Getting There is an Accomplishment

 

Ohio State’s beating at the hands of Florida on Monday night brought out all of the old arguments about accomplishments.  Many people, including those in the media, feel that the season was not successful since the Buckeyes lost the BCS Championship Game.  Others, like myself feel that getting to the game is great feat in itself.  Are these people that pessimistic that they can only celebrate a title?

 

Getting the chance to play for a championship should not be overlooked.  Only two teams in any sport get that chance.  Perhaps it does get old if the team you support gets to the final round year after year and doesn’t win, but otherwise the losing team should be appreciated for getting that far.  As an Indians’ fan who grew up in the 1960’s and 1970’s, I never thought I would ever get to see a World Series game in Cleveland.  But, there I was in 1995, watching the Tribe against the Braves in two games in the Fall Classic.  Yes, I am still waiting for the day the Tribe claims its first World Series win since 1948, but it was still a thrill to be in that position. 

 

Over time, the memory of these teams grows fonder.  In restrospect, I look at the Indians of the late 90’s as a collection of great players.  The names still roll off the tongue, and many of them are still playing:  Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton, Omar Vizquel, Sandy Alomar.  What Clevelander doesn’t have great memories of these guys?  They brought winning baseball back to this city after a very long drought.

 

If you are an Ohio State fan, this team was memorable.  They beat #2 Texas on the road.  They knocked off #2 Michigan in a classic at Columbus.  They were ranked #1 from the preseason to the last game of the season.  Only one team wins the championship, and although Ricky Bobby would say "if you ain’t first, you’re last", the truth is anyone would rather have their team in the championship game than have a losing season. 

 

Yes, Jim Tressel had a bad game in the coaching department.  In his six years at Ohio State, you could probably count those games on one hand.  Yes, Troy Smith didn’t play well.  How many poor games did he have in his 2-1/2 seasons as the Buckeye starting quarterback?  Everybody has bad days.  To suggest Smith was too caught up in the banquet circuit is an insult to the prepared, studious player who worked his way up the QB depth chart to win the Heisman. 

 

Since Cleveland hasn’t won since 1964, the pressure to win from the fans is overwhelming.  Players think if it doesn’t happen this year, it will next season.  They have the better attitude.  It takes a combination of talent and getting some breaks along the way to win titles.  One year, it will break right for the fans of Cleveland.  Until then, don’t allow yourself to overlook great seasons because the title didn’t come.  You are just making yourself more miserable.  Going 12-1 isn’t a bad season.  It’s a great season that just wasn’t great enough.

 

KM