This week’s review takes stock of 2020 in Cincinnati sports. A year where sports and everything else were shaken by the COVID-19 pandemic and various historic moments.

Best athlete: Trevor Bauer

The Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher made franchise history in 2020. Becoming the first pitcher to win the National League’s Cy Young Award with the Reds. Bauer is one of the most electrifying pitchers in baseball today. Wrapping up the 2020 season with a career-best 1.73 earned run average. He’s also one of the most entertaining players in baseball on and off of the field. The combination makes Bauer one of the most pursued free agents in the major leagues. If 2020 was Bauer’s last season with the Reds; he’ll leave on a high note.

Worst athlete(s): The Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line

The Bengals offensive line had one primary task in their now concluded 2020 season. It’s a task they frankly failed to do; protect rookie quarterback Joe Burrow. Despite phenomenal performances from Burrow, he was treated like a rag by opposing defenses. Leaving fans and analysts unsurprised by his season-ending injury last November. Thanks partly to the Bengals lackluster offensive line. Cincinnati is wrapping up the regular season with the NFL’s fourth-worst total offense. Dropping from 323.1 net yards per game in 2019 to 319.8 this season.

Best coach or management: Luke Fickell and Darrin Horn

Cincinnati Football head coach Luke Fickell won this award in 2019. Fickell and the Cincinnati Bearcats didn’t just pick up from where they left off in 2019. The Bearcats improved from where they left off in 2019. They went 8-0 in the regular season and won their conference title. Northern Kentucky Basketball head coach Darrin Horn had a successful first year on the job. Guiding the NKU Norse to their second consecutive Horizon League title. Being the only local team to win an automatic bid to the ultimately scrapped 2020 NCAA Tournament.

Worst coach or management: Ron Jans

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor would’ve won this award. Had it not been for former FC Cincinnati head coach Ron Jans. He wins this unflattering accolade for actions on and off of the pitch. Jans resigned last February, after allegations that he used a racial slur emerged. Jans is part of the revolving door of head coaches FC Cincinnati’s had as a young franchise.

Current head coach Jaap Stam is FCC’s fourth full-time head coach since launching in 2015. That lack of head coaching continuity is leaving an impact on the pitch. With players having to frequently deal with new coaches and new strategies. It’s an added challenge for FCC, which wrapped up 2020 with their second-consecutive last place campaign. Hopefully for FCC’s sake, the club will have some continuity with Stam.

Best game or moment: Cincinnati Football wins AAC Championship Game

On a rainy December night, Cole Smith helped Cincinnati Football make program history. Through his successful last-second field goal against Tulsa Football. Cincinnati won the American Athletic Conference Championship Game; their first conference championship game victory in program history. To a degree, the game encapsulated the 2020 College Football season. Capacity at 40,000 seat Nippert Stadium was limited to roughly 5,000 fans. It was also Cincinnati’s first game in nearly a month. Both due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which unleashed the most chaotic season in College Football’s modern era.

Worst game or moment: March 11-12, 2020

The world as we knew it when 2020 began crashed in this 48 hour span. This was a moment when the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic hit many around the world. By the end of March 12th, various sports leagues at all levels suspended play. While March Madness and numerous college basketball conference tournaments were cancelled. Kick-starting the most disruptive period in global sports since World War II.

Best team and expectations met: Cincinnati Football

Cincinnati Football won the best team award in 2019. They are winning this award again for reasons previously mentioned in this article. Through having an undefeated regular season and winning their conference. Climbing as high as sixth in the AP Top 25 this season. While finishing No.8 in the decisive College Football Playoff rankings.

The Cincinnati Bearcats were in the CFP conversation throughout the season. Cincinnati qualified for their first New Year’s Six bowl game in the CFP era. Through being the highest ranking Group of Five school. Despite losing the Peach Bowl to Georgia Football 24-21 last Friday. It was their most competitive BCS/New Year’s Six bowl appearance in school history.

Worst team: Cincinnati Bengals

Just as Cincinnati Football won the best team award in back-to-back years. The Cincinnati Bengals win the worst team award for a second-consecutive time. While they doubled their number of wins this season compared to 2019. The Bengals finished the 2020 season on Sunday with a 4-11-1 record. Not winning a road or divisional game until December.

The Bengals basically handed Joe Burrow the keys to the franchise last spring. While doing next to nothing to set him up for success. They released Andy Dalton, instead of having Dalton help Burrow ease into his job. The Bengals also made no substantial improvements to their offensive line. Instead of playing like a new and improved team. The Bengals’ just concluded their fifth-consecutive losing season. While being the only team in the AFC North that isn’t going to the NFL Playoffs.

Most entertaining: the Cincinnati Reds grind their way into the MLB Postseason

The Cincinnati Reds struggled throughout most of their condensed 2020 season. After winning their Opening Day game on July 24th. The Reds would not go above .500 again until September 21st. Boosted by a six-game winning streak between September 13-18. Cincinnati wrapped up their 2020 regular season 31-29; after winning their last five-consecutive series. Qualifying in an specially expanded postseason field as the National League’s seventh seed. Making their first MLB Postseason appearance since 2013.

After such a nerve-racking and painful year for the world. Here’s hoping 2021 is a safe, happy and healthy year for you and your loved ones.