Author | Lightnews

Ethan Sands

Ethan Sands

@ejelite1.bsky.social

700 followers 190 following 420 posts

Cavs Beat Reporter and Wine and Gold Talk podcast host for Cleveland.com l Ohio U & SJI alum l past: MLB, USA Today Sports, The LA Times l ΚΑΨ♦️#LackOfWorries🎈

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Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 1h

Lonzo Ball has just two goals for his chapter in Cleveland.

One personal. One that will define how the #Cavs’ trade for him will be remembered.

“That’s how I want it to be written when it’s all said and done.” #LetEmKnow #NBASky
www.cleveland.com/cavs/2025/10...

Lonzo Ball is starting a new chapter with the Cavs, chasing revival and the mountaintop

After overcoming more than 1,000 days away from the court, Lonzo Ball joins the Cavs with one goal: helping the team to an NBA championship.

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 2d

The #Cavs are no longer a feel-good story or an up-and-coming contender. The expectations now? Championship or bust.

The days of “maybe next year” are over.

As the new season begins, here are my 5 predictions for Cleveland’s 2025-26 campaign. #LetEmKnow #NBASky

The Cavs will return to the NBA Finals in 2026: Ethan Sands’ 5 bold predictions

Kenny Atkinson’s new system. Evan Mobley’s leap. Lonzo Ball’s comeback. Everything is aligning for the Cavaliers to return to the NBA Finals in 2026 — and this team might be better built than any of L...

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 5d

Donovan Mitchell has chosen his rookie. He sees the ‘it’ factor in Tyrese Proctor before a single regular-season #NBA minute.

If you don’t, it might be time to start believing.

What started as a phone call on the #Cavs’ draft night has already borne fruit. #LetEmKnow #NBASky

Donovan Mitchell takes Cavs rookie Tyrese Proctor under his wing after seeing his ‘it’ factor before first NBA game

Cavs star Donovan Mitchell saw something different in rookie guard Tyrese Proctor. A mindset and skill set that made him worth investing in before he ever played a regular-season game.

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 19d

Dillon Dingler probably became the person he once resented as a kid — the one who helped end the #Guardians’ season.

An Ohio native, Dingler once sat in the Progressive Field bleachers rooting for Cleveland.

In Game 3 of the AL wild card series, he became its October villain. #MLBSky

From Guardians fan to October villain: Dillon Dingler’s swing heard across Cleveland

Ohio native Dillon Dingler grew up cheering for the Guardians at Progressive Field. In Game 3 of the AL Wild Card series, the Tigers catcher delivered the swing that silenced his hometown crowd and he...

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 20d

First pitch for Thursday’s Game 3 of the AL wild card series between the #Guardians and the #Tigers is set for 3:08 p.m. Eastern.

The winner moves on, and the loser goes home. #MLBSky
www.cleveland.com/guardians/20...

What time will Guardians vs. Tigers wild card Game 3 start Thursday?

Thursday's must-win Game 3's first pitch time is subject to change due to other wild card series around the league. The official decision will be made after all Wednesday's games have concluded.

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 20d

Only 5 players had ever made their #MLB debut in the #postseason. Chase DeLauter became the sixth, and the game carried every ounce of that weight.

The #Guardians rookie’s debut may not have been perfect, but it was unforgettable — a game-saving throw began his highlight reel in the bigs. #MLBSky

Chase DeLauter’s historic major-league debut may not have been perfect, but it was unforgettable

In the Guardians’ 6-1 victory over the Tigers to extend their season, rookie Chase DeLauter delivered a critical play to keep momentum from shifting to Detroit.

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 21d

Some pre-Game 1 reading about the #Tigers' Game 2 starter, who vividly remembers last year’s American League Division Series from the dugout — after not making the roster.

On Wednesday, he returns to Cleveland carrying those scars and a chance for redemption. #MLBPlayoffs #MLBSky

Scarred in Cleveland a year ago, Casey Mize returns as the Tigers’ Game 2 starter

A year after being left behind in Cleveland’s bullpen, Casey Mize returns to Progressive Field as Detroit’s Game 2 starter, carrying the lessons of failure, the challenge of facing a relentless Guardi...

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 22d

Casey Mize will pitch Game 2 of the American League wild card series for the #Tigers.

Jack Flaherty will pitch Game 3, if necessary. #MLBSky

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 23d

Progressive Field isn’t just loud in October. It’s deafening.

The #Guardians feed off it. Opponents feel it. And with home field secured, Cleveland fans have the power to tilt the postseason.

“This is the best playoff environment I’ve ever been in.” #MLBSky
www.cleveland.com/guardians/20...

Cleveland’s October noise: How fans fuel the Guardians’ playoff push

From champagne-soaked celebrations to walk-off chaos, the Guardians’ run to the AL Central crown has been powered by the roar of Progressive Field. With home-field advantage secured, Cleveland’s fans ...

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 23d

Cleveland has earned every second of their party on Sunday night.

The champagne was historic. What happens next will decide if it was also a prelude.

This next series is about validating September’s miracle run by carrying it into October. #MLBSky
www.cleveland.com/guardians/20...

Point proven in the Central, Guardians welcome Tigers to the wild card fight

For the Guardians, this next series is about validating the miracle run by carrying it into October, where every pitch has consequences and every inning can tilt a season’s legacy.

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 23d

The #Guardians are the American League Central champions for the second consecutive year, as the Tigers fall to the Red Sox 4-3 in Boston.

Cleveland will host the Tigers for the AL wild card series with Game 1 set for Tuesday. #MLBSky

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 24d

In a game where the #Guardians’ offense had gone silent, it was the defense that turned a dropped ball into a heartbeat play that helped earn a playoff berth.

The energy created from their 8th inning defensive stop was the deciding factor. #Guardsball #MLBSky
www.cleveland.com/guardians/20...

Guardians’ eighth inning defensive stop helps earn them a playoff berth

Baseball doesn’t always give you what you fear. Sometimes, it hands you the kind of reprieve that sparks belief. That's what happened in the eighth inning for the Guardians.

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 24d

Have you heard of The Mad Dash?

Let me introduce you to the Standing Room Sprint.

#Guardians fans wait at the gates before scurrying to the standing room only section to claim their spot hours before first pitch.

Cleveland can clinch a postseason berth tonight. #Guardsball #MLBSky

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 25d

The #Cavs released their official training camp roster. Of the 5 training camp invitees, Miller Kopp is listed instead of Jaxson Robinson.

The 6-foot-7 forward played at Indiana and with the Oklahoma City Blue. Most recently, he played with the Pistons at this year’s Summer League. #NBASky

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · 26d

#Cavs Donovan Mitchell is a 6-time #NBA All-Star and has his sights set on more. But when his career ends, he doesn’t just want to be remembered for the accolades.

He wants to return to the high school gym that shaped him — whistle in hand, changing lives.

“He’s impacting the world.”
#NBASky

Donovan Mitchell already has a second career picked out when he retires — and it’s not what you’d expect

Donovan Mitchell's vision for the next chapter of his life is personal.

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · Sep 10

On the latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast with Jimmy Watkins, we dive into Donovan Mitchell’s future with the #Cavs, what his next contract could mean for the franchise and how crucial these next two seasons are in determining Cleveland’s future. #LetEmKnow #NBASky
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...

Why the Cavs' clock is ticking on Donovan Mitchell's legacy

Podcast Episode · Wine and Gold Talk Podcast · 09/10/2025 · 36m

podcasts.apple.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · Sep 1

George Valera’s call-up to the #Guardians takes me back to one of my favorite stories I wrote in 2022, when he was just 21 with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks.

His origin story hits home today for his #MLB debut.

How it started: 50 pesos and a dream. #MLBSky
www.mlb.com/news/top-gua...

Valera homers twice in season-high five-RBI night

50 pesos and a dream. George Valera grew up 10 blocks from Yankees Stadium. At age 13, the native of Queens, N.Y., wound up moving to the Dominican Republic. It ended up being key to his dream of play...

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · Aug 13

Cleveland’s path through East Group A is officially mapped out.

I broke down who the #Cavs are playing, how they can advance to the knockout round for the first time and why their finale in group play will likely be circled for multiple reasons. #LetEmKnow #NBASky #NBAThreads

NBA announces Cavs Group Play schedule for in-season tournament

The NBA dropped the 2025 NBA Cup Group Play schedule on Wednesday, and Cleveland’s path through East Group A is officially mapped out.

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · Jul 31

Tyler Naquin, a former #Guardians outfielder, knows what it takes to make the bigs but is now attempting a rare feat — a return as a pitcher.

As fireworks burst above us in Eastlake, Naquin was confident his story wasn’t over.

“I just felt unfinished.”
www.cleveland.com/guardians/20...

Tyler Naquin is chasing a second shot, as a pitcher — and a former Guardian who’s done it before is watching

Tyler Naquin’s rare transition from outfielder to pitcher at High-A Lake County is a story of resilience, reinvention and chasing a second chance in pro baseball.

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · Jul 31

In a 162-game season, some wins are just numbers. Others say something.

Amid a testing stretch of the year, the #Guardians got answers tonight in their 5-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies — and so did the fans. #Guardsball
www.cleveland.com/guardians/20...

Guardians earn series win over Rockies in quickest game of season, 5-0

The Guardians won the series over Rockies with a 5-0 victory.

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · Jul 30

José Ramírez’s first inning double gives him 1,617 hits for his career. He’s now seventh all-time in hits for the #Guardians. #Guardsball

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · Jul 30

Pinch-hitting for @joenogacle.bsky.social on the #Guardians beat tonight.

With the trade deadline nearly 24 hours away, Steven Kwan opened up about the trade rumors and what a future in Cleveland would mean to him.

"I love it here. I love everything about this place." #Guardsball

Steven Kwan’s heart is in Cleveland, but his future remains unwritten

As trade rumors swirl around him, Steven Kwan says he wants to stay in Cleveland — but with the deadline looming, he’s staying focused on what he can control: playing his game.

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · Jul 24

The #Cavs are showing the Lakers how to pass the torch.

While The King clings to his reign in Los Angeles, Cleveland is taking the patient, necessary steps for the future — with a star who knows the spotlight isn’t the only path to an #NBA championship. #NBASky #NBAThreads #LeBronJames

The Cavs are showing the Lakers how to pass the torch

Unlike the Lakers, the Cavs aren’t dealing with cryptic messages or the anxiety of losing control this offseason. Instead, there's alignment.

www.cleveland.com

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · Jul 10

Here’s the clip for this quote during the #Cavs’ Summer League game against the Pacers on NBA TV.

Ethan Sands @ejelite1.bsky.social · Jul 10

#Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson on NBA TV, talking about Evan Mobley: “I don’t wanna put any pressure on him, but the truth is, in the next 2 or 3 years, he’s gotta be in the MVP conversation.” #NBASky #NBAThreads