While We’re Waiting… Sportswriters tweeting, Trading Sessions and Bullpen spots
February 3, 2012ESPN’s Bill Simmons would like Boston to trade for Anderson Varejao
February 3, 2012I was lucky enough to attend one of the better annual events in our city last night, the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards. Held at the Renaissance Hotel Ballroom downtown, the night celebrates the best of our local sports scene for the past year. Each year, the event has a big name host. From Jim Nantz to Mike Tirico to Bill Walton to Kirk Herbstreit, the committee has always hit a home run. This year was no exception – ESPN siren Erin Andrews was in charge of the evening.
Let me just get it out of the way – she is absolutely stunning in person. Fortunately for me (and thanks to a great friend), I was at a table right next to the stage. This is a family site, so no need to get any deeper, but in all seriousness, up close she is even more beautiful than on TV.
As for her presentation, she did a nice job, although she did hit our fair city with a few barbs here and there, but it was all in good fun. One thing she did say that would be of some interest to Buckeye fans is that Urban Meyer is like “a second father” to her and she just raved about the man who has taken over the Ohio State Football program and his top five recruiting class.
To the awards…
The Lifetime achievement award was given to none other than Mr. Cavalier himself, Austin Carr. Introduced by his longtime friend and former Browns WR Reggie Rucker, AC couldn’t hold back the tears as the crowd gave him a standing ovation. One thing is for sure, Austin and the city of Cleveland enjoy a mutual admiration society.
The Indians Asdrubal Cabrera beat out teammate Justin Masterson and the Browns Joe Haden for the Professional Athlete of the year. Cabby looking stylish in his suit and his even longer curly hair, came to stage and was handed his award by the great Carlos Baerga, who was dressed in a Puma Sweatsuit. Apparantly, my main man ‘Los had his luggage missing taking two planes to get here yesterday. His bubbly personality was on display as always. Fellow presenter Brad Sellers, former Chicago Bull and Warrensville Native, told the crowd the Cavs will be “contending by year three” of their rebuilding process and that “this is year one.”
Speaking of the Cavs, they had a night off and a home game the next night and I was very disappointed to see that none of the Cavs attended, nor did coach Byron Scott, GM Chris Grant, or owner Dan Gilbert. In fact none of the Cleveland coaches were there. I know Manny Acta had just left for Arizona, but why wasn’t Pat Shurmur, who could use all the good PR he can get, in attendance? Where were Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert?
A few other highlights:
– Joe Tait winning the Best Moment in Cleveland Sports award for his final broadcast of his storied career. The showed a video highlight of Jolly Joe making that last call from his customary perch inside of Quicken Loans arena. As he came to the stage to receive his award from Erin Andrews, Tait received one final standing ovation. As he grabbed the mic, in classic Joe fashion, wearing a vintage Joe “Bill Cosby” sweater on a night where all the men were wearing suits, he told the host “now don’t you go commenting on my attire, Erin.”
– Joe Haden and Hanford Dixon presented the award for Amateur Athlete of the Year. Haden was rocking a marron crushed velvet sport jacket, sparkly high top shoes, and a mohawk. he and the Top Dog together showed the past and the present of great Browns cornerbacks. Their award went to USA Track and Field star Jessica Beard.
– Local Sports/Newscaster Jim Donovan came to the stage to present the Cleveland Clinic Courage award to Cleveland State Women’s basketball player Brandee Kelly. Both Donovan and Kelly have beaten cancer in the last year and both looked great.
– Kevin Mack was another presenter. The former Browns Running Back is a beast. He looks like he could suit upo and play right now. People shouldn’t forget how solid he was as a player here.
Other winners on the night included the University of Akron Men’s soccer team (Collegiate athlete of the year) and Mentor High School QB Mitch Trubisky (High School Athlete of the Year).
Overall, the event was well run and fun for all as always. I was happy to be a part of the celebration and look forward to next year.
—
photos via my iphone
30 Comments
This always seems like such a great event. Are there tickets sold for it, or is it by invite?
Awesome to hear Jim Donovan is doing well.
HOLMGREN WAS TOO BUSY EATING DOUGHNUTS DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH SEATTLE RADIO WHILE COUNTING HIS MILLIONS FROM LERNER TO ATTEND.
Admit it, you just went to see Erin Andrews
Why’d you do it, TD?
Now we have the prevailing Cleveland controversy for the next 3 weeks: Why weren’t carpetbagging Holmgren, Heckert and Shurmur at the Cleveland Sports Award Banquet???? They must hate Cleveland!!
Get the pitchforks out.
Best CLE event of the year, IMO. I’m bummed I couldn’t make this years’.
B-bo, tickets are certainly for sale. They start advertising around November. Individual tickets this year started at $250 ($180 tax deduction). You can also get tables that start at $2,500 ($1800 deduction) for 10 seats which then increases based on location. The various prices also come with advertisements for companies who wish to partake.
The best part may be the auction they run before the event starts – fans/attendees have the chance to walk away with countless items, autographs, etc. It’s big time.
I wouldn’t call that thing on Joe Haden’s head a mohawk, but man, I don’t know what that is.
You wear a ‘do like that, I bet you get a free bowl of soup. It looks good on him, though.
Maybe they’re in Indianapolis?
Yeah, but, but, but, Indy’s only 5 hours away!
/sarc, of course.
Yeah, how dare we expect the owner and general manager of one of the three major sports teams in the city to attend the city’s own sports awards which honored, among other teams, the EXCACT team they work for? We all are asking way too much from these people.
/seriously man? Expect more from your city’s team.
Appreciate the info, Scott. Sounds well worth making a trip north from here to take part in.
Yet another PR blunder by the Browns but I think it’s clear by now, they simply don’t care what you, yes you the fans, think. Give ’em a few days I’m sure they’ll come up with an excuse.
well, they could be at the practices of the last allstar game to continue to scout players for the upcoming draft:
http://playersallstarclassic.com/
Naw, that would mean they are doing their jobs. Nevermind 🙂
(I don’t actually know if they are there or not, but it’s a possibility since the practices for these games are what is considered the better way to gauge players abilities)
Stop it! It’s better to assume they weren’t there because they hate Ceveland, the fans and just want to collect a paycheck for doing nothing! Get with the program mgbode!
Exactly, Garry. Thought it was appropriate that this article was under the “You Might Also Like” suggestions here:
https://waitingfornextyear.com/2010/03/cleveland-fans-we-love-the-smell-of-napalm-in-the-morning/
Nah. They’re just bad, bad people.
That’s great.
Sigh. I guess I owe an apology to TD. Didn’t realize that I would be the one that started the controversy.
Stupid quantum mechanics and decoherence.
I apologize. Silly me.
in that case, I would like to add that Shapiro and the rest of the Indians FO / Coaches were not there because of AZ but because the Dolan’s were too cheap to pay for the tickets.
Gilbert and the Cavs FO would have been there but they were finalizing a few details on the casinos along with ways to take over the NBA because they are infallible 🙂
of course, what was I thinking.
What I don’t understand is why this isn’t televised on like, STO or something like that. No video? Only photos? That sucks.
It would be terrific if we heard from them as to why they don’t do certain things, but I don’t think anyone wants to ask those kinds of questions out of fear that they might lose out on playoff tickets.
Sigh…some people will defend this organization until they run out of breath.
World Series Parade in late October or early November this year will change your mind.
#heywhynotdreamitsonlyfebruary
well then don’t forget the Indians and Cavs organizations as well. I don’t see owners, presidents, gm’s, or coaches from any of the teams mentioned as being in attendance above.
+1 for the Al Czervik reference. Someone step on a duck?
That’s because Holmgren, Heckert, and Shurmur were holding them hostage, at gunpoint, in a Dolan-financed (poorly financed, however) bunker.
Like Dolan could afford $250 a plate.
Don’t worry, I won’t forget those fools either in my I Told You So parade. There will be a float for each team!
maybe Shapiro and Antonetti were working in the kitchen to help pay for Kotchman?
I’m pretty sure it was broadcast on FoxSportsOhio.com.
In Seattle
Thank you. I had it narrowed down to either Arizona, Seattle or Tora Bora.
Not sure why this article made me a little bit emotional, but I’m not afraid to admit it.
Sounds like it was a great event and an overall great night. Wish I could have been there.