Sully Baseball Daily Podcast - June 21, 2013

 Will Miami ever become a baseball town? Not if their fans keep clinging to the past.

And what should the Yankees do with Robinson Cano?

Those topics and more on today's episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Pedro Alvarez, Jordan Zimmermann, Evan Longoria and John Lackey all owned baseball on June 19, 2013.


To see the up to date tally of "Who Owns Baseball?," click HERE.
Subscribe on iTunes HERE.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast - June 21, 2013



 

10 Reasons why the Cleveland Indians winning the 2011 World Series would be good for baseball

It is time to continue my series of Why Each Team's Potential World Championship Would Be Good For The Game. Before it is too late, I better do one for the Cleveland Indians.

It is very late August and the Indians, once the best story in baseball have fallen below .500. The Indians have had a very unlikely fun summer, but they are one modest losing streak and one modest Detroit winning streak from calling it a year.

The Tigers sweep of the Tribe was bad. The Indians losing 3 of 4 to the lowly Mariners was worse.

But by the same token, if the Tigers stumble and the Indians go on a winning streak, they could close in. Cleveland play the Royals 6 times and the A's 6 times before taking on Detroit again. They can pile up some wins.

Who knows? This season has been unexpected thus far. So let's get in this entry before they slip away!

10 Reasons why the
Cleveland Indians
winning the 2011 World Series
would be good for baseball

1. A World Series title is the final piece in Jim Thome's career

Jim Thome returned to Cleveland yesterday. All I thought was "Why couldn't have hit his 600th homer as an INDIAN?"

He's back where his wonderful career began. And this might very well be his last hurrah. He has smacked 600 homers scandal free and been as likable a player in baseball. Plus he was a veteran of the 1995 and 1997 World Series heartbreak.

What better way to put a bow on his potential Hall of Fame career than being the most recognizable name on the World Champion Cleveland Indians.

2. A World Series ring for Sandy Alomar, Jr.

Decades of futility started to turn in 1990 when Sandy Alomar Jr won the AL Rookie of the Year. He came over from San Diego with Carlos Baerga and the foundation of the Indians first pennant since 1954 was being put into place.

In many ways Alomar symbolized the changing times in Cleveland. And if the Tribe got those last outs in the 9th inning of Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, Alomar would have been the Series MVP.

He would get that ring if the Indians win it this year as Alomar is currently Cleveland's first base coach. Better late than never!



3. A championship would bring some credit to an underrated front office

The Indians fell apart after the 2001 season but by 2005 they were contenders again and Division Champs in 2007. They fell apart again but by 2011 they have contended.

Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti aren't mentioned as great brain trusts in baseball, but they don't let Indians fans wait long between good seasons. Carlos Santana, Matt LaPorta, Justin Masterson, Chris Perez, Carlos Carrasco, Joe Smith, Michael Brantley, Jason Donald and Lou Marson were all brought into the organization as minor leaguers from trades. They could be creating a nice nucleus for the future while avoiding signing crippling long term contracts.


4. Baseball fans claim they want a low revenue, star free World Series winner NOT from the Northeast. Here you go!

People complain that the Red Sox and Yankees win the World Series every year (even though they don't.) And small budget teams can't compete. (Even though they do.) And simply signing superstars will buy a title. (Even though it doesn't.)

Well imagine the 5th lowest paid team, playing in the midwest with a payroll less than what Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez will make and whose biggest star is Asdrubal Cabrera winning it all.

What would people say? Well they probably would say "The Yankees win it every year."


5. A well deserved title for long time Indians Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner

Both Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner are on the Disabled List now and their seasons are probably over. But for the past 8 seasons they have been teammates on some terrific Indians teams and some lousy ones.

Both came up big in the 2007 Division Series victory over the Yankees. Hafner got the walk off hit in Game 2 (the Midges game) and Sizemore batted .375 with a 1.211 OPS for the series.

Both were stolen from other minor league systems and are "Real Indians" by any definition. Enough real Indians have ended their career ringless. Let's not have Sizemore and Hafner on that list too.




6. We DON'T need another Major League movie.

Seriously, when has a sequel decades after the original worked? ONCE! The Color of Money... and that had Paul Newman, Tom Cruise and Martin Scorsese directing it.

They couldn't even make The Godfather, Star Wars or Indiana Jones work! Now Major League is funny... but it is also available on BlueRay and Netflix. And the charm of the original was that it played off of Cleveland's futility. If a REAL Cleveland team patched together from other teams beats the odds and wins it all, why make a fake movie about it?

Besides, we have been enabling Charlie Sheen WAY too much.




7. Think of all the people a Cleveland championship would let off the hook!

Jim Poole letting up David Justice's homer. Jose Mesa blowing the save in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. Charles Nagy letting Edgar Renteria smack a 2 out hit to win the World Series. Joel Skinner not sending Kenny Lofton home with the tying run in Game 7 of the 2007 ALCS.

And that's not even counting Craig Ehlo, Red Right 88, The Drive, The Fumble... They would all be relieved of their goat horns.

I've seen it happen. The goats of Red Sox past are absolved. Bill Buckner (who should NEVER have been a goat) received a standing ovation. Johnny Pesky (also an unjustified goat) got his number retired.

It will happen in Cleveland. YES, even for Jose Lima.



8. It could be the beginning of forgiveness and acceptance of LeBron James in Cleveland


I know a lot of Cleveland people will think I am crazy for even suggesting this, but hear me out.

If LeBron had won a title in Cleveland, the whole "Decision" would have been less of a fiasco. It was based upon the idea that LeBron was supposed to deliver that elusive title. The anger came in a not exactly subtle way from that hole in your collective lives. That "We have never seen a title of any kind" agony.

Remove that. Have the euphoria of seeing a championship in Cleveland. And before long you will be able to let go of the anger about LeBron. And eventually you will be able to say "Remember when we had the best player in the NBA? Remember how exciting it was? Remember how much fun we had WHILE he was in Cleveland?"

I know I sound crazy now. Call me 10 years after a Cleveland championship.



9. An Indians championship would mean the Cubs would stand alone

The Cubs used to have lots of company in the whole "Waiting forever for a championship" misery. Forever it was the Cubs, Red Sox and White Sox fans sharing misery.

But when both Sox won, it meant that the Indians and Giants were the only original franchises to NOT win a World Series title since the expansion era. Take the Giants off the board and only the Cubs and Indians remain. The Cubs since 1908. The Indians since 1948.

Remove the Indians and the Cubs' closest partners in misery would be the Rangers and Astros (since 1961 and 1962.)

For fans of Schadenfreude, leaving the Cubs alone in misery would be enough to root for the Indians.



10. It would be the single greatest sports championship parade in American history.

Cubs fans have waited for more than a century, but they have had the Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks win.

Red Sox fans waited forever, but the Celtics won over several generations.

Giants fans agonized about their team but could be consoled by the 49ers.

Imagine the frustration compounded over the decades without ANY kind of release. Especially in a cold weather city where industry has dwindled away and sports means so much. San Diego has waited longer for a title, but when they lose they can go to the beach.

There are people in their 50s with no clear memories of a Cleveland title and anyone born after 1964 can honestly say "It hasn't happened in MY lifetime."

We may never see an outpouring of pure joy quite like a Cleveland title. And I am rooting for it to happen just so I can see it.

And just think of the incredible HBO Sports special they can make!


I really hope it happens for the Indians but it looks remote at best. I've enjoyed writing about Cleveland and making a video about their fans, but eventually the story must end. Maybe it won't be this year, but they are putting together a nice core. Maybe it will be soon. (Where have I heard THAT before?)



If you liked this then go ahead and read the entries for the other teams.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX
LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
NEW YORK YANKEES
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

I gave Cleveland fans TERRIBLE advice

In my Sully Baseball video, I told Cleveland fans to stop watching the NBA and start watching the Indians.

The Indians are 11-17 since then and have fallen into a first place tie with the Tigers after this recent disastrous sweep by the Yankees. They have lost 14 of their last 18 games and playing totally uninspired baseball.

Meanwhile the Heat and LeBron James lost the NBA Finals, partially because of some dreadful 4th quarter numbers put up by LeBron James.

So if Cleveland fans listened to me, they'd see their baseball team lose and MISS LeBron James get suckerpunched.

I humbly apologize to any Indians fan who listened to me.

But hey!
If I told you at the beginning of the season that the same day LeBron James got humiliated out of the Finals, the Indians would have a share of first place, you would ALL take it.

So look at it that way.

And let's see the video for the last time.

Another Cleveland fan post... I don't care WHAT my cousin says!

The NBA finals are about to start and the Indians are up 3-0 against the defending AL Champion Rangers.

I am telling you Cleveland fans... STAY WITH THE INDIANS!

Be like THESE fans who are watching a POSITIVE sporting event and not moping around saying "Ohhhh woe is us. We don't have LeBron. We are awful." Boo hoo hoo.

The best team in baseball is playing in your backyard. Go support him.

Now I know this post pissed someone off.

Not my dear readers or any Cleveland fans who are stumbling across this blog.

No, I know I am getting under the skin of my cousin Dave.
Dave reads my blog daily. I know that because he writes me little comments, e mails and text messages.

And lo and behold he has written to me saying I am talking about Cleveland and their fans too much.

For that I say "I am not talking about them ENOUGH!"

There will be only 6 more NBA games this year. (Chances are it will be fewer than that... the Heat are going to win and win big.) And I only have a few more chances to talk Cleveland fans off of the ledge.

It is my DUTY!

I assure you Dave that I will write more about the wonderful situation that is the Mets soon... but for now... yup, I am going to do it again. I am going to link the Cleveland fan video AGAIN!

Just try and stop me.

Cleveland fans... choose the positive over the bitterness

The Indians scored 13 runs.
Matt LaPorta homered.
Josh Tomlin won again.

And with Cleveland's 2 game winning streak and the Phillies 2 game slide, guess what?

THE INDIANS ARE THE BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL!

So Cleveland fans... tomorrow... avoid the damn NBA Finals.
The Indians are playing the Rangers IN Cleveland tomorrow.

That's right. A Cleveland team is playing what is technically a DALLAS team.
Both are in first place. Focus on winning and NOT bitterness.

And don't make me post this video again!

Cleveland fans... you had better not have been watching the NBA Finals!

Seriously... I hope none of you Cleveland fans were watching the Heat.

There was an Indians game on!
Grady Sizemore came off the DL and drove in 2, Carlos Santana went 3-3, the Indians won and are 12 games above .500, have the best record in the American League and are nipping at Philadelphia's heels for the best record in baseball... it will be JUNE tomorrow so this is more than "A fluke start"...

How could any of you watch basketball just to torture yourself?

What the hell is the matter with you?

I already made this point with a video, but let me link it again in case some of you are thinking of watching the NBA Finals game 2!!!

New Sully Baseball Video - "A Message for Cleveland Fans"

In the latest Sully Baseball video, I borderline beg Cleveland fans to avoid watching the NBA playoffs and pay attention to the young Indians team that just happens to be in first playoffs...

As always, the video is shot, co written and directed by my wonderful wife, Lisa.

Enjoy the video.

Hey Cleveland fans! Don't watch the NBA... support the Indians

Seriously. Don't watch the NBA Playoffs. You will just grind your teeth and get angry. And haven't you done that enough since the Browns won the 1964 NFL Title?

There is something fun happening at the Jake (or whatever the hell it is called now.)

Grady Sizemore homered today and if he is healthy, the Indians will plug an All Star into their lineup.

And guess what? The Indians have 10 wins already! Only the Royals and the Rangers have 10 wins in the American League. And here's another thing to think about.

The Twins are having bullpen and health issues. The White Sox are a veteran team that can age in a hurry and have a shaky pen as well. And I think the Tigers are overrated and are playing sub .500 baseball.

What happens if that continues?
What if the Twins health derails them the way that injuries cut down the perennial playoff participant Red Sox and Angels last year?

What if the White Sox can't get their act together all year?
What if the Tigers' weaknesses are exposed?

None of those are outlandish scenarios.

Where does that leave the American League Central?

It leaves the Royals, stacked with young talent and the Indians.

Don't look now, but the Indians are winning games that they don't have to make up for later in the season. You aren't dreaming, but the A. L. Central is winnable.

And if they make the playoffs, who knows?
Oh I am sure YOU had the Giants winning the World Series when the playoffs started in 2010!
I am sure YOU had the Phillies winning it when the 2008 playoffs kicked off.
No doubt when the post seasons of 2002, 2003 and 2006 began, you wrote Angels, Marlins and Cardinals in pen!

Start paying attention, Indians fans. This could be a very fun year.
Either way, there is at least hope.

You can't get that watching the NBA playoffs this year.

Break out your Indians hat! Any one of them.

I actually am happy for Cleveland fans this off season

Why do you ask?

Imagine if Cliff Lee was still with the Indians and he was the bad ass Cy Young winner and hope for any World Series title by the Lake.

Then imagine if he was going through this whole footsie with the Yankees, Rangers and the Indians this off season and EVERYONE trying to guess where he is going to go.

Will he stay here.

Will he take the big bucks elsewhere?

Will he go to New York?

And each team makes a desperate pitch and the entire off season is paralyzed until a decision is made.

Didn't Cleveland JUST GO THROUGH THAT with LeBron?

Doing that TWICE in one year to them would have been just cruel.

I would love it if Cliff Lee said "I am going to take my talents to South Beach" just to catch the Marlins off guard.

Maybe LeBron can help him pick out a subtle new home.

Hey Mariners... how about waiting until Thursday to make a deal?

It appears that Cliff Lee might not be heading to the Yankees after all.
It is a shame because so many columnists and bloggers had their stories already written talking about how this means we NEED a salary cap and it isn't fair and blah blah blah.

I admit, I threw up in my mouth a little when I heard the Yankees were on the verge of getting him, but that had nothing to do with payroll. That had to do with me being unhappy when ANYTHING positive happens with the Yankees.

Is Cliff Lee heading to Minnesota for Wilson Ramos?

Is Cliff Lee heading to Texas for Justin Smoak?

Will Cliff Lee join LeBron, Wade and Bosh with the Heat?

First of all, hold off on the deal until after the All Star Game.

Why?

Well first of all it means that Cliff Lee gets to face the Yankees (and hopefully beat them) tonight.

Secondly, Lee is going to the All Star Game. If he gets traded now, he will be making his first appearance in a Twins/Rangers/Yankees/Mets/Bridgeport Blue Fish uniform at the All Star Game.

That's just strange. Have his regular season farewell to the Mariners be a win against the Yankees and the last time the baseball fans see him as a Mariner in Anaheim this week.

Yeah the season hasn't gone as GM Jack Zduriencik planned... but at least he'll be able to say "I acquired an All Star."

I know where LeBron James is heading... TURKEY

Oh it is a long shot... but sources close to LeBron have told the staff at Sully Baseball that no matter if you call it Istanbul or Constantinople, LeBron will call it home.

LeBron will say goodbye to Cleveland... 7 years is enough.

New York? Too crazy and too lousy a team.

New Jersey? Is there even a plan there?

The Clippers? Not as long as Sterling is there.

Miami? They can't afford Wade AND LeBron.

Chicago? Not interested in that coach.

No, he'll sign with Effes Pilsen in Istanbul and pile up the titles.

He'll make his dough and become a brand in Europe AND the Middle East.

It is the path less taken, and he'll be doing it in the land of Kings.

While I am talking about LeBron, for the past 5 years, Knicks fans have been talking about LeBron as if his arrival in Madison Square Garden was a given.

Once LeBron arrives everything will fall into place.

Any talk of rebuilding seems to be under the assumption that LeBron James will be a Knick.

What if he doesn't show?

You know a team doesn't have a good plan when their strategy for turning things around mirrors the drama company of Blaine!

ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY!

I am not going to pretend to be an NBA expert.

I used to follow the NBA really closely, but a funny thing happens when you become a husband and a father:

You have to either become a casual sports fan or you need to pick one sport to become maniacal about and casually follow the rest.

So I don't have a blog called "Sully Basketball."

That being said, I am rooting for the Celtics and likewise want to see the Lakers flop.

And little did I realize that a floppero might happen in the first round, which is generally considered to be a formality.

I live in the middle of Laker country and I heard the build up to the playoffs being a return trip to the NBA Finals was a foregone conclusion. The 8 seed Thunder has a big star in Kevin Durant but he is too green. The Lakers were going to make quick work of them.

But even a casual observer can see this series could easily be 3-1 in the Thunder's favor.

I called my friend and great columnist for the Santa Monica Daily Press, Kenny Mack.

I asked him "Can the Thunder win a game in Los Angeles?"

He responded "The correct question is can the LAKERS win a game in Los Angeles? Game 5 won't technically be an elimination game, but it will be psychologically in the 4th quarter. If the fall 3-2 to the Thunder and have to play a do or die game in Oklahoma... where the Thunder would have absolutely nothing to lose."

I still think the Lakers are going to win this series... but MAN the Laker hater in me would love to see them get bounced in the first round!

And the ripple effect of the Thunder going 2-1 in the next three games is mind boggling.

First of all the remaining teams in the West will have an injection of purpose. The big bad Lakers would be gone and this would be one of the best chances in a while for one of these franchises to make the NBA Finals.

The Mavericks have some unfinished business from the 2006 NBA Finals. The Jazz, Nuggets and Suns are also seeking their first ever title. The Blazers could join the Thunder as the Cinderella story and all the Spurs want is title #5 in 12 seasons.

And the top teams in the East would be thinking the road to a potential title could be a lot easier without Kobe and company.

The Celtics are probably at the end of this run... but title #18 isn't out of the question.

The Magic may have been happy to be in the Finals last year, but without the Lakers in the mix... a first title in Orlando could be in the works.

And oh yeah... the urgency of LeBron... with no titles since the 1964 Browns in Cleveland and free agency looming for Cleveland's biggest star since Jim Brown... no pressure. They would cream any western opponent not named The Lakers.

The only people who would be pissed would be the ABC execs who have a series of great potential Finals match ups ratings wise, provided that the Lakers are in it.

Kobe...vs The Celtics.

Kobe... vs Howard in a rematch of 2009.

And the holy grail of match ups:

Kobe... vs. Lebron (with Shaq on the side!)

No offense to Dirk and Steve and Duncan and Durant... but combined they don't have the star power of Kobe.

And in terms of media markets, where would you rather canvas? Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Portland, Salt Lake City of San Antonio.

But ABC's ratings can stink for all I care. I had to deal with both the Lakers AND the Yankees winning last year...

At least ONE of them needs to be eliminated early this year.

It's not enough that my teams advances... the other team must suffer.

I am a petty man.

Go Celtics!
And GO THUNDER!

Might be time to change hats in Washington

When the Montreal Expos moved to Washington just before the 2005 season to become the Nationals, there wasn't a lot of time to come up with a look for the team's cap.

So basically they dusted off the Senators hats that have been sitting in a warehouse since they left town in 1971 and call them Nationals caps.

Heck the Mets took the old interlocking NY from the New York Giants, so there is a precedent for stealing from the past.

They of course could just flip the old Expos "M" upside down... but that would have been too radical.

Besides I guess they wanted to put the Montreal experience behind them.

But the why embrace a Senators past?

The Senators who, over two franchises between 1901 and 1971, won exactly 3 pennants... the Senators who between the 1933 AL Pennant and leaving for Texas after the 1971 season finished as high as second place two times, and both of those seasons were during World War II when the best players were fighting fascism.

They embraced the history of the Senators, a team so bad that a musical was made about them winning the pennant... and it involved a deal with the Devil!

But I already covered that in my post about Long Suffering Nationals fans.

Believe it or not, this is the beginning of the 6th season of Washington Nationals baseball.
That's more than enough time to develop a winner. The Diamondbacks won a World Series title in their 4th year (and nearly bankrupted the team.) The Marlins won in the 5th season, dismantled that team, and won it again in their 11th.

Now nobody is saying the Nationals should have a World Series contender by now... but an identity would be nice. That is, an identity other than "the worst team in baseball."

Well that identity might be on its way.

They have a young star in Ryan Zimmerman. The Nats have talented Ian Desmond at shortstop and some young arms like John Lannan, Jordan Zimmermann and Craig Stammen already on the big league squad and Drew Storen is on his way.

Plus the Nationals have the #1 pick over all this spring and can pick a potential star.
Am I missing anyone?

Hmmm...

Oh yeah!

The Messiah of Washington baseball!

The only player on the Nationals that most baseball fans have heard of... and he has yet to throw an actual game for the Nats!

The last time I remembered such an anticipation for one player to change the culture of a team, it was LeBron James looking to become the savior of Cleveland.

And do you remember what they did before King James arrived?

They changed their look!

Gone were the blue wave across the belly look.

Gone were the tops with CAVS across the top.

Those were the uniforms of a losing team.


In came a new logo...

A new color scheme...

New font on the uniform...

All fit for a king!

And none reminding the fans of the dreadful years that led to the lottery pick!


So before Strasburg becomes part of the big league team, let me suggest it might be time to ditch the cursive W.

Even Hall of Famers like Ted Williams and Frank Robinson couldn't manage a contender with that logo on their head!

I say go to the DC logo full time.

Yeah I know they use the DC hat as a practice hat and on some days as an alternate uniform.

Heck with that. Go full time! Ditch the cursive W all together.

The Strasburg era is coming up... and if he is as good as advertised, then maybe a young Washington pitching staff might blossom JUST as the Phillies run slows down.

Maybe there will be a contender in Washington without the aid of the devil.

And if that is the case, then I want them looking the part of a winner... and that cursive W just doesn't cut it.

I dedicate this entry to two different fans at the Cleveland game last night

There were 20,929 tickets sold for yesterday's Cleveland/Tampa Bay game.

The number of people who saw the mindboggling ending where the Indians came all the way back from an early 10-0 hole with a wild 7 run bottom of the 9th inning was a lot smaller than 20,929.

The staff at Sully Baseball salutes two specific fans among the 20.929.

1. THE GUY WHO WAS PRESSURED TO LEAVE

Inevitably there was a big time Indians fan there with his friends. This guy loved Andre Thornton, Joe Carter and thought Greg Swindell was going to be a left handed Roger Clemens.

This guy is still bitter about Jose Mesa's 9th, Tony Fernandez's error and Joel Skinner not waving home Kenny Lofton.

And this guy was at the game with his friends who wanted to split when the game was 10-0.

This guy didn't want to leave. He knows the Indians came back from a 12-0 lead on August 5th, 2001! They scored 4 in the 8th and 5 in the 9th and 1 in the 11th!

But his friends wanted to go. His friends wanted to go to some cook out or some kegger.

And by the 8th inning when it was still 10-2, he gave in. 

But as he was leaving, pressured into abandoning his seat, he looked back at the field, knowing he was doing the wrong thing.

I hope he gave his friends more grief than Job ever got on the ride home.

"YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TO ME! WE WATCHED THE LOUSY 10-0 PART OF THE GAME!"

I feel your pain, brother.

I hope your friends bought all of your drinks.

2. THE GUY OR GAL WHO CONVINCED THEIR FRIENDS TO STAY

Inevitably there was someone who persuaded their friends to stick around.

I bet they said "It ain't over til it's over."

I bet they said "Stranger things have happened!"

And I bet they capped it off by saying "I bet you thought the Cavs/Magic game was over before LeBron took his shot!"

And when Victor Martinez hit that liner up the middle, I hope that person thumped their chest like Greystoke!

I hope they screamed "I TOLD YOU!!! I TOLD YOU!!!"

Baseball is the greatest team sport there is... and I submit yesterday's Cleveland/Tampa Bay game as proof.


No clock to run out. No taking a knee. You need to get that 27th out.

These highlights give me goose bumps, and I don't like either team!

ENJOY.

Did LeBron James just answer Michael Jordan's shot over Craig Ehlo?

I was watching the last few minutes of the Cavs/Magic game with my father in law tonight. I explained to him why when in doubt, I always root for a Cleveland team.

I'd get into it again, but it is best explained in my Cleveland Rocked City post from last year.

When Hedo Turkoglu (I think I spelled that correctly) his the shot with one second left, I strangely felt deflated. 

I had been there before. That moment where you think "I thought this year was going to be different."

I had that when the Red Sox lost in the post season in 1988, 1990, 1995, 1998 and 1999. None of those teams got to the brink of 1986 nor 2003... their disappointment came not from how close they got but with how they whimpered out.

It was the "Oh no" feeling that my Cubs fan boss Frank had when Loney hit the grand slam last October.

And the TNT cameras cruely went around the arena, getting shots of the thousand yard stares from Cleveland fans of all ages. 

There were some middle aged fans who were clearly thinking "I can't believe THIS team is going to putter out."

There was a kid who had an expression on his face as if to say "Wait a minute? Am I really going to grow up as miserable about my sports teams as my dad?"

There was an older guy who you could see his brain working. "Cavs are toast, the Indians are the worst team in the AL, the Browns stink... oh man this isn't getting any easier."

And I said to my father in law "There is no way the Cavs can win it now."

And my father in law in his infinite wisdom said "Oh it's possible."

I shook my head and said "This city needs a hug."

Then LeBron hugged them.

It's amazing to watch a sporting event live that when it happens, you know it will be shown on highlights reels from this day forward.

And of course the comparison will come to Jordan's shot over Ehlo... only this time Cleveland is happy.

In some ways the Jordan shot will always be bigger. It ended a series and it signaled the beginning of Jordan's playoff supremacy. 

But if the Cavaliers win the NBA title this year, James' shot my wind up being bigger.

It was a Conference Finals game, not a first round match up like Jordan's.

And Jordan's Bulls didn't win the title THAT year. (They did 6 of the next 8 seasons... but still.)

If this is the turning point... the Gibson homer... the Messier Game 6 against the Devils... the Dave Roberts steal... the LT recovering Roger Craig's fumble... that leads to a dramatic championship... then it will be bigger.

What I am saying is Cleveland fans should be clearing their schedules for any Cavs game.

Evidently all they need is one second to do something amazing.

(Why didn't Van Gundy quadruple team LeBron?)

A big gulping sound from Cleveland

When I saw the Cavs had a big halftime lead yesterday, I wrote down a note to do a blog post for Cleveland fans...

I was going to urge Cleveland fans to clear their schedule between June 4th and June 18th.

I was going to say this will be a coronation of King LeBron and a liberation of Cleveland sports fans from an oppression felt since 1964.

I was prepared to say even J. R. R. Tolkien would say "That's quite a long way to go for one ring!" 

Then a funny thing happened. In a commercial break for American Idol... I clicked on my computer and saw the Magic came back and won.

My my my. 

Not to get all Kill Bill on Cleveland fans, but you didn't think it was going to be that easy did you?

Yeah, me too. For a second there I kind of did.

Well, now they have a series and have to take home court away from the Magic. 

Other wise you'd have to ad another clip to that growing post 1964 Cleveland sports montage.

And we don't want that, do we?

Cleveland fans... that strange sensation you just felt was OPTIMISM

I know a night like tonight must feel strange to Cleveland fans... but let yourself enjoy it. Don't get wrapped up in the negativity that chills the city like the wind off of Lake Erie.

Three very positive things happened for Cleveland fans tonight and it could lead to not only the biggest sports celebration the city has seen since LBJ was President, but also introduce Indians fans to their next biggest star.

Let's look at the three big events.

LeBron James wins the NBA MVP

No Cavalier has ever won the MVP.
Brian Sipe was the last Cleveland MVP of any kind when he won the NFL MVP in 1980. (Truth be told, Albert Belle should have won the MVP in 1995.)

But when was the last time the city of Cleveland had not only the best player, but a cool and glamorous player? When was the last time there was a Cleveland sports star with the charisma of LeBron James?

Jim Brown... who was also the last player to deliver a title to Cleveland.


Matt LaPorta hit his first Major League homer

The prize of the CC Sabathia trade last year was tearing up AAA Columbus and was recalled this week.

Tonight he homered and contributed to the Indians extra inning win in Toronto.

I know it's early, but the Tribe is hoping they have their next star. And yes Sabathia led the Brewers to the playoffs, but do you know what?

Doyle Alexander helped the Tigers to the playoffs in 1987.

But the Braves are glad they dealt him for John Smoltz.



Celtics and Lakers both lost

Both the Celtics and the Magic are banged up and the Lakers suddenly look vulnerable. 

And suddenly the path to the title for the Cavs looks less daunting.

In other words... Cleveland fans... you can have some cautious confidence that you have (deep breath) THE TEAM TO BEAT!

Allow yourself to picture it Cleveland... you might have a title this summer. You might have a parade 45 years in the making.

Will you allow yourself to feel optimism?

I know it is strange... and I know teams to beat often time do get beat.

But if I were you, I'd be canceling all plans this spring that will interfere with Cavalier games.

And if you are getting married while the Cavs are playing, have a TV show the game.

I had a Red Sox playoff game on at MY wedding.