One on One with Stin4u

“Don’t forget Miss Cleo predicted Lebron would go to the Wizards….IT’S A LOCK”- stin4u

The commenter interviews continue today. Up next is Justin, but you might know him better as stin4u…

1. Favorite sport to watch in person.

Always has and always will be baseball. To me there is nothing better than a day spent in the bleachers at a tribe game sipping a cool adult beverage and trying desperately to get the left fielder on either team to acknowledge your presence. My dad is most to blame for this, it’s completely cliche but the first time he took me to a game at Municipal Stadium and we walked out of the tunnel and I saw the grass and all the seats I was hooked for life. Not to mention I’d never gotten to pee in a trough before and that was ultra cool!

2. Favorite sport to watch on tv.

Football for me. Shocking right? I love the Browns, although my blood pressure tends to raise itself to an unhealthy level come September. Despite that love for the Browns, college football still does it for me more than the NFL, especially now with the dramatic face-lift we are seeing nationwide. I’m a sucker total sucker for tradition and rivalry, and the college game gives you that in gobs week-in and week-out. Just to mix it up some I’ll let you know a very close second would be soccer. I’m a bit of a nut when it comes to EPL soccer (specifically Man Utd.), and the world cup. I know soccer has it’s detractors here in the states but when it’s played correctly it lives up to it’s billing as “the beautiful game.”

3. Sports or hobbies you play.

A la Denny I am a total technology junky. My weekends are usually spent doing some graphic design work for fun or fixing computers for friends who have me on speed dial when they can’t get on farmville. I played baseball and soccer in high school , and although I didn’t have the chops to play in college I did play plenty of intramural sports. I play softball in Euclid Sunday mornings, and I usually play flag football when fall rolls around.

4. Married? Kids?

Neither. I live with my wonderful girlfriend of a year and half who somehow puts up with my tendency to have words with the television if things aren’t going as planned, along with a laundry list of other bad habits.

5. Favorite Cleveland sports memory.

You mean besides getting to do a commenter interview with WFNY? This is sort of a tough one since I’m only 25 and…well….we all know what’s gone on in that time frame. I would say my favorite memory was my dad taking me to the last Indians game in Municipal Stadium. He got tickets for the entire series but didn’t want to use the tickets because “They would be worth something someday” and therefore they should remain intact stub and all. Well, with enough whining he finally caved and we attended the final game. I got some of the warning track dirt and it, along with those tickets, still sit in my collection at home despite the killing I would make on ebay (sorry dad).

6. Most heartbreaking loss.

There are two that stand out in my mind. The first was game seven of the ’97 world series. I remember watching the ’95 series when I was 11 and being crushed that they didn’t win. When they made it back in ’97 everyone I knew felt it was the year, and I mean come on…the Marlins? I still remember the feeling of absolute dread when Nagy couldn’t snag that ground ball and the man with the most insane batting stance I’ve ever seen (Craig Counsell) crossed the plate for the win. The second would be the game 5 loss to the Boston Celtics in this years playoffs. In anticipation of what surely would be a hard fought victory for my Cavaliers I spent my grocery money for the next two weeks to buy a ticket to the game….needless to say I was a little disappointed.

7. Which team do you most want a title for (Browns, Tribe, Cavs)?

Like I said, I’m a sucker for tradition. So the answer here is clear cut, the Cleveland Browns. I grew up hearing about Otto Graham and Jim Brown and how the Browns used to be a power house team. I think of the three teams, a Super Bowl win would carry the most weight for me and arguably most Clevelanders. Plus, it would mean the Steelers didn’t win…

8. Your dream piece of Cleveland sports memorabilia.

Ticket stub from a Browns super bowl win

9. Favorite place to watch a game.

Assuming I wont be at the game, probably at home on my own couch. I enjoy the sports bars but the price tag can get a bit hefty.

10. Any superstitions?

I used to be the guy that would stand on one leg with my eyes shut flapping my arms like a chicken if it meant a hit / 3rd down stop / clutch free throw. As I’ve matured…**right**….I’ve come to realize you make your own luck.

11. What would be your entrance music?

I’m a self proclaimed music buff so I really put a lot of thought into this one. And as much as I wanted to pull something deep and mind bending out of the hat…I couldn’t. There’s only one song I would want to play when I enter the room….and that song is Stranglehold by Ted Nugent.

Why Cleveland teams?

Adversity breeds character.

This describes our city perfectly. There is something exceedingly special about Cleveland, and no it’s not the weather. It’s the people. I know it’s been stated that no fan base is all that different from another, and to a degree I believe that to be correct. But I do think Cleveland fans know how to appreciate things. This isn’t New York where our baseball team is going for a *yawn* 28th championship or LA where the only reason people get Laker tickets is to rub elbows with celebs. This is a town largely devoid of the arrogance and entitlement that comes with the big city label, and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. So to officially answer the question….you guys, that’s why.

Thanks Justin. I was at those last three games at Muni Stadium as well. I have no idea where my ticket stubs went though…