The Mighty Lebron...  

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Cleveland Cavs that day;
The series stood three to two, with but one more game to play,
And then when Andy fouled out first, and Z did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the Cav- fanatics of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "If only Mo could hit some threes -
We'd put up even money now, our Cavs could bring Orlando to their knees."

But Hedo was on fire, as was Alston for goodness sake,
As if they were performing voodoo, they made scoring look like a piece of cake;
The refs were calling nothing there was so little time;
For there seemed but little chance of any Cav player getting to the line.

But West drove the lane, to the wonderment of all,
And then Wallace slam dunked the ball;
And when the period had ended, and the fans saw what had occurred,
There were the Cavs only trailing by a few at the end of the third.

Then from 20,562 throats came a yell as now the fanatics were all awake;
It rumbled down to Lake Erie, it rattled in the Jake;
It pounded throughout the Q and ripped to the Rock Hall,
For Lebron, the L Train, was charging with the ball.

There was ease in the King's manner as he set the pace;
There was pride in LBJ's bearing and a smile lit his face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he kindly nodded to all,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas the MVP with the ball.

20,562 eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with star dust and threw it in the air.
The thousands applauded because our superman was finally there.
The Magic readied their defense as he held the ball upon his hip,
Defiance flashed in James' eye, a sneer curled Lebron's lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere Lebron shot into the air,
And Howard stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Hedo hit him so hard, he smacked him on the head -
"He fouled me," said LBJ. "No foul!" the ref said.

From the crowd, people dressed in Wine and Gold, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on the Lake Erie shore;
"Kill him! Kill the ref!" shouted some one from the stands;
And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Lebron raised his hands.

With a smile of Christian charity great Lebron's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
The Cavs again on offense, and once more our hero shot and boy he let it flew;
But the zebras didn't see his feet, and the refs said "It's only a two!"

"Fraud!" cried the maddened fanatics, and echo answered "Fraud!"
But one scornful look from LBJ and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that LBJ wouldn't let our Cavs lose again.

The sneer has fled from LBJ's lip, the teeth are clenched in vain;
He bounced the ball with violence as this time he drove the lane.
And now as he shoots the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Lebron's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there is no joy in Loudville - in the NBA finals, the Cavaliers are out.

To the Entire Cavaliers Organization... thank you for an exciting year.  I'm looking forward to next year and finally getting that RING!!!

The term athlete is defined as, "a person who competes in general sport competition", so therefore I guess I can call myself an athlete.  You see Cavfanatics, due to my competitive spirit; I agreed to participate in a charity event this past weekend.  Why not?  The Cavs weren't on and my teams had flopped in the Final Four.  Actually I agreed because it was for a cause that I hold near and dear to my heart, Children.  This past Saturday I played in a Charity "Flag Football" Game to benefit terminally ill children.  Now let me set the stage for you... this game was played in Youngstown, Ohio at the Chevrolet Centre on an actual arena football field.  This was no pick up game in the local field or at some high school.  We were "Prime Time" baby!  I even wore the #2 jersey to honor one of my favorites, Dieon Sanders (he wore #2 at FSU for those of you that didn't know).

Now some of you are probably wondering where this is going... well let me break it down.  I writing this to thank our Cleveland Cavalier team, the Cavalier Girls, the Scream Team, and of course Moon Dog for performing for us 81 nights this year not to mention the upcoming playoffs.  You see, these guys practice hard and play harder.  Each one of them dedicates themselves to playing, dancing, cheering, and running around in a costume at 110 degrees to make sure we get the best performance each and every game day!  Their performance isn't just on game day... it's the days, weeks, months, and years of practice they have put in to being the best at what they do.

You see Cavs fans, I realize that I am the probably one of the biggest critics that the Cavs have.  I constantly yell at my TV, text Rob and Jeff, and drive my wife nuts by going crazy when the Cavs make a mistake, don't rebound the way I'd like them to, or dog it on a play.  Well I guess I owe the Wine and Gold an apology.  You may ask, why?  Well it all comes back to this past weekend.  I was matched up one on one with a former NFL player, and when I say former, he just played 2 years ago for the Colts - Deryk Toles, so he's definitely not lost a step.  I ran up and down the field playing defense.  I was playing my favorite position to watch on Sundays, defensive end.  I was hoping to be as effective as James Harrison was in Super Bowl XLIII (had to get a Steelers reference in here somewhere).  Well let me tell you, I did not let Mr. Toles score at all.  So I must say; I was pleased with that, however, I was only able to hurry the quarterback a few times, and didn't record any sacks; nor did I intercept a pass and return it the distance for a touchdown.  Not that I could have run 50 yards (arena fields are 50 yards) without needing to stop for a breather at midfield.  Now I don't have any pictures of swollen and bruised ankles to post, but I will tell you that I have muscles hurting in places I didn't know I had muscles.  Although by definition I may be an athlete, I am definitely not in athletic shape and probably haven't been since high school.  Too many nights sitting around eating chicken wings and sipping down cold ones watching the Bron take it "Right Down Euclid!" has attributed to that.  I'm sure that as much as I tried to give 100% on every play, it looked as if I dogged it on a few as well.  None the less, we did win the game!!!

I thank everyone who came out and supported me in this adventure (as my mother-in-law would call it), and I am proud to have played with some football greats in the Youngstown Community, all for such a great cause.  I also want to thank the Cavalier organization for a great season!  You definitely stepped the game up this year and have made me realize you are all "First Class Athletes!"  You definitely exemplify the phrase, ALL for One, and One for ALL!  Best of luck in the post season, bring it home fellas!  I'll try to keep my screaming to a minimum.

Hello fellow Fanatics... It's been a long time since I've written anything so I figured it was time to pick up the pen (well actually type) and post a new blog!  So much has happened since my last blog so it's time for an update!  I've been making lots of predictions lately and have just been blurting out rediculous statements lately but they have all come true... so let me fill you in on whats going on since my last post...

My Alma Mater, Austintown Fitch H.S., who started 3-0 in football... yeah... not so good after that... They finished 5-5 but they did beat our arch rival Boardman in the final game of the season.  But on to what's happening now.

I finished the Fantasy Football Season in second place (losing by 2 points) and it was a good Christmas.

I've predicted the Cavs to be right where they are... atop the East and on pace to lose no more then 12 to 15 games tops!  I was witness to Cavfanatic night at the Q last Wednesday.  WOW!!!  and that's all I'm gonna say about that!  Now, how about the game last Friday???  Don't worry!  Please be aware that I do have a friend who works for the Cavs and I was in constant conversation with him by text and the Cleveland Fire Dept. was on standby in case Lebron turned into a huge ball of flames!  To bring back an oldie... Simply En Fuego!!!  The best part of this whole run is the fact that we are not relying on Bron to carry us.  We just need him to lead us.  Everyone else has stepped up and picked a night to carry the burden of putting up big numbers.  Whether its points, steals, rebounds, or even free throws (who was wearing the Ben Wallace wig and jersey Wednesday and shooting them)... everyone has been on their "A" game.  We haven't even peeked yet!  Just wait til we start winning by 40 and 50!!! 

Speaking of genius... I also predicted a ball controlled offense this past week by my other favorite team, The AFC North Champion Steelers!!!  (a prediction I made in week #2)  They totally took over the game vs. San Diego (had the ball for 13 seconds in the 3rd quarter) and put themselves in the drivers seat for a shot at another Super Bowl title!  As for other predictions, I was darn close with my prediction of 3-13 for the Cleveland Clowns and they did win more coin tosses then games this year.  I also predicted Farve to colapse and the Jet's not make the playoffs...  see a trend here folks.

One of my last statements was to say that Kelly Pavlik would fight in his hometown in early 2009!  Well that has come true.  Kelly will defend his titles in the YO on February 21, 2009.  Over 5500 tickets sold within 30 minutes making it the highest selling event and quickest selling event at the Chevy Centre.  There are still about 1000 tickets left, so get yours now!  If you don't want to come to the fight, at least come to the Yo and watch it at bar on PPV and for the after party.  Downtown Youngstown will be in full swing that night.  Maybe I should predict a knockout... hmmm?!?!?!  I'll leave that up to the Ghost!

Could this be my year?  A healthy Indians squad could potentially win it all... The Steelers are unreal, and the Cavs... Even Michael Jordan couldn't stop Lebron and the boys at this point!  I have friends winning grand awards (no, not a leg lamp either), I finally joined a band (even though its Rock Band), I got the greatest little puppy (Cooper) in the world recently, and I finally met Jim Tressell (on my Top Ten of most wanted to meet sports celebs).  I don't want to jinx myself but "2009" might just be a "HAPPY NEW YEAR"!!!

With Baseball season pretty much a bust and over thanks to the lack luster performances of the Cleveland Boys of Summer (except Cy Young hopeful Cliff Lee of course) and the NBA not starting until late October, I am so happy to say it is FOOTBALL SEASON!  Thus far I must admit I am pretty much pleased with the performances of my hometown hopefuls!

My Alma Mater of Austintown Fitch has started off the season 3-0 and is looking to rack up WIN #4 this week at home vs. Canton McKinley.  What a great start by the Falcons by beating Youngstown Chaney 35-14, Youngstown East 49-12, and Parma Senior 41-20.  Keep up the good work guys!

A friend of mine always says, "It's sometimes better to be lucky then good!"  Well the Buckeyes used a little luck to get by this past Saturday over Ohio University.  None the less my Buckeyes improved to 2-0 on the season.  Rumors have started that Tressell is playing possum and is going to let USC have it this week.  Well I hope your right because I have a feeling we are in for another Florida, LSU Championship Game butt whoopin.  Beenie is back and as Deion Sanders would say, "Prime Time Players make Prime Time Plays on Prime Time Television!"  I can here Chris Berman now as Beenie takes one to the house... "Prime Time! Prime Time!"  Good Luck Buckeyes... I think you may need it.  I can only say that I am so happy Nick and Jessica are divorced because my wife would have had me watching the Newlyweds and I would have had to watch Nick get all excited over the game.  Hey idiot, forget USC pal... you had the hottest chick for a wife and lost her!  Turn off the game!!!

Speaking of Prime Time television... It looks as if I may have a couple late nights of beer drinking this week.  The 1-0 and I feel confident in saying this, 2008-09 AFC North Division Champion Steelers (man do the teams in our division suck or what!) will be demoralizing the Clowns, I mean Browns of Cleveland on Sunday Night Football!  I had predicted the Browns to go 7-9 on the season on a local talk radio show but recently changed that to 3-13.  I will go out on a limb and say that they win more coin tosses then games this year!  They should just pack up the trucks and move to Baltimore or something.  Oh wait that actually happened!

NFL Season also means Fantasy Football - for fun of course because I would not want to advocate gambling on a professional sport site (however everyone that knows me knows that I'm playin for the almighty green back and not some trophy that collects dust).  My team "The Youngstown City Knock Outs" have started 1 and 0 with a huge win.  Looks like it will be a great Christmas this year! 

So as we embark on this wonderful thing called football season, I wish each one of your teams good luck, whoever they may be.  Just remember...

1. Watching Oprah and cooking dinner and watching a chick flick movie once during the week eases the pain of OSU college football on Saturday and 10 straight hours of football on Sunday.  2.There are help groups for excessive gambling.  3. It's Ok to cry if your a Browns fan!  and 4. No matter how loud you yell at the TV... they can't hear you.

Have a great week!

Well I guess it really happened.  I woke up this morning, got ready for a great day at work, and started driving I-680 enjoying the beautiful sights of downtown Y-town when it happened... Mike Greenberg, as guidy as a kid in a candy store exclaimed, Brett Favre is a J-E-T!!!  Well I'm not sure where this one ranks but this is a travesty to the history of sports.

Could you ever imagine Cal Ripken not being an Oriole or Bill Cower becoming the head coach of the Browns?  Well this is just like it baby.  It reminds me of Joe Montana becoming a Chief, Michael Jordan dawning the Wizards uniform, and Franco Harris going to Seattle.   When is enough, enough?  Why retire if you still want to play? I don't understand why Pro Sport GREATS would taint their legacy by moving on to another team. I could understand if you never won a championship and wanted to take one last crack at it or even if you wanted to play in your hometown/ home state but hello!!!  The Jets were 4-16 last year and have no freaking shot of a title this year.  What are you thinking Mr. Favre.  Is Brett in need of money? Did he pi$$ away his millions he made over the years? Why would he do this to the fans of Green Bay who loved him so dearly? Maybe the concussions have finally taken their toll. This move is more backwards then his name!

I am in no way a Green Bay fan or a fan of Brett Favre however I do love sports! I love history! As a matter of fact... history was my best school subject! Well history has just changed my friends... and so has Bretts bust in Canton... it now says ATLANTA FALCONS...GREEN BAY PACKERS... NEW YORK JETS. I hope Green Bay reconsiders retiring his jersey number! Maybe the JETS will do it!!!

The loyalty of players to the cities and fans who supported them has waivered.

I will end this by saying... Thank you Mario Lemieux, Thank you Magic Johnson,  Thank you Roger Staubach, and Thank you Mickey Mantle!