Williams rarely sought rest or relaxation in building teams that worked incredibly hard.

John Feinstein

Feinstein: Larranaga’s legacy is Hewitt’s burden

Former Georgia Tech coach will take over George Mason basketball program that is expected to win now and keep recruiting top players.

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Tracee Hamilton

Harper’s time well spent in minors

COLUMN | There are many reasons to keep Bryce Harper down on the farm for the entire season.

Tracee Hamilton

Considering himself lucky

COLUMN | Nick Gilbert wins the NBA draft lottery by knockout, helping Cavaliers fans forget ‘The Decision.’

Tracee Hamilton

No one’s a match for time

Tiger Woods has plenty of golf in front of him, but at age 35 after a series of health problems, he likely won’t tower over the game again.

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Sally Jenkins

Owners’ greed knows no bounds

COLUMN | Whether it’s fans or their employees, NFL owners call the same play: the squeeze.

Appeals court keeps lockout in place

Sally Jenkins

Winning majors, and legions of followers

COLUMN | By playing the game with exuberance and unpredictability, Seve Ballesteros became a champion weekend hackers could relate to.

Sally Jenkins

Dig out instead of digging in

COLUMN | Owners should treat players as partners, not enemies to forestall future labor strife.

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Jason Reid

It’s time to get serious about defense

As the NBA draft approaches, Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld should focus on defense.

Jason Reid

The all-important pick

COLUMN | The Wizards are trying to follow the Oklahoma City Thunder model for success: strong scouting, shrewd trades, sound team-building. Now they need more good draft fortune.

Jason Reid

As gambles go, starting Beck has high stakes

COLUMN | With their apparent decision to enter the season with inexperienced John Beck as the starting quarterback, Mike and Kyle Shanahan are risking more than just wins and losses on the field.

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Mike Wise

Armstrong camp needs to brace itself

COLUMN | With his defenses significantly breached, Lance Armstrong needs to consider what part of his legacy matters most.

Mike Wise

LeBron commands attention

COLUMN | Love him or hate him, LeBron James makes it difficult to look away.

Mike Wise

Charles Barkley: Ability to play outweighs sexual orientation

COLUMN | In wake of Suns President Rick Welts’s coming-out, former NBA great Charles Barkley says public exaggerates how much it matters in a locker room.