Cleveland’s charm

It’s a pretty bold statement to make, but this past week  might have been as bad as Kate Gosselin’s performances on Dancing with the Stars. Instead of celebrating the end of another semester, the past week has been spent listening to the whole state of Ohio dwell on the Cavs’ lost.

Image source: http://images2.fanpop.com. Michael Jordan's "The Shot."

It didn’t matter if you’re a sports fan or not, the topic of the Cavs and the “Cleveland Curse” swept the airways of radio stations, ESPN specials and, of course, articles and blogs throughout the web.

I even received a Facebook invitation to join the “I don’t think I’ll ever see Cleveland win a title in my life” group. Seriously?

Now, I can spend this post criticizing the Cavs, LeBron and the future of the franchise, but, then again, I don’t feel the need to bring anymore negativity to Cleveland sports.

Cleveland has had its share of disappointments. Sure, we would all love to have the Kardiac Kids and Omar Vizquel back, but I’m pretty sure no one has a time machine to relive the past—well, unless you’re Doc from Back to the Future.

Because of Cleveland’s notorious letdowns, which have become labeled as the “curse,” we have become the butt of jokes—victims of our own criticism.

But, I have a newsflash for all you so-called Cleveland fans: You’ll be back next season. Why, you should ask.

I’ll let you in on three little secrets that keep Cleveland sports on the radar and keep fans coming back for more even if we aren’t producing championships (yet). Cleveland sports possess tradition, faith and the underdog status.

Tradition

Sports thrive on tradition. Some cities revolve and are molded by a  particular sports team. Just take a look at the Yankees. 

For any individual who has attended a Cleveland sports game, you know how much this city, this state, values its tradition.

Image source: http://i.cdn.turner.com. The Dawg Pound.

From tailgating at Browns’ games to Slider to LeBron’s powder, Cleveland sports fans know these simple traditions define Cleveland sports.

And don’t forget, Cleveland has accomplished a lot: it’s the home of the greats like Paul Brown, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and, of course, LeBron James.

These past and modern-day heroes have brought the national spotlight to Cleveland and the traditions it possesses.

For Pete’s sake, the Dawg Pound is one of the most notorious fan-based groups in sporting history. It’s rowdy, it’s tough, it’s football.

Plus, we have the infamous WITNESS sign that lurks over the city of Cleveland—always a popular stop for tourists to take a picture with King James.

Image source: http://frmarkdwhite.files.wordpress.com. Legendary Coach Paul Brown of the Cleveland Browns.

Bottom line: people want to become a part of that tradition and feel just a piece of greatness. After all, isn’t that what sports are about?

Faith

The more I think about it, the more Cleveland sports sound like Cher’s “If I could turn back time.”

Coulda, woulda, shoulda, sort of deal.

Trust me, I’m sure ever Cleveland sports fan would love to erase the memories of “The Shot” Michael Jordan made during the 1989 Playoffs, sending the Bulls onto the next round and “The Fumble” the Browns made in the 1988 AFC Championship Game.

Yes, those are some pretty devastating times in Cleveland sporting history, but there’s innocence, believe it or not, behind the Cleveland franchises.

Somewhere deep down inside of all Cleveland fans faith exists.

When a Cleveland franchise has a bad year, the joke is “There’s always next year.”

On the flipside, when a franchise exceeds its expectations a fire ignites the city, creating an inferno that God himself would have trouble putting out.  

In any given situation, fans stick by the wayside in hopes their faith in the Indians, Browns or the Cavs will turn their dreams into a reality. Lose or win, Cleveland always believes!

Image source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com. The Cleveland Indians' Slider mascot.

This leads me to my last point: the underdog status.

The underdog status

As mentioned a thousand times before, the “curse” haunts each franchise of this great city.

Cleveland has experienced plenty disappointments, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The city of Cleveland has undisputedly earned the title of the underdog. Season after season, analysts, critics and fans lay it on thick for Cleveland sports, hardly ever giving them hope of reaching the light at the end of the tunnel.

People can talk all they want, but it’s about what happens come game time.

Often, individuals forget all the great accomplishments Cleveland has achieved over the years. How about Otto Graham leading the Browns to 10-consectuive league championship game appearances, winning 7 out of those 10 games?

Image source: http://lh4.ggpht.com. LeBron's WITNESS billboard.

Or what about the Indians’ great run during the 1997 World Series? Sure, it was disappointing finish, but what a heck of a ride.

People love the underdog story; just take a look at this year’s 2010 March Madness. I’m not sure if it’s the adversity teams have to face to reach the top or the inspiration it instills in individuals, but people always root for the underdog. David and Goliath ring a bell?

Whatever it may be, there’s no way to go but up for Cleveland sports. There’s no doubt in my mind we’ll sit at the top again.

These simple reasons are why Cleveland’s franchises are still a prevalent force in the sporting world.

There’s a common notion: medicine can only take us so far, then comes God. Cleveland franchises can only take us so far, then comes its fans. The fans are the ones who build Cleveland. The fans are the ones who believe in Cleveland. The fans are the ones who create and continue each cherished tradition. Players may come and go, but it’s the fans who will forever remain the same and keep each franchise alive.

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