My Take on LeBron, Etc..And Cleveland Sports in general

Channel 5 Quarterback Club TV Guide ad-1959


Cleveland Indians TV Guide Ad-April 1970


My absolute favorite Cleveland Cavaliers logo from the 1970's

Hello folks:
Unless you've been under a rock (which would hurt, btw)you know about the LeBron James/Cavaliers saga that played out to its conclusion over the last several days..Culminating in a Made-For-TV spectacle om Thursday Night over ESPN..I suppose everybody's heard/read everybody's opinion on the matter..I figure I might as well weigh in on things..as well as some related sports topics..

My own sports "history"..I didnt get into pro sports untill the late 1960's when I started to pay attention to the old NBA Cincinnati Royals for a couple of seasons..People forget they had some really good teams from 1964-68 or so..Just not good enough to beat the Celtics in the playoffs..I was listening to a Royals game when the official announcement was made that Cleveland would get a team..

in 1970 the Cavaliers began..They were bad/horrible the first few years, but they were "our" team..Also began to follow the Indians in 1970..Became a semi-Bengals fan at first becase they were aired on WOIO-AM 1060 Canton and the Browns sounded "bland" to me on the radio..

Getting back to the Indians, you always had "hope" this would be their year..Unfortunately by June 1, they were out of the pennant chase most years till the mid 1990's..I could not, and cannot make myself root for any team outside of Cleveland,,Became a Browns fan in the Sipe years..The Cavs also had their high spots..1976 Miracle of Richfield 1988-92 outstanding teams..Indians lost 2 World Series (1997 especially hurt) but at least they got there..Because (Or In Spite) of all this, I do not believe in a Cleveland "Sports Curse"..Being a fan to me means you have to believe in your City and your team...

Getting to LeBron..A couple of months ago I was ready to accept him leaving Cleveland..But the way he went about it..The special..dragging it out as long as possible..Then putting a knife in Cleveland's back is just plain wrong..Now it comes out he hardly had any communication with the Cavaliers in the last few days..and they found out JUST BEFORE he announced it?..Totally classless in my mind..Dan Gilbert's "Letter To The Fans" was right on target..

In spite of what LeBron did, I cant hate the guy..I think he made a mistake, which may be borne out in the future..Its good that the Cavaliers appear to be moving ahead on things..With some new developments regarding sign-and-trade with James, etc..

As much as a sports fan as I am, it can be said that sports is getting too much play, and that's probably right..It can be a good diversion from real life..I try not to let the "business side" of sports take away from my enjoyment of it..