2024 in sports: Columbus pro teams bring glory, persevere through tragedy

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Fans of Columbus' professional sports teams went through an array of emotions in 2024.

NBC4 is looking back at the year in sports and we continue by diving back into the seasons of central Ohio's pro teams. While the Columbus Crew's success continued, the Blue Jackets' front office changes were outweighed by a tragic death. The city also welcomed a new team and saw some of its budding baseball prospects have once-in-a-lifetime moments in October.

Here is how 2024 went for Columbus' professional sports teams.

Columbus Crew claim another trophy

The Black & Gold embarked on its busiest season in history off the back of winning MLS Cup in 2023, and they did not lose a step.

Head coach Wilfried Nancy's side put together a marvelous 2024 that began with historic wins in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Crew vanquished Mexican sides Tigres and Monterrey to make their first-ever CONCACAF final. Columbus lost in the final 3-0 to Mexico's Pachuca on the road after many players and coaches fell ill days before the match.

Columbus was able to run through a difficult path of MLS teams in the summer to win the Leagues Cup title in August. In the final, star striker Cucho Hernandez scored a title-winning goal in stoppage time at home against Los Angeles FC.

While juggling through these competitions, the Crew put together their best regular season in club history. They set team records for points (66), goals (72), and wins (19) to finish second in the overall MLS standings. The season ended in disappointing fashion however with the New York Red Bulls sweeping the Crew in a best-of-three first round series.

Blue Jackets transform office and battle through grief

Columbus had a forgettable 2023-24 season with just 66 regular season points to finish last in the Eastern Conference. This prompted more front office changes with ex-Minnesota Wild coach Dean Evason taking over for Pascal Vincent and Don Waddell becoming the new president of hockey operations and general manager for John Davidson and Jarmo Kekalainen.

The Blue Jackets community was met with an unimaginable tragedy on Aug. 29 when forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed by a suspected drunk driver while riding bicycles in New Jersey one day before their sister's wedding. The whole club attended the brother's memorial service where Johnny's wife Meredith revealed she is pregnant with their third child.

The club is dedicating the entire 2024-25 season in the Gaudreau brothers' memory and has aspirations for a wild card spot. As of Dec. 28, the Blue Jackets sit in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division with defenseman Zach Werenski providing a strong offensive season alongside new center Sean Monahan, who joined Columbus so he could play with Johnny Hockey.

Fury brings pro volleyball to central Ohio

Nationwide Arena traded the ice for hardwood throughout the winter and spring to host Columbus' newest professional sports team. 2024 marked the inaugural season of the Pro Volleyball Federation and the debut of the Columbus Fury, whose ownership group includes Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and his family.

The Fury's roster includes NCAA champions, former Olympians, and the first-ever pick in the league's history Asjia O'Neal, a two-time NCAA champion with Texas and the daughter of former NBA All-Star Jermaine O'Neal.

Thousands across the community took in pro volleyball in Columbus as the Fury finished its inaugural season 8-16, just missing out on the first PVF playoffs. The atmosphere and crowds have created a stronger appetite for professional women's sports in Columbus.

Clippers stars get massive MLB playoff moments

The Columbus Clippers put together a strong 2024 season but some of the team's best moments came in October in northeast Ohio.

Columbus was able to make the International League finals with a 48-26 record in the west division behind strong pitching and defense. The Clippers just missed out on winning the Governors' Cup as they fell in three games to the Omaha Storm Chasers.

Multiple Clippers players got the call up to Cleveland to join the Guardians on their postseason journey. They even played a key part in the Guards' run to the American League Championship Series and strung together signature October moments.

None stood out more then when Jhonkensy Noel, who played in 65 games for Columbus and hit 18 home runs, hit a pinch-hit game-tying two-run home run in the 9th inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the ALCS at Progressive Field.

Other notes

• The Cleveland Cavaliers started the 2024-25 NBA regular season 15-0, marking the second-best start to a regular season in NBA history.
• Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals have been held back in 2024 by a shaky defense but Cincinnati is still chasing for a playoff spot. Receiver Ja'Marr Chase is on the verge of winning the NFL's receiving triple crown as he leads the league in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns after Cincy's Week 17 win.
• The Cleveland Browns' struggles came back as quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending injury for a second straight season. They enter Week 17 with just three wins.