In 2007, It Was a Very Good Year

As we get ready to put 2007 in the history books, it’s time to reflect on the year in Cleveland sports.  Compared to some of the calendars we have tracked, particularly in the past five or six years, 2007 has been a great year.  No, the championship the city so badly wants was not achieved, but all three of our major sports teams were winners, one even went further than ever before.

Even Ohio State, who we have adopted ever since they won the national championship in 2002, went to the college football and basketball title games in 2007.  Actually, the football Buckeyes lost to start the year, and they have a chance to win again in a little over a week against LSU.  The basketball Bucks also lost in their championship game, which was a recurring theme for the sports year. 

It was a very good year, but one that came up just a bit short.

Cavaliers.  The wine and gold made it to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, hoisting an Eastern Conference Championship banner.  It was a great spring for basketball fans in Cleveland, the highlights being LeBron James’ ridiculous 48-point performance against the Pistons in Game 5, and clinching the conference title by defeating Detroit on the hot shooting of rookie Daniel Gibson.  In his fourth season, James led this formerly moribund franchise to The Finals.  The Cavs came up short against the Spurs, but they reminded everyone what is possible when you have the best player in the game wearing your uniform.

Indians.  The Tribe’s season at home began with a snow, and forced them to actually play a three game series against the Angels in Milwaukee.  It ended one game short of the World Series.  In between, baseball fans watched a Cy Young Award winner in C.C. Sabathia, the Manager of the Year in Eric Wedge, and the MLB Executive of the Year in Mark Shapiro.  Fausto Carmona emerged as a #1A starter, winning 19 games, and Asdrubal Cabrera, a 21-year-old second baseman turned out to be a key player.  Even fan favorite Kenny Lofton returned to help the Indians reach the post season.  The highlight of the season had to be eliminating the Yankees at Yankee Stadium; making the entire Big Apple shut its collective mouths.

Browns.  No one would have imaged the Browns would hit the last game of the season with a chance to make the playoffs, especially after a 31-7 drubbing by the Steelers in their opener.  But, Charlie Frye was traded, Derek Anderson was given the reins, and the vertical offense orchestrated by offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski took off.  Braylon Edwards made the Pro Bowl, and Kellen Winslow, Eric Steinbach, and rookie Joe Thomas came very close to a trip to Hawaii.  The defense still has issues, and GM Phil Savage will spend the off-season upgrading the front seven in the draft and free agency.  Finally, there is hope for pigskin followers in Cleveland.

In fact, if the Colts win on Sunday, all three professional sports teams in our city will make the post season in the same year for the first time.  We are even seeing a revitalization of the Cleveland State basketball program under Gary Waters.  To those who still complain about the lack of a title, please chill out.  After watching our teams lose and lose and lose, it was good to see each squad be winners, and come close to titles.  It gives us hope for 2008.

MW