In this week’s review, a reflection on the life and legacy of Hank Aaron. Cincinnati and Xavier Basketball navigate through more COVID-19 postponements. Plus, Cincinnati Football deals with more staff shakeups.

Rest In Peace Hank Aaron

Henry “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron passed away last Friday at the age of 86. Aaron was far more than just one of the best to every play baseball. His achievements and perseverance on and off of the field transcended the sport. Aaron held 23 Major League Baseball records when he retired in 1976. Matching the number of major league seasons in his legendary playing career.

Aaron still holds many of those records today. The most notable of his records was his 755 career home runs. Adding in Negro League statistics, Aaron’s career home run total is 760. Aaron’s record stood until Barry Bonds broke it in 2007. Given Bonds has been accused of using steroids during his career. Many still regard Aaron as baseball’s home run king.

On April 4, 1974, Aaron tied Babe Ruth with his 714th career homer in Cincinnati. In the first inning of the Cincinnati Reds’ Opening Day game at Riverfront Stadium. In what also happened to be Marty Brennaman’s first regular season game as a Reds broadcaster. Aaron ultimately surpassed Ruth four days later in Atlanta. In perhaps the most iconic moment in the history of baseball.

Aaron began his career as one of the last stars of the Negro Leagues. He joined the Milwaukee Braves in 1954; staying with the team when they moved to Atlanta in 1966. Aaron spent 21 seasons with the Braves and played his last two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. Beyond records, he made an astounding 21 consecutive MLB All-Star Game appearances. He won the National League’s Most Valuable Player award in 1957. That same year, he helped the Braves win a World Series championship. In what was the first of back-to-back World Series appearances for the Braves.

After retiring from his playing career; Aaron spent many years with the Braves front office. Rising to the role of Senior Vice President for the Braves. Being among the first Black Americans to hold a major league front office job. Aaron’s achievements and philanthropic efforts make him a civil rights legend. He persevered while facing racial threats throughout his career. Playing in the south as Jim Crow was being dismantled. His achievements in the face of enduring hatred makes those achievements all the more poignant.

He serves as quite a role model through embodying strength and courage.

College Basketball: more postponements and a sweep

Two local college basketball teams’ seasons are being paused by COVID-19. Xavier Basketball and Cincinnati Basketball haven’t played since January 10th. So far this year, six Cincinnati games have been postponed due to COVID-19. Including a game against the last team they played. Earlier today, Cincinnati’s home game against Wichita State Basketball was postponed. That game was originally scheduled to be played this Wednesday. According to a UC Athletics statement, the game is being postponed “due to a concern over player availability.”

The Cincinnati Bearcats’ last game was a road loss to Wichita State on the tenth. Cincinnati’s other postponed games include one at now No.6 Houston Basketball. Along with games against East Carolina, Tulane, at Temple and at USF Basketball. The Tulane game is now scheduled to be played on February 26th. That’s the only postponed Cincinnati game to be rescheduled so far.

Xavier Basketball had a top 25 game of their own postponed in recent days. Missing out on a game set initially for last Wednesday against previously No.25 Connecticut Basketball. Along with this, Xavier’s game against Georgetown Basketball has been postponed. That was originally scheduled to be played this coming Tuesday. Games against Villanova and Seton Hall Basketball were also postponed earlier this month.

As of Monday morning, none of the Xavier Musketeers’ postponed games have been rescheduled. Both teams are trying to resume activities after the COVID-19 virus halted their seasons. Despite missing out on games due to the same virus. The halt in play came while Xavier and Cincinnati’s seasons were going in different directions. With Xavier in the midst of a hot start while Cincinnati’s starting on a frigid note.

Xavier is 10-2 overall and 3-2 in Big East Conference play. Their last game on the tenth was a home win against Providence Basketball. Clinched through a Colby Jones buzzer-beating three-pointer. The Musketeers were in the AP Top 25 for one week earlier this season. Cincinnati is having one of their worst starts to a season in years. After doing well enough to earn the top seed in the AAC Tournament last year. The Bearcats are 3-7 overall and 1-5 in American Athletic Conference play.

Xavier’s next scheduled game is this Friday at Butler Basketball. That game is set to tip-off at 6:30 PM Eastern on FS1. Xavier and Cincinnati’s postponements left Northern Kentucky Basketball on a metaphorical island. Northern Kentucky was the only NCAA Division I men’s team within 20 minutes of downtown Cincinnati to play last week. Winning back-to-back road games by five points last Friday and Saturday. Beating Robert Morris Basketball 81-76 last Friday and 79-74 last Saturday. Through their win on Friday, the NKU Norse snapped a four-game losing streak.

Now the Norse will turn their attention to a home series against UIC Basketball. The Norse will play UIC this Friday at 6 PM Eastern and Saturday at 5 PM Eastern. Unless COVID-19 prompts postponements, both games can be seen on ESPN+.

Cincinnati Football’s staff shakeup continues

Cincinnati Football continues to face coaching staff changes. After Marcus Freeman left Cincinnati to become Notre Dame Football’s defensive coordinator. Cincinnati’s recruiting director Chad Bowden will join Freeman at Notre Dame. Both join former Cincinnati and current Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly. Meanwhile, Cincinnati hired Mike Tressel to be their new defensive coordinator last week.

This will be Tressel’s second stint with the Cincinnati Bearcats. He was a linebackers and special teams coach from 2004-2006. When former Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio was Cincinnati’s head coach. Tressel left Cincinnati with Dantonio and coached with Michigan State until last week. Working as their defensive coordinator from 2015-2019; he coached Michigan State’s safeties last year. Former Ohio State Football head coach Jim Tressel is Mike’s uncle. Jim and Cincinnati’s head coach Luke Fickell were colleagues at Ohio State.