Sports Columns

Andrew Beyer

Three-part harmony

COLUMN | Even in a down year, interest in horse racing’s big three races remained strong, but some Triple Crown tweaks could be in order.

Ruler On Ice takes Belmont Stakes

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.

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Thomas Boswell

Morse: baseball’s best bargain

The Nationals may have this season’s most expensive anchor in Jayson Werth and the best bargain in Michael Morse.

Thomas Boswell

Woods-Williams split was long overdue

COLUMN | To confront an addiction, you have to change as many symbols and memories of that past as possible. For Tiger Woods, that includes longtime caddie and enabler Steve Williams.

Thomas Boswell

No offense, but where are the runs?

COLUMN | Scoring is down in baseball, and it’s likely to stay there for years — unless it goes even lower.

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Norman Chad

Dumb and dumber

When it comes sports, it’s often stupidity that wins out.

Norman Chad

Couch Slouch: Ode to a simpler time

Were things better then? Or just different? Norman Chad wonders.

COLUMN | There’s no federal law on the books criminalizing poker and there’s never been a federal court ruling that online poker is illegal. And there’s no justice within the Department of Justice, which has effectively shut it down in the United States.

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John Feinstein

Clarke, Japan women score ones for joy

COLUMN | Nothing will undo the pain endured by Darren Clarke and the people of Japan, but Sunday’s victories offered reasons to smile.

John Feinstein

Fay keeping his distance

COLUMN | The former executive director of the USGA, does not plan to attend the U.S. Open for the first time since 1978 — and that’s just fine with him.

John Feinstein

Tressel had to go, but he’s not alone

COLUMN | The rules violations and dishonesty at Ohio State are egregious, but increasingly common at the highest competitive levels of college athletics.

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Tracee Hamilton

Woods is cleaning house

COLUMN | By firing caddie Steve Williams, Tiger Woods has nearly rid himself of his old life.

Tracee Hamilton

Maryland’s identity crisis

COLUMN | Maryland wanted to be something that it wasn’t; as a result, it may end up having to lose some of what made it special

Tracee Hamilton

Give Strasburg the ball

COLUMN | Assuming his rehab remains on course, two or three September starts would be good for Stephen Strasburg.

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Sally Jenkins

No clean exit from NFL mess

COLUMN | Ending the NFL lockout was never going to be as simple as starting it.

Sally Jenkins

Cup has a winner, but no losers

COLUMN | Facing the sentimental favorites — and an unkind crossbar — the Americans prove their worth.

Sally Jenkins

U.S. women forge a new identity

COLUMN | American players hope their dramatic run to Sunday’s final will end comparisons to ‘99 champs.

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Jason Reid

NFL lockout effects could linger

COLUMN | Accelerated schedule poses problems for clubs envisioning major turnover.

Jason Reid

Reid: Time for Redskins to stop waiting-list game

With the swaths of empty seats at recent games, and changes at FedEx Field, it’s time for Dan Snyder to open an honest dialogue about the season-ticket waiting list.

FedEx Field becomes a tough sell

Jason Reid

Werth’s output, and Nats’ future

COLUMN | After watching $126 million man Jayson Werth struggle, could anyone blame the Nationals’ owners for passing on signing future elite free agents?