In the review this week, the various local connections to last week’s sports boycotts. The Cincinnati Reds reach two significant moments in their season. Plus, a turbulent week for one Cincinnati Bengals player.

The Cincinnati Reds are emerging from another roller-coaster week. The team joined the Milwaukee Brewers in a boycott last Wednesday. To protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, WI. Several athletes and teams in various sports took part in similar boycotts last week. There will be more on various local connections to these boycotts later in this review.

Cincinnati made up the Wednesday’s game through a double-header on Thursday. Ultimately taking the opportunity to get off the schneid. Snapping a four-game losing streak through a double-header sweep. Double-headers have been a blessing in disguise for the Reds this year. Cincinnati is 6-2 in seven-inning double-headers this season.

Half of Cincinnati’s double-header games were played last week. The Reds split their double-header against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. In a night that featured some bench-clearing tension between both teams. Cincinnati reached a pivotal point in their season last Thursday. Their double-header finale marked the mid-point of their 60 game regular season. The Reds are effectively in the same spot they were after last Thursday; compared to where they are mid-day Monday. Going into Monday four games under a .500 record.

This Monday marks another pivotal point in this Reds season. Though today being Major League Baseball’s trade deadline. Cincinnati seems unlikely to make any blockbuster trades by this afternoon’s deadline. The only major move made last week was trading left-handed pitcher Cody Reed. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday; in exchange for right-handed pitcher Riley O’Brien.

While the Reds were the most prominent local team connected to last week’s boycotts. Other local teams demonstrated in some way during the last week over racial justice issues. Saturday, the Cincinnati Bengals marched to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Two blocks away from their home Paul Brown Stadium. At the Freedom Center, the team delivered a statement on racial justice.

One local angle to this story came through an event not held in Cincinnati. Tennis star Naomi Osaka made international headlines last Wednesday. Through boycotting the Western and Southern Open’s women’s singles semifinal. Traditionally held in the Cincinnati area, the W&S Open was moved to New York due to the pandemic. Osaka’s boycott caused the tournament to pause action on Thursday; when her semifinal match was originally scheduled to be.

Ultimately, Osaka played and won the semifinal match on Friday. Yet, withdrew from the final against Victoria Azarenka due to a hamstring injury. Elsewhere at the W&S Open, Novak Djokovic defeated Milos Raonic for the men’s singles title. The latest twist in a summer where Djokovic dealt with a COVID-19 diagnosis and a neck injury. Now the tennis world turns it’s attention to the already underway U.S. Open.

In college sports, Cincinnati Football cancelled last Friday’s practice. Releasing a team statement calling for change and racial equality. That was part of a busy week for the Cincinnati Bearcats. Elsewhere, the Bearcats made a few adjustments to their 2020 schedule. Cincinnati will face Army Football on September 26th at home.

Along with this, the date for Cincinnati’s home game against East Carolina Football is being moved. That game will be played on November 14th; instead of the originally scheduled November 12th date. In other news, head coach Luke Fickell’s contract was unsurprisingly extended through 2026. The University of Cincinnati also announced last week spectators won’t be allowed at Nippert Stadium. For the Bearcats’ home opener against Austin Peay Football on September 19th.

Back on the professional scene, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mackenzie Alexander endured one hectic week. He left training camp after his father went missing last Monday in Florida. Fortunately, his father, Jean Odney Alexandre was found safe last Thursday. During the search, Mackenzie was arrested for battery. Allegedly assaulting a man that was with Alexandre prior to his disappearance.

Compared to other Cincinnati professional teams; FC Cincinnati had a rather quiet week. Losing last Tuesday 3-0 to the Chicago Fire on the road. While playing to a scoreless draw last Saturday at home to the Columbus Crew. FC Cincinnati will meet both teams again this week. Taking on Chicago at home on Wednesday evening. Then traveling to Columbus to face the Crew this Sunday. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:30 PM Eastern time.