How would Pittsburgh react? How far do we go in putting all of our civic eggs into the baskets of athletic superstars? As I watched the local news here in Cleveland, they were showing the removal of a giant mural of Lebron James from a downtown building. I looked at my wife and said that we must never again put a pro jock in a position where his decisions determine the future of a city. Any thoughts?
<p>I feel for Cleveland, birddog. However, James owed nothing to the franchise, had every right to leave, and free agency is part of the professional sports landscape. As for any civic eggs that were in the Lebron basket, that's on the town fathers. That said, THE WAY he went about it is a really poor reflection on him as a person and a poor reflection on the people around him who help him make decisions. Cleveland is a good city (highly underrated) with a lot of hidden gems, much like Pittsburgh. Life will go on. </p> <p>His one hour extravaganza got huge ratings, but it was a total farce. ESPN was shameful and nobody asked the guy real tough questions. Thay asked about the Cavs fans, but they didn't ask what kind of a dumb ass leaves a team that had the best regular season record in order to go where he thinks he has a better chance to win. That on its face, makes no sense, even with Wade and Bosh. Miami has literally no other players. they are further from a title than the Cavs with Lebron. They got ratings, but what Lebron's peeps weren't smart enough to figure out is that ratings do not equal a love-fest. ESPN doesn't care if you love the guy or hate him, just so you watch. More people see him in a negative light now than before watching. The whole thing was a bad PR move. Listen to the reaction when he announces he is going to "South Beach." There is no applause, no cheer, just an audible groan of sorts. Not the reaction he and his guys thought they would get. He also came across as strangely nervous and not truly at ease or happy. I thought it was somewheat bizarre. He should have signed with the team of his choice quietly, and been done with it. </p> <p>Pittsburgh fans would reel for a bit if Sid or Malkin were to leave, but the Cleveland-Lebron phenomenon was like nothing I had ever seen before, since he was basically a home-town kid. That's what made the way he announced he was leaving so strange and seemingly heartless. I also think hockey superstars generally are much momre grounded than basketball stars and Crosby may be the most level-headed of all. If he would leave, he would do so with better tact and professionalism.</p>
Birddog, Idol worship is a dangerous thing. Cleveland should use Pittsburgh as an example by the scorn and disgust shown by the city toward Ben Rothlisberger, that famous Ohioan. In any case, Cleveland's fall back position should be to claim ownership of Thomas Edison and Philip Johnson , the famous architect. For those who prefer TV types, the depth chart looks slim with only Hal Holbrook and Drew Carey to embrace. But why despair? Nobody else has Dennis Kucinich and his Amazon wife.
IKANT, There is too much going on here to be despondent. Last Friday evening, my wife and I had dinner with my brother and his wife on the far west side. On our way back, we went down the main drag through downtown, Euclid Avenue. As we passed the House of Blues, with all kinds of people waiting to get in, we came to East 4th, one of the dining meccas in town. The less than a quarter mile street--now closed to traffic--was wall-to-wall al fresco dining. We went past Cleveland Clinic, then University Circle--much like Oakland with Case Western Reserve University and museums--then took ten minutes to go a quarter mile through "Little Italy," which had all kinds of people dining inside wrought iron railings along the sidewalk accompanied by various speakers putting out Sinatra and Dean Martin style music. I looked at my wife and said, "Remember--there is nothing to do in Cleveland."
As for idol worship, it breeds arrogance on the part of some athletes, Big Ben being one of them.
<p>Actually, another big blow just occurred to the city of Cleveland: Harvey Pekar, the legendary author of the (usually) autobiographical comic book "American Splendor", just passed away at the age of 70.</p> <p>If you've never read "Splendor", I'd urge you to at least rent the movie by the same name. You'll soon understand that Mr. Pekar's stories were fascinating stuff, and never quite what you'd expect of his chosen medium. He concentrated on the true stories of real people, usually himself and his family. He could be brutally honest, even irascible. And fortunately, he always left the work of illustration to talented professionals (most notably R. Crumb).</p> <p>Culturally, this is a bigger loss in my opinion.</p> <p>It would have been very interesting and refreshing to hear Harvey's take on LeBron's flight. Alas, it was not to be..</p> <p> </p>
Just to clarify,Mr Pekar's passing was due to natural causes and not brought on by LaBron's abandonment of his home,family ,friends and fans. Hang on Cleveland! This too will pass. Birddog,what Cleveland needs is a distraction and the Indians certainly aren't the answer. Perhaps a musical event focusing on the accomplishments of David Lee Roth would energize those who are despondent over King James's migration South. I'll have you know, that I spent a portion of my childhood summers ,farmed out to relatives in Maple Heights. There were many fine mornings spent fishing for sheephead in the pristine waters of Lake Erie.I sometimes wax nostalgic for all things Cleveland.
<p>As long as we're talking about Cleveland, If there is really something for Clevelanders to shed a tear over it's this: </p> <p>In 1796 the Connecticut Land Company set out its Western Reserve into townships and called the capital city after one General Moses Cleaveland, their boss, who supervised the design of the downtown area, or something like that.</p> <p>It was the the only time Cleaveland spent there. After he was finished he left, never again to return to Ohio.</p> <p>But in spite of the fact that Moses was from Connecticut and gave the town and eventual State of Ohio short shrift, The Great Lakes Brewing Company named a beer after him called <em>The Holy Moses White Ale</em>, and he merited a statue in the old Town Square he designed. The statue makes a cameo appearance in the film<em> Major League</em>. Here he is in bronze, silver and pen and ink (courtesy of Wikipedia)... Apparently he also managed to part the water of Lake Erie, as the Holy Moses label implies.</p> <p>ANd that's more than Satchel Paige, Bobby Feller, Lou Boudreau, and all the Indians ever got.</p> <p><img class="" width="150" height="200" alt="" src="/uploads/200px-Moses_Cleaveland.jpg" /><img class="" width="150" height="146" alt="" src="/uploads/200px-Cleveland_centennial_half_dollar_commemorative_obverse.jpg" /><img class="" width="150" height="160" alt="" src="/uploads/220px-General_Moses_Cleaveland.jpg" /></p> <p><img class="" width="400" height="300" alt="" src="/uploads/beerlabels_com-02991.jpg" /></p> <p> </p> <p> </p>
spellbinder, I prefer Dortmunder Gold from Great Lakes or, in season, Conway's Irish Ale. As for Major League, I've watched it so many times I have parts memorized. After Mass last Sunday, July 4, a guy I know from working for the Indians for four years said "Gee, you're wearing your Jesus shoes." (sandals) I looked at the pastor and said, "Name this move." I then proceeded to proclaim "Ah, hay-SOOS. I like him very much, but he no help with curve ball." The pastor, Fr. McGonegal, took on a stern look and asked "Are you sayin' Jesus Christ can't hit a curve ball?" And to think Pedro Cerrano, that player, now does Allstate commercials.
IKANT, I am an eternal optimist and still hold my Tribe 20-game package. If Wimmer and his guys could hang in in the 1840's, so can I.