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RCF 2013 Cleveland Athlete of the Year

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Who Is Your Choice for RCF's 2013 Cleveland Athlete of the Year?

  • Kyrie Irving

    Votes: 4 16.7%
  • Jason Kipnis

    Votes: 1 4.2%
  • Ubaldo Jimenez

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Justin Masterson

    Votes: 1 4.2%
  • Josh Gordon

    Votes: 14 58.3%
  • Joe Haden

    Votes: 2 8.3%
  • Joe Thomas

    Votes: 1 4.2%
  • Other

    Votes: 1 4.2%

  • Total voters
    24

Steve_424

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The Contenders:

Kyrie Irving

2012-2013 - 59 GP, 22.5 PPG, 5.9 APG, 3.7 RPG, .452 FG%, .391 3PT%
2013-2014 - 26 GP, 21.5 PPG, 6.0 APG, 3.0 RPG, .413 FG%, .323 3PT%

The Case: Kyrie had several notable accomplishments in 2013 including being named to his 1st All-Star team and winning the NBA All-Star Three Point Shootout. He had several memorable performances including his "Dark Knight" black mask game where he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points at Madison Square Garden (Michael Jordan previously held the record). Kyrie also became a national star, featured in his own Uncle Drew Pepsi Max commercials. While Irving started off the 2013-2014 season poorly, he's started to turn the corner as of late. He hopes to lead the Cavaliers to the NBA Playoffs in 2014 for the first time since LeBron James left town.

Jason Kipnis

2013 - .284 AVG, 17 HR, 84 RBI, 30 SB, .366 OBP, .452 SLG, .818 OPS

The Case: Kipnis took another step toward becoming one of the best second basemen in MLB in 2013, reaching his first All-Star Game. Kipnis carried the Indians through the summer, especially in June. During the month Kipnis batted .419 with an OPS of 1.216 and stole 9 bases in 10 attempts, earning him American League Player of the Month for June.

Ubaldo Jimenez

2013 - 13-9, 3.30 ERA, 194 K, 80 BB

The Case: Who would have predicted this one a year ago? Simply put, the Indians don't make the postseason in 2013 without Ubaldo's dazzling performance late in the season. His post-All-Star numbers were absurd - 6-5, 1.82 ERA, 100 K, 27 BB. Ubaldo was even better as the Indians made their final push in September going 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA in six starts (the Indians won each start). Jimenez struck out 13 in 6.2 quality innings in the win against Minnesota that clinched the Indians' first postseason birth in six years. Ubaldo is currently a free agent, with Tribe fans holding out a small hope that he may return in 2014.

Justin Masterson

2013 - 14-10, 3.45 ERA, 195 K, 76 BB

The Case: Masterson was simply dominant many times he stepped on the mound in 2013, and his numbers look even more impressive when you consider he missed significant time due to an injury near the end of the season. Masterson came back in time for the postseason, pitching two scoreless relief innings against the Rays in the Wild Card game.

Joe Haden

2013 - 15 GP, 43 tackles, 11 assists, 4 interceptions

The Case: After missing four games due to a suspension in 2012, Haden took on more of a leadership role on the Browns, increasing his importance to the team. He took Josh Gordon under his wing as, to this point, has helped to keep Gordon out of trouble. Haden is considered by most to be an elite corner back and has helped the Browns improve on defense since his arrival in 2010.

Josh Gordon

2013 - 80 receptions, 1564 yards, 9 TD, 120 YPG

The Case: After his name swirled around trade rumors for weeks Gordon made the Browns look smart by not dealing the young wide receiver. Entering Week 16 he'll be the league leader in receiving yards, yards per reception, and receiving yards per game. Considering this has all come with Jason Campbell, Brian Hoyer, and Brandon Weeden at quarterback, the sky is the limit for Gordon's future in the NFL. For the first time in many years, the Browns have a legitimate star on offense.

Joe Thomas

The Case: Joe Thomas is the least talked about superstar in Cleveland. He'll likely play in his 7th consecutive Pro Bowl in 2014 (he's made it every year of his career) and will contend for All-Pro consideration once again. He is a franchise left tackle and, barring injury, will likely represent the Browns in Canton one day.


Share your vote and thoughts!
 
Josh Gordon. Despite the suspension, he is the closest thing a Cleveland team has had this year to a marquee player. He's got the potential to be the face of the Browns (and Cleveland sports) if he can stay out of trouble off the field.
 
Jokes aside, I'm going to vote other and say Swisher.

Gordon had a great year but he was suspended for being a dumbass and the Browns still aren't doing anything.

Swisher (and Francona) instilled a new culture in Tribe baseball and finally brought a bit of buzz back on that front, even if it still didn't directly correlate attendance wise. And the Indians made the playoffs for the first time since 2007 and was the first Cleveland team to make since asswipe was here. Keep doing you Swish.
 
No offense to the thread starter, but what an atrocious list. :bigcry:
 
No offense to the thread starter, but what an atrocious list. :bigcry:

No offense, either, but two NFL pro-bowlers and an NBA all-star aren't worthy? I mean, the teams suck, but the players are pretty damn good.
 
Jokes aside, I'm going to vote other and say Swisher.

Gordon had a great year but he was suspended for being a dumbass and the Browns still aren't doing anything.

Swisher (and Francona) instilled a new culture in Tribe baseball and finally brought a bit of buzz back on that front, even if it still didn't directly correlate attendance wise. And the Indians made the playoffs for the first time since 2007 and was the first Cleveland team to make since asswipe was here. Keep doing you Swish.

You know, I thought about including Swisher but thought I'd get ripped for it because he didn't necessarily live up to expectations on the field. I do think his impact on the team was incredible and think he'll have a big bounce-back year in 2014.
 
It should be someone from the Indians. You know, a team that actually won. Kipnis, Masterson, Swisher, Santana, each would be a valid choice.
 

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