The Tribe – The Real Lead Sports Story In Town
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I predicted they will win the division. The difference in this team is the intangibles. Some are saying they don't have the pitching, if u look at the pitching our division has an ace, but their 3 and 4 is not even close and our rp is easily the best in the division. I can't believe people r not flocking to go see this team play, come on Cleveland.
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I gave you the answer when you posed it previously, go look that up....but to boil it down to a nutshell:
A. This is a football/Browns town and that team will always have support, no matter how bad it is (obviously). It is an intangible thing.
B. Basketball, the NBA has a specific demographic that will support it to a degree.
C. The Tribe plays more games and has always had to rely on the quality of the product on the field for maximum support. The Dolans have fostered ill will with the general public....and that ill will is not going away because of something the team does in May.
When and if they are in a real pennant race..toward the end of the season, then the fans will tear down the doors.
So, be patient.
And, by the way, FYI, resentment toward the success of the Cleveland Indians back in 1995 was one of THE primary reasons Art Modell decided to try to move the Browns. That's a fact.
I gave you the answer when you posed it previously, go look that up....but to boil it down to a nutshell:
A. This is a football/Browns town and that team will always have support, no matter how bad it is (obviously). It is an intangible thing.
B. Basketball, the NBA has a specific demographic that will support it to a degree.
C. The Tribe plays more games and has always had to rely on the quality of the product on the field for maximum support. The Dolans have fostered ill will with the general public....and that ill will is not going away because of something the team does in May.
When and if they are in a real pennant race..toward the end of the season, then the fans will tear down the doors.
So, be patient.
And, by the way, FYI, resentment toward the success of the Cleveland Indians back in 1995 was one of THE primary reasons Art Modell decided to try to move the Browns. That's a fact.
But in 1995 the Baltimore Orioles had a pretty good baseball team. And the Redskins were the toast of the whole DC area which includes Baltimore!
Fans rooting for the Indians but they have every reason to be skeptical based on the past. After a zillion seasons of doing nothing and multi fire sales, Dolans finally does something to try to escape last place in attendance. Probably had pressure from the league office.
And don't forget, this current run won't have been as good without Astrudbal Cabrera, who the Indians tried over and over to trrade this off-season and who will likely be gone after this season.
Indians doing well but we have seen that two of the prevoius eyars before they fell off a cliff. This team is better but the starting pitching remains very fragile. Good moves to sign Reynolds, et al this year but they'l lbe gone soon, there will be no sustained success as the scouting and player selection in the draft has been absolutely horrible, much like the football team.
I think a lot of fans, seeing this may be a very short term run of success, have decided not to get overly involved for fear of having their hearts broken again by Dolans. But there are also a lot of Cleveland sports fans who are simply masochists and will root for the Indians and other Cleveland teams no matter what. These kinds of people post on this board and we have all become mentally unbalanced as a result of following mostly loser teams for decades! Just read this board -- it's a real cuckoo bin!
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17 wins out of the last 21. I hope we keep it up.
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I love my city. There is something special about our little community. We are all bound together by our misery. It is no secret that Cleveland is nationally viewed as a dying city, trying desperately to rebound. There are hundreds if not thousands of people here that do their best to promote programs to invigorate the town. The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is one that comes to mind. But if there is one thing that all born and raised Clevelanders share, its our passion for our local sports teams. No matter where we may live, we represent our teams, perhaps even more loudly if you don’t live here.
That’s one of the many things I love most about Cleveland and its residents, yet it is also one of the things that bothers me the most about them as well. Now before jumping all over me, hear me out.
I am 37 years old, so it is not as if I was born yesterday into this painful culture that is Cleveland sports. If you read this site regularly, you know I get it. I have zero illusions that this is anything other than a “Browns first” town. Anyone who doesn’t believe that notion must not have been paying attention over the last 13 years when the Browns were as close to the bottom of the NFL as you can get. Year after year, they pick in the top 10 and draft day is our Super Bowl.
The Browns have been to exactly one playoff game, which was 10 years ago, and they lost it after leading 33-21 with seven minutes to go against their hated rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have only had two, count ‘em, two winning seasons since the return in 1999. And it is not like either of those seasons were division titles with 12-4, 13-3 records. The 2002 team snuck into the playoffs at 9-7 with a last game goal line stand against Atlanta and received help from two different places to make their “new era” playoff debut. The 2007 Browns, while 10-6, were the beneficiaries of a soft schedule where they beat just one team with a winning record – the Seattle Seahawks, at home, in overtime.
But no matter what happens. No matter how bad they are, no matter how many regime changes they have, no matter how inept the head coach may be (yes, I am singling you out, Pat Shurmur), no matter how sloppy and boring the play on the field may be, everyone comes back for more every single year. I know I do. My cousin Steve, nine years my senior, has been telling me for as long as I can remember, “cut me open, and I bleed brown.” I completely understand. It is important to stick with your teams win or lose.
What I can’t understand is the lengths people go in this town to put the Browns on such an extreme pedestal when you compare them with the city’s longest standing Major League franchise, the Indians.
When the Indians go through a bad stretch, the casual fans turn them off and act as uf they don’t exist. Yet a 2-9 Browns team would still get everyone’s full attention.
You can tell me all you want about the disconnect between the Dolan Family Ownership, the front office, and you as a fan. I’m sure you feel as though they have cheated you since buying the team from Dick Jacobs in 2000. Full disclosure, I have not been their biggest supportes either. It is not as if the product on the field has been that spectacular. But consider the 2005 Indians won 93 games and missed the playoffs thanks to a final week Cleveland-esque collapse. 93 wins at the time were the most for any team in the Wild Card era without advancing to play October baseball. In 2007, they ran away with the division and were up 3-1 in the ALCS, one win away from the World Series. I went to 40-plus games that season and in a pennant race in September, the crowds were in the 20,000′s.
I have no illusions that the mid-90′s are coming back. That was the perfect storm for the Indians. A booming economy, a brand-new stadium, a star-studden, power-hitting club that was the darling of the sport. But this organization deserves more from you, the fans of Cleveland, right now.
The Indians are currently tied atop the AL Central with the Detroit Tigers, who are built like those mid-90′s Tribe teams, except with better starting pitching. They are coming home this weekend for a series with Seattle and the weather is supposed to be perfect. There is absolutely no reason that all three games shouldn’t draw 30,000 each. But they won’t. And last night is a prime example.
Around 6:30 PM, it came across my Twitter timeline that the Browns had signed QB Brian Hoyer to a two-year contract. Hoyer was cut earlier in the week by the Arizona Cardinals. The way the sportstalk radio shows and Twitter reacted, you would have thought this was on the same level as the Indians hiring Terry Francona to be their manager. One tweet after another, one column after another, one mention after another – it was all Hoyer all the time.
I am sure that the former St. Ignatius star is a great guy, but let us be real here. He was undrafted out of Michiagn State, made the New England Patriots as a third string QB, spent three years there as a backup to Tom Brady, then was drafted over and replaced by Ryan Mallett. He failed to make any roster last year and signed mid-season as a street free agent with Pittsburgh, where he stayed for a few weeks until Ben Roethlisberger was able to come back from injury. He was then picked up by the Arizona Cardinals, who were desperate for a QB the last two weeks of the season, again because of injuries. He made one start. The Cardinals thought so highly of him that they traded for Carson Palmer and eventually let him go after the draft.
So the Browns and GM Mike Lombardi, who was said to be high on him, scooped Hoyer up yesterday and added Hoyer to their QB stable.
Yet here we are in Cleveland, talking obsessively about a third string QB signing, dissecting it like it will make any bit of difference, and making it the lead story in town.
I know, I know, this is “Browns Town.” But you know what, it shouldn’t even be more than a blip on the radar because there is a REAL story going on right now, and it is going way too unnoticed for my taste. THE INDIANS ARE IN FIRST PLACE!
Spare me the “they were in first this early the last two years” take. Anyone who watches baseball and this team can tell you that Tito Ball is far superior to Acta Ball. They don’t need to win every game 3-2 anymore. Much maligned GM Chris Antonetti and his boss Mark Shapiro have completely reshaped this roster into something everyone can get excited about.
Michael Bourn and his speed and defense are here, setting the table like Kenny Lofton used to at the top of the order. Nick Swisher is on board to provide that fun-loving, hard-nosed attitiude in the clubhouse while embracing his Ohio roots, crushing baseballs all over the diamond, and playing superb defense at first. Mega Mark Reynolds is destroying pitches like we haven’t seen here years. Asdrubal Cabrera and Jason Kipnis have shaken off their slow starts and have begun to explode at the plate, coinciding with a 12-2 run that vaulted the Tribe to the top of the division. Michael Brantley has taken that next step and has become one of the most clutch hitters on the team.
Justin Masterson has regained his ace form. Their has been a mini-resurgance from Ubaldo Jimenez. Zach McAllister is pitching like a young Jake Westbrook with his ability to take the team deep into games each and every time out. Scott Kazmir has been a big find as a reclamation project. The bullpen depth is once again the envy of the AL. Best of all, the team is managed by the irrepressible Terry Francona, who is as respected as any man in the game.
So please, do yourselves a favor. Come out and support this Indians team. Make THEM your top sports priority right now. They deserve your attention. The signing of a third-string Quarterback in mid-May, doesn’t.
I love my city. There is something special about our little community. We are all bound together by our misery. It is no secret that Cleveland is nationally viewed as a dying city, trying desperately to rebound. There are hundreds if not thousands of people here that do their best to promote programs to invigorate the town. The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is one that comes to mind. But if there is one thing that all born and raised Clevelanders share, its our passion for our local sports teams. No matter where we may live, we represent our teams, perhaps even more loudly if you don’t live here.
That’s one of the many things I love most about Cleveland and its residents, yet it is also one of the things that bothers me the most about them as well. Now before jumping all over me, hear me out.
What I can’t understand is the lengths people go in this town to put the Browns on such an extreme pedestal when you compare them with the city’s longest standing Major League franchise, the Indians.
When the Indians go through a bad stretch, the casual fans turn them off and act as uf they don’t exist. Yet a 2-9 Browns team would still get everyone’s full attention.
You can tell me all you want about the disconnect between the Dolan Family Ownership, the front office, and you as a fan. I’m sure you feel as though they have cheated you since buying the team from Dick Jacobs in 2000. Full disclosure, I have not been their biggest supportes either. It is not as if the product on the field has been that spectacular. But consider the 2005 Indians won 93 games and missed the playoffs thanks to a final week Cleveland-esque collapse. 93 wins at the time were the most for any team in the Wild Card era without advancing to play October baseball. In 2007, they ran away with the division and were up 3-1 in the ALCS, one win away from the World Series. I went to 40-plus games that season and in a pennant race in September, the crowds were in the 20,000′s.
So the Browns and GM Mike Lombardi, who was said to be high on him, scooped Hoyer up yesterday and added Hoyer to their QB stable.
Yet here we are in Cleveland, talking obsessively about a third string QB signing, dissecting it like it will make any bit of difference, and making it the lead story in town.
I know, I know, this is “Browns Town.” But you know what, it shouldn’t even be more than a blip on the radar because there is a REAL story going on right now, and it is going way too unnoticed for my taste. THE INDIANS ARE IN FIRST PLACE!
Is priority right now. They deserve your attention. The signing of a third-string Quarterback in mid-May, doesn’t.
OK, I understand what you're saying- BUT. Just because you happen to live in Cleveland (or did) doesn't mean you have to be a baseball fan. For me personally, (for reasons I'll get into)- I'd as soon as watch icicles melt than take in an entire game on the tube. Yeah- I caught an inning or two of the Tigers- Rangers game tonight (my wife is a Tigers fan, at least I was able to convert her from the Lions to Browns)- but I'd as soon as catch some of the Italian Open, or some of the Stanley Cup Playoffs- or the NBA Playoffs.
1) so there's reason #1- there's more action in hockey or basketball (or even soccer) in 5 minutes than there is in an entire baseball game.
2) Baseball has the most f**ked up salary structure of any major sport. You level the playing field, maybe I'd take more interest. Sooner or later, the Yankees and their ilk buy up all the top talent. I felt like puking when the two opposing pitchers in the World Series USED to play for the Indians- you want to make an argument how that isn't screwed up be my guest. No you can't buy a Championship every year- but you sure as hell can buy a competitive team. IIRC, the Yankees haven't had a losing season since 1992.
3) Alluding to the above- the Tribe, and other small market teams have been the feeder system of top talent to the Big Boys in like about forever- and that's not going to change anytime soon.
4) Do you really need a 162 game season? (Other than to pay those inflated salaries?) Yeah, lets play baseball in Denver in April in a snowstorm, or the World Series in October when its 35 degrees. One game in a 16 game NFL season has meaning, on a baseball game, not so much.
4) Well, there's no real explanation of why Cleveland is a football town- unless you want to go all the way back to Canton- Pro football was born in NE Ohio. My personal slant is back in the 60's the Browns were pretty great, and the Indians reliably stunk- every year. It's only May- wake me up in August when the games actually start meaning something. I've lived through the Indians "June Swoon" & "July Dive". The Rocky Colavito for Harvey Kuenn trade- that about did me in right there, (read Belichick dumping Kosar if you want a comparison), and an unabated history since of "we can't afford you anymore, tata!!!" Incidentally, there's a boatload of Browns fans in Dayton who have have never lived in Cleveland. I've yet to meet an Indians fan here- period. SW Ohio is Reds Country- for the same reason Cleveland is Browns Town.
So sorry- to be a "true" fan of the Tribe, you have to be a baseball fan first. Just hope you won't have to be like the Wrigley Bleacher Bums and wait like forever for them to win a World Series. Oh, they keep on winning- the frontrunner bandwagon bus will pick up supporters for sure.
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Trust me I understand Baseball is not for everybody, the point is, if you are a Cleveland Fan enjoy whats going on right now and suppport the boys of summer. When Football comes in a few months get your Browns gear and go crazy about the Browns. They are a really fun team watch!!! Trust me there will be pletty of threads about how much Weeden sucks!!! Plus I have not posted a Uniform thread in a couple months. I will make sure to take care of that before the first pre season game
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yo. just be grateful to have a team.
do you want the same thing to happen to the indians as did the browns?
big-time money spenders are ready to steal away basketball, football and baseball teams to other big city markets in spite of their now hometown fans. case in point seattle. they almost grabbed the nba team from another city who was once stolen from another.
support everything local, even if it's your favorite pizza shop. (i support everything ohio even though i live a 9 hour car ride away).
let's go blue streaks, rockets, bobcats, buckeyes, golden flashes, roos etc. etc.
the indians were the closest team to bring a world series (or any kind of trophy) to the city of cleveland if it weren't for the conspiracy led bud selig strike year.
BTW fuck bud selig, david stern and rodger goodell. how many turkeys do they each eat at a thanksgiving day dinner?
i'm sure plenty. those fat pompous asses.
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@mike-h said:
I was there Friday and Saturday. Really fun team to watch... they have that magic from the 90s teams. Series or not they are an exciting product... get there.
Same was said about other recent Indians teams that were great in May and the collapsed. I don't think the current team will collapse but the pitching staff is not good enough to hold up for the rigors of a 162 game schedule. I'd just liketo see the Tribe finish at .500. But I will say this -- Terry Francona is a very good manager and he's light years ahead of Acta and Wedge.
It was humorous yesterday on ESPN to see Doug Glanville talk about the great job Francona is doing as Manny Acta, now an analyst for ESPN, sat two feet away from Granville, looking uncomfortable. Indians fans would have loved to see that footage!
Gotta love how ESPN has two loser Cleveland coahces -- Mangini and Acta -- now serving as "expert" analysts on their network. ESPN is simply out of it and people are so tired of them focusing so much of their coverage on the New York and Boston teams. There is so much good stuff happening in others parts of the NFL and MLB outside of New York and Boston, but nobody ever knows about it because ESPN doesn't cover it! At least they did finally manage to mention the Indians yesterday! If the Tribe was in New York, they'd get 15 minutes of every ESPN Sports Center.
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point of the the post that some people do not understand, is Support Cleveland!!!!! Shit we have a very good team this year. Maybe they do not last the whole year, maybe they win the world series!!! Who knows, but please do not give this Bullshit about the Dolans, that you will not support the Tribe becasue of the owners. Our you kidding me!!! The Browns have had the worst owners in all if sports!!!! Look I am a DIE HARD TRIBE AND BROWNS FAN!!!!! The Cavs I support, but never been a big Basketball guy even when Leborn was here, even thou Fav player of all time on the Cavs for me is Mark Price. Just show some love for them!!!!
When Sept comes, Trust me Sundays will be about the Browns. Right now Cleveland you have a team that Deserves your Attention, So how about we stop talking about a 4th string QB and a 4th string RB that will not make the team out of training camp.
So how about we stop talking about a 4th string QB and a 4th string RB that will not make the team out of training camp.
We are never going to stop talking about the Browns 4th String QB on this board. That's who we are.
It's a board of Browns fanatics, some who are also big Tribe fans, many who are not.
The average poster on this board can more easily name the Browns 4th string Qb than the Indians starting third baseman. That's just where you have chosen to post.
I'm glad the Indians are doing good in May. Terry Francona was a great choice for manager. I am a huge baseball fan. Now I am going back to the Brian Hoyer thread ... because the Browns are my passion.
Zombo
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And, by the way, FYI, resentment toward the success of the Cleveland Indians back in 1995 was one of THE primary reasons Art Modell decided to try to move the Browns. That's a fact.
That's not even close to being a fact.
That's not even close to being a fact.
It may not have been the main fact....but I believe it was, indeed, a factor. Perhap part and parcel of this factor was the Indians leaving Muni stadium....and leaving him without that source of revenue they were giving him.
So, he was obviously pissed about that....and resentful that the Tribe got a new stadium first (even though he claimed he was on board with that decision). The fact that the Tribe was so good that year, and was filling the new stadium to capacity merely fueled his resentment toward them....and the decision to put them first on the pecking order for a new stadium.
So, just them winning alone may not have been a big factory....but everything leading to their winning was.
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r u really blaming the Indians for browns leaving. Modell was fucking the Indians hand over fist charging them to play in a piece of shitI gave you the answer when you posed it previously, go look that up....but to boil it down to a nutshell:
A. This is a football/Browns town and that team will always have support, no matter how bad it is (obviously). It is an intangible thing.
B. Basketball, the NBA has a specific demographic that will support it to a degree.
C. The Tribe plays more games and has always had to rely on the quality of the product on the field for maximum support. The Dolans have fostered ill will with the general public....and that ill will is not going away because of something the team does in May.
When and if they are in a real pennant race..toward the end of the season, then the fans will tear down the doors.
So, be patient.
You are correct bout the Tribe, Gipper. If things are the same in July, I'll be packing the boys up and navigating up the I-71 for a Cleveland baseball excursion. I would much rather spend my money in Cleveland than piss it away at The Nationwide Series race at Mid-Ohio this summer. Just like most, my recreational budget is not as fat as it once was, but I suppose that's a topic for a different forum.
And, by the way, FYI, resentment toward the success of the Cleveland Indians back in 1995 was one of THE primary reasons Art Modell decided to try to move the Browns. That's a fact.
r u really blaming the Indians for browns leaving. Modell was fucking the Indians hand over fist charging them to play in a piece of shit
I am only saying it was a factor in his decision to attempt to move.
....and yes....I for one am not going to underestimate the venality of one Arthur B. Modell in that situation. I don't blame the Indians for the Browns attempt to leave. I blame Modell....but his pettiness and jealousy toward the Indians success that year made it easy for him in his mind to think "fuck you Cleveland".
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@mike-h said:
I was there Friday and Saturday. Really fun team to watch... they have that magic from the 90s teams. Series or not they are an exciting product... get there.
Same was said about other recent Indians teams that were great in May and the collapsed. I don't think the current team will collapse but the pitching staff is not good enough to hold up for the rigors of a 162 game schedule. I'd just liketo see the Tribe finish at .500. But I will say this -- Terry Francona is a very good manager and he's light years ahead of Acta and Wedge.
It was humorous yesterday on ESPN to see Doug Glanville talk about the great job Francona is doing as Manny Acta, now an analyst for ESPN, sat two feet away from Granville, looking uncomfortable. Indians fans would have loved to see that footage!
Gotta love how ESPN has two loser Cleveland coahces -- Mangini and Acta -- now serving as "expert" analysts on their network. ESPN is simply out of it and people are so tired of them focusing so much of their coverage on the New York and Boston teams. There is so much good stuff happening in others parts of the NFL and MLB outside of New York and Boston, but nobody ever knows about it because ESPN doesn't cover it! At least they did finally manage to mention the Indians yesterday! If the Tribe was in New York, they'd get 15 minutes of every ESPN Sports Center.
Skeptical2013 said:
Same was said about other recent Indians teams that were great in May and the collapsed. I don't think the current team will collapse but the pitching staff is not good enough to hold up for the rigors of a 162 game schedule. I'd just liketo see the Tribe finish at .500. But I will say this -- Terry Francona is a very good manager and he's light years ahead of Acta and Wedge.
It was humorous yesterday on ESPN to see Doug Glanville talk about the great job Francona is doing as Manny Acta, now an analyst for ESPN, sat two feet away from Granville, looking uncomfortable. Indians fans would have loved to see that footage!
Gotta love how ESPN has two loser Cleveland coahces -- Mangini and Acta -- now serving as "expert" analysts on their network. ESPN is simply out of it and people are so tired of them focusing so much of their coverage on the New York and Boston teams. There is so much good stuff happening in others parts of the NFL and MLB outside of New York and Boston, but nobody ever knows about it because ESPN doesn't cover it! At least they did finally manage to mention the Indians yesterday! If the Tribe was in New York, they'd get 15 minutes of every ESPN Sports Center.
ESPN IS getting worse lately in it East Coast bias. The Knicks were knocked out what? Friday night. Sunday morning when I wake up...all ESPN radio is talking about is the Knicks....and this morning....all they talked about is the Knicks.
I mean, there were these other teams still playing: Miami/Indy/San Antonio/Memphis Do you think maybe they could spend a little time talking about the teams still in it? Hell no. My son's roomate is a Red Sox fan. He was talking about the Boston/New York rivalry....but when I said to him "Boston, New York, it is all one and the same, he looked at me like I was polka dotted or something...so I said "yea...to everyone else one of the teams from those cities winning is no different than another. We would only care as long as they both lose.".
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and yet how many posts were off target the tribe are getting recognized in a mass market.
shrewd biz dealings and good gut-feeling signings.
yes, the tribe not the browns.
imagine the day that happens?
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Skeptical2013 said:
Same was said about other recent Indians teams that were great in May and the collapsed. I don't think the current team will collapse but the pitching staff is not good enough to hold up for the rigors of a 162 game schedule. I'd just liketo see the Tribe finish at .500. But I will say this -- Terry Francona is a very good manager and he's light years ahead of Acta and Wedge.
It was humorous yesterday on ESPN to see Doug Glanville talk about the great job Francona is doing as Manny Acta, now an analyst for ESPN, sat two feet away from Granville, looking uncomfortable. Indians fans would have loved to see that footage!
Gotta love how ESPN has two loser Cleveland coahces -- Mangini and Acta -- now serving as "expert" analysts on their network. ESPN is simply out of it and people are so tired of them focusing so much of their coverage on the New York and Boston teams. There is so much good stuff happening in others parts of the NFL and MLB outside of New York and Boston, but nobody ever knows about it because ESPN doesn't cover it! At least they did finally manage to mention the Indians yesterday! If the Tribe was in New York, they'd get 15 minutes of every ESPN Sports Center.
ESPN IS getting worse lately in it East Coast bias. The Knicks were knocked out what? Friday night. Sunday morning when I wake up...all ESPN radio is talking about is the Knicks....and this morning....all they talked about is the Knicks.
I mean, there were these other teams still playing: Miami/Indy/San Antonio/Memphis Do you think maybe they could spend a little time talking about the teams still in it? Hell no. My son's roomate is a Red Sox fan. He was talking about the Boston/New York rivalry....but when I said to him "Boston, New York, it is all one and the same, he looked at me like I was polka dotted or something...so I said "yea...to everyone else one of the teams from those cities winning is no different than another. We would only care as long as they both lose.".
ESPN IS getting worse lately in it East Coast bias. The Knicks were knocked out what? Friday night. Sunday morning when I wake up...all ESPN radio is talking about is the Knicks....and this morning....all they talked about is the Knicks.
I mean, there were these other teams still playing: Miami/Indy/San Antonio/Memphis Do you think maybe they could spend a little time talking about the teams still in it? Hell no. My son's roomate is a Red Sox fan. He was talking about the Boston/New York rivalry....but when I said to him "Boston, New York, it is all one and the same, he looked at me like I was polka dotted or something...so I said "yea...to everyone else one of the teams from those cities winning is no different than another. We would only care as long as they both lose.".
Yup, it's getting worse allright. It's not East Coast bias- call it "Big Market, & Frontrunner Bias". Kobe blows out his leg, ESPN acts like the world just ended. Westbrook getting injured DURING THE PLAYOFFS, WHEN IT ACTUALLY MATTERED gets about 1\100 the coverage. You'd have thought it was the Lakers God ordained right to make the playoffs every year.
Frontrunner mentality- holy smokes, the damn INDIANS get a nice ESPN blowjob on the 6:30 Sportscenter.
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ESPN IS getting worse lately in it East Coast bias. The Knicks were knocked out what? Friday night. Sunday morning when I wake up...all ESPN radio is talking about is the Knicks....and this morning....all they talked about is the Knicks.
I mean, there were these other teams still playing: Miami/Indy/San Antonio/Memphis Do you think maybe they could spend a little time talking about the teams still in it? Hell no. My son's roomate is a Red Sox fan. He was talking about the Boston/New York rivalry....but when I said to him "Boston, New York, it is all one and the same, he looked at me like I was polka dotted or something...so I said "yea...to everyone else one of the teams from those cities winning is no different than another. We would only care as long as they both lose.".
Yup, it's getting worse allright. It's not East Coast bias- call it "Big Market, & Frontrunner Bias". Kobe blows out his leg, ESPN acts like the world just ended. Westbrook getting injured DURING THE PLAYOFFS, WHEN IT ACTUALLY MATTERED gets about 1\100 the coverage. You'd have thought it was the Lakers God ordained right to make the playoffs every year.
Frontrunner mentality- holy smokes, the damn INDIANS get a nice ESPN blowjob on the 6:30 Sportscenter.
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I love my city. There is something special about our little community. We are all bound together by our misery. It is no secret that Cleveland is nationally viewed as a dying city, trying desperately to rebound. There are hundreds if not thousands of people here that do their best to promote programs to invigorate the town. The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is one that comes to mind. But if there is one thing that all born and raised Clevelanders share, its our passion for our local sports teams. No matter where we may live, we represent our teams, perhaps even more loudly if you don’t live here.
That’s one of the many things I love most about Cleveland and its residents, yet it is also one of the things that bothers me the most about them as well. Now before jumping all over me, hear me out.
What I can’t understand is the lengths people go in this town to put the Browns on such an extreme pedestal when you compare them with the city’s longest standing Major League franchise, the Indians.
When the Indians go through a bad stretch, the casual fans turn them off and act as uf they don’t exist. Yet a 2-9 Browns team would still get everyone’s full attention.
You can tell me all you want about the disconnect between the Dolan Family Ownership, the front office, and you as a fan. I’m sure you feel as though they have cheated you since buying the team from Dick Jacobs in 2000. Full disclosure, I have not been their biggest supportes either. It is not as if the product on the field has been that spectacular. But consider the 2005 Indians won 93 games and missed the playoffs thanks to a final week Cleveland-esque collapse. 93 wins at the time were the most for any team in the Wild Card era without advancing to play October baseball. In 2007, they ran away with the division and were up 3-1 in the ALCS, one win away from the World Series. I went to 40-plus games that season and in a pennant race in September, the crowds were in the 20,000′s.
So the Browns and GM Mike Lombardi, who was said to be high on him, scooped Hoyer up yesterday and added Hoyer to their QB stable.
Yet here we are in Cleveland, talking obsessively about a third string QB signing, dissecting it like it will make any bit of difference, and making it the lead story in town.
I know, I know, this is “Browns Town.” But you know what, it shouldn’t even be more than a blip on the radar because there is a REAL story going on right now, and it is going way too unnoticed for my taste. THE INDIANS ARE IN FIRST PLACE!
Is priority right now. They deserve your attention. The signing of a third-string Quarterback in mid-May, doesn’t.
OK, I understand what you're saying- BUT. Just because you happen to live in Cleveland (or did) doesn't mean you have to be a baseball fan. For me personally, (for reasons I'll get into)- I'd as soon as watch icicles melt than take in an entire game on the tube. Yeah- I caught an inning or two of the Tigers- Rangers game tonight (my wife is a Tigers fan, at least I was able to convert her from the Lions to Browns)- but I'd as soon as catch some of the Italian Open, or some of the Stanley Cup Playoffs- or the NBA Playoffs.
1) so there's reason #1- there's more action in hockey or basketball (or even soccer) in 5 minutes than there is in an entire baseball game.
2) Baseball has the most f**ked up salary structure of any major sport. You level the playing field, maybe I'd take more interest. Sooner or later, the Yankees and their ilk buy up all the top talent. I felt like puking when the two opposing pitchers in the World Series USED to play for the Indians- you want to make an argument how that isn't screwed up be my guest. No you can't buy a Championship every year- but you sure as hell can buy a competitive team. IIRC, the Yankees haven't had a losing season since 1992.
3) Alluding to the above- the Tribe, and other small market teams have been the feeder system of top talent to the Big Boys in like about forever- and that's not going to change anytime soon.
4) Do you really need a 162 game season? (Other than to pay those inflated salaries?) Yeah, lets play baseball in Denver in April in a snowstorm, or the World Series in October when its 35 degrees. One game in a 16 game NFL season has meaning, on a baseball game, not so much.
4) Well, there's no real explanation of why Cleveland is a football town- unless you want to go all the way back to Canton- Pro football was born in NE Ohio. My personal slant is back in the 60's the Browns were pretty great, and the Indians reliably stunk- every year. It's only May- wake me up in August when the games actually start meaning something. I've lived through the Indians "June Swoon" & "July Dive". The Rocky Colavito for Harvey Kuenn trade- that about did me in right there, (read Belichick dumping Kosar if you want a comparison), and an unabated history since of "we can't afford you anymore, tata!!!" Incidentally, there's a boatload of Browns fans in Dayton who have have never lived in Cleveland. I've yet to meet an Indians fan here- period. SW Ohio is Reds Country- for the same reason Cleveland is Browns Town.
So sorry- to be a "true" fan of the Tribe, you have to be a baseball fan first. Just hope you won't have to be like the Wrigley Bleacher Bums and wait like forever for them to win a World Series. Oh, they keep on winning- the frontrunner bandwagon bus will pick up supporters for sure.
OK, I understand what you're saying- BUT. Just because you happen to live in Cleveland (or did) doesn't mean you have to be a baseball fan. For me personally, (for reasons I'll get into)- I'd as soon as watch icicles melt than take in an entire game on the tube. Yeah- I caught an inning or two of the Tigers- Rangers game tonight (my wife is a Tigers fan, at least I was able to convert her from the Lions to Browns)- but I'd as soon as catch some of the Italian Open, or some of the Stanley Cup Playoffs- or the NBA Playoffs.
1) so there's reason #1- there's more action in hockey or basketball (or even soccer) in 5 minutes than there is in an entire baseball game.
2) Baseball has the most f**ked up salary structure of any major sport. You level the playing field, maybe I'd take more interest. Sooner or later, the Yankees and their ilk buy up all the top talent. I felt like puking when the two opposing pitchers in the World Series USED to play for the Indians- you want to make an argument how that isn't screwed up be my guest. No you can't buy a Championship every year- but you sure as hell can buy a competitive team. IIRC, the Yankees haven't had a losing season since 1992.
3) Alluding to the above- the Tribe, and other small market teams have been the feeder system of top talent to the Big Boys in like about forever- and that's not going to change anytime soon.
4) Do you really need a 162 game season? (Other than to pay those inflated salaries?) Yeah, lets play baseball in Denver in April in a snowstorm, or the World Series in October when its 35 degrees. One game in a 16 game NFL season has meaning, on a baseball game, not so much.
4) Well, there's no real explanation of why Cleveland is a football town- unless you want to go all the way back to Canton- Pro football was born in NE Ohio. My personal slant is back in the 60's the Browns were pretty great, and the Indians reliably stunk- every year. It's only May- wake me up in August when the games actually start meaning something. I've lived through the Indians "June Swoon" & "July Dive". The Rocky Colavito for Harvey Kuenn trade- that about did me in right there, (read Belichick dumping Kosar if you want a comparison), and an unabated history since of "we can't afford you anymore, tata!!!" Incidentally, there's a boatload of Browns fans in Dayton who have have never lived in Cleveland. I've yet to meet an Indians fan here- period. SW Ohio is Reds Country- for the same reason Cleveland is Browns Town.
So sorry- to be a "true" fan of the Tribe, you have to be a baseball fan first. Just hope you won't have to be like the Wrigley Bleacher Bums and wait like forever for them to win a World Series. Oh, they keep on winning- the frontrunner bandwagon bus will pick up supporters for sure.
What got me upset last summer was listening to a Yankees game on XM radio while on the road and the announcers talking about how Choo will be a nice addition in the Yankees outfield in 2013. Such arrogance! I am so glad Choo didn't go to New York. I used to be a Reds fan, too, but I won't root for them this year and I boo every time I hear Choo's name. Another good player who left Cleveland. I hate seeing Hafner being so successful this season with the Yankees. But we all know Hafner will get hurt soon -- always happens with him.
At least this kind of thing hasn't happened to the Browns very much -- the few good players they had, like Edwards and Winslow, were both jerks and never were big successes once they left unlike Lee, Sabathia, et al in baseball.
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and keep 'em coming.
beotches.
ya netter recognize!
ESPN truly is the Eastern Sports Network because usually all they cover in baseball are the Yankees and Red Sox. It was astounding to see the Indians get some air time on ESPN. They must really be good for that to happen!
In football, the Browns are almost never mentioned on ESPN while the Jets, a worse team than Cleveland, get so much air time you would think they have won 5 Super Bowl's in the last 10 years! It's easy to see why NFL Network in football and MLB Network in baseball are so popular with fans because they actually cover al lthe teams, not just the northeast teams.
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Yep. Those assholes covered the shit out of jeters 3000 hit but ignored Jim thomes 600 home runs.
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Yep. Those assholes covered the shit out of jeters 3000 hit but ignored Jim thomes 600 home runs.
Yep. Those assholes covered the shit out of jeters 3000 hit but ignored Jim thomes 600 home runs.
Really good example!
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They never talked about the JETS until Ryan became the coach and then Tebow went there. I do not think ESPN knows we have a football team, but do you blame them!!!! I do love the love about the Tribe...Hope to see a HUGE CROWD TONIGHT
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The Indians start a tough 25 game stretch tonight that will prove if they are indeed contenders. During that stretch the only team under .500 that we play is the White Sox. And the last time I checked they still have Konerko on that team sooooo tough for Cleveland. I love what I am seeing but I am anxious to see how they get through this stretch. .500 during this stretch would still put them in great position going into the all-star break.
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