Cleveland Indians Capture Ohio Cup Over Cincinnati Reds

The Cleveland Indians won the Ohio Cup. It means nothing in the grand scheme of history, but it shouldn’t take away from sports’ place as a source of fun.

Wild Cards? Who needs ’em? Postseason berths? So far away. Sports Illustrated’s World Series pick? Just what a town that’s already cursed needs.

Well, forget all else, because the Cleveland Indians have officially captured the Ohio Cup over the downstate Cincinnati Reds after Saturday’s 9-4 victory. It’s the fourth victory for the Tribe over the Mustaches, which mean the trophy belongs to Cleveland.

End the season. It’s time for the Browns and Training Camp.

OK, am I having a little fun with this? Of course. But who cares? Why did you start playing sports as a youngster? Probably because it was fun. Yes, sports are fun. They’re also the ultimate distraction. Life is full of curveballs and everybody has their own demons to deal with.

Fortunately, at the end of the day, sports helps make the day a little more bearable; brings a few more smiles and a lot more high fives.

But during the past week, several national media members lost sight of sports as something to do for fun. National radio host Colin Cowherd dogged the home-run derby just seconds before his channel promoted a commercial for the even. Even longtime Cleveland sports columnist Terry Pluto sang a ho-hum attitude toward the derby and the game.

How could you have not enjoyed this year’s home run derby? Me and my nephew did!

But as someone who was at the home-run derby, I can attest that it was probably the most fun I’ve ever had at a sporting even. There I was, decked out in in my Tribe hat, sitting next to my Cincinnati Reds loving nephew, cheering on Todd Frazier wow the hometown crowd.

Fun. Few things in the world mattered if you were in Great American Ballpark that night.

The lesson: Don’t complain. The home run derby really has no impact on the baseball season. Who cares. Home runs are cool!

The All-Star game “counts.” Again, who cares. Mostly everybody plays…and it’s still a collection of the best talent in the world on one field for one night. Don’t like it? Go watch a DVR’d American’s Got Talent.

• Speaking of All-Star games…If you happened to see that 1997 contest played at Jacobs Field, you saw the two greatest All-Star teams in the history of the exhibition, via fivethirtyeight.com.

• Waiting For Next Year writer Michael Bode looked at whether Sandy Alomar Jr., the hero of 1997 midsummer classic, was overrated.

An interesting read…but in my opinion, he wasn’t. For a long time, Sandy was the second-best catcher in the AL, behind Ivan Rodriguez. Plus, don’t forget Alomar death with numerous injuries throughout his career. He was a good ballplayer. Without the injuries, he might’ve been great.

• The MLB trade deadline is approaching, but as FoS editor Ryan Rosko writes, the Tribe’s options are limited.

Ohio State

• Former Buckeye Aaron Craft is really opening eyes in the summer league. Eleven Warriors writer Tim Shoemaker wonders if Craft will finally latch on to an NBA roster.

• D’Angelo Russell signed with Nike. How long until the signature shoe is unveiled?

Cavaliers:

• The Cavs would love to add 2008 draft pick Sasha Kaun, who’s done playing in Russia. But is the price right?

• J.R. Smith may be back in Cleveland, but it looks like GM David Griffin is only willing to offer Smith a modest deal. The bottom line? Smith should’ve never opted out of his $6 million deal.

Browns

Some Browns greats, including Bernie Kosar, Brian Sipe and Sam Rutigliano reunited for an autograph signing Saturday afternoon.

Bernie Kosar and the gang at an autograph signing at Great Northern Mall in North Olmsted, Ohio. Photo: Bernie Kosar Twitter

It’s getting crazy to think about, but there’s an entire generation of Browns fans that have never known Cleveland as a winning team.

Johnny Manziel continues to take a beating, as the former Heisman winner was ranked the 31st ranked BACKUP quarterback in the NFL.

Trending up:

The Home run derby: The new format enabled the hometown hero, Tom Frzier, to battle through each round until he was the last man standing. It was compelling and I can’t wait for next year’s contest!

Trade exceptions: If the Cavs were going to deal Brendan Haywood‘s contract for a player, it probably would’ve been done by now. There’s always the chance something happens before Haywood’s contract becomes fully guaranteed Aug. 2, but the best bet for Cleveland is to get an exception and use it later in the season.

Pete Rose: New baseball commissioner Rob Manfred got to see the love shared for the Hit King. But will it be enough for Rose to be eligible for Cooperstown?

Trending down: 

Indians television ratings. Diehards like myself will always watch. But not everyone is lucky enough to be so baseball crazed. The truth is the Indians can be boring, mainly because they don’t hit…and that’s reflective in the TV ratings as viewership is down 30 percent.

Center field prospects: The Tribe is desperate for outfield help with Michael Bourn struggling and Michael Brantley battling a bad back, but Tribe minor leaguers have given the front office few options.

ESPN: Say what you want about the four-letter network, but they possess some of the top talent in the sports world. But it’s been a rough couple months in Bristol, as the station is moving on from Bill Simmons and now it looks like Colin Cowherd will move elsewhere. Keith Olberman is also being ditched, but that’s a good thing.

Next: Indians Talk Change In CF