Kid Cleveland

Cleveland Hall of Fame

2011-08-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of the following the World Wide Leader's run at awarding their major markets a hall of fame (i.e. LA, Boston and the like...you know the markets ESPN has a rooting interest in!) I decided to go ahead and fire one off for the city of Cleveland. Let me make this clear. This is for Cleveland's sports franchises, so don't be bringing me any of that Elliot Ness or Moses Cleaveland shit!

ANYWAY, before I get started, I know last year I did a post for Cleveland's top pro-athletes ever. This list will be different because it could include coaches, owners, as well as focusing on what these people did while they were involved with Cleveland franchises. If you think I missed someone, feel free to comment away kids!

One last note. If you are expecting a hall of fame class with the same type of glitz and glamour as Los Angeles, then you sir are shit out of luck. You want botox and yoga? Go to fucking ESPN. We are a beer and shots kind of town. Corned beef and perogies. Tuesday nights at a shady strip club that let's you eat Taco Bell while getting a lap dance. This is our town!

In no particular order, here is the Kid Cleveland list for the initial Hall of Fame class in no particular order:

Larry Doby - Cleveland Indians (1947-1955, 1958)

This talented center fielder makes this initial class for reasons both on and off the field. Larry Doby was the first African American to play in the American League and made his first appearance with the Indians just eleven weeks after Jackie Robinson's debut with Brooklyn.

What often gets lost in history is just how great of a player Larry Doby was. Doby never posted an OPS lower than .857 as an Indians full time player from 1947 until 1955. Strangely enough, Doby's lowest OPS was .847 which occured in 1954 when Doby finished as MVP runner-up. Go figure. From 1950 till 1952, Doby posted consecutive WAR's (wins above replacement player) of 6.3 - third in the league, 5.9 - third again, and 7.3 - second in the league.

Doby also appeared in the All-Star game from 1949-1955 while also playing key roles on the World Champion '48 team, as well as the '54 pennant winners that set a league record for wins (111-43) that would stand for decades.

Paul Brown - Cleveland Browns (1946-62)

Paul Brown started off right away as part-owner, vice president, general manager and head coach for Mickey McBride's franchise in the brand new league known as the All-America Football Conference. He signed his contract February 8, 1945, while still in the Navy.

Brown's innovations were legendary. Wether it was player intellegence test, game film, radio transmitters, or the invention of the modern facemask, Paul Brown always seemed to be a step ahead of the competition for much of his time in Cleveland. He is also given credit for establishing the offense that would eventually be known as the West Coast Offense made famous by one of his assistants, hall of fame coach Bill Walsh.

As head coach of the Browns, Paul Brown won four AAFC championships and three more in the NFL. Brown's tenure with the Browns took a turn for the worse when Art Modell bought the team in 1961. Naturally, Brown and the meddling Modell could not coexist as Brown was fired in January of 1963.

Bob Feller - Cleveland Indians (1936-41, 1945-56)

As a 17 year-old, Feller struck out 17 batters in a Major League game. Think about that for a second. The most dominant pitcher of his era retired with 266 wins and 2,581 strikeouts. He also threw three no-hitters and a record tying 12 one-hitters. Those numbers would be even greater if Feller hadn’t spent four years in the Navy during WWII...a war that he is damn proud to have served, even more so than his baseball career. Feller led the Indians to their last World Series victory in 1948 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1962. Feller’s #19 is retired by the Indians and he is the only Cleveland athlete to be currently honored with a bronze statue. Feller spent his entire career with the Indians.

Otto Graham - Cleveland Browns (1946-1955)

Where do we start with Otto Graham? Is it the 5 total MVP awards in both the AAFC and NFL? What about the 9 combined All-Pro selections? For as impressive as those accomplishments are, Graham’s greatest achievement is winning. Hey, that's a rare acheivement in this town. Graham led the Browns to the championship game ten times in as many years and won seven of those title games. Oh, and he also led the league in passing in seven of those ten years to boot. Graham’s all-time record as QB for the Browns is 105-17-4. I don't care how many years were in the AAFC compared to the NFL. A winner is a winner and Otto Graham dominated both leagues. The Hall of Famer’s #14 (he wore #60 as an AAFC player) is retired by the Browns.

Jim Brown - Cleveland Browns (1957-65)

A Hall of Famer on and off the field

There is no doubt this is the greatest running back in NFL history. In his day, Brown played NFL seasons that only consisted of 12 and then 14 games (compared to 16 today) and most of his career records still compare to the numbers today’s players are producing as far as per-game averages are concerned. At the time of his retirement, Brown held the NFL career standard for yards rushing (12,312), touchdowns (126), and yards per carry (5.2). Brown won 4 NFL MVP’s. Named to 9 Pro Bowls and won an NFL title in 1964…which is the most recent in Cleveland sports history that matters. Brown's #32 has been retired by the Browns. Bonus points for getting the chance to make out with Raquel Welch onscreen in the movie 100 Rifles.

Now This is a Fantasy Football Victory Speech!

2010-12-31T06:55:00.000-08:00

Below is a very humble speech from the winner the fantasy football auction league I participated in this year. As you can tell, he clearly took notes from Michael Jordan's HOF speech and toned things down a little bit.

After a long hiatus, I'll be back in full force in the next week or so. If anyone is still checking this site, sorry for the long delay.

Who has two thumbs, owned the NWO, is a former hooker, and spawned a rookie phenom WR courtesy of her pimp's seed?

/Triumphantly points to self with both thumbs in between deep swills of Hennessy.

"DIS MUTHAFUCKA! ANY OF YA'LL CRACKERS GOTS A PROBLEM WIS DAT?"

That's right fantasy cunts, much to D's chagrin, I have (as predicted) claimed the N.W.O. World Championship.

Hey D, you really are the Cincinatti Bengals of this league. Your team shits all over it self to the point that its out of contention by the end of September, then rattles off a few meaningless wins and now you think its safe to puff out your birdchest again. What's next? A show with T.O. and Ocho? How about a lame Twitter feed? Maybe once you stop gargling on Jordan and Carson Palmer's balls and come up for air we'll reach an exciting conclusion to this one. Till then you can keep sniffing my ass while you look up at my place in the final standings.

The top 2 high scores of the playoff, a world title, and only ten fucking roster moves. Think about that while you are pawning your mom's wheelchair and her vomit and box wine covered Lions Snuggie so you can pay for your 50 moves SuperFavre!

To everyone else, I had a great time this year...

SBNCleveland

2010-06-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I just started writing this week at Sports Blog Nation Cleveland. You can check out my first Browns post here.

Top 5 List: Greatest Cleveland Pro Athletes of All-Time

2010-06-18T05:45:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, Sports Blog Nation launched a good new site called SBNation Cleveland. While checking out the place, I came across a post by John Bena that counted down Cleveland’s most popular athletes. Naturally, LeBron James was at the top of the list.

While reading Bena’s top 5 list, I couldn’t help but wonder what LeBron James’ proper place is among Cleveland’s all-time pro athletes (major sports only). Is he greater than Bob Feller? What about Otto Graham? Don’t tell me he’s ahead of Jim Brown…is he?

I think you know where this one is going. So without further adieu, here are my rankings of the top-5 Cleveland Pro Athletes of All-Time. Time to break it down, Rob Gordon style.

5. Tris Speaker – Indians – CF (1916-1926)

Wow, you know this is going to be a pretty loaded list when one of the greatest center fielders in the history of baseball barely cracks the top 5. I have to admit, I'm holding Speaker back a little due to fact that half of baseball's talent pool wasn't allowed to participate during the duration of his entire career due to segregation. Speaker is the owner of the fifth highest career batting average (.345) in MLB history and hit .354 in his eleven years with the Tribe. He’s a member of the 3,000 hit club and is also baseball’s career leader in doubles. Speaker was player-manager for the 1920 Indians team that won the franchise’s first World Series. Speaker entered the Hall of Fame in 1937.

4. LeBron James – Cavaliers – SF (2003-2010)

Admit it; you are a little bit surprised I have James at #4 on this list. To be fair, everyone else on this list has won a championship in their sport while also dominating their sport in their respective eras. So why do I have James ahead of Speaker then? Speaker won one MVP, but that was in 1912 with the Red Sox. James has two MVP’s and has such a high ceiling to accomplish so much more in his career. There is no doubt that LeBron James is without question Cleveland's top athlete of the last half-decate. It's not even close. It just goes to show how much James has already accomplished in Cleveland, while also showing how much of an impact on his legacy an NBA title here would mean on his career. If James can win one championship in this town, he will immediately climb this list ahead of Feller. He also looks to be on his way to being in the discussion of the greatest to play his sport period...just like the guys that occupy top two slots.

3. Bob Feller – Indians – SP (1936-1956)

As a 17 year-old, Feller struck out 17 batters in a Major League game. Think about that for a second. The most dominant pitcher of his era retired with 266 wins and 2,581 strikeouts. He also threw three no-hitters and a record tying 12 one-hitters. Those numbers would be even greater if Feller hadn’t spent four years in the Navy during WWII. Feller led the Indians to their last World Series victory in 1948 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1962. Feller’s #19 is retired by the Indians and is the only Cleveland athlete to be currently honored with a bronze statue. Not sure I agree with that last one.

2. Jim Brown – Browns – RB (1957-1965)

Surprised to see Jim Brown as the runner up? Well, just wait until you read the resume of the guy who tops the list. First let’s say a few things about Brown. There is no doubt this is the greatest running back in NFL history. In his day, Brown played NFL seasons that only consisted of 12 and then 14 games (compared to 16 today) and most of his career records still compare to the numbers today’s players are producing. At the time of his retirement, Brown held the NFL career standard for yards rushing (12,312), touchdowns (126), and yards per carry (5.2). Brown won 4 NFL MVP’s. Named to 9 Pro Bowls and won an NFL title in 1964…which is the most recent in Cleveland sports history that matters. Brown's #32 has been retired by the Browns.

1. Otto Graham – Browns – QB (1946-1955)

Where do we start with Otto Graham? Is it the 5 total MVP awards in both the AAFC and NFL? What about the 9 combined All-Pro selections? For as impressive as those accomplishments are, Graham’s greatest achievement is winning. Hey, that's a rare acheivement in this town. Graham led the Browns to the championship game ten times in ten years and won seven of those games. Oh, and he also led the league in passing in seven of those ten years to boot. Graham’s all-time record as QB for the Browns is 105-17-4. I don't care how many years were in the AAFC compared to the NFL. A winner is a winner and Otto Graham dominated both leagues. The Hall of Famer’s #14 (he wore #60 as an AAFC player) is retired by the Browns.

All About LeBron

2010-06-16T10:58:00.000-07:00

A couple years back, I set ablaze an in-house squabble among WFNY commenter, fans, and writers alike when I went off LeBron James for rocking Cowboys gear at a Browns game less than a year after the Yankee hat incident in an anger filled post. I even used the catchy title of “Bend over Cleveland…LeBron is at it again!” It wasn’t exactly the feel good story of the fall. Back then I was so filled with anger that the only conclusion I could really draw on James is that he obviously didn’t have the same loyalties to the city of Cleveland that even remotely matches the adulation the fans have for him. More than anything, it just seemed like another athlete in this town showing a lack of respect for our proud city while we are on a national stage.

Today, I have to admit my feelings have not changed and recent events have only reinforced that opinion.

Let’s start with the Tom Izzo debacle. Granted, while I admit LeBron doesn’t owe us any real clue of how he spends his free agency tour, the least the guy could have done was send any kind of signal to Izzo while he and the Cavaliers organization twisted in the wind for nearly a week while waiting for any kind of hint from James on his future so Izzo could declare a decision. Naturally, Izzo couldn’t wait anymore and wisely chose to stay at Michigan State. Cleveland, on the other hand, is caught in another embarrassing moment of rejection.

Hey LeBron, at least show Tom Izzo, and the respect of giving the guy of some sort of phone call. You didn’t have to commit either way. It’s the very least you could have done. It is just a sign of respect to both Izzo and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert who has done nothing but bend over backwards for you since he bought the franchise.

The more the “Summer of LeBron” drags on, the more I can’t help but get turned off more and more by the guy as a Cleveland sports fan. I’m serious. This is the equivalent of dating the hottest girl in high school while she’s also openly doing half the football team, while at the same time, I don’t have the guts to even say anything to her because…well, she’s just so damn hot I might just drive her away. Oh, there have been great moments, but THE PARANOIA AND ANXIETY!

You want the guy who is willing to kill himself to win? You want the guy who will sign his extension during the season so there will be no playoff distractions? You want the guy who actually plays while hurt in the playoffs without making excuses? Then start watching the guy who is still the best player in the game on Thursday night. His name is Kobe Bryant and the only thing he cares about these days is the ring.

Catch phrases from LeBron James like “team” and “loyalty” seem all the more like Madison Ave. public relations babble because right now I just see a guy who is looking out for himself. Hey, he’s the guy who wants to be a global icon after all. Playing through alleged pain during the playoffs? Nope. Festering media distractions to the team? Check. Let’s face it, for over a month now James has behaved like somebody who has one foot out the door in his relationship with the city while New York and New Jersey (or soon to be his favorite borough, Brooklyn) eagerly awaits while giving Cleveland another kick to the groin.

Maybe it’s time we all start to recognize this idea.

Can You Top This Caption?

2010-06-13T12:24:00.000-07:00

Dawg Pound: Get Ready for the Montario Hardesty Era

2010-06-11T04:47:00.000-07:00

It should be no wonder why Jerome Harrison recently signed an injury waiver and decided to finally show up for OTA's.

Yes, Harrison did rush for 561 yards over the final three games of 2009 and has some momentum for 2010. However, those opponents Harrison ran over were Kansas City (31st), Oakland (29th), and Jacksonville (19th). We're not exactly talking running against the 2000 Ravens here. The Browns last game against a good rush defense, a 13-6 victory over Pittsburgh (3rd), Harrison only managed 7 carries for 9 yards.

Dispite the successes against lesser opponents down the stretch, there is much to be improved in the Browns running attack. Thankfully, new Browns G.M. Tom Heckert, along with Eric Mangini, haven't let this slip past them. Enter University of Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty.

On the second day of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Browns traded three picks to the Eagles in order to move up and draft Hardesty in the second round (59th overall). This was an important addition to the Browns offense and here is why.

Hardesty is a running back with the size (5-11, 225lb.), speed (4.49), and toughness to handle himself versus the defenses of the AFC North. Just watch his highlight video at the end of the post to see his physical, yet elusive, style of running. He's also a pretty good receiving back to boot.

The following were the final rankings against the run for the AFC North defenses...Pittsburgh 3rd, Baltimore 5th, and Cincinatti 7th. What was the Browns final division record last year? 1-5. Wonderful.

Granted, while it is still only June, but Hardesty's promotion to the first team offense sends many messages. One is the coaching staff has faith in the rookie to carry the load of the offense and is rewarding his hard work. Two is the Browns still have concerns that *Harrison's offensive explosion last December was likely more due to playing teams that were below average rather than Jerome Harrison turning into the second coming of Earnest Byner overnight. Three, trusting second year running back James Davis with handling a bulk of the rushing attack is just too much of a risk this year.

(*I don't consider Harrison's contract status into the equation right now. Nobody on the Browns, including Matt Roth, is going to sit out the season and leave the money on the table in 2010. You can take that to the blood bank.)

To win in the AFC North you have to be able to run the football at will, late in the season especially, against playoff caliber opponents and play physical defense. Thankfully, for the first time in about two decades, the Browns seem to finally have both a coaching staff and management team that have come to agree on that.

BREAKING NEWS: WFNY reports Tom Izzo tells MSU players he intends to take Cleveland job

2010-06-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

According to sources close to WaitingForNextyear, Tom Izzo has told his players that he intends to take the Cavaliers head coaching job. Click the link for more info.

Something tells me Coach Izzo must either be really confident in LeBron James staying in town for a few more years...or he can't resist Dan Gilbert's $6 million-per-year offer. As the guys at WFNY has said in their post, anything can happen until an announcement is official, but they are confident enough in their sources to run with this. Of course, more to come later.

Where in the hell is Carlos Santana?

2010-06-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Can someone tell me what the hell the Indians management is thinking right now when it comes to the development of catching uber-prospect Carlos Santana? For three years now this guy has been tearing up minor league pitching at every level he's played at. He's won back-to-back league MVP's and, the way he is playing right now, is on his way to his third in a row at the Indians AAA affiliate in Columbus.

The fact that he's on his way toward the AAA MVP is actually a problem right now.

Heading into tonight's game against the Boston Red Sox, Indians poo-poo platter of a catching duo Lou Marson (.195/.261/.271) and Mike Redmond (.208/.250/.283) are performing about as bad as any Indians catching duo in recent memory.

You don't believe me? Take at look at the 1987 duo of Andy Allanson and Chris Bando. They were actually better than what we have right now. I'll wait patiently while you go throw up.

Of course, this just makes fans like you and my self beg to wonder...where in the hell is Carlos Santana? Santana is currently hitting .317 with an OPS of 1.026 for the Columbus Clippers. He also has 11 home runs. For comparison's sake, Marson/Redmond have combined for one home run!

If Carlos Santana were in Cleveland he would be hitting in the middle of the order right now. Not Jhonny Peralta. Not Travis Hafner. Even Manny Acta can figure this one out.

What really grinds my gears is the Indians brass' explanation as to why Santana is still marinating in the minors. They say he needs time to work on calling a game with the pitchers. Are you really telling me he needs more time so he can handle the likes of AAAA pitchers like David Huff and Justin Masterson? Really?!?!

Just bring the damn guy up already! I've already given up on this team for this year and next. At the very least, this guy can give the fans something to tune into at night instead of summer reruns.

Oh, and one more thing. For the love of God...when he gets to Cleveland, do not....I repeat...DO NOT let play this damn song every time he comes to bat.

Could Tom Izzo really be coming to Cleveland?

2010-06-07T12:55:00.000-07:00

Well, it looks like there is some fire to the smoke signals coming out of Quicken Loans arena after all. The Plain Dealer's Brian Windhorst is now reporting that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is preparing a $6 million a year offer to the Michigan State head coach. While this potential hire would be a splash among many fans and media alike, there is always risk in bringing a college coach.

Recent college hires to the NBA over the last decade-plus have included John Calipari, P.J. Carlisimo, Tim Floyd, Mike Montgomery, and Rick Pitino. None were considered successes. However, in their defense, none took over a team that had a good roster. In fact, all took over rudderless franchises with no hope and had even more bad luck in the lottery after their hires.

In the NBA, more than any other pro sport, coaches need players to win. This isn't the NFL where Bill Parcells can turn chicken shit into chicken salad in a year's time. Put Red Aurbach or John Wooden in charge of the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets and they are still picking in the top five of this months draft. That's just how the NBA is. One star can really make all the difference while a great coach can only do so much in the pro game.

So how would Tom Izzo do in Cleveland with LeBron James and a roster that has had back-to-back 60 win seasons? It would be interesting to say the least.

Ron Burgundy Interviews Tom Izzo from Ron Burgundy

New York is lagging behind when it comes to annoying LeBron videos

2010-06-04T05:03:00.000-07:00

It was bound to happen sooner or later, but New York has launched an official website hellbent on bringing LeBron James to the Big Apple. They even have a hip slogan and video staring Mayor Bloomberg titled "C'mon LeBron."

I have to admit, after watching the very lame Cleveland song parody titled We Are LeBron (naturally in homage to this), I was gleefully hoping the New York video titled C'mon LeBron would also follow suit. Wouldn't that have been something to see Bloomberg wearing overalls like he's straight out of Dexy's Midnight Runners ??? I say hell yes. Instead, we get treated to some video that looks like it has the same production team of something we had to watch in drivers ed. Thanks for ruining my weekend New York.

videos after the jump. enjoy.

You Want LeBron to Stay in Cleveland, Mr. Prez? Sure You Do...

2010-06-04T04:15:00.000-07:00

Terrific. It had been only a few hours since a politician or celebrity last shamelessly campaigned for LeBron James to come and play in their NBA city next season. Now that President Obama is back to being a bullshitting politician and pretending that he would like to see James stay in Cleveland...we can all rest easy.

Now go scrub some oil off a seagull in the Gulf or something. We're used to seeing our athletes flee this town as fast as they can for greener pastures. Trust me, they don't need your help.

No Decision is a Perfect Decision

2010-06-04T03:48:00.000-07:00

If MLB revises history and gives Galarraga the perfect game, that would more or less reduce the game to a kids soccer match in which the parents tell the kids not to worry about the score. To me, Galarraga's corrected "perfect game" would have as much merit.

Thankfully, we will be spared revisionist history invading the sports world.

Hey, at least Galarraga got a car for his troubles. Trust me, he'll sleep ok this week.