Sports

The traditional prelude to the Olympics, the torch relay, will look – and sound – a bit different this year, as spectators are asked to avoid crowds and dampen their cheers when the torch passes by them.

Members of the Tokyo Organizing Committee announced a series of pandemic measures on Thursday, including leaving the option open for suspending portions of the relay should health officials deem it necessary.

The Cleveland Indians are beginning spring training with a lot of uncertainties. The pandemic has forced the team to cut payroll and part ways with key players. Now, their manager for the past eight years, Terry Francona, is facing more health problems.

WKSU’s sports commentator Terry Pluto explains why Francona remains committed to the team and why the team has vowed to stick with in their skipper.

Longtime Cleveland Browns fans experienced a lot of nostalgia this past week. Former Coach Marty Schottenheimer died at age 77, following a battle with Alzheimer’s. And one of his players, Clay Matthews, was passed over yet again for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

There will be no new players enshrined to the Baseball Hall of Fame this year. None of the 25 players on this year’s ballot reached 75% of the vote required for induction.

WKSU's sports commentator Terry Pluto is part of The Baseball Writers Association of America that selects Hall of Famers. Sports writers must cover baseball for at least 10 years to receive a ballot. Pluto says the numbers fluctuate, but there are as many as 500 voters.

Kevin Stefanski took home the top honor for his profession Saturday, the night before the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when he was named the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year.

Stefanski, in his first season as an NFL head coach, led the Browns to the team's first playoff appearance since 2002 and first playoff victory in 26 years.

When Super Bowl LV kicks off next month in Tampa Bay, Fla., some special guests will be in attendance – thousands of health care workers from around the country.