Cavaliers Displaying A Different Brand Of Chemistry This Season
November 25, 2009Cavaliers Preview Game #15: Cavs at Pistons
November 25, 2009It’s that time of year again…
WFNY turned one year old this past February, and it seems like the nine months since then have just flown by. I don’t exactly know what our vision was when Rick, Rock and I started this here site, but I do know that it has been surpassed expoentially. And that’s thanks to you all.
Tomorrow’s WFNY will likely be minimal at best. While we’re spending our Thanksgivings in our respective locations, we hope that you all are doing the same in a safe and enjoyable manner.
This year’s “Thankful” post is very similar to last year’s, but with a few more names after the jump. Feel free to give your thank-based thoughts in the comments.
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Rick: I’m thankful for my wife understanding that this is part of who I am, and supporting my writing here. (Even if that means some nights I go down to the computer instead of coming to bed.) I’m thankful for each of the writers that contribute here. I am proud to be associated with WFNY, and you are all part of why.
I’m thankful for some of the relationships that I’ve been able to develop because of the site. I’m really glad that I’ve gotten to know guys like Vince, Don and Dan this past year. I’m very thankful for some of the opportunities that have come about because of this site. I know that I would never have gotten them otherwise.
I’m thankful for a Rose Bowl berth. My dad always said that as an OSU fan you had two goals for each year- beat Michigan and go to the Rose Bowl. Dad would have been proud to see the team claw through the last part of the schedule this season. I’m thankful for the reminder.
It’s hard to be thankful for anything about the Indians this year, but I am thankful that Sandy Alomar Jr. is back. He was my favorite Indian as a player, and it will be great to see him again.
It may be harder to be thankful for the Browns. I am thankful that they won a game. I would hate to tie the Lions’ mark for futility. I am thankful for the players that play the game the right way and have an ounce of pride to wear the orange helmet. Guys like Cribbs and D. Jackson.
And of course I’m thankful for you, our readers. I hope that this Thanksgiving you are spending time with family and loved ones.
Rock: This year, I am thankful first and foremost for family, for friends, for having a job in these tough times, and for the hard work and dedication of everyone associated with this site. I started out as a solo blogger, and I know I sure as hell couldn’t have made it this far on my own. So thank you again to my fellow founders and my fellow writers.
I am thankful for yet another exciting season of Cavalier basketball with LeBron James at the helm. Here’s to hoping I can say the same next year.
I am thankful for Sandy Alomar Jr being back with the Tribe. There’s not all that many reasons to be excited about Indians baseball these days, but Alomar is certainly one of them.
I am thankful for Josh Cribbs. Without him, what would we have to enjoy about the Cleveland Browns? Say what you will about anyone else on the team, but Cribbs is the best thing they have going for them.
I am thankful that Jim Tressel is the coach of The Ohio State University. No matter what anyone says about his conservative nature, the guy gets results. He win games, he wins conference championships, he sends players to the League, and he teaches life lessons bigger than football to his players. Most importantly, he represents my alma matter with nothing but class, integrity, and pride. There’s no other coach in college football I would rather have (well………maybe Urban Meyer), and I am always reminded around this time of year how lucky we are to have Coach Tressel.
Finally, but not least of all, I sincere and heartfelt thanks to the readers who make this site what it is. This site is a product, and what use is a product without people who want to use it? So thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support and continued reading of this site. As much pride as I have in Coach Tressel, I have equal, if not more, pride for this community of Cleveland sports fans. Thank you.
Scott: First round of thanks obviously goes to my wife and for her ever-growing support and understanding of what WFNY means to myself, my fellow writers and all of the readers.
On the sports front: To Dan Gilbert and Flashseats for making Cavs tickets easier to obtain. For PSL’s for making Browns tickets harder to obtain. For LeBron James, Grady Sizemore, Joe Thomas, Josh Cribbs, among others for keeping Cleveland sports on the map when people like Larry and Paul Dolan, Eric Mangini and Randy Lerner are keeping us in the news for all the wrong reasons.
Many thanks to Denny, Jacob and Brendan for taking over weekend duties – never fun to spend summer weekend hours in front of a computer. But you three ensure that WFNY never skips a beat, and I could not be more grateful for that. To Craig and DP for yet another year of solid work. To TD for jumping aboard this past year despite his crazy schedule. To Rick and Rock for starting this here venture, even though we’re still Wating…
I echo Rick’s sentiments about the readers. It’s never easy to be a fan of the teams provided to us from the city of Cleveland; having all of the readers here to share our thoughts and feelings of individual games, all the way to full seasons and beyond makes it all that much better. For Don, Brendan, Vince, Pete, Jon, Omar and everyone else that made it to Akron, we’ll have to do that again…
And finally, to my friends and family who read the site, and even those that do not. There is no denying that this has been a tough year for everyone – getting through it together is a lot easier than trying to do it alone.
Craig: I am thankful for this website and the stable of writers and readers. It is so great to have a place to write where people actually read what I have to say. Don’t ever think that I take any of that for granted.
The Cleveland sports laundry list of thanks… (in no particular order) LeBron James, Delonte West, Joshua Cribbs, Joe Thomas, Victor Martinez (still,) Grady Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera, Terry Pluto, Brian Windhorst, The OBR, D’Qwell Jackson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Jim Rome, Jim Tressel, Thad Matta, Rizzo, Brinda and WKNR, and Dan Gilbert.
I am MOST thankful for my wife who lets me pretend to be a real sports columnist all the time, not to mention Twitter during games.
Finally, I am thankful for the future Browns fan that will be arriving in April.
TD: I am thankful first and foremost for Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The facts are the facts, they are all that we have in regards to a legitimate contender in this town and our only shot to end the misery that has existed since 1964.
I am thankful for LeBron actually being from this area, because in my opinion, no other superstar would ever even consider sticking around here the way he is. I will be even more thankful when he signs a three-year extension this summer, because he knows what him leaving will do to this city.
I am thankful 1,000 times over for Dan Gilbert, the greatest owner in Cavaliers history, for his deep pockets, great ideas, and complete and utter willingness to do anything to bring a championship to our great city. Whether its building the Cavaliers new practice facility in Independance, or being a champion for Issue 3, GIlbert has done more for his team this city than anyone could have ever imagined when he bought the team for the Gund family.
I am thankful for the heart and guts of Josh Cribbs. Here is a guy who is criminally underpaid in a sea of overpaid players, yet continues to play at top quality level for a team that is brutally bad.
I am thankful that the Browns season only has six games left because there is onmly so much I can take.
I am thankful that Rick and Scott approached me a year ago to join the WFNY team because trying to put out fresh material five times a day on my own, while working at my real job, was next to impossible.
I am thankful for my undying love affair with the Red, White, and Blue of the Cleveland Indians. Some may call me a homer, but even the Dolan’s shallow pockets and the horrific system currently in place in major league baseball, I will still attend at least 25 games in 2010; no matter how bad the team may be.
I am thankful for Manny Acta’s new voice. I am thankful for his assertion that you need the same 1-9 every day so that players know where they stand. I am thankful for Matt LaPorta’s big bat, and Michael Brantley speed every single say in 2010.
I am thankful that while I am a born and raised Clevelander, I attended the University of Kansas, because I have a chance to win a title in college basketball every year.
Lastly, I am thankful for having such an amazing wife, son, and soon to be baby daughter on the way.
Jacob: I’m thankful for the awesome opportunity to work for WaitingForNextYear. Just a year ago I was satisfied with managing my own blog on Word Press, and it has just been a honor working alongside these eight other writers for the last eight months. Not too many other college kids, let alone an Applied Mathematical Economics major, can say that they work for such a well-respected sports blogging Web site.
I’m thankful for Gloria James. Seriously, where would the city of Cleveland be without the contribution of her family? The Browns are 1-9, the Indians just won 65 games out of 162 and we are clearly the laughing stock of American sports. Without LBJ leading the Cavs to successful season after successful season, the Cavaliers would be in the same loop and it would be incredibly difficult to be a Cleveland sports fan.
I’m thankful for Carlos Santana, Jeanmar Gomez, Hector Rondon and the continuous hope represented by the Akron Aeros franchise. I worked as a media relations intern for the team last summer and they proceeded to win their fourth Eastern League championship in September. Every year the Aeros compete with a stellar group of young players, and this gives me hope for the future in the struggling Indians organization.
I’m thankful for Zydrunas Ilgauskas and his many years of hard work as a Cleveland Cavalier. There are many rumors that this may be his final season as a Cav, and he has been everything we could have expected when we drafted him back in 1996. Thank you for all of your hard work on behalf of the Cleveland sports community, and I only hope that you are rewarded with an NBA Championship before your playing days are done.
I’m thankful for Randy Lerner hiring Eric Mangini before George Kokinis. Without this action, we would be much more confused about another mediocre 4-win season. This single mistake gives us the idea that we truly know what is wrong with the entire Browns organization.
Brendan: I am thankful for my friends, family, and the opportunity to write and contribute to this site run by some of the most devoted and intelligent Ohio sports connoisseurs. They have developed a strong community here at WFNY of which I am thankful to be a part of and occasionally lend a leading voice to on the weekends. It’s a community of Cleveland sports fans thirsty for information and opinion and always eager to join the discussion themselves with insightful comments.
…and in regards to the purpose of this site, I am most thankful for that – to be part of this fanbase. I would think most outsiders view this as a thankless chore to root for these teams. I cherish it and, I think, so do you. Cleveland and Northern Ohio is not an area of Sun Belt transplants with previous sports allegiances like so many fanbases for so many successful franchises these days. You weren’t something else before you became a Cleveland fan – it’s original, and probably, perpetual. You are a Cleveland fan because you either grew up here or it’s in your family and that inheritance carries on. I have found that transplanted Clevelanders scattered across the country tend to carry the banner of their fandom proudly and often louder and more enthusiastically than those of us who still live here. Outsiders view this as a fanbase that should be embarrassed and ashamed of their teams. I would say I definitely tend to tilt more to the negative side. Sure, there is shame and embarrassment on occasional days of the week or in particular seasons or even entire eras. But I’ve noticed it never deters the pride of being a part of this community and this fanbase. We may lament our association with a team that week or year and belt out our frustrations and negativity to an inquisitive outsider but while you may not be proud of your team, you are proud of being a part of the community of fans that support those teams and fully know that you would never leave that community.
It’s easy being a Yankees or Lakers fan. It has to be fun but I am not sure that is a most rewarding or fulfilling fan existence though. There are immediate rewards in multiple championships but I think we appreciate the pursuit and the wait which fulfill us as a fanbase. We are “tortured” and beaten down but all it seems to do is make this fanbase more strongly embrace that community. The torture makes us tougher so that when “next year” actually happens, it will be the most rewarding and fulfilling experience in the history of a fanbase. I’m not sure those other fanbases can say that. There is no bandwagon here. After each recent collapse, I am completely distraught and inconsolable until I realize that this is just another punch or blow that makes us tougher and makes the final reward sweeter. And I am happy to be in that position – I smile when that realization overcomes the despair. I am thankful to be in this position right now as a part of this fanbase. After the Tribe collapse two years ago against the Red Sox, a great writer Howard Bryant put it this way for ESPN: “The reason is because the business of caring is oftentimes more important than the result of the journey…If sport is to have any value at all, the road traveled, even when it leads to a dead end, should always be a trip worth taking. Without the pain, the champagne, when it finally flows, will have no taste.” I am thankful for the trip I have been on and the trip I will continue to travel as a member of this fanbase.
Denny: I’m writing this post because there’s a lot that I’m thankful for that’s happened this year. I’m thankful for the chance to be writing this post as part of Tweetsgiving, which is raising funds to benefit a school in Tanzania. Check them out if you have the chance.
Thanks to Rick, Scott, and Rock for the opportunity to write as a part of this community. I really appreciate the commenters and interaction that happens in our internet hallway. High fives all around. Mad proppage to the East folks who have made it out to a few meetups.
I’m thankful that my wife puts up with my writing here and taking time to read/write/watch games/etc.
I’m thankful that the Buckeyes managed a Big Ten title this fall – it wasn’t expected (and likely will make us even more delusional going forward), but it was really nice. Also that the OSU ‘throwback’ jerseys were a one time thing. Nice to see something new, but I won’t miss them much.
I’m shamelessly thankful that I don’t live in the Browns’ broadcast bubble – as much as it sucks to say, I’d almost rather not have to watch that trainwreck every week. Sundays are for long runs, yippie!
I’m thankful that LeBron James is on my team. If he wasn’t, I think I really, really wouldn’t like him. And disliking people isn’t a ton of fun. Except for disliking Deshawn Stevenson – that’s almost too easy, but quite fun.
I’m thankful for all the support that my friends and family have given me in training for two marathons this past year. I’m also thankful for having great friends that were willing to do a 200 mile relay race with me – word up, Team The Third Leg Is The Hardest.
Lastly, I’m thankful that Tina (@CTK1) reached out and asked me to be part of Tweetsgiving, which is doing great things to help out schools in Tanzania.
This post was created as part of a global groundswell of gratitude called TweetsGiving. In conjunction with 12For12K, this celebration, created by US nonprofit Epic Change is an experiment in social innovation that seeks to change the world through the power of gratitude. Join us http://tweetsgiving.epicchange.org/
24 Comments
I’m thankful that I’m both physically and emotionally able to OBSERVE and BOOK IT.
Thanks for a great site guys. Have a good holiday and GO CAVS!
You guys do a great job. Thanks to all of you.
Thnkful for a Cleveland sports outlet for those of us who have ventured forth in search of work.
Thanks guys for such a great site for all of us to join in the pain that is cleveland sports. This is by far my favorite site on the net. Even though Isis is on here.
I’m thankful for Isis.
And I’m thankful that this site gives me a much needed break from work throughout the day.
I’m thankful for Isis, who tries so hard to keep so many knuckleheads from floating off into the ozone. It’s generally a thankless job, so I’ll thank him.
And thanks to WFNY for being such a great great site. Since I discovered you folks a few months ago, my work productivity has plummeted down to stoner levels. But what the hey.
Thanks to WFNY for being THE BEST (no sarcasm) Cleveland sports site anywhere on the internet. Thanks to the writers, and commentors. I’ve had fun with you, and have learned a thing or two as well. (WFNY – Where Education Happens!)
Thanks to Mr. Dan Gilbert for knowing how to assemble a first class orginization. Having the best player on the planet doesn’t hurt either.
Thanks to tOSU for proving me wrong with 3 weeks left in the season, I’d all but given up. My apologies Vest & Crew.
On the personal front, at this point in my life, I’m thankful to be among the living. My life was headed down a dangerous road a few years back, but with the help of family and close friends, it’s going back in the right direction.
Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
I’m thankful for Dan Gilbert for picking up my tab ( and the rest of the tables as well, apparently) at the Cleveland Chophouse Saturday night,
True story. Thanks Dan.
@Jay- Glad you were able to turn things around for the better!
I’m also thankful you guys write plenty of good material to help me procrastinate during the work day.
And I guess my wife also. Yeah, I’m thankful for her too, sometimes.
I am VERY thankful for this website & its writers, and this community of true-blue(orange and brown?) Cleveland fans. Being a transplanted fan living in Philly, where some still complain about curses and droughts and think they deserve the “most tortured” trophy… it’s nice to turn to the people who know TRUE heartache. And these fans will celebrate more than any other fan WHEN we finally bring home a championship.
… when I’m too old and bitter to really enjoy it ;0)
“I’m thankful for Dan Gilbert for picking up my tab ( and the rest of the tables as well, apparently) at the Cleveland Chophouse Saturday night”
We were at the Chophouse – earlier in the evening though. Interesting enough, when we went back around 11p, LeBron was getting out of his ride and jumped into the Bluepoint…
Thanks guys for maintaining this excellent site. Helps all of us who aren’t living in the green city on the blue lake stay connected to a community of Clevelanders with similar interests, frustrations, hopes, etc. Appreciate that we are able to have civil discussions in this space
I’m thankful for this website giving me something every couple hours to help get me through the workday. I’m even more thankful that my company doesn’t track my web usage…I hope.
Hopefully next year we will all be thankful that we will no longer be “Waiting” and Vince will no longer be “Counting.” And if so, we will obviously be thankful to LBJ, Mo, Shaq, JJ, AP, Delonte, Z, Andy, Boobie, Jamario, Darnell, Leon, the player we bring in before the deadline, Danny Ferry, and of course, Mr. Dan Gilbert who makes it all possible.
Oh and Mike Brown and Danny Green.
And I’m thankful for my dog that I bought 2 years ago to the day. At the time, Braylon Edwards was in the middle of a Pro-Bowl caliber season (I swear, it’s true) and naming my dog Braylon actually made sense. Now the first reaction from everyone that meets him is some variation of “Can he actually catch a treat?”
…. so can he?
/baited
thanx for this awesome website guys!. genius= wfny
better than the real one. so i suppose i’m also thankful for the trade that shipped him outta here, cause no longer does my dog get scared of me when im watching the browns game and start cursing his name at the tv…
Happy tweetsgiving Denny Mayo! I’m thankful you skipped the Browns’ broadcast bubble too! Thanks for the fun read. No matter what the others say about ya, I think you’re all right kid. 😉
I’M THANKFUL FOR THE SARCASM FONT. Or am I? (Actually, I am.)
And I’m thankful for the WFNY community. Thanks to the writers, commenters, and readers for making this an absolutely wonderful place to “wait for next year.” We’ll have that parade someday – hopefully sooner than many of us feel at times it’ll happen.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Thanks Guys!!! Love the site. Keeps me up on my cleveland sports when i’m far away from home at school.
Holla holla turkey day!
Thanks for the site fellas. You guys do great work. Keep it up.
Time out!
No one is going to thank me? Come on!
Nice post guys.