I've Known Heartbreak My Whole Life, I'm A Cleveland Sports Fan
Start writing a post
Sports

I've Known Heartbreak My Whole Life, I'm A Cleveland Sports Fan

"There's always next year."

55
I've Known Heartbreak My Whole Life, I'm A Cleveland Sports Fan
Madeline Dziak

Heartbreak is a topic that is hard to talk about, most specifically the relationship kind of heartbreak. I’ve experienced heartbreaks in my life, but I’ve never had a boyfriend in my entire lifetime. But doesn’t qualify me to talk about heartaches? It still does because actually, I'm talking about a different kind of heartbreak.

The sports kind. The kind where your favorite team doesn’t win an important game.

How do I know about this type of heartbreak?

I’m a Cleveland sports fan.

I grew up half an hour west outside of downtown Cleveland, so for my entire life, I breathed the Indians, the Cavaliers, and the Browns. Mostly the Cleveland Indians because that’s what got me loving sports at the tender age of four years old. I know what it’s like to not have one of our teams win a championship, that’s what I grew up living with. I would watch sports playoffs and big championship series without seeing a Cleveland team playing in it.

Up until 2015 when the Cavaliers made the NBA finals, I was so used to seeing other not Cleveland teams make the finals, but of course losing to the Golden State Warriors pulled at my heartstrings. We made it this far, and we just got LeBron James back just to get second.

But it’s okay. We still loved the Cavs. They were still the Cavs. They represented our city in one of the biggest championship games.

It wasn’t until the next year I would experience two firsts in sports.

The first was winning a championship in one of the greatest seven-game NBA finals of all time.

The second was the World Series.

The last time the Cleveland Indians were in the World Series before 2016, my parents were recently married and I was barely even a thought. Yes, I am talking about 1997. I was born August 1998, so I didn’t know what it was like to live in a city participating in the World Series until October 2016. We would lose in what my dad calls “the greatest World Series in history” no matter who won, the Indians or the Cubs.

SEE ALSO: 35 Things You Will Only Understand If You Are A Cleveland Sports Fan

This year, I would go back to understanding loss. With the Cavs losing the Finals in five games and what hurts currently, the Indians losing the ALDS to the Yankees when we were the league favorite to win the World Series. While I still hold a big grudge on the Yankees, I'm still happy for such a great season.

Losing is a part of life. There are always positives in life, even with sports. The Indians now hold the record for the longest win streak! The Cavs are about to start with a great season and I can’t wait to see what Isaiah Thomas and Dwayne Wade do for the team. I still miss Matthew Dellevadova, Kyrie Irving, and now I miss Richard Jefferson even though I still follow him on Snapchat (for little Kevin).

No matter how much my heart hurts after all of this, I still a Cleveland sports fan at heart. It’s what I grew up with and will continue to grow up a fan of.

Yes, including the Browns.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

96652
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments