Conclusion

It has been a pleasure to blog for Sports History class. When I first realized I had to take this course I thought it would be boring. I actually really enjoyed learning about the history of sports because I learned how sport developed into the spectacle it is today. Blogging is a fun and creative way to express my opinions on issues in the world of sports. I loved learning about the rise of intercollegiate athletics, the Black Sox scandal, the formation of baseball, and many ethical issues that were presented in class. My favorite ethical issue I blogged about was Pete Rose. I enjoyed hearing this issue from a different perspective because I believe Rose should be in the Hall of Fame as a player but not coach. My favorite issue in class wasn't in a reading or presentation but was actually a debate we had in class. The class we spoke about LeBron leaving Cleveland really made think. After the class I blogged about the issue. I enjoyed hearing other peoples opinion about this issue in class and I realized how big this issue is. LeBron's upcoming decision in the summer of 2010 not only affects the Cavaliers, but also affects the NBA and the city of Cleveland. I believe if LeBron leaves Cleveland the franchise will soon follow. I liked the feedback I received on my post because it really made me think for the first time LeBron actually might leave Cleveland. Overall I enjoyed blogging because it let me communicate with classmates outside of class. I hope to blog more in the future. I believe on day blogging will take place of newspapers, and will only grow as a form of media.

Ohhhhh the pain to be an Cleveland Indians fan....

There is one thing in life that I currently am not proud to say.....I am a fan of the Cleveland Indians. It has killed me the past few weeks watching Sports Center and seeing many MLB teams especially teams in the American League improving. Today players such as Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, John Lackey, Hideki Matsui, and others switched teams. The World Champion New York Yankees even improved this off season by acquiring All-Star Curtis Granderson from the Detroit Tigers. The big news for the Indians...nothing. All the Tribe has done is trade away more players and mention how they need to trim payroll. The Indians also hired former Nationals coach Manny Acta who had an impressive resume with Washington (NOT). Just a few seasons ago the Indians were one game away from the World Series. The Indians chose not to spend money the following off-season and have since fallen apart. MLB is a sport where money= success. The New York Yankees spent a ton of it last off season and won the World Series. My question for the Indians is what are they doing? The Central Division is a division we can contend in and anything goes in the playoffs. Instead of spending money we are watching other teams around us improve. The Indians have traded away the past two Cy Young winners in the AL and All Star Victor Martinez to Boston. As an employee of the Indians I believe the franchise is in turmoil. I believe for the Indians to succeed we need new ownership and a different philosophy on how to build a winning franchise. The only thing the Cleveland Indians have going for them is the success we had in the 1990's. The only reason fans still go to games is to try and recapture the memory's they experienced over a decade ago. There is one thing the Cleveland Indians have a common bond with....the Cleveland Browns. I love being a Cleveland sports fan..........

The Circus That is The Dallas Cowboys

When most people think about the Dallas Cowboys they think America's Team. When I think about the Cowboys I think of one thing....Jerry Jones. The last thing I should be thinking about is the team owner but after watching another Cowboys loss Sunday vs the Chargers I had to write about this. The Cowboys haven't won a playoff game in over a decade and our in the midst of another December collapse and missing out on the playoffs for the second straight season. During these losses Fox Sports continuously shows footage of Jones pacing throughout his expensive suite. My issue with the Cowboys is I believe they are all glitz and glamour and an average football team. During Sundays game vs the Chargers fans could watch the game wearing 3-D glasses. The fans are also sitting in a brand new ultra expensive stadium in which there are dancers on every level of the place. The new Cowboys stadium is awesome I will give it that, but completely unnecessary. Does there need to be a giant TV screen when people are already at the game. In my opinion the new Cowboys stadium is more like Cedar Point. The Cowboys and Jerry Jones need to worry about winning actual football games and not playing in an amusement park. I think its a joke that the Cowboys are considered Americas Team. What about the Patriots, Colts, or Steelers?

Will He or Wont He?

The biggest question arguably looming in the world of sports is centered around the NBA's free agent class of 2010. The list features many prominent NBA stars including Dwayne Wade, Amare Stoudemire, and Chris Bosh. The one major prize of the free agent class includes the reigning NBA MVP LeBron James. The debate is whether James will stay with his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers or bolt to another franchise possibly the New York Knicks. Many argue LeBron's best chance for a championship is staying in Cleveland. Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry has done his best to surround LeBron with the necessary talent to win an NBA title. After the Cavs disappointing finish in last year Eastern Conference Finals the Cavaliers improved their team by acquiring future NBA Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neil to try and help LeBron bring a title to Cleveland. Some believe that the Cavaliers must at least make it to the NBA Finals for LeBron to stay in Cleveland. My big question is why would Lebron leave Cleveland. Many people believe LeBron wants to go to New York to maximize his financial opportunities. LeBron would also love the spotlight and playing in Madison Square Garden over 40 times a year. LeBron also has close ties with Jay-Z who wants Lebron to come to New York. My opinion is LeBron would be nuts to leave Cleveland. Cleveland is close to a championship and is only a few players away from being the best team in the NBA. The Knicks are a team with zero talent and have been one of the worst teams in the league the past few seasons. Even though New York could afford to bring another superstar along with James, I think that move would set LeBron back years in his effort to win a championship. If LeBron was smart he would stay home in Cleveland and fulfill his promise of bringing the city a championship. Cleveland has been through hell with the Browns and Indians and if LeBron were to leave the franchise would shortly follow in my mind. All we can do as Cavaliers fans is hope and pray James stays in Cleveland and brings the city what it deserves.

The Media In Sports

I am doing this blog in response to Nick and Shaun's presentation on if the media should be allowed to intrude the personal life of an athlete. I have always believed that the media should leave athletes alone and how they are just normal human beings like the rest of us. I wonder how the media would feel if people we following them around with cameras and writing stuff about them. Recently after thought I have changed my stance. I believe that athletes take on a much bigger responsibility in life when they become professional and make the amount of money they do. I believe if you are always in the spotlight and make all that money then you should be subject the media. Athletes are no different then movie stars and rock stars. When you're famous and make all that money the media wants to know what you're doing at all times. The fans and society love gossip and crave to know what athletes are doing in their personal life. It feels like every other day we here about another girlfriend for A-Rod. I believe it does cross the line when the media can affect the game but if you are nice to the media cooperative with them chances are they may return the favor. If you are a rich athlete do your job the best you can, and try to hide things going on in your personal life. No matter what professional athletes think the media will always be watching them, but if you're making all the money then who really cares? My advice to athletes....SUCK IT UP.

Head Man In Charge

The other day in class we were talking about who the best commissioner in sports is. I believe the best commissioner out of the three major sports is NFL commissioner Roger Godell. Since Godell has taken control I believe he has brought a much better sense of professionalism to the game of football. Godell has installed a sense of no tolerance for inappropriate actions on and off the field. If somebody messes up legally or runs into trouble off the field they will hear about it. Roger Godell has made a system which hefty suspensions and fines are given out for violations. A good example of how this has helped players change for the better is Bengals RB Cedric Benson. Benson was involved in a few off field incidents with the Chicago Bears, but has cleaned up his act and become a Pro Bowl caliber player with the Bengals. The NFL has started to clean up its image and the players off the field behaviors are improving. David Stern is also a good commissioner in the NBA and really loves the game and its players. Bud Selig is arguably the worst owner because of how he let steroids ruin baseball, and how he lets the All-Star game decide home field in the World Series unlike any other sport.

Disaster in Cleveland

The other day in class we were talking about how Art Model moved the Cleveland Browns franchise to Baltimore, who are now known as the Baltimore Ravens. This move set the Browns back over a decade, and the Ravens have since won a Super Bowl. Cleveland got its team back in 1999 but now in 2009 resemble a franchise far worse than any expansion team. Since the Browns have been back in the league they have only had one playoff appearance and one 10 win season. This season the Browns have hit a new low. The team is arguably now one of the worst if not worst in NFL history, and the ownership and front office is in disarray. The Browns just recently embarrassed themselves and the city of Cleveland with their 16-0 shutout loss on Monday Night Football when they hosted the Baltimore Ravens. ESPN analysts Trent Dilfer and Steve Young ripped the team and franchise after the game, with Dilfer saying the Browns were the worst offense he has ever seen in football. The Browns problem all starts with the ownership. Randy Lerner inherited this team and has no idea what he is doing. Lerner hired former Jets coach Eric Mangini after he was fired and gave him control of the ship. Mangini hand picked the Browns General Manager who only lasted the first half of the season. The new front office and coaching staff also traded away playmakers Kellen Winslow Jr., and Braylon Edwards, along with draft picks in questionable trades while receiving little back in compensation. The Browns have won a game this season and won't have the worst record of all time, but the Browns are clearly the worst team and franchise in the history of the NFL. The Browns not only can't score a touchdown, they make it look impossible to get first downs and throw the football down the field. With this organization having no direction, no talent, no General Manager, no head coach, a clueless owner, and playing a game of musical chairs at quarterback they will continue to embarrass the city of Cleveland. The people of Cleveland support the Browns through it all and I demand we deserve better. If the Browns don't figure things out and get the right people in control of the organization I wouldn't care if we move again.