Holy Crap Batman!!

Was going thru some old stuff and came upon this blog! Holy Crap Batman!! I did this 7 years ago? Boy have things changed. I guess I will have to get caught up and I guess so will my two readers as well!!

Still self-employed doing my labor relations/human resources consulting, but looking to ease back some. Not ready to retire and don't think I will. Remember I do have a wife, Linda, and now 5 grandkids, so I still have folks (both big and small) in my pockets looking for cash!! 

Started driving for Uber and Lyft two years ago this month on a whim! Let me tell you, it has been a trip (trips, and pun intended!) and have seen places in #CLE that I have never seen in the past 70 years! Oh, yes, hit the big 7-0 this past September. Seventy-Frickin-years-old? How can that be? (I'll seek the answers later and let you all know!) But I digress.

Still a Tribe season ticket holder now into my 27th year! Following the Tribe all my life has been like riding the Blue Streak from old Euclid Beach Park. Each season starts slow, climbing the first hill. Than...BOOM! Down and Up and Down and Up! And turn to the left, turn to the right and back again, and FINALLY the big finish! Only and sadly, exhaustion at the end w/o the gold ring :(  But as we all say in #CLE "Wait Till Next Year!"  So to make me even more of a Tribe die-hard, this season, I became a member of the Indians Organization as a Service Ambassador working the home games! Yep!  I, through my season tickets, am paying myself to work and watch the Indians home games! Genius, right!?

Well a few ground rules here and for the future. As a member of the Indians Organization I must fall in line with the MLB social media rules and policies. So, if you follow me on Twitter ( @jnmentor ) you will see no tweets about the Tribe/Players/MLB/MiLB or anything related to those. Yes, it was and is still difficult, knowing love to talk and talk baseball. But 'dems da rules! So, hopefully with this blog, I can explain why nothing has been seen or read from me on the passion of sports-Baseball I have. Hopefully you will see me around Progressive Field next season and we can share our views. So, done with baseball and now to the Browns!

Some may know I have only been to 2 actual games at FES since '99. Was an ardent Browns fan from '56 to '95 but the move left me and it has been hard to return. Oh, I follow, but not with the full throated manner from the past.  Until now! Not all the way, but WOW, what a change I see. Yes "Hard Knocks" helped, but for the 1st time in decades, there is a REAL football person, running the football operations. Dorsey has piqued my interest and with his moves is slowly turning the corner in bringing back the Browns to what I wanted for years, a competitive football team that I could get behind and live/die with each Sunday. Before I could view a Browns game in less than 15 mins.  DVR it; view it; and fast forward to the end since I knew what the end was going to be. Not now.

Better and more astute fans, such as @clvlnK8 on twitter can better pontificate than I, this is a real football team that will be in each game; win some; lose some; win some they shouldn't and lose some they shouldn't. But each Sunday till the end of the year, they will be watchable!! Something that could not be said for years.

Well that's a lot to catch up with, and I haven't even touched the CAVS. That will be for the next one! And I do have some views that may surprise a few of my three readers! ( got a new one just now!) So for now, as we say in #CLE, #WaitTillNextYear!

JNB

it has been a while....

Since my last entry, so much has changed that I need to totally update my blog.  So for the mean time, hang in there and I'll get a new one up that will cover....well I guess a whole lot!!

is it really true? Spring Training right around the corner?

The CAVS are a non-story until the draft.  Browns did a minus then a plus on Head Coaches. That leaves my beloved Tribe next!  And next means "Spring Training" coming soon in AZ. (WOW, after last few days, still hard to handle AZ in news! But I digress.)

We all are now waiting for good reason for Spring Training (ST) to start for a variety of reasons.  1) Winter and snow will begone soon, unfortunately for the City of Milwaukee! 2) Teams highlights during ST will include Sun; Blue Skies; Green Grass-things we DO NOT See in NE Ohio except for the week of July 12th to July 19th.  3) Players will not have to wear gloves to make catches...DUHHHH! Yes they do, my bad! 4) Players throwing the balls will not have to worry about throwing to wrong player (FINALLY!!!) 5) Will not lose a game by 55! (If they do...you can have my season tickets; my Tribe gear; and my faith!)  6) We won't have to wait a week between each loss (just 18-24 hrs!!) 7) Will not have to worry about the head guy getting fired and getting paid while not working.  Unemployment insurance pays more than what he is being paid now anyway, just like the players. 8) Won't have to worry about traffic and road construction, since there was no game traffic last year and what gives you the impression there will be some this year? 9) More new uni's, not like those old stale no changing ones worn between Sept and December (notice I did not say January, since they never get to January!) and 10) No need to worry about the cold one's being stopped before the game does-at those costs who can afford one, two, three...my bad - I can!

Anyway, you get my drift.  Everything can change during Feb/Mar, leading to Apr to Oct. But will it?  Don't know and that is what keeps dragging my sorry butt into my season seats!  The factor of the "Unknown"!  Spring Training really means, get ready..Summer is coming soon! The nights will be just fine to watch the view of a small white sphere against the deep dark color of the sky.  The grass will look like mine will never look. And there will be many available times I can enjoy all of this with my Bride; my kids; my grandkids; or just by myself and my dreams. 

I'm ready...let me hear it soon...PLAY BALL!!

..where did last year go?

Well it is now 2011 and I don't know where 2010 went, do you?  But this I can say...THANK GOODNESS IT IS GONE!!! What a year, and the finish only gives a push to the start of 2011.

With the Browns firing of E Mangini, will the next head coach be from the outside, or from down the hall?  I for one want ANYONE who is offensive-minded!  I want TD's not FG's!  I want deep passes, not safe in the flat passes!  I want option plays by QB, not ego driven we can run this ball!  Today's NFL is set up by rules to assist the offense and still message did not get to Berea.  Maybe now it will.  Do I have a preference for HC?  Would love either Jeff Fisher (but Vincy baby is going, so Jeff will stay-strike him) or Jon Gruden.  Yeah I know, Gruden has big ego that would class with Mike's.  Well, I'm not so sure. If Mike says run an exciting offense and give HC Gruden the players to do so, I know it will work.  Also, do you know of any candidate out there that gives you the impression he understands Cleveland Browns FB history and its place in NFL history?  This has to come back and I feel JG is the only one out there that can do that.  In fact, I would like to see the Browns add another rule to their other stupid rules at CBStadium, although my suggestion is NOT stupid.  Here it is.

A DRESS CODE!!  Yep, you heard me right, a dress code for all people entering in the stadium next year to watch the Browns. Now don't get me wrong, I too, love jeans; sweats; hoddies; etc.  But we have to bring back some decorum to the stands and this will do it.  So please join me in getting the Browns to enact the following dress code:

"No fan entering; attending; viewing any event at Cleveland Browns stadium is permitted to wear any piece of clothing; attire; fan support item that contains the colors BLACK AND YELLOW!!! Period. NONE!! Nada!! Zip!!  We all must abide by that code and if the guys upstairs at Berea don't get it, then we on the street MUST.  Until then, the Browns will not move out of the doldrums we have been in since '95!

Next week-My Tribe Report.

PS: Nothing on the CAVS since they are not in the area, as far as I understand! 

are you ready for the year to end?

Well, in less than 48 hrs 2010 will be history and 2011 will be here to create history.  I for one, am so glad '10 is ending..what a year!

A little list of under the skin burrs:

1.  Indians start year and lose Sizemore; then one of their prospects (a word I hate when associated w/Tribe) Santana finally shows some promise..than BAM!!! DL!! So what else is new?

2.  Indian's ownership, or lack thereof, make statement "they will pay if they will come".  Seems backwards right, but don't forget this.  In every sport but MLB, we are NOT small market team.  Please explain!

3.  CAVS rolling through season...hopes are sky-high...playoffs begin...then..cough-cough-cough, I'm choking, really bad.  Deer in headlight look overcomes certain BBplayer and impacts the health of his elbow!  WHAT?????  Leader-NOT! Chosen One-NOT HERE! MVP-twice and for WHAT?? Door swings open and there goes MBrown; DFerry; Big Z; Shaq Daddy; Lil Red-Head!  Holy Cow!!  Excuse me but I forgot the TV event of the year/decade/century/millennium-the return of Glee!!! Now it is December and team still not in Double Figures in wins, at least not yet!!

3.  Browns getting ready to finish season w/record of...wait...be prepared...this will surprise you...a robust 5-11!!  Another MVP year like BB team player, only in reverse.  QB controversy finally put to end, but comes back due to injury-goes away due to healing injury-comes back due to injury-goes away hopefully for last time!

4.  Browns owner improves team by putting more money into player development, but Austin Martin still cannot overcome Man U!!  When will RLerner learn?  He is tackling the wrong football!!

5.  TOSU has scandal tattooed all over program and cannot pay enough to get rid of it.  Receives advance from Sugar Bowl to cover expenses and this should be the last time a cover-up takes place...until game #6 in '11.

6.  Tribe owners finally start building for the future, unfortunately it has to snow for it to be a success!!  Again, owners of major team putting money into wrong sport they are owners of.  DUHHHHH!!!!!

In closing there are some great points and they should not go unnoticed...U of Akron-NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!!!  C'Town sport fans have some of the best writers to read; broadcasters to hear; pundits to follow; and above all...the stomach to always say..."wait until next year!"

And with that I will say, good-by 2010, hello 2011, and Next Year is just a few hours away, and this will all begin again!!!

what do the Browns have to do to NOT have a QB controversy??

Here we go, another season, another QB controversy.  Problem is, don't you have to have QB's to have a controversy?  Well, let us see if we, or rather the Browns do have one.

Did anyone out there REALLY think Jake Delhomme was the answer?  And for that matter, Senaca Wallace also?  Colt McCoy as a 3rd round pick is added into the mix also.  So, tell me, who is behind center #1, center #2, or center #3?  #1-Jake, give his due, looked good in preseason, and the first game.  Sure he had some questionable decisions, but at least the Browns were in the game, unlike many games last year.  Then he got hurt and was gone for the duration until Sunday's 2nd half.  I do sleep at time at a Holiday Inn and therefore, to my make-believe doctor's eye, he is still hurt and should not have been in.  But what else was available. But he was in for #2-Seneca.


Senaca did show that given some time to work with the 1's, he could move the team and did get a win.  Also, the team played hard and again was in the games until the final quarter.  Then HE got hurt on Sunday and back in comes Jake.  Was the game winnable?  With the way the D was performing, any kind of offense, yes ANY kind of offense could have given the team W#2.


This now brings us to #3-Colt.  When he was drafted, the Browns Brass stated he would not play this year, and would sit; practice and learn.  In other words, he was drafted, then "red-shirted"! Do the Browns waste his red-shirt year and let him play?  Do they stick to their pre-season guns and keep him on the sidelines?  Should the Browns get another QB? (at the time of the posting, Brett Ratliffe is apparently on his way to C'Town).  Not to mention the opponent next week!


So what do we, er Browns do?  Here is one fan's opinion.  Stick to the guns.  Keep Colt firmly planted on the bench.  Use Ratliffe; more Josh in the flash, and if needed put Jake on DL and get another QB after Pittspuke game.  Bye week gives needed time.  Face it, this was going to be a rebuilding year, NO MATTER WHAT!  The defense was front and center and it has been playing well better than last year.  Couple of broken plays and who knows what could have been.


Next year, go offense in draft.  Get the wideouts solely missing, sorry guys, but neither one of you are a threat to a team's D.  If Harrison is not used now, then when?  So hope Hadestry returns, but maybe another RB is needed.  And the final point, which now brings us full circle, what should be done at QB?  See, I told you what not to do to have a QB controversy, but it cannot be avoided.  


Starting QB #16 since '99 and counting!!

now what?

It has been a long while since I last posted.  New computer set-up; personal activities; and that damn thing called work!  But I have found a little time during a lunch break to dive back in and try to get caught up with a cornucopia of items to back into the swing of things.  So here I go.

Now that the NBA season is about to begin, do you feel like, that the past seven years really gave me (or us) nothing?  Or, is it all about the process and how it all went down, not to S. Beach, but all ended?  Funny, I miss the player not at all. I do miss the thought that we had the players that could have, and should have brought a championship to C'Town before the clown-car traveled to the state of 4-o'clock meal deals.  How can a group of players that had the best record in the NBA 2 straight yrs., not accomplish anything?  The CLUE is in the sentence, and I'll wait to see if you find it. Tick-tock; tick-tock; tick-tock...give up?  Can't find it?  Well of course you can't find it, because it is a word that is missing, not really the player.  The word missing is spelled T-E-A-M!  That's correct I never mentioned the word "team" because there wasn't a team.  Oh sure by all standards the CAVS were an NBA team, but in name only.  It was a collection of tremendous individual players who were brought together to form a team, that did not play as a team.  Sure they had great pre-game routines; had great games during the season; but when the time came to step it up, nothing! 

Okay, you say that the season meant something...oh really?  Meant what? seeding...home court...TV time?  So, what did it get me (0r us)?  Two so-so series, one that should not have been as close as it was.  Then when all the season issues should have meant something....FLOP FLOP FLOP!!! The elbow; the shutting out the coach; the personal issues off the court..anything but high level, top of the grade, basketball.  All I can see in a season recap, is a player looking to something; someone; someplace but not at the Q.  THE player of the year in '08 and '09 giving me that deer in the headlights look against the TEAM from Beantown!!  TEAM! That word!

What I found out for absolute is that a TEAM can win it all, whereas a collection of players may not win anything.  Will this thought hold up in NBA '10?  Don't know and really don't give a damn or care!  Don't care? Yep, you read it right.  Cause I have this strange feeling that this CAVS TEAM will play the game as a TEAM and I'm good with that, Win Lose or Draw!  (oops no draws in NBA, but you get my point.)

Now the Browns....To be continued!!!

back here after missing due to something called work!

Okay, it has been a while since I got in front of this computer and gave my unrequested opinion on things related to C'Town sports and things.  Something called 'work'? Well, got caught up and within the  next few days, I'll bring you up to date on what has bothered me about the Tribe; Browns; and Cavs.  Plus, HS football starts this weekend and that will add a few comments.  See you all soon.

Do you have any Browns/NFL memorable highlights?

In preparation for the '10 Browns season, and due to the miserable season for the Tribe and the unknown CAVS team, I am listing my 10 best Browns  and/or NFL highlight to get ready for the season.  Here is my list in no particular order:

• First game watching Browns live at Municipal Stadium, sitting behind 3rd base dugout and watching a "flea-flicker" pass to Rich Krietling v. NY Giants

• Browns v. Raiders "Red Right 88 game-there at the game and could not believe the silence after the interception.  Then it really felt COLD!

• Browns doubleheader pre-season game v. Steelers.  Between games, ABM had fireworks show and due to weather, second game was played in a smokey, fogging condition.  Tremendous fights in bleachers, which was and still is the norm.

• Colts v. Giants NFL Championship game in '58

• Browns v. NY Jets, 1st Monday night game.  Saw it in day room at FT. Campbell KY, while in basic training w/USArmy

• Browns v. Vikings, Hail Mary pass to Ahmad Rashad to win game at gun.  Needed game and gave it up.

• The Drive-no more said!

• Browns v. NY Jets-Bernie's comeback to tie and win in 2OT.

• Browns v. Steelers-at game when the Browns returned.  Only good thing, the back of my head made the front page of the Plain Dealer!

• Bears v. NY Giants Championship game.  The end of game with Y. A. Title kneeing with bloody head.  Unbelievable photo and game.

• Browns v. LA Ram '50 NFL Championship game.  Dad personally knew Lou Groza and had an opportunity as a young kid to meet him and have him tell me the story leading to the game.  Got me hooked as a Browns football fan.

Finally, no matter what the rank and by whom, this is my #1 Browns game.  1964 NFL Championship game, December 27, 1964.  During the week leading up to the game, Tony Alesci and Sal Biondo (WHHS '65) and I talked about going to the game.  We got tickets on Tuesday.  Cost us $4.00 to sit in bleachers.  We sat right on the hash line and watched Gary Collins catch his 3 TD's from Frank Ryan.  Remember Galen Fiss' hit on Lenny More in backfield setting the tone for the day.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think that would be the last Cleveland pro teams' last championship, but that's the fact Jack!

Now, what about yours?

 

is this a year that come September we will remember finally for football?

Although this is the baseball series faithful Tribe fans look forward to each and every year (if you do not what I mean, the Yankees are in town), this Tribe fan is getting some early football fever.  Yep, that's right! This old 3rd basemen from Sohio Field, is seriously looking forward to the Browns season.  To my baseball brethren, no this is not heresy, but honest factual feelings!  

 

Since '95 when Another Bowel Movement (AKA ABM-Arthur B Modell) played Robert Irsay Part Deux and moved one of the most hallowed franchises to B'More, football-NFL style-seems to have some actual football interest.  This year there was a solid draft, not trading picks to move up one notch and pick someone who wasn't rated in the round being selected. No, so far, draft pick holdouts (remember B Quinn) and looks like the training camp will start on time and everyone ready to go.  No front office pissing matches over power plays, just solid NFL football men doing their football jobs, no egomaniacs more interested in things other than football.  An owner who FINALLY understands that it is just as important to have quality people in charge as much as it is to have unlimited cache!!  So all-in-all, leading to the beginning of the season, it is all football.

 

So, with that all said, what do I look for with the Browns?  1) A competitive team from opening kick-off to the final gun.  This is a must.  If you are in every game, a break or two that goes your way, can lead to a win.  Not being in a game means a loss from the get go. 2) Favorable schedule for fans, means strong home game support.  No matter what a player says, when the players know the fans are there for them, the players do respond in a positive way. 3)Divisional teams that each have some kind of hole.  Bungles-Carson Palmer IMO has been over-rated Period!  And Mike Brown is still owner. Pittspuke-QB problem to start season and maybe a team that is slipping. Still hate the colors Black and Piss, so that is settled.  Ravens-may be favorites, but are somewhat of a team getting older.  Are favs but not overwhelming one. 4) Hope. Yep that is right-HOPE.  LeBum and Mum are gone; DWest parts 1 and 2 are also gone. Mike Brown is gone. Not sure what will be on court in Nov., so there is an unknown issue surrounding basketball.  My Tribe is rebuilding and that will take at least 1/2 or 1 season to come to fruition, but at least we know that.

 

Therefore, the Browns will be a factor in the fall and winter.  This team has improved, and all we really want is a team that competes and let's see what happens!  I for one an ready....are you?    

don't the Browns look good after the summer events?

Well the King has abdicated his thrown to Miami (thank goodness) and all of the garbage went with him also.  His ego; his Scottie Pippen image; his mother (I hope); and any thing else necessary to clean the stank he left in C'Town.  (Please let me take this time to give Z my wishes that he gets his ring and returns back to the CAVS at his retirement.  He did he professionally and it should be so noted.)

Tribe finally did what everyone wanted to happen.. Bring up the kids and let then play under fire.  Other teams have put their "prospects" in and let them play, but for whatever reason, the Tribe brass never went that way.  So, I'm glad it finally took place this summer.

Now the Browns.  Every since the new front office was put in place, the football news has been just that...football, not off the field crap.  The '09 team has been silently remade with new FA's and draft picks.  Building from the last four games of last year and leading to this year.  For a change, the Browns seem to be moving in the correct direction.  Solid organization now in place, with personnel who KNOW PRO FOOTBALL; coaching staff that only has to COACH; and fans who are chomping at the bit for something to cheer about.  

Love my Tribe, but for the first time in a LOOONNNGGGG time, looking forward to a Browns' season.  GO DAWGS!!!!

you're not surprised are you?

To close out this "circus" also known as the Free Agent Ego-induced One-hour Infomercial of LeBron James, did you really, honestly, really think it would go another way then a bolt job but a egomaniac?  Yes, I am a live and die hard Cleveland fan, but I am not as upset as I thought.  First I am not a very big pro basketball fan, but a CAVS fan and look at this differently I guess.  We need to follow the points, now after the fact.  (Isn't it always easier to do this AFTER THE FACT?)

He comes from a family with no male figure to offset and balance the immaturity of a single, teen-age mother.  He is moved from place to place to place before he is 18 yrs old. He is proclaimed, rightly or wrongly with a mantle that is totally uncalled for, but is fertilizer to his ego.  He goes through media circus after circus during high school and leading to proclaiming himself (his 3rd person words) ready for the pros.  Draft day and all the hoopla.  Lands in his own backyard and gives the very distinct impression this is what he wanted all along, being at home.

Start of pro career that revitalizes a sorry professional franchise. Takes it to levels it never had before, but always points out what he, not the team, but what he does to facilitate this.  Goes on Olympic team and pouts when a recognized basketball coach has other players ahead of him.

Puts up unbelievable numbers, but still proclaims his greatness and the need for better players around him.  Another self-indulgent proclamation.  Team capitulates and does what it can to placate the egomaniac.  More wins; double/doubles; triple/doubles; scoring titles; all-something teams; but NOT the one thing he "proclaimed" he was here for, a CHAMPIONSHIP.  He is unable to LEAD and TAKE the team to one.  More proclamations and more capitulations by the team and fans (yes, include me in this, I am not w/o fan blame).

But the love affair has a silent lover and it is not seen until now.  His love for hisself (his words not mine and spelling is correct!) and two other suitors.  When does it start? '08 Olympics.  Two year affair begins all in front of our eyes.  But will it cultivate in a new relationship? Not sure for sure, but maybe not.  But egomaniac has a jolt to his ego.  According to NBC sports ( http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/dwyane-wade-chris-bosh-may-be-making-documentary-of-free-agency.php) this two lovers are doing something behind his back and he has to have the upper hand.  How about my own infomercial, says.  Let's get it.  How? Self-indulgent ego calls his friend who pitched the idea months ago.  Funny how the idea was pitched from the same office building in of all places Downtown Cleveland.  Look it up, announcer represented by firm in same building as ego-based management group.

So he has his show, with ground and air cover provided by children of the Boys and Girls Club in CT. Proclaims he cannot win on his own and has to be second or third fiddle on a team with the hopes of winning "his" championships.  If you are the "King" others come to you, right?  If you are the real thing, the others seek you out, right?  If you are set on one thing (championship) don't you focus on that, right? You are not concerned about the "brand"; not concerned about what is around you and what it means; not concerned about the "True" image you offer; and not concerned about how you deal with things as a "Man?"

I, and many others, were loved drunk, and you in closing on your ego-show, ask us to follow you?  Well, here is my answer and hope it is for all of you others, No LeBron James I will not follow you, nor will I wish you ill-will. You proclaimed your place in the world and you must live it.  Will you get your championship? Maybe and maybe not.  But at this time, it means no never mind to me.  I am fortunate, I did attend the '64 NFL Championship won by the Browns.  It STILL is as vivid now as then.  Why?  Because it was about a TEAM of players who had the greatest NFL running back of all time, that played as a TEAM and did not need to have the ego stroked to play as a TEAM and win as a TEAM.

To bad you weren't taught that and understood the meaning of TEAM in sports, not as you use it in your team of yes-man and leeches.  I will have a great life, the good, the bad, the tears, the laughs, but it will be my life.  Sorry you will miss out on what I and others have.

Stay strong Cleveland, and remember Gloria Gaynor-"I will survive!"

Now for the real bad news, my Tribe!!

What else!

Living and dying with Cleveland teams since 1948, I have really seen it all.  1954 WS; horrible baseball in '60s-'70's-'80s; great baseball mid '90's; unbelievable baseball in '95-2001; go for the money wherever it will take them; rebuilding and rebuilding and rebuilding; Municipal Stadium and pillars; The Jake and sold out seasons; The Pro (sorry no nickname, still the Jake to me).  pre Super Bowl era football; Super Bowl era football; Paul Brown; Blanton Collier; Art Modell; momentous games; some not momentous games; the move;NBA basketball at the old Cleveland Arena; Richfield Coliseum; Gund Arean; The Q; Walt Wesley; John Johnson; Gary Suiter; Footsie Walker; Binnnnnnnnnngo Smith; Austin "AC" Carr; Campy Russell; Brad; Mark; Larry; Hot-Rod; Z; Lenny; Ted Stepien; and now Dan Gilbert.

The uniqueness of the above is nothing in those events came from within the area.  No home grown owner; no home grown player; no kid you would follow in the neighborhood and see the evolution and maturity into one of the best.  This is what sets James and his decision apart from everything else mentioned.  Regardless of what anyone says, he is one of us.  He has seen; witnessed; felt all that we have endured for decades.  At the time of this writing, no decision has been made, but is eminent, and may not bode well for us.

This event has taken on a world of its own and is truly insulting to us, if you ask me.  I never thought I could replace Art "let's move it" Modell, but I maybe able to by this evening.

isn't this just getting out of hand?

Okay, we all have put up with the so-called Magical Mystery Free Agent that wasn't; rumors of who would go where and with whom; who is an Alpha-dog and who isn't; which presentation was the best, the worse, the useless, etc.; look at his hat, it says NY Yankees; and on and on and on.  Are we that stupid; gullible or just so unsure of ourselves as a city that we have to kowtow to a 20 something gazillionaire to beg him to stay to play basketball?  Why not beg to have the 20 something college degree scientist; educator; entrepreneur; inventor; etc, from our area institutions of higher education for them to stay?  Seems to me we have all of our values all mixed up and ass-backwards.  Sure I enjoy a well pitched game; a two-minute drive; a fast-break winner shot; any sporting event that brings me enjoyment.  But without my or your occupation; skills; earning power etc, could we enjoy the sporting events previously mentioned.

Now it all comes down to this.  A frickin' ESPN one hour long special to allow this gazillionaire 20 something year old tell the world where he will earn his next gazillion playing a game.  Sure everyone calls it a business when someone wants to make a point, but it is still a game.  Will I view this special?  Right now, not sure.  Do I want him to stay with the CAVS?  Sure, I'm a fan.  Do I want him to go?  Some parts of me do want  him to leave, just so I can move on. 

Which will it be?  Beats me and honestly, should we care?

isn't today a really special day?

Yes, today is a special day to all of us here in C'Town and all of the surrounding area.  Today things have come to a halt and we are basking in the sun; the warmth; the eats; and the family/friends to enjoy today, after yesterday July 3rd.

See after yesterday, today now starts another period of time we have to wait for.  Today is the day that we wait for something else to impact the area.  Today is the day we all cherish, whether we want to admit it or not.

You see, today is the Fourth of July, the nation's birthday. A nation that gives the freedom to do what was done July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.  To give us the chance to grovel at the feet of gazillionaires; to make fools of our selves asking someone to stay even if the person never was going to leave anyway.  Today is the day that I can sit here and blog to my hearts content, know that for a brief moment, I like many before me.....

Served this country with honor defending our flag and our nation.

To me that is more important than anything else that took place this weekend!  To my fellow Vets from all eras, and to those who may be taking the next risk on my behalf....

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
  

can you believe this circus???

Four teams down and two to go in the circus called, "You show me yours, and I'll think about it", AKA LeBron's Magical Mystery Free Agent Tour.  Whoever thought that the corner of E. 9th and St. Clair would be THE CENTER of the Sports world? Satellite trucks; TV cameras from all over; reporters both press, radio, and TV; fans; you name it they're probably there.  And let's not forget the Ring Master, LBJ himself.

And what will all come of this?  A young man, with amazing athletic skills will have to choose which multi-million  dollar sales pitch he will accept.  Which bag of lies will give him the best chance to fulfill a pledge made to a certain area and cities seven years ago (give or take a year or two).  Which body of work (i.e., presentation) will be reviewed by the King and his Court (No not Eddie Feigner) to be THE one.

Will any of this be worth it?  Of course it will and not just for the "off-the-wall fan" or the "fan in passing".  Downtown eateries; drinking locales; hotel rooms; etc, will truly benefit.  And the flip side, just the opposite.  So, without any of our input, a large decision awaits us, totally out of control.  We sit; listen; tweet; FB; email; blog; just to vent until the decision is made and he tells everyone he is going to sign with...................................?

Boy I can't wait!!!

PS>>If it does go our way, I cannot wait to give all of New York and New Jersey a "double, single finger salute" telling them "We are #1 and you ain't!!!"

do want this circus called "LeBron" to end soon?

New York Knicks...Chicago Bulls...New Jersey Nets...Miami Heat...LA Clippers...all are feature attractions of the "Cirque de LeBron" otherwise known as "LeBron's Free Agent Magical Mystery Tour" where the real winner will be EVERYONE who wants to stop hearing all of this!!  That's me, me friends, me enemies, me pets, me bill collectors, me anybody!! Don't take this that I want him to leave.  Hardly.  I, like any other die-hard Cleveland sports team fan, want Mr. LBJ to stay in C'Town w/CAVS and complete Mr. Phelps Mission Impossible assignment given to him, "Win an NBA Championship for Cleveland"! What I want to end is the following:

ESPN reports that....
The latest report from Team LeBron's entourage is...
Latest report is that power forward/point guard/center.....
The amount of cap space cleared by....
The group to sway LeBron will include....
The team's promotional presentation will include...

PUUUULLLLEEEZZZZZZ!!! This is going absolutely crazy! "What I have in this bag contains..."  This is getting NUTS!!  I understand the need for LBJ to go on "his college recruitment trips", but nothing, absolutely nothing, is worth all of this.  

Well almost nothing!  Let me win the Power Ball/Mega Millions lottery and I may surpass all of this going to the lottery office to collect my check.  (Hey you don't dream?).

So for the next few days we will have to put up with this, and Lordy-Lordy what will this give us if he decides to....? 

do the Indian's brain trust think we have no brains?

With the trading of the most beautiful left-handed strikeout swing this weekend, the "brain trust" (a loose phrase if I ever read one) of the Indians have admitted that, in 2010, the Tribe is re-building. REALLY!!!!! When did they come to that conclusion? What stars in the sky did they read to see that?  What conversations did they have with Dionne Warrick to understand that fact?  All the "brain trust" would have done was ask the people in the know...their dwindling fan base, that's who!!

I never slept in a Holiday Inn to understand that at the C. C. Sabathia trade deadline, the towel was being thrown in on winning for the next 5-7 years.  Why?  Simple.  The money is not going to be spent.  Do the Dolans have the money?  Don't know for sure.  Do they want to spend the money?  Apparently not on ball players who can produce, both short term or long term.  They dump, yes dunp, C.C., Cliff Lee, Victor Martinez, and to a lesser degree Ben Fransisco, Ryan Garko, Franklin Gutierrez, for supposedly high ranking prospects.  Then they sign such retreads as Austin Kearns; Mark Redmond, Mark Alphabet, Kerry Woods, and the aforementioned left handed strike out swing.  And still around is the deer in the headlights 3rd basemen; a 1B/DH who cannot throw; and others to numerous to mention.

Now within the past three days, the "brain trust" make the statement we have known for years, we are rebuilding.  I often think I and many others like myself, could make better decisions than the "brain trust", but WTH we are only fans who spend our precious money on season tickets; food/beverages/parking/team shop items to sit and watch a fake major league team 162 times a year.  Insulting is the best word I can use.

If I am told that it is necessary to rebuild a team, then go ahead and rebuild.  I'll accept it.  I know the economics of the sport. I am a fan, but a realist.  Come clean, tell me the plan, give me something to watch and observe grow.  I'll be all in. But don't do what my wife always says,

"Don't Bullshit a Bullshitter!!" 

are you feeling ill too?

So, it is day one after the NBA draft and do any of us feel any better?  

"Not I" said the Indians fan (lose 12-3 and have to endure a 1 hr 27 min rain delay in 8th inning!!);  

"I'm feeling a little better" said the Browns fan, "only because the season hasn't started and we all know what really will happen don't we?"

"Hell no, I don't feel better", said the CAVS fan, "In fact, I feel like puking in the lake!" 

"Are you that sick?" I replied. 

"Sick...you said sick! I could throw up in my mouth if I could" he yelled. He went on, "Bulls clear tons of cap space. Same for Heat. Damn NY has but two players on team. And NJ...billionaire Ruskie owner and no players?  Hell yes, I'm sick!!" he shouted with spittle flying all over me.  "And the icing on the cake...CAVS don't do anything; nada; zip; zero; nil; zilch!"  "And I am supposed to be happy?" "Oh but I forgot. Danny Boy is trying to buy part of Thistledown for his Casino empire.  Now that will help the CAVS, right?"

"Well," I started, "maybe." 

"MAYBE?" CAVS fan shouted as we were nose-to-nose! "The only help it will bring the CAVS is the owners' write off when the CAVS go belly-up when Ego Boy LeBron goes...pick a team, 'cause it sure dunt looks like he likes the colors Wine and Gold anymore!!"

As I back up, I say, "Go on."

"CAVS went all in (damn a casino term!) and with no reserve, face losing big time! No back-up plan; no coach; no cap space; no bodies to trade; no..NOTHING!!! Show me the lake, gotta puke!" and off he went.


Well, it shows that the disease is taking hold big time.  The disease you ask? It is widely know as "O.I.C."  HUH?  "Only in Cleveland"  

Yep, only in Cleveland can we have the 2-time reigning NBA MVP tank a needed playoff game; have an owner go all in and not have a back-up game plan; have fans force to buy '10-'11 season tickets BEFORE the playoffs and BEFORE free agency; only to watch the season go down the tubes and the "Chosen One" preparing for a new chosen arena. 


Maybe I will be like Bob Newheart and wake up to realize this is all a dream.  Yeah right, and I could play 3rd base for the Tribe!! 


But then again, given the team playing for the Indians, maybe.....No maybe not!"

does anyone remember when ALL of our teams really stunk all at once?

I know we long-time suffering C'Town fans are used to some kind of suffering with one team or another, but can anyone remember suffering with all the teams AT THE SAME TIME?  I've been around long enough to remember basketball needed peach baskets, no not that long, but long enough to honestly state it never has been like this.  Now I know things could change after July 1st and possible change for the good, but do you really feel that way?  

The Indians-a definite struggle to go to the park, fork over good money, and then watch a fundamentally-challenged team attempt to play this silly game!  There are times I think I could do no worse right now, then some on the "talent" on the 25 man roster.  Truth be told tho....I'm not that far from being right!

CAVS-in the state of psychological doom, with no chance of every playing a basketball game again!  Really?  There was basketball before Dan Gilbert and before LBJ.  Granted it was mostly terrible basketball, but for a few years in the mid '90.  Yet will basketball leave or be gone for good after LBJ back-ups his words and goes to seek a title in a different Zip Code?  Probably not.  Great basketball could be gone, but not the sport.  One thing going for us BK fans, an owner who has deep pockets willing to spend (sometimes not smartly) but none the less, willing to spend.  Casino soon to be upon us and filling his pockets, meaning more money to spend, maybe on the necessary parts to mold into a championship team.  Who will remember all of this if a Championship Parade takes place in C'Town or Independence or even Akron?  Betcha ya won't! 

Browns past 10+ yrs. have put nothing on the field, but the lemmings keep the PSL sold; loges filled; and game attendance at near sell-out levels.  Just imagine what it would be with a team that actually competes on the field?  As Dick Enberg would say, "My or My!"

So, tonight begins the first step in a long journey to the ultimate fan destination, a World Championship.  In any sport, one would be accepted, but the CAVS are out of the box first. Let's see if they can start the journey that will end in the following phrase, "Kids, back in '11 I was at the game that brought a Championship to Cleveland for the first time since 1964!"  I do have a leg up on you though, I was in fact in Municipal Stadium on December 27, 1964 watching Gary Collins take in three perfect throws from Frank Ryan for TD's and saw Lou "The Toe" Groza's 2 FG's for a 27-0 upset of the then Baltimore Colts and our last World Championship.

See every story can have a happy ending.  Hope to have another one sooner than later, if ever!!! 

PS: I know it is World Cup time, and the Force/Crunch won a Championship since then, but honestly...do you consider soccer a sport? I don't and this is my blog!!!