The Misery of being a Cleveland Fan

I was born and raised in Ohio and have lived in Michigan most of my life and root for all the Ohio pro sports teams except for the Cavaliers. Why? Growing up here in Michigan, I could watch either the Chicago Bulls or the Detroit Pistons on TV. The Cavs were never on TV. My best friend's aunt works at the United Center in Chicago and she also worked at Chicago Stadium. She was always sending stuff to my best friend and it always helped that the best player in basketball history, Michael Jordan, played for the Bulls. Not having much exposure to the Cavs and my dad not being a NBA fan led me to root for the Pistons and Bulls.

Courtesy of ltdanman44 at Fark (I corrected #13 and added #26):

1. 1954. The Catch. The great Willie Mays runs down a 420 shot to center field in sensational fashion preserving a 2-2 tie. Giants go on to sweep the World Series against a team that had set a record with 114 wins.

2. 1961. The Trade - Rocky Colavito to Detroit which killed the era of great Indians baseball in Cleveland. (Thanks to DeadlockVictim at TotalFark)

3. 1976. Jim Chones breaks his foot in practice, Cavs sunk in playoffs

4. 1981. Red Right 88. Even though they were in field goal range (13 yard line) for a winning kick, Sipe tosses an interception in the end zone, Browns lose 14-12. Raiders go on to win the Super Bowl.

5. 1987. The Drive. 98 yard drive by Elway tied the game with 37 seconds left. They go on to lose in overtime.

6. 1988. The Fumble. Ernest Byner fumbles on the 3 yard line, Denver recovers and ends another great season. Byner traded to Washington the next year and wins a Super Bowl for them.

7. 1989. The Shot. Micheal Jordan's iconic shot at the buzzer in game 5. Craig Ehlo inconsolable.

8. 1994. Brad Daugherty's career ended because of back problems at age 26.

9. 1994. Cleveland Indians break out to the best record in baseball. The season ended with a strike.

10. 1995. Indians lose in World Series to Atlanta in 6 games.

11. 1996. Indians have the best record in baseball, lose to Baltimore in 4 games.

12. 1996. Browns and Art Modell leave Cleveland and move to Baltimore.

13. 1997. World Series, game 7. Indians have the lead in the bottom of the ninth with 1 out when Jose Mesa(1.12 ERA 46 saves) falls apart on the mound and lets the Marlins tie the game. In the bottom of the 11th, 4 time Gold Glove winner and 5 time All-Star Tony Fernandez muffs a sure double play. Edgar Rentería singles in the winning run, scored by Craig Counsell.

14. 1999. Browns back in Cleveland. Draft Tim Couch 1st overall. Draft bust.

15. 2000. Browns draft Courtney Brown 1st overall. Draft bust.

16. 2001. Browns draft Gerard Warren 3rd overall. Draft bust.

17. 2001. The Ravens and Art Modell win the Super Bowl for Baltimore.

18. 2002. Browns draft William Green 16th overall. Draft bust.

19. 2002. Browns finally make the playoffs and have a 22 point 4th quarter lead against rival Pittsburgh and lose.

20. 2003. Browns draft Jeff Faine 21st overall, does nothing for Cleveland. Traded to Saints where he becomes a Pro Bowl center.

21. 2004. Browns draft Kellen Winslow. 2 games into season, he breaks his leg. Lost for year.

22. 2005. Kellen Winslow blows his knee out in a motorcycle accident, lost for the year.

23. 2005. Browns draft Braylon Edwards 3rd overall. Blows knee out, lost for the year.

24. 2006. LeCharles Bentley, top rated free agent signs huge contract with Cleveland. During the first play of the first practice he tore his patella tendon and ended his career.

25. 2007. Cavs get swept in Finals.

26. 2007. Indians hold a 3-1 series lead against the Red Sox in the ALCS. They lose Games 5, 6 and 7 by a combined 30-5 score. Franchise is still reeling.

27. 2008-2009. Cleveland trades not one, but 2 Cy Young winners(C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee) to New York and Philly. Both pitchers meet each other in the World Series.

28. 2009. Cavs roll in playoffs, stopped by Orlando.

29. 2010. Cavs have the best record in NBA. Lose to aging Celtics team.