I was hoping it would be the Cleveland Indians and not the Cleveland Cavaliers that ended the title drought in that city.
That was not meant to be but the Indians, winners of 6 straight games amidst the Cavs’ hysteria have built a little bit of a lead, (3 games), in the A.L. Central.
It was the Indians and not the Cavaliers nor old Browns (certainly not the new Browns), who came closest to a Cleveland major sports’ league title during the nearly 52 years the city was without one.
They led the Florida Marlins (2-0) in the 7th inning of game 7 of the 1997 World Series and more relevant, (2-1) going to the bottom of the 9th inning.
However the Marlins rallied to tie the game in the 9th inning and won it on Edgar Renteria’s hit in the 11th inning.
Today in Cleveland, a celebration in the form of a parade will take place honoring the 2016 NBA champion, Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs won the first sports title for a Cleveland team since the old Cleveland Browns won the NFL crown on December 27, 1964.
I am not a fan of the current Cavs, but I adored those Browns.
A member of that title team, the late Gene Hickerson, a brilliant offensive lineman, finally put into the NFL Hall of Fame some years back was a white man, at best “not around” black people.
Yet and it was different in 1964, of course a landmark year for long needed civil rights legislation but the sight of Mr. Hickerson being wheeled on the Hall of Fame stage by three great and Hall of Fame running backs, who happen to be black was and is a cherished significant moment for me.
The backs are Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly and Bobby Mitchell, who also played for the Washington Redskins and was the first black player there when he arrived in 1962,.
Hickerson and others blocked, the backs ran, the black players on the team were ahead of their time and at 9 years old, admittedly unaware but to my parents’ credit never one to judge by race, religion nor ethnicity, it was the game, the win and so much better times.
The great offensive guard, Gene Hickerson pictured above.
As stated when the Texas Rangers swept all three games from the St.Louis Cardinals last weekend, the New York Mets taking both games from the current World champion Kansas City Royals is exponentially less important than when each recent series winner lost a World Series to the same opponent.
Last season the Royals 5’d the Mets in the World Series.
Though this year’s 2 game win and (3-1) edge for the Mets is nothing compared to the 2015 World Series loss, it keeps the Mets are so lucky to be where they are theme going.
The team has played very disappointing baseball yet sits but 4 games behind the Washington Nationals, a team on a 4 game losing streak, in the N.L. East
Yesterday marked the exact 28 year anniversary of the Los Angeles Lakers repeating as NBA champions, the first NBA team to do so in 19 years.
They won vs a Detroit Pistons team, led by Isiah Thomas.
I was rooting hard for the Lakers, but knew how great the Pistons played.
Being fortunate enough to be in the Lakers’ locker room after the game, I saw Isiah, who had been injured during his brilliant effort in game 6, 2 days earlier, limp toward the runway accompanied by Chuck Nevitt whose 7 foot 5 inch frame was not one, conducive to easy walking.
Incredibly moved by what I saw, Mr. Thomas was told by me in no uncertain terms, how great he had played and that next year would end with his Detroit Pistons’ team winning the title.
About a year later at the same venue, though now the corporate named Forum, Isiah and the Pistons had the title in a 4 game sweep.
A truly great player, Isiah Thomas pictured above.
One thing is for sure had the great Joe Tait, for so long the voice of the team and until LeBron James, easily the most popular figure in team history, still been broadcasting Cavaliers’ games, the title clincher would have been greatly enhanced.
I will include a link to an article about Joe’s reaction to the Cavs’ title written by the fine writer, Terry Pluto in “The Cleveland Plain Dealer.”
No matter whether the Cavs were good or bad, I tuned into Tait’s broadcasts because he was a sensational, on the play, give the score and time, no bull, no analyst broadcaster.
He told me I had basketball play by play talent. No finer praise.
It is eery that when Michael Kay saw the letter of recommendation, Joe wrote, he said “that’s quite a letter from Joe Tait.”
Sour grapes for sure, but at my worst I can call a game far better than Kay (thank goodness he has only attempted baseball and to his credit, at least commercially succeeded) and most NBA radio play by play guys.
What is sad is not that I am not a broadcaster, but that when I tune in, there is such a paucity, if any good radio play by play announcers today.
The great announcer and man, Joe Tait pictured above.
There is a book about and/or by/with Joe Pepitone titled “Joe You Coulda Made Us Proud.” Mr. Pepitone did display his fine talent in the big leagues.
I say regarding me– Joe (Tait) “I could have made you proud of me.” Alas you know about “what might have been” and where it ranks among sad phrases in the English language.
However, the pleasure of hearing your broadcasts and the gracious way you always had time to talk and your praise are never to be forgotten treasures. I hope you and your wife get well soon.
Click below for Terry Pluto’s article about Joe Tait’s reaction to the Cavs’ title.
I interrupt all the statistics/coincidences in and around the recently completed playoffs, to recommend following a battle of WNBA unbeaten teams this afternoon.
The (12-0) defending league champion, Minnesota Lynx are visiting Los Angeles to face the (11-0) Sparks in not only a fine regular season game but one to be played on the 20th anniversary of the first WNBA game.
Starting time is 12:30 Los Angeles or Pacific Time. While this tilt can not match the excitement I felt for a similar starting time for NBA Finals game 6 exactly 28 years before the prime time in the East, #7 finals start last Sunday, this game to be shown on NBA TV is worth watching and certainly following.
Continuing with some notes on the victories 7 years apart by the current champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Cleveland Cavaliers that ended a span of 38 years without a road team winning the winner take all game in the NHL and NBA.
When the Penguins, who coincidentally are this year’s NHL champions as well, defeated the Detroit Red Wings on the road in game 7 of the 2009 NHL Finals, it not only ended the aforementioned 38 year span without a road 7th game/finals win, but avenged a defeat to Detroit in the 2008 Finals.
That of course is the case with this year’s NBA Finals.
Not only was the Cavaliers’ road 7th game/finals win the first in the NBA in 38 years, but it also avenged a six game defeat at the hands of Golden State last year/season.
Before last night’s road title win by the Cleveland Cavaliers, vs the Golden State Warriors, it had been 38 years since a road team prevailed in the 7th and deciding game of the NBA Finals.
The Washington Bullets were the last team to do so, winning at Seattle, vs the SuperSonics in 1978.
When the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Detroit Red Wings at Detroit in the 7th and deciding game of the 2009 NHL Finals, it was also the first time in 38 years that a road team prevailed in a winner take all/7th game of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals.
In 1971, the great Henri Richard scored twice as the Montreal Canadiens won at Chicago vs the Blackhawks to claim the big prize in Montreal immortal Jean Beliveau’s last game.
Henri Richard, pictured above.
All 4 major North american sports league titles were secured by game underdog teams winning on Sundays in 205-2016. Three did so on the road.
Of course, the Super Bowl at a neutral site, was played on a Sunday, with underdog Denver (Broncos) beating the Carolina Panthers.
The other three titles, none of which of course had to be clinched on a Sunday were, all by road underdogs, in an increasing number of games.
The K.C. Royals, who coincidentally are returning for a series at the Mets, starting tomorrow, won at the Mets’ corporate named field to title in 5 games, in last year’s World Series.
Last Sunday, the Pittsburgh Penguins were underdogs in their game 6 win at San Jose (Sharks), that clinched their 4th Stanley Cup, all won on the road.
Now the Cavaliers win as underdogs on the road in game 7, among other things kept the Warriors from clinching a “Bay Area” NBA title at home for the first time. Their 2 such titles were clinched on the road.
Cartoon character, “Underdog” pictured above.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, in their 46th season, won their first NBA Title beating the Golden State Warriors (93-89) in game 7 of the NBA finals in Oakland.
It also is the first sports title for the city of Cleveland since Dr. Frank Ryan threw 3 touchdown passes to Gary Collins, in the old Browns’ home victory vs the Baltimore Colts in the 1964 NFL Championship game.
LeBron James was named the Finals Series MVP and scored 27 points in game 7.
Meanwhile Kyrie Irving was the star of the decisive tilt, scoring 26 points, including a/the all important “3” point shot that gave Cleveland the lead to stay, breaking a tie with 53 seconds left to play.
Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue did a great job after replacing David Blatt as the head coach. Both the Cavaliers and Pittsburgh Penguins (with Mike Sullivan) “titled” this season under coaches, that were brought in during the season.
Andy B Sports 