One of the most important and widely used phrases in the Cleveland sports vocabulary is “We’ll get ‘em next year.” Whether it was one of the three AFC Championship losses to Denver in the 80s or the World Series catastrophes in the mid-90s, Cleveland has not been able to put together a championship team in a major pro sport since the Browns won the NFL Championship in 1964, before the invention of the Super Bowl.
     Yet after each close call and disappointing season, the faithful return. They have stayed positive, even in the face of losing streaks, blown draft picks and title droughts. It’s been said many times throughout the city’s history but 2006 could be the year that things turn around. Maybe not to the point of winning a championship, but even a lengthy playoff run would be a start.
     First of all, the Cavaliers are playing great basketball and have outlasted many predictions by going toe-to-toe with the mighty Detroit Pistons. The team is starting to step up and play around LeBron James and seems to be peaking at the right time. Even without key offseason acquisition Larry Hughes in the line-up, the Cavs have continued to play well against the top team in the East.
     The Cavaliers are in the playoffs for the first time since 1998. That was back when center Zydrunas Ilgauskas was a rookie and GM Danny Ferry was his teammate. It’s pretty scary to think it has been that long ago and I would personally like to thank LeBron James for resurrecting the Cleveland Cavaliers. Hopefully if the Cavs do win a championship, I will no longer have to be haunted by the vision of Michael Jordan burying that game-winner over Craig Ehlo in the 1989 playoffs a.k.a “The Shot.”
     The next positive thing for Cleveland sports is the Indians. They are one of baseball’s most talented young teams. Cleveland won 93 games a year ago and if they can go above .500 against the White Sox and win the majority of their one-run games, the Tribe have a good shot to be crowned Central Division champs.
     Now I know what you’re going to say. The Indians are almost 10 games back in the Central and it’s not even June, and they trail not only Chicago but also Detroit. You’re right, but don’t forget the second half the Indians had last season. They were the hottest team in baseball after the break and they have traditionally played better in the second half. If you ask any baseball player, they will tell you baseball is a marathon that requires patience, and maybe a few key deadline acquisitions by GM Mark Shapiro
     Then, of course, you have the Browns. The Cleveland Browns are one of the most tormented teams in all of professional sports. Once an NFL powerhouse with six straight appearances in the NFL Championship, the Browns have never seen a Super Bowl. The Browns teams during the Bernie Kosar years in the 80s are billed by some people as the ultimate choke artists. Patented phrases like “The Drive” and “The Fumble” vividly describe the agony of coming so close but falling short over and over again.
     Then you have the Art Modell situation. Enough said.
     So what do the Browns have to look forward to? Progress. That’s exactly what they are making. And this time, unlike the Chris Palmer and Butch Davis eras, it is real progress. It starts with Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage. They have helped to put some key pieces of the puzzle together for the Browns. Reuben Droughns became the first Browns running back in 20 years to rush for 1,000 yards or more. Cleveland also got a steal in the third round of last year’s draft with quarterback Charlie Frye.
     With Trent Dilfer gone to San Francisco, the door is wide-open for Frye, a lifelong Browns fan from Willard, Ohio. Although he saw limited action in 2005, he gives the Browns a good young arm with some mobility. Also, since he is now the No. 1 man in Cleveland, it should put an end to the quarterback controversies that have plagued the team since its return to the NFL in 1999. After all, it is difficult to be successful without a sense of permanency on the depth chart, especially at quarterback.   
     The Browns are also in the midst of a very busy off-season. With a very defense-heavy draft that included players that have been compared to Peter Boulware and Ray Lewis (Kamerion Wimbley and D’Qwell Jackson respectively), it could be the most productive offseason since the return in 1999—not that it would be that hard to top any of the previous ones. They have already brought over experienced players like Joe Jurevicius and LeCharles Bentley to give support and mentorship to younger players as well as provide immediate impact at their respective positions. The addition of grizzled veterans Willie McGinnest and Ted Washington proves once again that in the NFL old friendships and relationships can spell new employment for you down the road. These men know Crennel’s system. Although they may be in the twilight of their careers, they can still provide solid play and add chemistry to a young team.   
     So if history repeats itself, I should expect bad things to happen. But I’m going to stay positive. That’s what Cleveland sports fans do. That’s all we can do until we actually win the big one. But when I think about the future of professional sports in Cleveland, I am hopeful thanks to LeBron James, Romeo Crennel and Mark Shapiro. They’ve inspired the most hope fans in Cleveland have had since Pedro Cerrano roamed the outfield at Municipal Stadium.

Travis Minnear grew up in Mansfield, Ohio and is currently majoring in journalism at the Ohio State University. He has covered a variety of sports there including football, basketball and baseball. Have him do your next wedding or office party. Or just send him an e-mail at Travis.Minnear@atomicsportsmedia.com.