CLEVELAND -- The year 2016 was a great one for Cleveland sports teams and athletes alike, and four individuals received special recognition with the nomination for the Professional Athlete of the Year Award for the 17th Annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards.
Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James, UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor and 10-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas were nominated for Professional Athlete of the Year, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission announced Friday.
The winner will be announced at this year’s awards ceremony at the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Thursday, January 26.
LEBRON LEADS CLEVELAND TO PROMISED LAND
James was named the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals after leading the Cavaliers to their first-ever league championship with a 93-89 win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, in June.
In leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA Championship, James earned his third Finals MVP Award, which is tied for the second-most all-time.
Despite making only nine of his 24 attempts from the field and just one of his five three-point shots in the close-out win, James scored a team-high 27 points, and finished off a triple-double with 11 rebounds and 11 assists to go along with three blocked shots and two steals.
In the best-of-seven series, James averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists, to go along with 2.3 blocks and 2.6 steals over 42 minutes per game. James converted 49.4 percent of his attempts from the field and 37.1 percent of his three-point tries.
MIOCIC WON, DEFENDED UFC TITLE
Miocic won the UFC championship after delivering a right hand to Fabricio Werdum’s jaw in the main event of UFC 198 back in May.
The former champion was chasing Miocic around the outer rim of The Octagon, and left his chin exposed. Despite backing away from Werdum’s pursuit, Miocic threw a powerful right hand that floored the champion.
Miocic added three shots to the downed Werdum before referee Dan Miragliotta jumped in-between the fighters to end the bout at 2:14 of the first round.
In his first title defense in the main event of UFC 203 at The Q in September, Alistair Overeem attempted to throw a right leg kick when Miocic checked it and sent the challenger to the mat. After the takedown, Overeem pulled guard, but Miocic was not to be denied. Miocic landed a pair of right-handed hammer fists before throwing a left-right combination to Overeem’s face.
Following another left hand, Miocic landed four straight rights to Overeem’s jaw, knocking out the challenger and forcing the referee’s stoppage with just 33 seconds left in the first round.
THOMAS EARNS RECORD-SETTING PRO BOWL NOD
In December, Thomas was selected to his 10th Pro Bowl, and has gone 10 for 10 in all-star game nods since entering the league via the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of the University of Wisconsin. Thomas is the first Browns player ever selected to participate in 10 Pro Bowls.
Thomas joined an elite group of athletes with the 10th straight selection, as defensive tackle Merlin Olsen (Los Angeles Rams), defensive back/running back Mel Renfro (Dallas Cowboys), running back Barry Sanders (Detroit Lions) and linebacker Lawrence Taylor (New York Giants) are the only other players who went 10 for 10 in Pro Bowl appearances over their first decade in the NFL.
All are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and spent their entire careers with one franchise.
Thomas has started each of the Browns’ 160 games over the last 10 seasons and has the NFL’s longest active streak for the most consecutive snaps played.
LINDOR BUOYS PLAYOFF RUN
In his first full season with the Indians, Lindor made the American League All-Star team, led the franchise on its first run to the World Series in 19 years and earned postseason recognition.
At the plate, Lindor batted .301 with 182 hits in 604 at-bats with 99 runs scored and 78 driven in. Lindor smacked 30 doubles, three triples and 15 home runs with 19 stolen bases, a .358 on-base percentage and .435 slugging percentage.
Over 155 regular-season games, Lindor had a .982 fielding percentage. In 674 total chances over 1,365 innings of work, Lindor registered 215 putouts, as well as 447 assists against only 12 errors. Lindor helped turn 83 double plays in the regular season.
For his efforts in the field, Lindor was honored with his first AL Gold Glove Award.
In the postseason, Lindor hit .310 with 18 hits, three doubles, two home runs and six RBI with five runs scored.
