Welcome to this week’s Six Pack! Each week, I’ll share a mix of thoughts (some sports-related, some not) and I’d love for you to jump in with your reactions, ideas, or recommendations in the comments. Here’s what’s on my mind this week.
1. Bucks, Brady, and the Big Easy
Back in December, I wrote about my daughter Mackenzie and me going to the Bengals-Bills game in Orchard Park, part of a tradition we started several years ago of attending one away Bengals game each season. But that tradition was actually planted back in 2015 when my son Brady and I began going to one NBA game every year.
Brady has been a huge fan of Giannis Antetokounmpo ever since seeing him in the 2015 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest, and the Bucks quickly became his team. With no NBA franchise in Cincinnati, I got on board too.
Since then, our stops have been Cleveland in 2015, Milwaukee in 2016, Indiana in 2017, Memphis in 2018, Atlanta in 2019, Washington D.C. in 2020, Chicago in 2022, and Portland in 2023. We missed 2021 because of COVID and the past two years because of school and work, so we were both excited to get it going again this year as we headed down to New Orleans for the weekend game against the Pelicans.
Milwaukee played without Giannis and Myles Turner, two of their best players, and still won 139-118. It was their third straight win, all on the road, including a 17-point victory in Oklahoma City last week. They still sit at 24-30 and 11th in the East, but fingers crossed they can make a late playoff push.
I know many like to take shots at the NBA, but to me it is one of the best sports to watch in person. The pace is lightning fast, with nonstop action and a barrage of threes, dunks, and crazy athleticism all night. It was my first time seeing Zion Williamson in person and wow, he is really good and finished with 32 points.
The Smoothie King Center is only 27 years old and it was fine, with good views from our lower-level seats, but it certainly didn’t have the bells and whistles of many newer, more modern arenas (no cup holders, come on!?!) The workers and fans were great, the nachos were fantastic and there was plenty of beer, which is always a plus.
This was our ninth NBA trip together and, impressively, the Bucks have only lost one of those games, which certainly adds to the fun. But of course, the most important part was not the game or the result. It was spending two full days with my oldest son, catching up, talking about life, his future, what’s going well, what he’s working through, and just being together. As he’s gotten older, these trips have meant even more to me, and this one ranks near the very top.
So thank you, New Orleans, for having us, thank you to the Milwaukee Bucks for the win, and most importantly, thank you to Brady for this amazing tradition and for being a great son and a wonderful friend.
Love ya kid!
2. City Nicknames Done Right
This was my second time in New Orleans and I know it’s not for everyone, but I really enjoy it. Beyond the game Friday night, Brady and I spent most of Saturday just being tourists, walking around the French Quarter, grabbing some terrific Cajun food, having a few adult beverages on Bourbon Street, and soaking it all in.
Pro tip from a local bartender: skip the beignets at Café du Monde and go to Loretta’s Pralines in the French Market instead. So we did. We waited in line for 45 minutes and all I can say is if there is a better beignet out there, tell me now so I can try it. They were incredible and I will absolutely go back the next time I’m in town.
As we were walking around, I kept seeing and hearing “The Big Easy” and “Crescent City” everywhere. Both are pretty cool nicknames, which got me thinking about city nicknames across the country. Some are really good and creative, others quite frankly are not. So in honor of New Orleans, here are my Top 5 city nicknames in the U.S.
5. The Little Apple (Manhattan, Kansas)
Home of Kansas State University and basically in the middle of nowhere unless you count cornfields. Yes, they are playing off New York’s Big Apple, but it’s a great fit for this small, surprisingly fun town. They lean into the nickname, and it works perfectly for this place.
4. Beantown (Boston, Massachusetts)
Apparently this one dates back to colonial times because of Boston’s long association with baked beans. Not sure it’s still the most accurate description, but I like it. It’s short, it’s catchy, and just rolls off the tongue.
3. The Sweetest Place on Earth (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
A town built entirely around chocolate? Of course this should be the nickname. I’ve been there and liked it much more than I expected. Touring the Hershey plant is a must (just not when on a diet) and I’ve heard Hersheypark is fantastic. And as a bonus, every streetlamp is shaped like a Hershey Kiss. Fun city and a great nickname.
2. The Biggest Little City in the World (Reno, Nevada)
I like creative, ironic names, especially when smaller cities embrace something different. This is one of the oldest nicknames on the list, dating back to 1929 when Reno’s population was only around ten thousand. Visitors expecting a rough frontier town instead found a university, a lively downtown, and a surprisingly cosmopolitan atmosphere. The message was simple: not big in population, but big in amenities, culture, and opportunity. Love it.
1. The Mistake by the Lake (Cleveland, Ohio)
Cleveland fans probably don’t want to hear this, and this is an unofficial nickname, but with a Cincinnatian making this list…too bad. This one truly fits. Industrial, gray, cold, and even the lake views don’t offer much compared to other waterfront cities. Add in the sports apathy over the years, and while it may be a little mean, it’s memorable, it rhymes, and it has to be No. 1 on this list.
3. Two Golden Goals, One Unforgettable Olympics
I am writing this about twenty minutes after the USA beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the men’s hockey gold medal. Watching that game was yet another reminder of why I love sports so much, and it very well may land in my top 10 most memorable sporting events, right up there on the world stage with the 1999 Women’s World Cup final.
The U.S. was outshot 42-28 and, frankly, Canada looked like the better team for much of the game. But U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was incredible and kept his team in it the entire way. And then 24-year-old Jack Hughes, just minutes after chipping two teeth on a high stick, scored the golden goal to give the U.S. men their first Olympic gold medal since the Miracle on Ice in 1980.
And not to be outdone, the U.S. women’s hockey team deserves just as much love. They also brought home gold, beating Canada earlier in the week in a classic of their own. With the U.S. down a goal late and having pulled the goalie, veteran leader Hillary Knight delivered in the biggest moment, redirecting a Laila Edwards shot past Ann-Renée Desbiens to tie the game with just minutes left and keep the Americans alive. The momentum carried into overtime, where Megan Keller buried the game-winner off a heads-up setup from Taylor Heise, lifting the U.S. women to a resilient 2-1 gold medal win over Canada.
What a great time to be a proud American sports fan. I have written many times about how much I love the Olympics, especially the Winter Games, and this one absolutely delivered. But I am not sure many memories will stick with me longer than watching both U.S. hockey teams stand atop the podium with gold medals around their necks.
So congratulations to all of our American Olympians, and thank you for giving us a tremendous two weeks of sports action.
4. Bad News, Bears
The Chicago Bears formed in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys and moved to Chicago one year later in 1921. They are one of just two remaining franchises from the NFL’s founding, along with the Arizona Cardinals, who ironically started in Chicago. While the Bears have just one Super Bowl title, they won eight NFL championships from 1921 through 1963 and remain one of the most storied franchises in all of sports, backed by an incredibly loyal fan base.
Which is why it was shocking to hear this past week that the Bears are seriously considering leaving their longtime home at Soldier Field on the shores of Lake Michigan and moving across state lines to Hammond, Indiana.
It may only be 16 miles, but Hammond is worlds apart from the Chicago metro area. I have driven through Hammond many times, and usually not fast enough. Why anyone would willingly choose to build a stadium there and call it home is beyond me.
Well, actually, that’s not true. I know exactly why this might happen, and of course it’s mostly about money, driven by the Bears’ financial demands and some serious dysfunction on the part of the state of Illinois.
This all stems from a long, messy stadium fight. Soldier Field is old and limited, and the Bears want a modern, enclosed stadium with more revenue potential. They bought the Arlington Heights site in 2023 and initially called it their preferred option, but progress stalled over property taxes and how much public money Illinois would commit. The Bears have reportedly sought around $800–$850 million in public support, and the state has been slow and reluctant to get there, even canceling a key funding hearing at one point.
Enter Indiana.
Frustrated with Illinois, the Bears expanded their search to northwest Indiana, where officials quickly proposed a new stadium authority and a site in Hammond near Wolf Lake. It keeps them relatively close to the fan base but across state lines, and early site work suggests it’s more than just talk. Arlington Heights is still in play, but Indiana has created a real alternative and real pressure on Illinois.
Which brings us to the bigger point. If the Bears leave Illinois, it’s a massive black eye for both the franchise and the state. This is a founding NFL franchise tied to Chicago for more than a century, and losing it to a neighboring state because of what most fans see as greed would be embarrassing.
I don’t have a dog in the fight, but as a Cincinnatian, I know how it would feel if the Bengals ever played across the river in Kentucky. Even a few miles away, but in a different state, would bother me.
There’s blame all around, the Bears chasing maximum public money, Illinois dragging its feet, and Indiana trying to swoop in for a legacy franchise.
At the end of the day, I just hope Illinois keeps the team in state, even if that means Arlington Heights. Because the Bears playing in Indiana just feels wrong, and frankly those involved should be ashamed it’s gotten this far.
5. Sky Club Snob? Yup
I’ve written before about how much I like Delta and how I really won’t fly any other airlines at this point. A big reason is our Amex Delta SkyMiles card and the perks that come with it, especially the Sky Club. Other airlines have their own version with American’s Admirals Club and United simply calls them their United Lounges. Years ago I didn’t get the hype of these places. Now I can’t imagine flying without stopping in before a flight.
Comfortable seats, tons of charging options, free and easy wifi, and a great place to get some work done or to simply relax. The food is better than I would have expected, the Starbucks coffee is flowing and yes, I’m never going to turn down a free beer before a flight.
With six flights on the schedule this year, including our New Orleans trip, being able to use the Sky Club before boarding or on a long layover, like when Brady and I were in Atlanta watching the Michigan hoops game, makes a huge difference. It is so much better than sitting at the gate fighting for a seat and scrounging to find an outlet.
So yeah, call me spoiled or pampered if you want. I probably would have said the same thing years ago. But now I’m fully in on the Sky Club and love having it every time I travel.
Thanks, Delta, for another reason you’re my go-to airline.
6. Dog Days of Summer
We are big dog people, and our six year old mutt Finley, who is some mix of chihuahua, terrier, papillon, and who knows what else, is absolutely part of our family, just like pets are in so many other households.
One thing I’ve really come to appreciate over the past decade is how many businesses and places not only allow dogs, but genuinely welcome them.
We go see my mom in Cleveland often. Sometimes we stay with her, but sometimes we grab a hotel nearby. The Aloft there is incredibly dog friendly, no extra fees, treats everywhere, and even a dog loyalty program called Bone-Voy. We love it and Finley loves it.
We also usually pick Home Depot over Lowe’s because we can bring Finley with us, and on summer nights we’ll hit a local brewery where she can hang out with us and plenty of other dogs.
But my favorite dog friendly promotion might be what the Cincinnati Reds do with “Bark in the Park.” A few times each season you can bring your dog to the game, even go down on the field before first pitch, and just enjoy the whole experience. We took Finley two years ago and it was a great time. Last year the dates didn’t work for us, but we just bought tickets for the June game against the Brewers. All six of us will be there and it should be a lot of fun.
Yes, you have to sit in a designated section with the other dogs and their owners, but the seats are still first level with good views and the pricing is reasonable, even though it irks me a little that I have to buy Finley her own ticket.
So well done, Reds. And thank you to all the businesses out there that recognize that for many of us, our dogs are part of the family and we want to include them in as many experiences as we can.
Thanks for checking out this week’s Six Pack, Sandman Nation! I’d love to hear your thoughts: what resonated with you, what you disagree with, or your own takes on these topics. Drop your comments and let’s keep the conversation going. And don't forget to sign up for The Sandman Ticket, our free, weekly newsletter with picks, insights, and a little bit of everything we love about sports.
