Musings

Greetings Hebrews and Shebrews. A lot has been happening in the world of sports so here is my take on some of the goings-on:

-I don't rather care for LeBron James. After seeing that on a sign during the Cavs/Heat massacre last week, I figure I'll take the high road and find a new way to describe my feelings for Prince James. I don't even care that we got trounced in the game, or that the Heat went on a 16-0 run in the first half or even that coach-for-now Erik (Erik with a K? Seriously?) Spoelstra decided to play his starters waaaaaay after the game was already out of reach for the Cavs. My favorite part of the evening were the different signs and chants that were prevalent at the recent Cavs/Heat skirmish. My favorite sign has to be the one that said "Like Father, Like Son". Hilarious. The "Sco-ttie Pip-pen" chant was pretty great too (Sorry, Scottie...You know I love you...). Here's to more home games against the Heat complete with extremely clever anti-LeBron signs and chants.

-After reading the OTL Believeland piece by Wright Thompson, I almost cried. It was a truly amazing story, and most of my friends that read it thoroughly enjoyed it, even though they may not like the city of Cleveland. My one issue is that upon reading it, one of my friends thought it would be appropriate to say something like "Man, NOW I know how you feel!". No, no you don't. Not at all. Just by reading a well-written article about the trials and tribulations of Cleveland sports do think you know how it feels to have been stabbed in the back on live television? To have your shame be made a spectacle of in front of millions of people, under the guise of a charitable fund-raising event? As MTV's diary used to proclaim, "You think you know, but you have no idea"--because you don't.

-Last thing about LeBron. I read somewhere about LeBron "feeling for" Brett Favre going back to Lambeau for the first time, and the story pretty much compared Favre's going back to Lambeau to LeBron's sojourn back to the Q. These two events couldn't be more different. While LeBron's not returning Dan Gilbert's calls is as unprofessional as Favre's leading Green Bay on a wild goose chase as to whether or not he indeed wanted to return, that's about it to me in terms of the similarities. Let's not forget--even though Green Bay had a young QB who was being groomed by Favre to be the next franchise guy and had been given the green light as the starter only to have that job yanked away on multiple occasions, GREEN BAY STILL TRADED FAVRE TO THE JETS! Would the Cavs have ever traded James away? Not up in here!

-The Ohio State Buckeyes Men's Basketball team is for real. They were great last year with Evan Turner at the helm, who is, by the way, following in the other Buckeyes-that-turned-pro's footsteps by sucking (Is Kosta Koufos in the league anymore?). This year's more complete and rounded Buckeye team is downright scary. The Bucks, after having a MONSTER recruiting season, landed many highly coveted assets on the court, highlighted by PF Jared Sullinger. With the addition of DeShaun Thomas, complemented with the talent of sharpshooting Jon Diebler, David Lighty, and the rest of last years team, I think the Buckeyes are a legitimate Final Four lock. Even though I don't see them beating Duke (even if Kyrie Irving's toe injury is bigger than being portrayed right now), don't you dare count out the Buckeyes.

-It must suck for Tampa Bay Rays fans. Sure, you're team made it to the World Series a few seasons ago, and you've had some good times. So when your GM said that you weren't going to pursue bringing everyone back next season, I hope you savored those last few months with guys like Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena. I mean, sure, Pena is going to the Cubs and you're never going to have to see him. But not only did Crawford sign a fat deal with another American League club, he signed with division rival, perennial playoff contender Boston Red Sox. Sucks for you, Rays fans. Oh wait, there are no fans in Tampa except for Dick Vitale (Evan Longoria Baby!). It's a shame, you guys deserved a real fanbase. It's not fair that terrible teams like the Mets have such a huge fanbase (or maybe it's just because there are a lot of New Yorkers so it seems like there are a billion Met fans), and your citizens wouldn't even fill the park to see you clinch a playoff spot. Sorry.

-Seeing these Winter MLB moves makes me even more depressed to be an Indians fan. Every team is making deals except for us, our best player is going to be hauled back to his home country to do a mandatory 2 years of military service before he turns 30 in another year, and I'm sure we're going to trade away our best players other than him for absolutely nothing. At least the Dolans made something of the stadium during the offseason.

-As a Browns fan, I know they suck. Regardless, this season has gotten me so pumped up. Right now, the Browns are 5-7, and with their remaining games being against Buffalo, Cincy, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh, there is a legitimate chance of them finishing 7-9. Insane! Love Colt McCoy. Like Seneca. Don't like Delhomme. Like Haden. Like Ward. Don't really like Brian Daboll or Rob Ryan, but I'd rather see Ryan stay because he totally looks like Zeus. Love Love LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Peyton Hillis. I remember watching him briefly in Denver last year, thinking he was a total beast. I was a little sad that we parted ways with Brady Quinn, but the way that Hillis has played this year has turned my frown upside-down. If we can just get a good receiver, whether it be through free agency or in the draft, I think the Browns will continue to improve.

-Brett Favre said he was going to retire at the end of the season, and now that Brad Childress is out as the head coach of the Vi-Queens, I think he means it. NOT. Favre is going to keep flip-flopping on returning until someone physically removes his arms and/or legs. I know it. You know it. The American people know it Maybe Jen Sterger will do the dismembering. The world will thank you, Jen.

LeBum: Tweets I Wanted to See on LeBron James' Twitter Page:

"Hey man, thanks for taking over the most hated athlete in the world category from me. Now that Elin is gone, and you're idiotic "Decision" are now over, I can now get back to concentrating and maybe win a few majors. Maybe people will stop hating me altogether and channel their anger to you. BTW, where should we go for our birthday retreat this year?"-EldrickTigerWoods

"LeBron James is a turrible player who will never be more than a sidekick to D-Wade. Turrible, just turrible. Almost as turrible as the city of Cleveland. Yo, Dan Gilbert, gimme a call when that casino of yours opens, and cop me a room with some stippers, playa!"-CBark34

"I can't believe you left us! Now who is going to make me look good on the court, so people don't realize that I'm a rich man's Joakim Noah?! I mean come on! Have you compared his nightly boxscore to mine? It's insane!"-WildThingAndy17

"Hey Bronny Bron! It's ya boy, Coach Mike Brown. Listen, I've been thinkin': I'm a terrible coach and after the playoffs this year and last, everybody knows it, so it's not just obvious to you, Mo, Andy, Z, Shaq, and the crew. And since nobody is gonna be hiring ol' Mikey B, maybe you can talk to Spoelstra and Riles, and get me a job with the Miami Heat! Holla atcha boy!"-CoachMikeBrown

"Why are you still alive? Why?! Why won't you return my phonecalls?! Why won't you look at me when we make love? You're thinking about him, aren't you! Just run away to D-Wade...See if I care! Where did I go so wrong?!?! COME BACK TO ME!!!!"-DGilbert

"Daddy, ever since you decided to leave Cleveland, but keep us, you're family, in Northeast Ohio, the kids beat me up every day at school. They say mean things like "Your daddy ruined the Cavs!" and "Your daddy quit in the playoffs!" or "My daddy drinks and hits me because your daddy decided to leave town!". Make them stop!"-LBJ23jr

"Something about My dad, Boston sports teams, Almost Famous, Boogie nights, and SportsGal"-Sportsguy33

"I would've never gone and played on the same team with my friends. I got the job done myself, with a little help from Scottie and D-Rod. Man, Rodman was a freak. I remember this one time he came to my house and robbed us, but the only thing he took was Juanita's wedding dress. What a freak! But back to the topic at hand. If you think you're better than me, you're outcha damn mind."-TheREAL23

"I know you brought Big Z to South Beach. What about Wally?!!?!"-Szczrb
KingJames "I don't care what team you're on- I can't wait to knock you out of the playoffs again."-RealKevinGarnett5

"Yo, Bron. Tell yo mama to give me a call. I haven't heard from her in a couple of days, and if she's with Mo or Andy, Ima go off my meds, get on my bike with my guitar case fulla gats and pay yall a visit. Just kidding. But seriously, tell her to call me. She's got my digits."-DWest13

"Glad I'm no longer the most hated former Cavalier for the way I left!"

-RealBoozer

"I would've left Cleveland too" -JoakimNoah

Wtf?!?! #7 UPDATE!!!!!

In light of recent events, James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers is mulling retirement. Reported here, Harrison doesn't think he can play football if he's going to be fined every time he makes a "legal" tackle.

First of all James, there was NOTHING legal about those two hits that knocked out Cribbs and Massaquoi. Second of all, I would've liked to have seen the fine be a little higher than $75,000 for his hit on Massaquoi, and the WR's agent said it best when he said that a $75k fine was hardly a deterrent, considering that he's made over $20 million in the last three years alone. Third of all, if you don't think that you can make "legal" tackles without going helmet first, or if you don't think that you can make a tackle without giving someone a concussion, then I'd say maybe you shouldn't be playing football.

Cheers and Jeers

Let's get cheery and jeery...

Cheers to the Giants and the Rangers, my World Series picks

Jeers to the New York Giants and New York Rangers

(Also, Jeers to the Yankees, Mets, Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Liberty, and other NY teams)

Cheers to the Cleveland Cavaliers post LBJ

Jeers to the Cavs losing to CSKA Moscow, led by former Cavalier first rounder Trajan Langdon

Cheers to Indians ex-skipper Eric Wedge, who was hired by the Mariners this week

Jeers to the Cleveland Indians for hiring Manny Acta in '09, the losingest coach in the MLB

Cheers to Gilbert Arenas wanting to give a rookie teammate playing time

Jeers to Arenas faking an injury, and then after admitting to it, actually getting injured

Cheers to the Ohio State Buckeyes, #1 or #11, I still love you

Jeers to the Boise State Broncos, "#1 or #1000, I still hate you

Cheers to Sporcle.com's MLB Opening Day Lineup quizzes

Jeers to me not being able to get all 200 of the Cleveland Indians starters since 1991 (I got 185!)

Cheers to former Indians Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia getting some postseason action

Jeers to current Indians who didn't get us anywhere near the playoffs

Cheers to Cody Ross

Jeers to Pablo Sandoval

Cheers to Seneca Wallace and Colt McCoy

Jeers to Jake Delhomme

Cheers to Bobby Cox's legendary managerial career with the Atlanta Braves

Jeers to Bobby Cox's 1995 Atlanta Braves squad that beat the Indians in the World Series

Cheers to Nike Shox (boing!)

Jeers to the NBA for banning these

Cheers to The Browns trading away Brady Quinn for Peyton Hillis

Jeers to The Browns trading away Jerome Harrison for Mike Bell

Cheers to The League, the best sports show on TV right now

Jeers to Two and a Half Men (How are they still making new episodes?!)

Wtf?!?! #7

As a football fan, I love seeing people get hit. I'm not talking about lame tackles that subsequently bring the ball carrier down. I'm talking violent, bone-crushing, smash mouth football. And I know that I'm not the only one. It's exciting. It's part of the game. It's why people watch football. But while we, the fans, are perched high atop the bleachers, one can lose sight of just how dangerous this sport is. Sure, they wear pads and helmets, but that doesn't make it safe. I'm not talking about a player tearing a hamstring while running with the football or a QB hurting his elbow or shoulder while throwing the ball. Some of these hits are downright scary. Sometimes, the person getting tackled isn't the one getting hurt the most. On Saturday, Rutgers DL Eric LeGrand went for a tackle and is now paralyzed from the neck down. Things like this don't usually happen, but when they do occur, it makes you realize just how dangerous this game can be. Sidenote, you should send LeGrand a get well message. I'm sure he'd like it.

Everyone knows that the Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most ferocious defenses in the NFL today. So when the Browns went into Pittsburgh this past Sunday, nobody expected a big offensive day for Cleveland. One man wrecking-crew James Harrison made sure that the Browns offense wouldn't have a big day, by single handedly taking out two key offensive players for the Cleveland Browns. The first hit was on Josh Cribbs on a wildcat play. Cribbs was already being tackled by a Steelers defender when Harrison leveled him, causing him to fumble the ball. Cribbs had control of the ball, and thus no flag was thrown on the play. However, if you think there was no foul on the play, you should get your eyes checked. The Browns star kick-returner was lying on the ground. Harrison said of the hit on Cribbs: "I thought Cribbs was asleep. A hit like that geeks you up, especially when you find out the guy is not really hurt, he's just sleeping. He's knocked out but he's going to be OK." You're right, James-he'll be okay. Maybe in a week or so, when he recovers from his concussion. Let's be honest-hit was brutal, but it was nothing compared to what Mohamed Massaquoi endured from Harrison. Massaquoi was Colt McCoy's intended receiver, and Harrison destroyed him, breaking up the pass. Watch the highlights. Scroll down to the Massaquoi injury video, and listen to how loud that hit is. It's chilling. Harrison's general reaction to the hits are equally disturbing

"If I get fined for that, it's going to be a travesty. They didn't call [a penalty] on that. There's no way I could be fined for that. It was a good, clean legit hit. ... I didn't hit that hard, to be honest with you".

What's my bottom line? The NFL needs to fine James Harrison, and any other player who launches himself, helmet first into any player- big time. Helmet-to-helmet hits are not an essential part of the game. I seriously hope that the NFL starts consistently fining players for these gruesome hits. It's not football. It's brutality.

The LeBracle

This was the front page of the July 9th, 2010 Cleveland Plain Dealer. Gone. 7 years, $62 million dollars. No rings. Nothing else needed to be said. He was really leaving. I was speechless.

There have been so many articles about the Summer of LeBron before and after "The Decision", and frankly, I think everyone is as sick of hearing about it. Nevertheless, I don't really care and I'm going to talk about it anyway. I remember when the Cavs drafted LeBron James out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron. It was the Summer of 2003, and I was enjoying my time at camp. My mom sent me up the newspaper article with LeBron on the front, smiling next to David Stern, wearing a cream colored suit with a matching shirt and tie, and a wine colored Cavaliers hat. My parents also sent me up my first LeBron jersey a few weeks later. From then on, LeBron was my favorite player in the league, and in my mind, he could do no wrong. His enemies on the court were vehemently hated by me, and I would religiously follow all things Cavs. And then it all stopped.

Gone.

Once the Cavaliers exited the playoffs this year, I knew he was gone. I didn't want to admit it, but I just knew it. And frankly, so did he. There is no doubt in my mind that he quit in the playoffs, faked his elbow injury, and took the easy way out of town. To be honest, if he would've just had a press conference after the series and said he was unhappy and leaving Cleveland, would that have pissed off Cleveland fans? You're darn skippy it would've. But Would every basketball fan besides Heat fans despise him almost immediately? No way, Jose. But seriously, LeBron. Who is around you? Maverick Carter and Worldwide Wes are pointing you in the right direction. I'm not trying to be your therapist, but I just don't understand how someone could make such a stupid decision. People are saying, "Well, he didn't go to college", to which I say that defense is a load of you know what. Going on national television to destroy the future of the team you played for for the past seven years? Shielding yourself with your own group of interviewers, the interview questions, and hiding behind the boys and girls club of Greenwich, CT? Grow a pair. Don't tell me "I wanted to raise money from the commercials to donate to the organization". Cut them a check- I mean, I know you're taking a pay cut from Miami to play there, but I'm not exactly going to start walking around Akron collection tzedakah for you. I just don't understand how LeBron James could think that he could walk away from "The Decision" not looking like a villain. If I were living in my own world where everyone tells me I'm a god and I do whatever I want and I don't care about anyone but myself, I could see that being scenario. But I just can't believe that someone would be so narcissistic, to just not talk to the man who signed his paychecks between the time he quit in the playoffs and when he signed with Miami. That's disgusting. It's just plain wrong. Reading the recent issue of GQ with an interview with Prince James, I was even more nauseated.

Last year, I did a research project about LeBron James in comparison to Michael Jordan, and who was a better player. Ultimately, I concluded that LeBron fell short of Michael Jordan. And you know what, I always will come to that conclusion. Michael Jordan was/is a fierce competitor. He was willing to listen to coaches in order to become a better player. LeBron James is a coward, who just wants people to think that he's a good player. LeBron wants a championship ring. Michael wanted to be the best. And he was. He will always be, until we dub someone the next Michael Jordan, just as we did LeBron James. Man up, LeBron. You may a great basketball player, but you're not a good person. And I know that you'll never ever in a million years find this blog and read this about you, and I'm hoping you don't because I know that you said that you're taking mental notes of all the people taking swipes at you. But when you get off the planet that you're on, the one where you refer to yourself publicly in the third person and turn your back on the team that brought you into the league, I hope someday, you look back and realize that you made a huge mistake in the way you went about things. I don't care when it is. You're entitled to leave the team, that's not what bothers me. What bothers me is that you just don't care. And it irks me even more because I really want Zydrunas Ilgauskas to win a championship ring this year, and the catch 22 that I'm caught in is that you'd have to win one too, which is a scenario that I hope never materializes for you.

I have December 2nd flagged on my iCal, and that's the day that LeBron comes back to Quicken Loans Arena. This time, he'll be in the visitor's locker room. I'm scared for what's going to happen. I was at the Indians game where a fan was escorted out while just wearing a James Hear #6 jersey! I can only imagine what carnage is going to unfold at the Q that night. I'm trying to convince myself that I'm not going to care. But I will. Everyone will. I guess the only good thing that came out of this is that every basketball fan hates you. So thank you LeBron James- It is because of you, that the NBA has been forever tainted

And to think that I never thought that I'd be able to hate anyone in the NBA MORE than I hated Carlos Boozer...

Back and Better Than Ever

What's up internet world? It's been a long time, and it feels good to be back. It's been a pretty eventful summer in the sports world, so I'm gonna dive right in to a mega cheers and jeers post, summer style.

Cheers to Preseason Football!

Jeers to----Tie between Colt McCoy getting injured in the first preseason game and Me still being a Browns fan.

After what can only be described as a yet another abysmal summer as a Cleveland sports fan, I always tell myself "There's always next year...". Well, for the Browns, next year is starting now. After a slew of good offseason moves, and a few puzzling ones, preseason football has started, and I know it's only preseason, but I'm excited. You can't read anything into the games, but the Browns looked pretty good in their win over the Packers last weekend (even with the McCoy injury). We have some momentum going into the season, after winning the last four games of last season, and starting off the preseason strong. I mean, with the Bengals getting better, the Ravens getting significantly better, and the Steelers still in our division, we'll still be at the bottom of the AFC North. Regardless, I'm still excited.

Cheers to the Cleveland Indians' farm teams

Jeers to Ryan Kalish destroying the remainder of Carlos Santana's rookie season

The Cleveland Indians farm teams have been good for a while, and I guess the silver lining of the Dolan family not wanting to pay any money for players is that we get an opportunity to see our coveted prospects make it up to the show. Players like Jason Donald, Lou Marson, Carlos Santana, Josh Tomlin, JeanMar Gomez, Michael Brantley, and others have had the chance to play for the Indians this year, due to injuries and trades. Additionally, players like Andy Marte, Matt LaPorta, and Chris Gimenez continue to develop nicely. In my mind, the best players from the young crop have been Santana, Tomlin, and Gomez. Gomez and Tomlin were solid in their starts so far, both with ERAs under 3 (Tomlin 2.96, Gomez 1.84, as of today). Unfortunately, we won't get to see what else Santana can do this season, after a gruesome collision at the plate with Ryan Kalish. Amazingly, Santana held onto the ball, getting the out. He had surgery, and is out until the spring.

Cheers to Jim Thome

Jeers to Alex Rodriguez

Just a week shy of his 40th birthday, Jim Thome is still the man. I really wish we still had him on the Tribe, and I pray that he's not on steroids. Speaking of steroids, A-Ro(i)d hit homerun number 600*. Only he knows how many more he really needs to hit.

Cheers to Delonte West

Jeers to Delonte West

The hilariously unspeakable things which Delonte West may or may not have done to LeBron James' mama are both cheers-worthy and jeers-worthy at the same time.

Cheers to most of Dan Gilbert's open letter to LeBron James

Jeers to a few sentences of said letter

As a spurned Cleveland Cavaliers fan, I was ecstatic to know that our owner let LeBron James know how he felt. I was at a bar with my girlfriend, and at about 9:28 PM, I told her bluntly "We're leaving-NOW". But seriously, come on Dan. I know that you're upset- we all are, and maybe you deserved to say what you want after all, because you do sign the checks. But don't sound like an idiot. Do you really think that we have a shot at winning a championship before LeBron does with the current team? You've got to be kidding me. When our big offseason moves include getting Ramon Sessions and one of the Graham brothers, don't be surprised when Marv Albert isn't calling our games come late May/early June. In fact, don't get your hopes up for a playoff appearance for at least another few years. This team needs to be gutted completely, and you need to bring in the right people to advise you. Not Chris Grant. Not Byron Scott. I don't know who it is, but I know it's not those two individuals.

Cheers to the Indians trading away Jhonny Peralta, Jake Westbrook, and Kerry Wood.

Jeers to the Indians trading away Austin Kearns

For the last few years, I, along with every other Indians fan, has wanted nothing more that to get rid of Jhonny Peralta. As one of the "higher" paid players on our team, ol' Ja-Honny was not living up to his "lofty" contractual expectations. So when I heard that we traded him to the injury-plagued Detroit Tigers for Giovanni Soto, I was ecstatic and puzzled. Ecstatic that we traded him away, and puzzled for two reasons. Firstly, I couldn't believe that someone would want to take him. Secondly, since when was Giovanni Soto from the Chicago Cubs on the Tigers? Unfortunately for me, the prospect we received was Class A starter Giovanni Soto, very much not affiliated with the Cubs organization, and in his debut, Peralta hit two homeruns and a double. Great. Losing Kerry Wood and Jake Westbrook didn't bother me so much. They were the second and third highest paid players on the team, the first being Travis Hafner (PROOOOOOOOOOOOOONK!!!!!!), and to be brutally honest, they suck. Westbrook eats up innings but isn't the best pitcher out there. Wood can't stay healthy. That's about it. Dealing Kearns, on the other hand, was a terrible move. He was arguably the second best player on the team, making almost nothing, and we didn't even get anything back for him! I just don't understand it, and I probably never will

Cheers to National League teams that are in a hunt to make the playoff that aren't usually so good

Jeers to the fake fans of the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox

It's always great to see teams play well that never usually do, in any sport. The National League this year is crazy, with the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres playing extremely good baseball. The Reds division usually goes to the Cardinals, and often times, it's a race to make the Wild Card between Cincinnati, Chicago, or Milwaukee. But right now, the Reds are up 2 games on the Cards, and are really getting it done. The Braves are lucky that the Phils are behind them, even after they got Roy Oswalt. The biggest story is the way that the Padres have been playing. They're running away with their division, and they got immense help at the trade deadline. They snagged Miguel Tejada from the Orioles, and even more awesome, they got Ryan Ludwick from the Cardinals. That's something I don't understand even more than trading away Austin Kearns. Why would you trade away Ludwick for nothing? He won the game the night before for the Cardinals, and the next day they shipped him off for nothing. Wouldn't you want a guy like Ludwick if you're trying to fend off Joey Votto and the Reds? Come on STL! (Speaking of Joey Votto, HOW DID HE NOT MAKE THE BALLOT ON THE ALL-STAR TEAM?!?! I mean he eventually got on, but he's probably going to win the NL MVP and you don't even put him on the team? Jeers to you National League, and anyone involved in that travesty).