Monday, October 22, 2007

THE MISERY CONTINUES....

The Boston Red Sox completed an improbable comeback by defeating my beloved Cleveland Indians, 11-2 in Game 7 of of the American League Championship Series, earning a trip to the World Series in the process. I didn't think it could happen, but then again, we're talking about Cleveland. Ever since I moved to Cleveland as a little lad, I've had the unfortunate pleasure of experiencing nothing but disappointment (otherwise known as "The Curse") when it comes to our local professional sports teams. The time line bears my point:

December 27, 1964: The Cleveland Browns defeat the Baltimore Colts to win the National Football League Championship game. There was no such thing as the Super Bowl then, and it took place two months after I was born. That would be the LAST time our fair city would experience a victory celebration for any type of professional sports championship. It only goes downhill from there.

January 1981: THE INTERCEPTION. The Cleveland Browns, down 14-12 on a icy cold winter afternoon to the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game, were driving towards a touchdown when "IT" happened. After missing two previous FG attempts, the Browns elected to go for the touchdown instead of a chip-shot FG. Browns quarterback Brian Sipe threw a last-minute interception in the Raiders' end zone ("Rad Right 88") and cost the Browns the victory. I cried.

January 1987: THE DRIVE. This would be the first of several encounters with the Denver Broncos and an individual named John Elway. Elway led the Broncos on a 98-yard fourth-quarter drive to beat the Browns in the American Football Conference title game. Again, I cried.

January 1988: THE FUMBLE. A year later, the same two teams meet again and this time, Browns RB Earnest Byner fumbled the ball on the 3-yard line with 1 minute 12 seconds left and the Browns down by a touchdown. This time, I was an RA in college, a position of leadership and authority. What did I do? I threw my TV out the window.

May 1989: THE SHOT. Changing venues, the Cleveland Cavaliers, mired in NBA mediocrity for years, finally put together a competitive team, worthy of the playoffs. Then they met up with some guy named Michael Jordan; Jordan hit a last-second shot over a leaping Craig Ehlo to beat the Cavaliers in a decisive playoff elimination game. This time, I was at a restaurant with my girlfriend at the time. When he hit that shot, I slammed my drink on the table, dousing her in the process. Let's just say she was not happy either.

1995 World Series: Indians vs Braves. With a young nucleus of talent, including the likes of Manny Ramirez (yes, that one), Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton and Albert Belle, The Indians put together the best regular-season record in Major League Baseball since the 1954 Indians, only to lose the World Series to the Braves. (Ironically enough, the 1954 team lost the Series too, thanks in part to the most famous catch in baseball history, by The Say Hey Kid, Willie Mays.). I got drunk.

1997 World Series: Indians vs Marlins. This time, it came down to the bottom of the ninth and the Indians were three outs away from winning it all. Alas, Jose Mesa could not get the final three outs and Florida ends up winning it all in the 11th inning. Can't remember anything more than being utterly stunned and walking out of the bar in a fog.

2006 NBA Eastern Conference Championship: Cavs vs Pistons. This was a classic battle between the defending Eastern Conference Champion, Detroit Pistons and a young Cavs team, who was scrappy and inexperienced. They pushed the defending champs to the brink, before losing in seven games. Better luck next year.

2007 NBA Championship: Cavs vs Spurs. I was cautiously optimistic but knowing that we had a young team facing a seasoned, veteran team who'd won championships recently, it didn't hurt all that much when we were swept 4-0. For a change, I was simply happy being at the dance.

Which brings us to last night. This defeat was painful for several reasons. We earned a split on the road, which gave us a distinct advantage going back to Cleveland. With the next three (not two, BUT three) games on the home field, this was the perfect time to lay down the knockout punch and earn a berth to the World Series; a place we hadn't been in ten years.

After winning the first two games and jumping out to a commanding 3-1 series lead, the Series was there for the taking. And yet, we found a way to let it slip away. Strike One happened when we lost that final home game that would have allowed the Tribe to seal the deal in front of its home fans. Granted we faced one hell of a pitcher in Series MVP (and probable Cy Young winner) Josh Beckett but still, when you have your opponent on its heels, you're supposed to deliver the knockout punch.

Strike Two took place on Saturday night when the team allowed the pressure of being back in Boston get to them. They played like a little league team. Bad pitching, bad fielding, lack of timely hitting.... it looked as if they simply rolled over and played dead.

Strike Three was allowing Boston to gain confidence to the point that they couldn't do anything wrong. Even when they did some things wrong, they still found a way to make it work to their advantage. Cleveland had plenty of opportunities to "man up" and didn't meet the challenge. The rest, as they say, is history. Or in this case, another chapter in mediocrity.




Now, don't get me wrong. Even after this latest disappointment, I will always have a special place in my heart for my fair city and who knows? They may even win a championship of some kind in my lifetime. But for now, The Curse continues and I guess I have to settle for the roller-coaster ride of high hopes and crushing disappointment. Damn you Curse.



NUFF said.