A little off topic, but relevant to Cleveland sports fans is the issue of Cavs superstar Lebron James publicly coming out and saying he’s rooting for the Yankees in the ALDS.  James is the symbol of a new sports era in Cleveland. He’s been hailed by all as the savior who will finally bring a city, who’s been starving for a championship in any sport since 1964, a championship. But what kind of loyalty does he show to this city by publicly coming out and saying he’s rooting for public enemy #1. For all time, this city has hated the Yankees. Cleveland’s hate for the Yankees is almost as strong as it is in Boston. The Yankees and the Indians have been rivals from the beginning of the 20th century. In the 1950s, during the glory days of the Tribe, year in and year out the Indians and the Yankees would fight for the pennant. Even though the Indians were only victorious in taking the pennant from the Yankees in 1954, many Clevelanders still remember this era and the remember how the rivalry was taken to a new level. I don’t think Lebron really understands how deep this rivalry is and what it means to  Cleveland.

That being said, I do not think it was too wise for Lebron to publicly come out and make this statement. True, he’s always been a Yankees fan, but when you are a symbol of hope to a city, you’re only going to lose credibility to your reputation by rooting for a deeply hated rival. Indians legend Bob Feller said in response to Lebron, “I’m going to a Cavaliers game and sit right by their bench, wearing a Detroit Pistons cap. Let’s see how LeBron likes that”. Even though I think Feller’s quote was pushing it a bit, he does make a good point. If you are a star or a legend for one sports team in a city, it’s not good, especially when you are still an active player, to come out against another team in a city, especially when they are finally coming together.

Most Indians fans, though, will probably ignore what Lebron said. It just shows how messed up Cleveland sports fans are. Even though the Tribe is winning, Clevelanders always put the Browns then the Cavs first. For Clevelanders the Browns come above anything else, followed by the Cavs, then the Indians. Somewhat ironic because the Browns haven’t won anything since they moved to Baltimore after the 1995 season. This isn’t the Cardiac Kids era anymore, and even then, we never made a Super Bowl. (The last time the Browns won was 1964, the year before the “Super Bowl” format was introduced. So ironically, the Browns have never won a Super Bowl”). I never really understood this city’s obsession with the Browns, to be quite honest. I’ve always been an Indians fan above anything else. My first game was one of the first ones at Jacob’s Field, a cold, brisk April day in 1994. It was a special time in Indians history when they were starting to emerge as a contender. It was too bad the season was cut short by the strike, because I think the Tribe may have had a legitimate chance of winning it in 94. Getting back to the point, though, Lebron should be careful where he steps. Even though I believe his statement will ultimately be ignored by Tribe fans, I think he’s put a mark on his reputation in Cleveland. Even though he’ll always be the savior in Cleveland, and I think if he can get past Gilbert Arenas and a healthy Wizards team, will have a chance to finally bring a NBA title to Cleveland this year, he needs to watch what he says. He’s a symbol of the city and he needs to remember that. That being said, as long as he doesn’t walk into Jacob’s Field Thursday with a Yankees cap and jersey, I’m ok with his opinion. Just remember your place, Lebron. Remember what you mean to this city.

Bill Livingston of the Plain Dealer also wrote a good column on this a few days ago. Here it is. Livingston column