It is an awesome feeling being an Ohioan right now.
Just like on the Simpsons when everything came up Milhouse, everything is coming up Ohio. It extends from the Ohio State Buckeyes to the Cleveland Cavaliers, even to UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic, Ohio is the state of champions.
As the Cleveland Indians move onto the World Series after their butt-kicking of the Toronto Blue Jays, they decided to have some fun at their opponents’ expense. Why wouldn’t they? Time and time again they were doubted by experts and even some of their own fans who didn’t really start to show up until the playoffs. That sounds like a darn good reason to gloat, even if they haven’t accomplished their ultimate goal just yet. So yes, they should rub their series win in Joes Bautista’s face.
The part that won’t get play in the news is the fact that the Cleveland curse wasn’t broken by the Cavaliers, it was actually broken by the Lake Erie Monsters, the minor league affiliate to the Columbus Blue Jackets. They won the Calder Cup in Quicken Loans Arena, thus breaking the curse and clearing the path for the Cavs. Though “The House that Oliver Bjorkstrand Built” doesn’t have the same ring as “The House That LeBron Built,” does it?
Sure, the Browns are still fermented elephant dung and the Cincinnati sports teams are mostly forgettable. That won’t phase anyone from Ohio though, because the times are too good for anyone to take notice.
It isn’t just celebrations and bouts of arrogance, Ohioans take care of their own, as evidenced by fans buying the Indians’ Game 5 start Ryan Merritt most of the items on his wedding registry. Even when a team is down in the dumps like the Blue Jackets, their captain gives back to the community.
The bubble Ohio sports fans are living in is a nice break from torturous campaign ads and all of the craziness that is happening in the world. They will come back down to Earth at some point, but let them have their moment. Who knows it may end up being another sixty years till they see another professional sports championship. Or maybe, another party could be coming in a couple of weeks.