CLEVELAND, Ohio — Darius Garland’s first annual celebrity softball game proved what many of us have long suspected: being elite at one sport doesn’t automatically translate to prowess in another.
The event, which brought together NBA stars, local celebrities, and even powerful sports agents, delivered a revealing glimpse into the athletic versatility (or lack thereof) among basketball’s finest.
Cleveland.com Cavs beat reporter Chris Fedor witnessed it all and shared the behind-the-scenes details on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, painting a picture of surprising athletic fails and unexpected standouts.
“There were a few guys that surprised me in the wrong way,” Fedor revealed. “Let me just say that some of these guys were former athletes and looked like they had never picked up a baseball bat.”
While Fedor diplomatically avoided naming names, his description of professional athletes struggling to make contact was both humbling and hilarious. The revelation serves as a reminder that even world-class athletes can look painfully ordinary when taken out of their element.
But not everyone struggled.
Max Strus, the Cavaliers’ sharpshooter, dominated the event with the same confidence he brings to the basketball court.
“Max Strus can win anything he plays,” Fedor explained. “I saw him last year at training camp when the Cavs were throwing the football around and he was hauling in one handed catches from whoever it was and then he was spiking a volleyball another time when I saw him. So I just don’t think there is a sport that Max does not excel in.”
Strus’s natural athleticism was on full display as he won the Home Run Derby and hit a leadoff homer in the actual game. His multi-sport dominance raises an interesting question about whether certain athletes simply possess a natural adaptability that others lack, regardless of their specialized training.
Perhaps the most revealing moment of the day had nothing to do with athletic ability but everything to do with power dynamics.
Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, known for his formidable influence in NBA circles, apparently extends that power to charity softball games as well.
“Clutch Sports CEO Rich Paul changed the rules in his favor midway through the Home Run Derby,” Fedor shared with a hint of amusement. “He went to somebody and he said, ‘Hey, look, for me, a home run is not hitting it over the fence, it’s hitting it onto the grass in the outfield.’”
This audacious mid-competition rule change allowed Paul to advance to the championship round against Strus — though organizers wisely reverted to traditional rules for the final showdown.
As Fedor noted, “It just shows how much power he has in every walk of life where he was just able to change the rules to benefit him in a great way.”
Beyond the competitive shenanigans, the event served a dual purpose.
While the softball game provided entertainment, it also offered rare access to Cavaliers players, coaches, and executives in a relaxed setting. Fedor seized the opportunity to gather insights that might not emerge in more formal environments.
“My duty being there was talk to as many people as I possibly could in that kind of environment,” Fedor explained, revealing how even a charity softball game becomes a professional opportunity for a beat reporter.
The podcast conversation showcases how these seemingly light-hearted charity events often reveal character, competitive nature, and the human side of professional athletes — making it essential listening for fans wanting the complete picture of their favorite Cavaliers.
Here’s the podcast for this week:
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