A call to action on the Tribe now that it's a new day in Cleveland: Matt Smith (Opinion)
Calling all Cleveland sports fans. Let’s keep the good times rolling!
What a summer it has been so far in Cleveland. We can feel the renaissance, the energy, the revitalization of this once-great city, coming back into greatness.
The Cavaliers just topped off one of the greatest playoff runs of all time with a historic comeback over the reigning champs by winning three of the last four games in the Finals, including game seven on the road to bring home a title. The curse is dead. We have our first major sports title in over 50 years.
My question to you is, how many more will follow? Dare I say “Not one, not two, not three, etc.”
Now I know everybody has been “All In” on the Cavs all summer so far, and rightfully so, but with the conclusion of the NBA season, it is time to turn our heads towards the next title contenders in Cleveland.
I’m not sure how many of you know this based on their attendance, but the Indians are currently in first place in the division. Not only that, but they also have the third best record in the American League, and sixth best in all of baseball. Our team has the second best run differential in the American League, and have allowed the least runs scored against them (this is all as of June 21 while I write this).
May 28: Cleveland Indians move into first place in AL Central with 11-4 win over Baltimore Orioles
This sounds like a team with a promising chance for the playoffs, and maybe beyond, as we approach the halfway point of the season.
Yet, despite this great baseball they are playing, the Indians are dead last in attendance. Our Tribe is averaging fewer than 17,000 fans per home game, in a stadium that holds more than 35,000. How do you think it feels for them, to be playing some of the best baseball the city has seen in years, yet they have to walk out of the dugout to a stadium more than half empty for most of their home games?
If I had to guess, I am willing to bet they will cut us all some slack up until now because our attention has been divided, and much more focused on the Cavs since the NBA playoffs began in April.
But we need to get out and support the Indians now. Let’s get some energy back into the stadium that once sold out 455 straight games. Let’s show this team that we support them as much as we supported the Cavs all season long. Let’s show them that we believe they can bring home another championship for our city.
“The Comeback.” This phrase is being thrown around referring to what we all just witnessed the last two weeks of the NBA finals. It’s a very appropriate term. Not just for the Cavs, but for Cleveland.
June 20: Thanks to the Cavaliers, ‘Only In Cleveland’, at last, has a sweet, new meaning
This phrase should transcend sports. Cleveland has come back from some dark times, in the sports world and beyond. It truly is a new day, and you can see it and feel it just walking around the city on a daily basis. The NBA title has solidified it all, and the good times are back in Cleveland.
While some may be saying, “It’s over, it’s over, the title drought is over!” I challenge you to say “It has begun.” Our time is now.
So let’s celebrate the death of the curse and the end of the drought, but more importantly let’s celebrate the beginning of what could be and the new day in Cleveland. The Cavaliers have officially started it off, but the Indians are on deck. They need our support.
As I said before, the curse is dead and now we have one championship under our belt. But don’t let it stop there. Let’s add some more. The infamous Browns QB Jersey has retired its long list of disgraced names and now only bears one name, “Cleveland.” We are one city, one fan base, and one team. Let’s show the world who we are.
Matt Smith works as a certified public accountant for a firm in downtown Cleveland and lives in Parma.
A call to action on the Tribe now that it"s a new day in Cleveland: Matt Smith (Opinion)
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