For a championship-starved city, it may seem like eons ago. But in reality, the Golden Age of Cincinnati Sports was just about two decades ago.
In the span of three years, from 1989 to 1992, the Reds won the World Series, the Bengals played in the Super Bowl and the Cincinnati Bearcats advanced to the Final Four.
Back then, Nick Lachey was a high schooler at Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts. Lachey went on to worldwide fame as a member of the band "98 Degrees," but he never lost his love for the Queen City's sports teams.
In an exclusive interview with ThePostGame, the 39-year-old Lachey relived his best sporting moments growing up in Cincinnati.
Nick Lachey's Top 5 Cincinnati Sports Moments Slideshow
5. Bearcats Play In 2010 Sugar Bowl
Cincinnati recorded an undefeated regular season in 2009, winning its second straight Big East title. After the Bearcats knocked off Pitt in the regular season finale, coach Brian Kelly resigned to take the head coaching job at Notre Dame. Cincinnati landed a spot in the Sugar Bowl, where they got steamrolled by Florida, 51-24. "It ended on bad terms," Lachey said of the 2009 season, "but it was a great year for the team. "
4. Cyclones Win 2010 Kelly Cup
The Cyclones, Cincinnati's minor league hockey team, has been the city's most successful team over the past decade. Playing in the East Coast Hockey League, the Cyclones skated to the league's championship in 2008 and 2010. Lachey witnessed the most recent hoisting of the Kelly Cup. "I was there, I saw it, it was awesome," Lachey said. "Don’t make fun, I hear you silently laughing."
3. Bearcats Play In 1992 Final Four
In just his third year at the helm, Bob Huggins led fourth-seeded Cincinnati to the Final Four. The Bearcats kept pace with Michigan's "Fab Five" for most of the game, but the Wolverines pulled away in the second half of the national semifinal and won, 76-72.
2. Bengals Play In 1989 Super Bowl
After losing to San Francisco in the 1981 Super Bowl, the Bengals squared off again with the 49ers. In another close game, Joe Montana and Co. escaped with the victory, 20-16. "Obviously it ended in an heartbreaking way," Lachey said, "but being in the Super Bowl has to be up there."
1. Reds Win 1990 World Series
Manager Lou Pinella guided the Reds to the World Series crown over the favored Oakland A's. It was the Reds' first title in 14 years, and the last time they appeared in the World Series. "That was an awesome moment for the city," Lachey said, "our last real championship."
