As we all know, Cleveland's worst enemy at times are it's people.  Some people, though not a majority, have this constant negativity to anything positive momentum this city gets.  Cleveland.bomb.  A city of losers in a loser city kind of deal.  I've heard at least a couple times from college friends that they expected a lot worse from the city for how many bad things they heard from people from the area.

 

So is it possible that a championship team in Cleveland (not naming names, I'm pretty superstitious) could turn this attitude around?  It's something I've thought about for a while now, and I think it seems logical.  This city is crazy for a championship.  We all know it's been 45 years and counting.  Cleveland has to have some of the best fans on the map, not only for the "King of the Town" Cleveland Browns, but the Tribe and Cavs get tons of love, too.

 

I think a championship could do this sports town a bunch of good, but not for anything all that tangible. It's the intangible aspect that could be most affected.  This self-loathing, "we always lose" mentality would have no backing all of a sudden.  The cynics could no longer talk about curses or all-stars leaving, etc, etc.  Maybe that winning in sports, one of Clevelanders' biggest passions, could translate in winning in other endeavors.  It may sound crazy, but I think it has some merit and really want to know what anyone else thinks about it.

I don't think it's crazy.  People keep track of championships for a reason.  Would gateway have worked out nearly as well if the Indians never got good during the 90s?  I doubt it.

If the Cavs were to win the title this year, Cleveland would burn to the ground in celebration.

I've often wondered about the logistics of having a victory parade on Euclid.  Wouldn't the BRT apparatus get in the way?  I guess it would have to be on Superior, like St. Patty's Day.

I think it definitely has some merit.

 

I think a lot of people see Cleveland as in the crapper. I think that if Cleveland were to win a championship, it would definitely put a very public face on Cleveland's ability to triumph in a big way. I'm not sure how long it would last, or what the extended effects of such a win would be, but it would be really cool, regardless.

I've often wondered about the logistics of having a victory parade on Euclid.  Wouldn't the BRT apparatus get in the way?  I guess it would have to be on Superior, like St. Patty's Day.

 

No, it would have to be "straight down Euclid".  The BRTs could be used as floats.  Maybe a huge papier mache of Lebron "throwing the hammer down" on Kobe.

I definately think it would help.  The city clearly picks up when teams make deep playoff runs; I can't imagine what it would be like if a team actually won it all.  The city would feel like it won something when it's never won anything before.  I'm not sure how you measure that, but it would definately help in the short term (i.e., next season or two)...not sure how long it would last though.

A championship will be very nice, but it's a high that's superficial and it doesn't last. Now, if we had a couple of other big economic wins within perhaps six months after a championship, then the high would be more meaningful.

I've actually subscribed to this theory for some time.  There is no silver bullet to this town... But winning a championship would affect the attitude of many people in this town, and stop some of the ridiculous self loathing. 

A championship will be very nice, but it's a high that's superficial and it doesn't last. Now, if we had a couple of other big economic wins within perhaps six months after a championship, then the high would be more meaningful.

 

I disagree.  On paper, you're right.  However, people care about their sports teams like it's a part of themselves.  It's pretty crazy, but it's true.

 

I remember when the Cavs beat the Piston in game 6.  I was on top of my buddy's apt on E.4th and just watched the happiest Clevelanders I have ever seen come flying out of the Q.  Black, white, latino, asian, etc were embracing, jumping up and down, and being absolutely nuts.  It was easily the coolest vibration I have ever felt in this city. 

 

Now I am going to contrast that with the Indians loss to the Red Sox in '07.  I went to game 5 (Tribe was up 3-1 in the series) and watched helplessly as CC blew it.  You would've thought we all just saw our own dogs get tortured, mutilated, and eventually killed.  We knew it was over and, sure enough, the Sox took care of business.  I honestly felt numb until....still do. 

 

 

A championship will be very nice, but it's a high that's superficial and it doesn't last. Now, if we had a couple of other big economic wins within perhaps six months after a championship, then the high would be more meaningful.

 

I disagree. On paper, you're right. However, people care about their sports teams like it's a part of themselves. It's pretty crazy, but it's true.

 

I remember when the Cavs beat the Piston in game 6. I was on top of my buddy's apt on E.4th and just watched the happiest Clevelanders I have ever seen come flying out of the Q. Black, white, latino, asian, etc were embracing, jumping up and down, and being absolutely nuts. It was easily the coolest vibration I have ever felt in this city.

 

Now I am going to contrast that with the Indians loss to the Red Sox in '07. I went to game 5 (Tribe was up 3-1 in the series) and watched helplessly as CC blew it. You would've thought we all just saw our own dogs get tortured, mutilated, and eventually killed. We knew it was over and, sure enough, the Sox took care of business. I honestly felt numb until....still do.

 

 

 

Wow.. I was at both of those two events and remember it exactly the same.

Definitely, a championship is (and very well should be) a lasting memory for many people, and just gives them a great memory and slightly more positive vibe about being downtown.  It may not be a huge difference, but it's something.

I've been numbed by the Browns' AFC Championship defeats in the 1980s to not care so much any more. I was in love with the Browns in the 1980s. But like a lover scorned too many times, I refuse to put my emotions into a sports team again. So I'm probably not the best person to give an objective appraisal here. It just won't affect me.

Detroit has won 2 NBA championships and a Stanley Cup recently, hasn't seemed to help them much.

One championship in my lifetime, and I had to listen to it on the radio.  The 64 Championship game wasn't televised in Cleveland.

It would be be huge. What has Cleveland had to rally around? It would give the region something positive to feel good about. Not much has gone our way over the last 44 years. I think this really plays into the region's psyche.

burn this thread to the ground --- this is a freakin jinx thread!  :wink:

good point, it can't be good for anybody!

 

It would be huge.  People who are 45 years old dont know what its like to be a winner.  People could puff their chest out in this town and say they are proud of this city...and Lebron would do the same thing, because he is staying.  The fact alone that Lebron is probably going to stay here will probably change the perception of the city "well if the secnod biggest athelete in sports is going to live there, it cant be so bad". 

 

Second, in particular if the cavs win...Dan Gilbert is going to have a HUGE bandwagon, and people will associatehim with success, thus making a casino much more attractive.  Dan Gilbert should be mayor of this city in my opinion. 

 

Sports can have a big influence in this town, as long as the crime gets cleaned up its got a very bright future in my opinion

I've been numbed by the Browns' AFC Championship defeats in the 1980s to not care so much any more. I was in love with the Browns in the 1980s. But like a lover scorned too many times, I refuse to put my emotions into a sports team again. So I'm probably not the best person to give an objective appraisal here. It just won't affect me.

 

AMEN!  I'm with you KJP. 

 

I look at my nephew and niece and they are like us in the 80's.  My niece cried for days after the indians breakdown and my nephew was physically shaken up after the NBA championship sweep.  I knew all to well how they felt.

Its just sports guys.  Just a game.  Like any other relationship, there are possibilities of disappointment.  You can't stop living because you can't risk the emotional disappointment.  Enjoy it and whatever happens, happens.  Its not like you have any control over it.  Consider Boston or the White Sox.  Look how long it took them, and they are still miserable!

 

 

I will be emotionally wrapped up in any team here. Sure, I will be disappointed, but thats a part of sports.  Some day in my lifetime, it will happen and i think the fllodgates will open.

It'd be like hitting yourself in the face with a hammer, non-stop since the mid 60s, and then one day you can finally quit.

Detroit has won 2 NBA championships and a Stanley Cup recently, hasn't seemed to help them much.

 

Huge difference is that the Tigers won the WS in the 80's (I think) and the Pistons won back to back in the late 80's/early 90's.  Their drought doesn't compare.  Furthermore, the Red Wings have won tons of championships.  Thus, the impact of a championship is not as huge.  Plus, I don't think the people identify as much with their teams (obviously my bias).

^ I agree.  They havent endured the heartbreak and had victory snagged from them in the most unrealistic ways for the last 45 years.  The starvation here eclipses any city, hands down.  IF we win in June, I expect the city to shut down the day after.

 

 

Its just sports guys. Just a game. Like any other relationship, there are possibilities of disappointment. You can't stop living because you can't risk the emotional disappointment. Enjoy it and whatever happens, happens. Its not like you have any control over it. Consider Boston or the White Sox. Look how long it took them, and they are still miserable!

 

Exactly.  I get very excited when the Cavs/Browns/Indians win, and upset when they lose.  But I'm back to normal after about 15 minutes.  I think a winning team generates interest and excitement in the town and going to games, but I can't imagine being that upset when a team isn't winning.  If they're bad, I'm just a little less hyped about watching the games.  I still enjoy watching them, though.

Well one HUGE difference w/ the White and Red Sox is that other teams in those respective cities (mostly the NBA teams) have given the fans many titles!

This is ridiculous and nothing more than penis envy!

 

A championship doesn't change the psyche of the city!

 

The PEOPLE of the city and region change that.

 

'nuff said!  Period!

Yeah but there is something to be said about be a laughing stock.  For all the national media morons that rip our city to shreds..this is an area they cant poke fun...as we are the best.  Its a good feeling

yes, but changing the psyche of the "people" who currently think / believe that everything about the city sucks, can change the attitude of the people, and give them a sense of pride about their city, which can help change the city.

Yeah but there is something to be said about be a laughing stock.  For all the national media morons that rip our city to shreds..this is an area they cant poke fun...as we are the best.  Its a good feeling

 

And by starting this thread you've bought into that perception that we are a laughing stock.

 

[*]Who exactly is laughing at Cleveland/NE Ohio?

[*]What is the realtion of our "hate" vs other cities?

 

And by starting this thread you've bought into that perception that we are a laughing stock.

[*]Who exactly is laughing at Cleveland/NE Ohio?

[*]What is the realtion of our "hate" vs other cities?

 

Don't get me wrong for my reason of starting this thread.  I love Cleveland.  I've turned down other job offers to leave Cleveland to come back to Cleveland after I graduate.  Gotta practice what you preach.  But you would have to be naive to not see the city as others see the city.  I think it has the arts/entertainment/dining/waterfront to rival any other mid-sized city, but for whatever reason, I've seen, from being in college for four years and hearing what people say about it, that it doesn't.  We're all in agreement that we want to change perceptions, and I was just exploring options outside of the normal ones to do so.

 

And by starting this thread you've bought into that perception that we are a laughing stock.

 

[*]Who exactly is laughing at Cleveland/NE Ohio?

[*]What is the realtion of our "hate" vs other cities?

 

Don't get me wrong for my reason of starting this thread.  I love Cleveland.  I've turned down other job offers to leave Cleveland to come back to Cleveland after I graduate.  Gotta practice what you preach.  But you would have to be naive to not see the city as others see the city.  I think it has the arts/entertainment/dining/waterfront (working on that) to rival any other mid-sized city, but for whatever reason, I've seen, from being in college for four years and hearing what people say about it, that it doesn't.  We're all in agreement that we want to change perceptions, and I was just exploring options outside of the normal ones to do so.

 

I've lived here for 43 years!  Everyone sees/views the city different.

Well, a championship would definitely help.  I feel like the media too often compares us with Detroit, which is inaccurate and unfair.  But we have so many "pathetic points" that it still seems rational to them to equate the two.  Winning a sports title, like Detroit seems to be able to do, may actually help us separate from them in the national perception.  It might allow us to be judged for what we are instead of what we're not.

Well, a championship would definitely help.  I feel like the media too often compares us with Detroit, which is inaccurate and unfair.  But we have so many "pathetic points" that it still seems rational to them to equate the two.  Winning a sports title, like Detroit seems to be able to do, may actually help us separate from them in the national perception.  It might allow us to be judged for what we are instead of what we're not.

And until we have a progress media / publicity plan we'll continued to be lumped where the media "thinks" we should be not were the city states we are!

Trust me, I dont think this city is bad at all.  Its the Forbes top 10's...the jokes, people like Charles Barkely calling it mistake on the lake....and Charles isnt the only one.  They base Cleveland on the sooty past and continue to just have a field day with this city.  They dont know anything about it.  They dont know the quality of people, the rich history, the dining.  The city is great, but the east coast bias wants to rip midwest cities so more people move to NY, Boston, DC.  They want to flick us and Detroit off the map like a piece of lint.  Too bad, we are going to win a championship, and Lebron is going to stay here.  As long as Lebron is here the city will always have something big to brag about.

They base Cleveland on the sooty past and continue to just have a field day with this city.

 

Depending on where along the "sooty past" timeline we're talking about, I would gladly take us back to that point.

our long-term past is amazing..best location in the nation.  Sooty=fall of manufacturing and the whole river thing.  Im not buying it...Cleveland has come a long way since then.  I think we have a decent 10 year plan if we have the leadership to implement it, and we will be looking great.

Too bad, we are going to win a championship, and Lebron is going to stay here.

 

God, I hope so.  Could you imagine this city then?  I was at Game 6 against Detroit too, and I've never felt a better atmosphere then then.  I envision throwing two pitchers in the air simultaneously at Harry Buffalo's as Lebron heaves the ball into Loudville and the curtain drops on Kobe and Lakers.

Trust me, I dont think this city is bad at all. Its the Forbes top 10's...the jokes, people like Charles Barkely calling it mistake on the lake....and Charles isnt the only one. They base Cleveland on the sooty past and continue to just have a field day with this city. They dont know anything about it. They dont know the quality of people, the rich history, the dining. The city is great, but the east coast bias wants to rip midwest cities so more people move to NY, Boston, DC. They want to flick us and Detroit off the map like a piece of lint. Too bad, we are going to win a championship, and Lebron is going to stay here. As long as Lebron is here the city will always have something big to brag about.

 

Yeah, Charles Barkley can kiss our collective a$$es for that comment on TNT a couple weeks ago.

Too bad, we are going to win a championship, and Lebron is going to stay here.

 

God, I hope so. Could you imagine this city then? I was at Game 6 against Detroit too, and I've never felt a better atmosphere then then. I envision throwing two pitchers in the air simultaneously at Harry Buffalo's as Lebron heaves the ball into Loudville and the curtain drops on Kobe and Lakers.

 

 

Yeah, regardless if its home/road I will be downtown when it happens.  I hope the city can party hard but be smart and safe.  I just picture the warehouse district packed wall to wall with people as "we are the champions" is blaring.  I think that is a party that will be outside all through the town and will be all over town.  From east 4th to WHD. People everywhere.

God, it really would be something.  I really can't decide if I'd rather be at the game or at a bar in the city watching it.

 

And for the people that talk sh!it about the city to your face, just respond:

"If I thought you knew what you were talking about, I might give a damn."

I'm predicting about 400,000 downtown that day!  That will be the biggest party the city has ever seen, and I will be there!

 

But seriously, I'm part of the generation who grew up in this town without having a team win it all for my entire life.  Sure, teams winning do not produce anything tangible (though that can be argued with the economic spin-off in the Gateway District), but there definitely is value in it.  As Clevelanders, we are overly hard on ourselves, and going thorough what is now a 45 year slump without winning a championship does not help.  I hope that winning a championship will help alleviate some of the "We can't" attitude in this town.     

I'm predicting about 400,000 downtown that day!  That will be the biggest party the city has ever seen, and I will be there!

 

But seriously, I'm part of the generation who grew up in this town without having a team win it all for my entire life.  Sure, teams winning do not produce anything tangible (though that can be argued with the economic spin-off in the Gateway District), but there definitely is value in it.  As Clevelanders, we are overly hard on ourselves, and going thorough what is now a 45 year slump without winning a championship does not help.  I hope that winning a championship will help alleviate some of the "We can't" attitude in this town.     

 

The Force won a championship! 

The who?    ;)

Don't forget the City Stars, just this past year!  Did the city do anything at all to commemorate that championship?  I know very few people who are even aware we have a soccer team, let alone a league champion.

The who?    ;)

400,000?  That's what they get on St. Patrick's Day.  I'm saying there will be close to 1,000,000.  That's right, one million.  Count on it.  I can't think of a single person besides KJP & MTS that would not go to a victory parade.  I see expats flying in from all corners of the country to come take part in the spectacle. 

Maybe 1,500,000.  Once in a life time event.

Don't forget the City Stars, just this past year! Did the city do anything at all to commemorate that championship? I know very few people who are even aware we have a soccer team, let alone a league champion.

 

They moved to Bedford, they're not a Cleveland team anymore.  Plus, it's soccer..

Don't forget the City Stars, just this past year!  Did the city do anything at all to commemorate that championship?  I know very few people who are even aware we have a soccer team, let alone a league champion.

They moved to Bedford, they're not a Cleveland team anymore.  Plus, it's soccer..

 

They deserved something more than CSU's bleachers, but dang, that location made it easy for me to see games.  Bedford, not so much... same reason I've never seen the Fusion play, even though I bring it up every year around this time.