A "Groupie" Says: "Stand Up and Take a Bow"
A Dictionary on Cleveland Longing Through Sports

Current mood: aggravated

''Hope (n): A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment.''

One would think Clevelanders would not have hope when one of our teams makes it to the play-offs.

Wish (v): To long for; want.

One would think Clevelanders would know better than to wish for the outcome to be different, each time.

''Expectation (v): The act or state of expecting or looking forward to an event as about to happen.''

One would think Clevelanders would know better than to expect a trophy.

Pride (n): A sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect.

''Pride (v): Pleasure or satisfaction taken in an achievement, possession, or association.''

One has to understand Clevelanders have a sense of pride in all of their teams. We love our teams, we want them to succeed. We love being associated with our teams. When I went overseas, I was often asked where I was from. When I said Cleveland, Ohio, I would get "Oh, do you know LeBron James", "I love the Indians", "Cleveland Browns going to win this year?".

Aggravate (v): To rouse to exasperation or anger; provoke.

I get aggravated when I hear sports announcers or read sports writers, trash Cleveland Sports, hence the reason I turn off the volume on the TV and listen to the local radio station announcing the game. Too often, the other team is getting the glory, the credit or just the general good mentions, while any good play we do, it's just luck, or any bad play is "typical".

Fluke (n): A stroke of good luck

Of course, foremost in my mind are the Indians. I have read "it was a fluke" the Indians were in the play-offs, defeating the Yankees, regardless that their regular season record was tied with Boston. Then, when playing the Yankees, the only reason we won games due to the fact there were bugs on the field (although they didn't bother our players) that Clemens was hurt, etc. It could not have been because we were the better team? I was, in fact, so bothered one article, I actually wrote an AP reporter.

Deserve (v): Be worthy.

The Cavaliers "didn't deserve to be in the Finals". How can it be said the Cavs didn't deserve to be in the Finals? I'm sorry, but didn't they have to go through the same channels as the Spurs? Didn't they outplay teams and win to clinch that spot in the Finals, as the Spurs did? Yes, we were outplayed by the Spurs, but that DOES NOT mean we didn't deserve to be there.

''Optimism (n): A tendency to expect the best possible outcome or dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation.''

Clevelanders are a special breed. Our city is in economic despair. We have one of the highest poverty rates and unemployment rates in the country. More businesses are moving out than moving in. Yet, we scrounge money together to witness these "fluke" or "lucky" teams play. We cheer them until we are hoarse. Even when some file out because the team is losing, more than 80% will stick it out until the bitter end. Why? Because we have optimism. We truly believe our city will turn around and our teams will win championships. Recently, we watched every inning of every game of the Red Sox/Indians ACL play-offs. We didn't give up on our optimism that we were going to pull through and go to the World Series. Yes, we grumble, yes, we complain, but how many other cities can say even when their teams have a losing season, 2-14, as the Browns in the past, can sell out (or close too) each home game? Even when it's 20 below and blizzard conditions, we will have an almost capacity crowd.

''Devoted (adj): Feeling or displaying strong affection or attachment; ardent Devotion (adj): Great love or loyalty; enthusiasm for or willingness to do what is required.''

The devotion we have to our teams, at times, brings tears to my eyes. When the Browns were sent to Baltimore, I saw grown men cry. Others made vows not to watch football until they were back in Cleveland. To this day, you cannot mention "Art Modell" in my house, or many other Cleveland households, without a swift, angry reaction. When the Cavs and the Indians flew back from their losses, there were people at the airport, until all hours of the morning, to greet them, cheer them, shaking their hands and thanking them for a great season. There are people like my grandfather, who for 91 years, has not stopped believing or supporting his teams and will continue to do so as he draws his very last breath.

Fan (n): An enthusiast
Groupie (n): An ardent fan of a celebrity or of a particular activity.

I am a groupie of Cleveland, Ohio. I love everything about my city, the lake, the river, the skyline, museums. While there are other pro teams from different cities I do like, my Cleveland teams -- like the city -- are everything to me and will always be number one. I will continue my yearly search of a sweatshirt and t-shirt for each sport to wear for the new season. I will hang on to my old "uniforms" until they are unfit to wear.

Gratitude (n): The state of being grateful; thankfulness.

I want to express my gratitude to my teams for bringing me joy, anger, heartbreak and all of the stuff which goes along with being a fan. Maybe it's time for those sportscasters and writers to understand what a true fan is and also, acknowledge the talent of our teams.

Present (n): Existing or happening now; current.
Future (n): Something that will happen in time to come.

Yes, there are many people in many cities as devoted to their teams as us Clevelanders. I am not denying that aspect at all. It's just across the country, people know Cleveland as the "Mistake by the Lake", "The Fumble", "The Shot", "The River that Caught on Fire", etc. While we know all of this, it's time to bury it, especially since most of these occurrences happened more than 20 years ago. It's time to look at the present and of all the good things around the corner.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Rebecca Mahovlich bmahovATyahoo.com


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