Fans frustrated by more Columbus Blue Jackets bad news

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Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.

On the Columbus Blue Jackets

To Brian: News that CBJ players Werenski and Marchenko are not wanting to stay in Columbus after their current contracts end is very disappointing to say the least. Also, remembering the terrific Columbus Crew players, Cucho, Zelarayan, and Aidan Morris that we have lost to other clubs/cities makes you wonder what’s wrong with Columbus. Are we chopped liver, or what? Or maybe something worse? Columbus seems to be a great place for professional athletes to develop but not to stay long term. Why can’t Columbus keep the star players that can help us win the big games? It can make a loyal CBJ and Crew supporter sleepless. We can only hope. But, hope is a good thing.

Sleepless in Columbus.

Chet Ridenour Sr. Worthington

To Sleepless, er, Chet: I think the Blue Jackets part is pretty easy: Players want to win, and the Blue Jackets never win. Rebuilds get old for players who see their friends in the playoffs and winning titles. As for the Crew, that’s how the MLS works. It is a minor league for the better leagues in the world. When players are deemed good enough to move up, it is in the Crew’s best interests to set them free rather than hold them hostage.

Defenseman Zach Werenski has two years remaining on his deal with the Blue Jackets.

Dear Brian: It is exhausting being a fan of the Blue Jackets. Just when you think things are turning around and there is hope that we have the pieces to field a competitive playoff-caliber team, the wheels fall off. Between the late-season collapse this past season and the news that Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko don’t want to be with the team past their current contracts, it’s taxing on the fans.

I thought being a Browns fan was tough. The Blue Jackets are giving me just as much heartburn. I can’t see Werenski and Marchenko playing with the Jackets this season since their wishes were made public. Personally, I say trade them, get the best deal you can and be done with it. Move on. Thanks for the memories, but don’t let the door hit you in the you-know-what on the way out. What an awkward season it would be for the team (and the fans) having two guys who don’t want to be here playing out a season. Here we go again! So tired of this happening here.

What is the root cause? Bad management? Bad culture? The city? I know it’s not the city. We have a great city and a great fan base. A loyal fan base that continues to support this mess and these unloyal players.

Steve Roth, Westerville

To Steve: I know your letter was written before Werenski and the team’s unconvincing, mad scramble to put out fires regarding his desire to leave. But your point stands because, as our Brian Hedger smartly points out, while Werenski said all the right things after the news broke, there are still no guarantees beyond this upcoming season. There is no long-term contract with a no-trade clause. The Blue Jackets blamed the media for blowing it all out of proportion, yet they accepted trade offers from around the league. And as for your question about the root cause, no, it is not the city or too-kind fans. As stated above, it’s all about winning, which doesn’t happen here in the NHL.

On the World Cup, Tiger Woods

Dear Mr. White: I have two issues to highlight for your input, both involving journalistic integrity. The first involves the FOX Sports World Cup broadcasts. I have always appreciated that, with their OSU coverage, The Dispatch’s beat reporters and columnist have always held themselves to a high journalistic standard and not become print/online cheerleaders for the Buckeyes. Apparently, that standard doesn’t apply to FOX’s soccer coverage, as every FOX analyst is openly rooting for their home country and even making casual bets on the outcome of matches. In my opinion, that makes their studio panel discussions involving these experts not worth watching.

My second issue involves Tiger Woods, who has been in the news regarding whether he would be playing at the U.S. Senior Open at the Scioto Country Club. Given his history of multiple DUIs and rollover accidents, two better questions would be: 1. Why is he still permitted to drive? And 2. Why is he not in jail? The media, especially the golf media, seem to be treating him with kid gloves and not asking these pertinent questions. I doubt whether the average person would still have a driver’s license and be able to avoid jail time under similar circumstances.

Michael A. O’Connell, Columbus

To Mike: I would advise that you avoid considering most TV analysts as journalists, especially on national sports networks. They are entertainment media only. And thank you for recognizing how The Dispatch approaches coverage of Ohio State. There is no cheerleading in my part of our newsroom, and we believe our standards set us apart from most covering the school’s teams. As for Tiger, my assumption is that he has better lawyers than the average person.

Jun 25, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) hits a solo home run against the Houston Astros in the ninth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

On MLB All-Star Game

To Mr. White: Is it time to modify the voting for the All-Star teams? Perhaps weigh the fan vote as one third, the media as a third and the players as a third? Toronto, as a team, is several games below .500 but could have seven players voted in because virtually all of Canada’s baseball fans are not being fair in their selection process. This has robbed at least one player (Dillon Dingler) of a chance to be selected as a starter because Blue Jay fans pushed Alejandro Kirk (a catcher who played all of 12 games at the time of the vote) in for “Phase 2” of the votes. Only the top two at each position (non-outfielders) advance. You may recall that the fan vote was suspended in 1958 because Cincinnati fans “stuffed” the ballot box. I wonder if Mr. Manfred has anything to say about this?

Jim Ramlow, Columbus

To Jim: I’m all for the players having a bigger say in the process. They know who can really play.

On Maurice Clarett

To the editor: Life doesn’t always go according to plan. What matters is what you do next. Maurice Clarett reminds us that you can give back, and you can come back. He accepted responsibility for his actions, served his prison sentence and has worked to rebuild his life by his charitable acts and deeds. He speaks about his accountability and his second chances. That’s an impressive example of Buckeye spirit – not just because of what he accomplished on the football field, but because of the strength it takes to rise after falling. I wish Art Schlichter had been inspired by Maurice.

We all make mistakes. Character is often measured by how we respond to them. Whether we own them, learn from them, and choose to become better. In the end, redemption is not about erasing the past. It’s about proving, day by day, that it does not define your future.

Michael N. Oser, Upper Arlington