Surprised? No. Disappointed? YES!

I was born in raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Yes, the mistake by the lake. Where the river burned. Where the mayor lit his hair on fire. Where the local utility conned us by saying they lit the best location in the nation. So I am not surprised.

I watched Brian Sipe throw that interception on Red Right 88 instead of the touchdown pass or the short run that would have put the Browns into their first Super Bowl. I watched, way too many times now, John Elway take the Broncos 98 yards to snatch away the Browns first Super Bowl. I watched the next year in disbelief as Earnest Byner fumbled as he was entering the end zone and taking the Browns to their first Super Bowl. I had my heart ripped out by Art Modell as the Browns were moved to replace the Colts in the hearts of Baltimore sports fans. And I have watched in agony as the Browns have re-established themselves in the NFL. Tim Couch as their first draft pick. Kellen Winslow's expert motorcycle exploits. Just missing the playoffs. Then trading Winslow barely a month after getting a Winslow jersey last Christmas. So I am not surprised.

I watched the Indians grow strong in the early 1990's after being the inspiration for only the movie “Major League” for decades. The only thing the Indians of my youth were good for was supplying other clubs with All-Stars, Chris Chambliss and Craig Nettles come immediately to mind. Then the best Indians team of my life loses the chance to make the World Series to the only post-season in Major League Baseball history wiped out by a labor dispute. And then there is that World Series where they imploded at the end of game 7. And then modern economics dictated supplying a few more All-Stars to other teams. So I am not surprised.

I watched the Cavaliers begin their history with 15 consecutive losses. They had a few good players, but most of those Cav teams were forgettable. There was the Miracle of Richfield, the distant outpost where they played their games. But that stopped short of the NBA Finals. And then they got Brad Daugherty and Mark Price and Larry Nance. And then there was that shot by some guy named Jordan. Yes, you too have seen it hundreds of times. But wait, we got the King! And LeBron got us to the Finals when we had no business being there. And the Spurs kicked their butts. OK. LeBron will have other chances. Like this year, with the best record in basketball. Two four-and-outs in the first two rounds. Kobe, see you in the Finals!!! Wait, Dwight Howard, you have a team with you? So I am not surprised.

LeBron James left the arena last night in a huff. He was mad. He was disappointed. He did not want to talk to the media. Now I am surprised. And I am very disappointed. He will try to make things right with his friends. He will try to make things right with the media. He will make it right for us fans by being spectacular again next year and raising our hopes. But his actions last night are a foreshadowing. See, LeBron's contract is complete after one more season in Cleveland. He has brought us more joy than we expected, and brought it far sooner than we thought we would enjoy it. He is a once in a generation athlete. And he is all ours. For now. LeBron will go to another team where he will be a multiple championship winner and win a bunch of MVP trophies. The Cavaliers will not be good for a long time. And I will not be surprised. And I will be disappointed.

And I will still have been born and raised in Cleveland. And still waiting for the championship that I can help celebrate. See, I was 4 years old the last time Cleveland hosted a championship team. And I would like to see it again before I pass from this Earth. But I will not be surprised. And I will still be disappointed.

Until Next Time,
Julius