WFNY Confessional: Rick

May 27, 2010 by Rick Grayshock 42 Comments

Right from the start, the idea for this piece came from a post over at 11Warriors. It looks like they got the idea from the college football blog Every Day Should be Saturday. We give them full credit for the idea. Everyone happy? Good.

I am not Catholic, so I have more of an ‘outsiders’ understanding of a confessional. I get repentance. Anyway, the idea of getting things off your chest that others might find offensive is appealing to me in the sports genre. So without any more adieu, here are my biggest Cleveland sports confessions.

1. When I was very young I didn’t really like the Indians.

There I said it.

In fact, I rooted for the Orioles for a while. The first World Series I ever watched was the Orioles vs the Phillies in 1983. That was a killer pitching staff. Boddicker, Palmer, Flanagan, McGregor. Throw in Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray and Rick Dempsey and you had an excellent team.

I also rooted for Rickey Henderson. I was 8 and we shared a first name. I loved how he changed the game by stealing bases. But he could also hit- he wasn’t just a sprinter that tried to walk every time up to the plate.

It wasn’t until I started watching Andy Allanson and eventually Sandy Alomar Jr. that I started to really love the Indians.

2. I have purposefully kept myself detached from LeBron James because of his impending free agency. I haven’t purchased LeBron gear or autographs or anything of that nature because of it. I told my wife that if he signs another deal with Cleveland my full-on man crush will begin, but for now I’m keeping my distance.

I was burned bad by the Ramirez/Thome free agent signings. I decided then and there that I wouldn’t let that happen again. Then I bought into Sabathia. And Victor. Sigh.

3. I rooted against the Browns once. It was the Seattle game right after they let Bernie Kosar go. Todd Philcox started at QB for the Browns and quickly fumbled a ball that the Seahawks returned for a touchdown. I went crazy. Probably made myself hoarse cheering.

I don’t cheer or root for my teams to lose games in order to secure better draft picks. I’m like Herm on that front- you play to win the game. That was the one and only time I’ve rooted for the Browns to lose.

4. I once wanted the Buckeyes to lose to Michigan. Yep. I said it. It was the 1992 game. John Cooper’s record against Michigan and in Bowl games was horrible already (and this was only his 5th season) and there were whispers that if he lost again to Michigan he would get fired. That’s all I needed to hear. I didn’t really cheer for Michigan, but in the back of my mind I knew that if we lost it would be alright because Coop would be gone. The result? A tie of course. No satisfaction from a win, and Cooper held onto his job. He would coach 8 more years at OSU. Only won 3 bowl games and just 2 against Michigan.

5. I have said this before, but I don’t watch the playoffs of any sport after Cleveland has been eliminated. If they never made the playoffs I might watch some. I watch the Super Bowl. Well, except once. I went on a date during Super Bowl XXXI when the Packers won. I just can’t stomach watching the Celtics play the Lakers or the Red Sox play the Rockies knowing we could have/should have been there.

Well I feel better. How about you? Got any dark Cleveland sports secrets to share?

Zemanta

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Andy Allanson, Bernie Kosar, C.C. Sabathia, cavaliers, cleveland sports, indians, Michigan, Ohio State Buckeyes, Sandy Alomar Jr

Mike

I was the biggest Jose Canseco fan while I was growing up. It was so bad, I even had teachers at school making fun of me. I grew my hair like his and even tried to mimic his swing. I now try to cover this up but my friends still love to bring this up a couple times a year.
jj

I used to think Derek Anderson was a good QB. Whew, I feel so much better now. That was very cathartic.
The Other Tim

When I was little, I liked the Cowboys. Then on my 13th birthday, they lost to the Browns on MNF. Drew Pearson puked in the end zone on TV. Then the Kardiac Kids happened and I never looked back. (Okay, I looked back a little, but I hate absolutely every other team now.)

Don’t know if it was mentioned yesterday, but this is a must-read:

http://deadspin.com/5548412/taunting-tony-horton-the-day-after-he-slit-his-wrists-a-cleveland-fan-repents?skyline=true&s=i
Matt#2

If it were not for the Pittsburgh Steelers (Bradshaw and Co.), I do not know if I would have ever cared about pro football; when I was young, the high school players were our big celebs and then Art Schlitztchzserr.
http://envisionedmemories.com/ JonCole

“4. I once was upset that the Buckeyes lost to Michigan.”

Did you mean “wasn’t”? Or am I having a reading problem today…
Matt#2

I miss Isis.

(is that a sports confession?)
Nash

In 97 when kenny lofton played for the braves I kinda cheered for them but the tribe was still my team. Before lebron played for the cavs I wasn’t that into basketball since then I watch basically every game and even if he leaves I will still watch almost every game. Glad to get that off my chest. I don’t like people that only root for lebron and even though i didn’t watch till he played I am now and will always be a cavs fan. Also I don’t like it when people have two teams in the same league so I always felt bad about the 97 season. and rick I am the same way when cleveland is out of the playoffs I stop watching.
Harv 21

Used to be dead sure that somebody would draft Jake Locker, and I’m talking in the higher rounds. No idea what happened to the kid.
http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/ Rick

Thanks Jon. fixed. sigh.
ben

I rooted against the Browns as recently as last year against Buffalo.
http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Craig Lyndall

When I was in middle school, Starter Jackets were the thing. They were usually purchased at some outrageous price in the mall. I was looking for a style and colors that I really liked, so I ended up getting a black jacket with a Buffalo Bills logo on the back. I also had a black and silver White Sox hat as those were really popular at the time too.

I never actually rooted for those teams, but it didn’t matter. Representing another team’s colors and logo is just inexcusable to the 31 year-old me. I would totally kick the crap out of the middle school me for doing that.
PNR

I really don’t hate the Steelers. In fact, I sort of root for them once the Browns are irrelevant on the season. I like the Steelers’ management, coaches, and ownership. Plus, Pittsburgh is so similar to Cleveland, I can’t help but like Steelers’ fans, who are remarkably similar to Browns’ fans: knowledgeable, passionate, and blue collar.

Sure, I’ll root for the Browns against the Steelers or as long as the Browns have a shot at anything meaningful. Other than that, though, I have to admit: I like the Steelers.
swig

#1) I can’t watch or care about a baseball game not involving the Indians. I also grew up in the 90s. Anymore I find it hard to care about baseball period

#5) Interesting. The only league where I follow everything is the NFL. Maybe this is because the Browns haven’t been relevant for 15+ years? Or maybe it’s just easier to watch lots of football games.

My only “mis-deed” is a slight apathy towards the Buckeyes. When they win it’s awesome and fun. If they’re having a bad season I can easily detach and not worry about the team. Only the big loses in good seasons hurt.
http://envisionedmemories.com/ JonCole

@6 Matt#2: Yep. LOL’d right here in my office. Nice.

@9 Rick: No prob. I read it like 4 times to make sure I wasn’t having a brain meltdown haha.
swig

@PNR, I totally would have agreed until they won these last 2 superbowls. Now I find the fans insuffrable. While the Browns were gone I watched a ton of Steeler’s games and did grow an affection for them (Go Bettis!!)

No one under 30 has a logical reason to dislike the steelers. Now the Broncos, I will likely always despise.
stin4u

I always have and always will be a fan of both Notre Dame and Ohio St. football, if/when the teams play I cheer for the underdog.

Also, I do not hate the Boston Red Sox purely based on the fact that over the past 5 years they typically stomped the Yankees, a team that I can not even find the words to express my hatred for. Much like PNR said before if the Indians are totally out of everything I tend to follow the Red Sox unless they play each other of course, then it’s all tribe time.
Matt#2

Okay, okay…

The Yanks have always been my #2 team, Reggie Bars.
http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Denny

@ Harv – I think we’ll find him on a milk carton one of these years.

@ Matt#2 – nicely done.

I’ll be writing one of these posts as well, and it’ll be long. Pretty sure you’ll all hate me (more?) after I’m done.
Charlie

I used to be a female.
Matthew R

I don’t care about the Indians, or MLB in general, anymore. At all.
Clown Baby

I once owned and wore a Michig@n sweatshirt. Fortunately, no pictures exist and I deny it to this day, but I know it’s true. I only wore it to tick off my step dad. HE WASN’T MY REAL DAD ANYWAY!
Roosevelt

Before this whole postseason debacle and post-postseason posturing, I was worried that I’d like Lebron even if he left. Thank God that didn’t work out. Now I may dislike him even if he stays.

I still like Mo Williams.

Not a major confession, but I like some teams from the where I live, the NY area, including the Giants, Jets, and Mets.

I have no feelings at all for the Indians. I don’t know the exact cutoff, but it started to fade when they traded Colon.
BisonDeleSightings

Andy Allanson?! That guy was terrible.
Brian

@ Swig, I don’t agree with your statement about being under 30 and not having a reason to hate the Steelers….

I recall watching a playoff game where the Browns lost a heart breaker to them in the 2003 playoffs…36 – 33….can’t recall the receiver but I know he dropped an easy catch for a first down at the end of the game to keep the chains moving…
Ike

@ #19: Post of the day

I only follow the Indians and MLB until I know the Tribe have no chance of making the playoffs. It’s the only sports team I like for which I’m fairweather.

I was never fully confident the Cavs could win the East this year. I didn’t expect them to lose to Boston, but I thought they’d lose to Orlando again.

I used to wear some Michigan gear when I was a kid. I still wore way more Ohio State stuff and always cheered for OSU on Saturdays. But still.
REEPJP

@ Clown Baby – I have to admit that I owned and wore (although I only remember one time) a Michigan sweatshirt. I had a cousin (I don’t really claim him in public) that was a big UM fan….for some reason my grandma thought because he liked them that I would too so she bought me Michigan stuff for every birthday and holiday. I never wore any of it until one time she asked me to try it on right after I opened it….I think I mumbled something about not even liking Michigan as I was slipping it on over my head and I never got any more of that garbage.

My confession is that I used to have a man crush on KG….posters on the wall, collected all his cards, yada yada…..everytime I see him now I almost puke thinking about how I used to like the guy (although he was a lot easier to like pre-BOS days)
Mark

I wore a Yankees hat 1st semester of college to try and get in a girls pants (long story). I gave up on the Cavs for a couple of years before LeBron came and actively rooted for the Wizards here in DC (and this from a guy who was a big fan of the World B Free teams). I was a Steelers fan for a half a season when I was 7.

I feel so much better now. It’s like Robin Willams is holding me saying, “Its not your fault. Its not your fault.”
BW

This is a confession to you guys on this board specifically… I am a die hard Michigan football fan and always have been despite growing up in Cleveland and loving all of the Cleveland teams.

The Indians have really fallen off of my radar, will still buy a hat here and there and wear it and go to a game here and there if I’m back in town, but that’s about it.

I still think it’s hilarious how Ricky Davis attempted to get a triple double by shooting at our own hoop.
http://www.twitter.com/core013 Laura

@craig – i wouldn’t feel too bad about the starter jacket…we all did it. at least we’ve learned from the mistakes of our youth.

@rick – i also don’t watch the playoffs of any sport after cleveland has been eliminated and i suspect there are a lot of people out there in the same boat.

some of my confessions…

i hate football. truly cannot stand it. i still root for the browns but i almost never watch. and i couldn’t possibly care less about the buckeyes.

the more i read/hear/think about the whole LeBron free agency situation, the more apathetic i become towards the possibility of losing him. i find myself much more concerned with losing players i’ve become more emotionally attached to (specifically Delonte) even though I know it’s completely illogical.

i have not watched more than an inning of a single indians game this season because i’m still too angry about the Lee and Victor trades.
Clown Baby

I really thought Brady was only an 8.
swig

@Brian, yeah that 0-3 was brutal. I don’t remember liking our chances of going deep in the playoffs that year.

In general though the Steelers pain wasn’t quite enough to develop a hatred. Maybe I should just blame my dad (MY REAL DAD!) for not passing it down?
Valpo2010

It took me 20 years (I’m 22 now) before I bought my first fitted Indians cap. This doesn’t sound like much of a problem until I admit that, prior to buying an alternate home block C hat 2 winters ago, I had already purchased Mariners, D-Backs, Braves, and Cubs fitted caps in previous years.
Todd McLaughlin

Rick, EXCELLENT article….

You know what about the Indians? I have officially abandoned rooting for them… There is a first place team in Ohio playing at down at the bottom of I-71…

I also live in Lake County, you know, home of the class A Captains. At the rate the Indians are playing, you mineaswell just go to Captains game.

So, with all that said, this year, my family will be rooting for the Reds, heck, I think I’m gonna drive down for a game… no matter how many bobble heads, dollar dogs, and value Tuesdays the Dolans have
Todd McLaughlin

One more thing… Andy Allison and Cory Snyder competed for the best mullet
brwnsgrl

I used to be a Mets fan in the 80s. Loved Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, Mookie Wilson, even Darryl Strawberry. But as those players disappeared, I lost interest. I didn’t start following the Indians until they opened up The Jake. Went there for a game with my dad opening season and they won me over – that and my entire family were all Reds fans and I wanted to spite them.

I also followed the Lions after the Browns left because Chris Spielman was on the team and he was my favorite player from Ohio State (hangs head).
Bob O’Brien

Okay this is tough for me to say

1. When I was 7 (1998) I cheered for the Bulls and Michael Jordan. I got hooked on Space Jam and MJ. My first basketball game was a Cavs Bulls game at the Gund, I went with a “Bulls Rule Cavs Drool” sign. I also wasn’t a true Cavs fan until LeBron, and watching “the Shot” doesn’t pain me, it gives me chills

2. I’ve always held back any OSU love to full force because I knew I wouldn’t be going there for College. I am headed to Syracuse in the Fall, My Friends are going to OSU. The Buckeyes are dead to me. GO ORANGE

That is all.
TheNeedle

1. I am a complete Kentucky basketball fan and Ohio State football fan. I cheer for both schools in both sports, but follow them with passion as laid out above. I’m such a douche. (of course the Golden Flashes trump them all)

2. I too was not an Indians fan until Andy Allanson (OK Corey Snyder). The Will Clark Giants were my team.

3. i too could care less about baseball now. They don’t care enough to make it competitive, i dont care enough to pay attention. and let’s face it, its pretty boring.

4. I can’t drop my Penguins hockey habit. I have tried to switch to Blue Jackets so as to not align myslf with the majority of yinzers, but my Youngstown upbringing where Penguins were the only hockey around proves too much.

5. I never thought the gemini was all that. Maybe its because I grew up in an era of Magnum XLs etc. but the Gemini- yawn. (ditto for the wave.) also, I miss Sea world.
Todd McLaughlin

I miss Sea World too…
David in NJ

1. I was a front runner when I was a kid. I loved the Dolphins during the Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick days. I also liked the Yankees until they fired Billy Martin for the 5th time. After those teams became pedestrian (late 70′s for the Dolphins and early 80′s for the Yanks), I switched to Cleveland.

2. Unless the next championship that is won in Cleveland belongs to the Browns or Indians, I will still consider it a missing part of my world. Don’t get me wrong, the Cavs are my favorite basketball team, but I am not a big basketball fan.
The Other Tim

@#24 – It was Dennis Northcut, wasn’t it?
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J Dogg

@TheNeedle, Corey Snyder! I once went to some function as a kid, can’t remember what it was, but Corey Snyder and Steve Young (then Montana’s backup) were giving speeches and signing autographs afterwards. Being a rabid Indians fan I of course went for Snyder, missing out on a future Hall of Famer’s autograph.

Nowadays I couldn’t care less about baseball. Talk to me when they have a salary cap.
Maestro

When I was a kid, long ago, my favorite player was Mickey Mantle of that HATED team. But I despised Maris after he had extra games to break Babe’s record. (Of course, nowadays, in the Steroids era, both were surpassed
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WFNY Confessional: Rick

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