From the Cincinnati Bengals playing in the Super Bowl. To FC Cincinnati making their first MLS Cup Playoffs appearance. Cincy Sports Journal reflects on an exciting 2022 through the best and worst in show awards.

Best athletes: Germaine Pratt and Evan McPherson

While there are many Cincinnati Bengals players worthy of this honor. Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt and kicker Evan McPherson were key contributors to their playoff run this year. Pratt snagged a pivotal interception in the Wild Card round against the Las Vegas Raiders. McPherson kicked game winning field goals in the Divisional round and AFC Championship games. Without those moments, the Bengals wouldn’t have gotten as far as they did in the playoffs.

Worst athletes: The golfers that joined the LIV Golf Tour

With the Bengals and FC Cincinnati winning playoff games this year. Athletes with local ties doing well at the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. This was an amazing year for athletes with Cincinnati connections. The lone blemish would be the Cincinnati Reds. However, their players put in a million times more effort than their front office did. Plus, I didn’t want to give the Reds all of the worst category awards. So, the golfers cashing in the Saudi Arabian blood money get this not so honorable award.

Best coach or management: FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan and general manager Chris Albright

After struggling through their initial years in Major League Soccer. Along with having a revolving door of head coaches. 2022, Noonan’s first year as head coach, was FC Cincinnati’s best year in MLS to date. Advancing to the MLS Cup Playoffs and winning a playoff match for the first time. Providing reason for FCC fans to be hopeful that they will have managerial stability. General manager Chris Albright also pulled off what could be regarded as this year’s best deal in Cincinnati sports. A contract extension through 2025 for MLS All-Star Brandon Vazquez.

Worst coach or management: the Cincinnati Reds front office

The Cincinnati Reds would’ve been wise to hang a banner outside Great American Ball Park last New Year’s Day. That simply stated, “This is not going to be our year.” The Reds front office did seemingly all it could to turn fans off this year. From helping drag the lockout out longer than necessary. Parting ways with nearly every all-star player they could. Reds chief operating officer Phil Castellini had the local faux pas of the year on Opening Day. Then the Reds lost 100 games for the second time in franchise history.

Best game or moment: the Cincinnati Bengals snap their playoff losing streak

One would think in the year where the Bengals played in the Super Bowl. That the Super Bowl would be the best moment of the year. However, I haven’t seen anything like the postgame celebration that unfolded at then Paul Brown Stadium. After the Bengals won their Wild Card game, snapping a 30 yearlong playoff losing streak. The initial minutes after the game concluded was the most joyful atmosphere, that I’ve seen at a Cincinnati sporting event.

Worst game or moment: the 2022 Cincinnati Reds season

There are too many individual Reds games that could single handedly win this award. It bears repeating, the Reds lost 100 games this year. So, the whole season gets this not-so-great honor. From their 3-18 record in April to losing the Field of Dreams game. To everything mentioned earlier in the worst coach or management category.

Best team: Cincinnati Bengals

From ending their decades long playoff losing streak. Advancing to and nearly winning Super Bowl LVI. Finally making moves to bulk up their offensive line during the offseason. Plus, clinching a playoff berth this season and maintaining the possibility of winning the AFC North. The Bengals pulled off one of the most remarkable recent turnarounds in American sports. From being a combined 6-25-1 in 2019 and 2020. To having back-to-back regular seasons with double digits in the win column.

Worst team: Cincinnati Reds

It’s not just that the Reds had their worst season in 40 years. The Reds followed the Bengals’ Super Bowl run with a dumpster fire season. Instead of building on their own recent success, the Reds opted for another rebuild. With no clear sense of how long this rebuild will take. Finishing 2023 with less than 100 losses seems like a tall task. Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati’s success gave Cincinnati sports fans relief through the summer. While making the Reds even more irrelevant locally as their season progressed.

Best move: FIFA skipping over Cincinnati as a 2026 World Cup host

While it would’ve been nice to have World Cup matches in Cincinnati. Fortunately, the Cincinnati region won’t have any immediate business with FIFA. An organization effectively bailed out through a thrilling 2022 World Cup on the pitch. That was otherwise clouded in controversy due to host Qatar’s human rights record. The same organization also bizarrely figured having a World Cup in Putin’s Russia in 2018 was a good idea.

Worst move: The International Olympic Committee’s handling of the 2022 Winter Olympics

This year’s Winter Olympics was mired in controversy from start to finish. Not just because of host country China’s lousy human rights record. Russia also cast a shadow over the games. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threats to invade Ukraine loomed over the games. Then there was the doping scandal that surrounded Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva. While the IOC isn’t responsible for all of these events. They found ways to kick themselves in the teeth amid the controversies.

Most unexpected: the University of Cincinnati hiring Scott Satterfield to be their football head coach

Heading into 2022, few would’ve been surprised by the idea of Luke Fickell leaving Cincinnati for a Power Five job. Few probably would’ve been surprised by the idea of Scott Satterfield leaving Louisville. They would probably be more surprised that he would leave after a winning season. Nevertheless, Scott Satterfield wasn’t on my short list during this month’s Cincinnati Football coaching search. Yet, Satterfield has Power Five head coaching experience. Which will be important with Cincinnati heading to the Big 12 next year.

Expectations met: the end of Xavier Men’s Basketball’s Travis Steele era

2022 seemed like it would be a make-or-break year for Travis Steele at Xavier. After missing out on the NCAA Tournament in each of his four years as Xavier’s head coach. Xavier and Steele parted ways in March. Impressively, this managed to work out well for all involved. Steele was hired to be Miami (Ohio) Men’s Basketball’s head coach. While Xavier won the National Invitational Tournament with interim head coach Jonas Hayes. Xavier’s reunion with Sean Miller is going well so far and Jonas Hayes is Georgia State’s head coach.

Summing up the year

2022 could be considered the best year of this century for Cincinnati sports. It bears repeating, the Bengals played in this year’s Super Bowl. There’s reason to feel hopeful that 2023 will be even better. The Bengals are contending and there might be more local March Madness participants next year. Plus, FC Cincinnati might remain contenders for the MLS Cup.

Thanks for checking into Cincy Sports Journal this year. I hope you’ll check in again in the new year. Hopefully 2023 will be a happy and peaceful year for everyone.