So I wanted to take some time to explain what its like to grow up in Cleveland. Cleveland, OH most notably known as "The Mistake by the Lake" is my home. I was six years old when it all begun. It was 1987 and the Browns were relevant. Bernie Kosar captivated a fan base and the town was vibing. The New Year had just rung in and the Browns were getting ready to host the Denver Broncos. I was six at the time. At 4:20pm on January 11th, 1987 I got my first taste of what growing up a Cleveland fan was all about. John Elway crushed my heart. He led the Broncos on the infamous "Drive" and stomped and kicked my little heart and soul. When Rich Karlis kicked the game winning field goal in OT I cried, in fact I balled my eyes out. It was a sign of things to come. The very next year came "The Fumble". Earnest Byner fumbling the ball on the goal line before he scores the game winner. Then in 1995 they were gone. The Browns moved to Baltimore. They took my childhood. Art Modell took my beloved Browns and moved them to Baltimore to become the Ravens. To add insult to injury in 2000 the Ravens won the Super Bowl. But my pain is not just in football. It stretches over all sports teams.
The so called Cleveland Curse. They say the Indians were cursed by trading Rocky Colavito. Rocky was traded to the Tigers in 1960 and there has been said that a curse was placed on the Indians that they would never see another World Series win. In 1995 the Indians won the AL Pennant but fell to the Atlanta Braves falling short of Title in Cleveland. In 1997 They returned to the World Series to Face the Florida Marlins. In heartbreaking fashion the Indians, leading entering the bottom of the ninth 2-1, brought in closer Jose Mesa to seal the deal and deliver Cleveland their first title since 1964. But Mesa couldn't deliver. The Marlins tied the game and in the bottom of the 11th they finished off the Indians. Edgar Renteria singled to drive in Craig Counsell and crush Cleveland Fans once again. Two outs. We were two outs away from salvation and denied. It was 10 years after "The Drive" crushed my dreams. Two outs. I began questioning if I could go through this every 10 years, this emotional roller coaster they call fan-dom. This can't be good for my sanity. But I stuck it out.
So now Cleveland is preparing to go on another ride. The Cavaliers are carrying the hopes and dreams of the people of Cleveland on their shoulders. LeBron James is hailed as a savior and the proclaimed "Chosen One". If anyone can break this Cleveland Curse most believe it is LeBron James. That's not a lot of pressure is it? LeBron is the 1st Cleveland Athlete to win back-to-back MVP awards since Jim Brown did it for the Browns back in 1957 & 1958. Ironically Brown was on the last Cleveland Championship team in 1964. We as a fan base have been disappointed so many times that you shouldn't be surprised to see Cleveland fans wary. Most can't shake the woe-is-me mentality. Most anticipate another letdown. But in order to move forward you have to put the past to bed. I'm all in once again. I always say I'm not gonna do this to myself again but I do. I love my teams and I crave a Championship. I could never jump on another bandwagon and enjoy it with any other teams. Never. I just know when we get there, to the top how sweet it will be. And for that I keep my Faith.
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