Chances are you don’t know what it’s like to be a Cleveland sports fan.
If you are in this exclusive club, though, you already know.You are programmed to feel the disappointment before it happens, yet you still root, root, root for the home team. Then, when it does happen, you’re basically immune to it. All you can muster is a blank stare at the television set, or the field or your wall.
And you remember what your father told you: “They ain’t never gonna win, son. This is Cleveland.”
I’m only 26, so I haven’t experienced the agony that many Clevelanders before me have. Since the Browns’ 1964 NFL Championship, there has been at least a couple generations forced to sit through one depressing year after the next. Along the way we’ve picked up nicknames (“The Mistake By the Lake”), been smacked with a curse (“The Curse of Rocky Colavito”), a drive (John Elway), a fumble (Earnest Byner), a shot (Michael Jordan), a move (Art Modell) and a weak RBI single up the middle in a Game 7 (Edgar Renteria). We’ve even had our trials and tribulations mocked on the Big Screen (Major League I, II).
This is why the Indians’ meltdown during the final week of the 2005 season wasn’t at all shocking to us. This is why when All-Pro center LeCharles Bentley ripped his knee up on his very first day of camp in orange and brown we all chirped, “Go figure.” And this is why we’re sure Brady Quinn will flop, the Tigers and Twins will claim the A.L. Central and A.L. wild card and why we’ll shrug off the Cavs’ impending Finals loss.
Yes I would like some cheese with my whine.
In the words of Tom Petty, “You don’t know how it feels.” Cleveland is the most hungry major sports city. Sure the Cubs have gone longer without a Series title. But Chicago has had Da Bears, Da Bulls and Da Palehosers. Sure there are other city’s who have never experienced the Super Bowl (Arizona, Detroit, Houston). But…Diamondbacks, Pistons, Rockets. On the court, this is the Cavs first Finals appearance, beating teams like the Clippers, Nuggets and Timberwolves to the pinnacle of the hardwood. But L.A. has had the Lakers and Dodgers, Denver has had Elway and the Broncos and Minnesota has had the Kirby and the Twins.
If we’re reaching, Cleveland was the home of the Crunch, three-time NPSL (National Professional Soccer League) champions. And I remember calling all my friends when former Cavs sharpshooter Mark Price won the 3-point contest. THAT was a title in my opinion.
Alas, our trophy cases are as empty as are hearts, and consider yourselves lucky that you don’t know how it feels. I envy every last one of you, but I’ll always remain in this exclusive club.
It’ll make that first title all the better.
Now, could I please have more wine?
4 replies on “You Don’t Know How It Feels”
Good one I like this post.
It may not be this year, but there’s no reason to fret. The King will have his day soon.
It won’t happen with Mike Brown on the bench, though.
That’s my two cents.
This is a good article I love defeatism. Mark Price? Awesome.
haha nice article. but you need not forget that Philadelphia, which has four teams, is in a pretty long drought too. but then again, philadelphia is a terrible city, so nobody cares.
I like to forget about Philadelphia as much as I can :p