2021 will go down as an awesome year on the Cincinnati sports beat. With many historic and award-worthy performances from local teams and individuals. Here’s Cincy Sports Journal’s 2021 best and worst in show.

Best athlete: Joe Burrow

There were many strong contenders for this award. Desmond Ridder, Jerome Ford and Ahmad Gardner are among several Cincinnati Football players worthy of the award. Local Olympic medalists Zach Apple, Jordan Thompson, Duke Ragan and Vanessa Gilles were also contenders. Cincinnati Reds All-Star outfielders Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker are strong contenders. Along with fellow Reds first baseman Joey Votto after a resurgent 2021 season.

While others stand out within a group of teammates. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow stands out individually. Even though fellow Bengals Joe Mixon and Evan McPherson had award-worthy efforts too. Burrow is bouncing back after his rookie season was cut short by an injury. Helping guide the Bengals to their first winning season since 2015.

Worst athlete(s): The Cincinnati Reds bullpen in April

The Reds bullpen had a poor 2021 season overall. Three of Cincinnati’s five main relievers wrapped up 2021 with earned run averages above 5.90. Despite their best efforts, the Reds managed without a reliable closer throughout the season. The bullpen found ways to squander a mostly solid year from Reds starters. Yet, Cincinnati’s bullpen in April was its own special brand of bad. The bullpen contributed to a seven-game losing streak in late April that sent Cincinnati under .500. Cincinnati didn’t get back above .500 until mid-June.

Best coach or management: Luke Fickell

Fickell is guiding Cincinnati Football to their first appearance in the College Football Playoff. Along with that, Cincinnati will go into the CFP with a 13-0 record. After a second-consecutive American Athletic Conference championship and unbeaten regular season.

Worst coach or management: Jaap Stam

If this were a national award, Jon Gruden and Urban Meyer would split the prize. While Jaap Stam appears genuinely to be a man of good character. Excluding a brief winning stretch in June. FC Cincinnati struggled mightily in Stam’s roughly 17 months as manager. FCC had eight wins, 13 draws and 28 losses during Stam’s managerial stint. Hope springs eternal that new manager Pat Noonan will have long-term success in Cincinnati. While Stam unfortunately joins the “winner” of this award last year Ron Jans; on an already long list of former FCC managers.

Best game or moment: Cincinnati Football beats Notre Dame in South Bend

This is the moment where the Cincinnati Bearcats put the nation on notice. Cincinnati went into the game ranked higher than Notre Dame Football (UC was No.7 and ND No.9). Not only did Cincinnati win, but they were also in control for much of it. Never trailing and taking a 17-0 lead into halftime. That game presents a blueprint for Cincinnati to beat Alabama on Friday.

An honorable mention in this category is Cincinnati hosting it’s first FIFA World Cup qualifier. On November 12th, the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team beat Mexico 2-0 at TQL Stadium. It was part of a big night for Cincinnati sports. Cincinnati Football beat South Florida on the road that same night. That game featured Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder setting a program record. Surpassing Gino Guidugli’s 78 touchdown passes at UC.

Worst game or moment: The Cincinnati Reds’ September slide

Going into early August, the Reds were playing like a team destined to return to the MLB Postseason. Then the team’s postseason hopes fell apart in September like a knock-off watch. Going 11-15 in that month, their lowest number of wins in a full month of games in 2021.

Best team: Cincinnati Football

They’re two wins away from a national championship. That’s a good reason in itself but there’s more. The Bearcats are the first Group of Five program to qualify for the College Football Playoff. Cincinnati also reached historic heights in the polls this year, rising to No.2 in the AP Top 25. While having their second-ever 12-0 regular season and beating top ten Notre Dame Football.

Worst team: FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati is the only local major league team to have a losing season in 2021. Only mustering one win in their new home TQL Stadium. Even losing their opening match at TQL Stadium. The orange and blue wrapped up their 2021 season with a league-low four wins. Finishing last in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference for a third-consecutive season.

Best move: the Big 12 Conference invites the University of Cincinnati

This is a win-win move for both UC and the Big 12 Conference. Sports-wise and marketing-wise for the conference. The Big 12 expands their reach in the Midwest through this move. While Cincinnati moves into a Power Five Conference. Improving their recruiting potential in various sports and their CFP prospects. While putting themselves in position to reap a big payday. While opening up more opportunities to be seen on broadcast TV.

Worst move(s): the Cincinnati Reds’ payroll shedding offseason

Before Major League Baseball’s lockout began, the Reds spent the early weeks of this offseason reviving their clearance sale. Back by unpopular demand, considering whom the Reds are parting ways with. Bidding adieu to Tucker Barnhart, Wade Miley and Michael Lorenzen among others. Miley was shown the door months after pitching a no-hitter. What makes these moves particularly frustrating is the uncertainty. Over the Reds aspirations for contending in 2022 and throughout this decade.

Most unexpected: Cincinnati Men’s Basketball’s wild 2021

Few foresaw Cincinnati firing then men’s basketball head coach John Brannen when 2021 began. Nevertheless, days after Cincinnati went unselected for the NCAA Tournament. A tidal wave of Bearcats players entered the transfer portal. An internal review into the program was launched; amid allegations surrounding the coaching staff. Then Brannen was fired for cause after two seasons on April 9^th.

Within hours of new head coach Wes Miller’s hiring, several transfers announced their intent to return to Cincinnati. A moment of calm after navigating through a stormy period for the program. Miller’s rookie season is mostly going well, featuring a win over then No.14 Illinois in November. This year’s Crosstown Shootout featured another unexpected moment for Cincinnati. While Xavier was seen as the favorite to win the game. I did not foresee Xavier blowing out Cincinnati by 20 points.

Expectations met: Nick Castellanos opts out of his contract

After an All-Star season, Nick Castellanos’ opting out of his contract was the least surprising local sports headline of 2021. The speculation over Castellanos opting out coincidentally bubbled up at a bad time. Coinciding with the team slumping late in the season. I wouldn’t be surprised if Castellanos is still a Red in 2022. Since the MLB lockout formally prevents teams from making free agent signings.

Summing up the year

While it was a turbulent year in various ways for America and the world. When it comes to Cincinnati sports, 2021 was a remarkably good year. From a historic year for Cincinnati Football culminating in the CFP. To medal winning efforts at the Summer Olympics from athletes with local ties. To winning seasons for the Reds and Bengals after years of both being mired in mediocrity. 2021 was quite an adventure, hopefully 2022 will be an even better year for Cincinnati sports. Along with hopefully being a more peaceful and a happy year for all.