Cleveland vs Cincinnati — a four year rivalry?
By Brian Rosen
Alright, boys and girls; trivia time. Here’s the clue: I am from a big city in Ohio that begins with a C, and I am watching my struggling baseball team.
Not enough of a hint? Alright, well, I know that our team hasn’t hit all year and our pen fell apart, and yet I still watch. I also root for the other teams from the city that I adore.
Figure it out yet? Yea, folks, it’s Cleveland, and unlike another big C in the OH, we support our teams. Sure, we whine, yes, we often self-loathe, and true, we bicker about our championship futility, but alas — we prevail.
Cinci fans care too, though, right? Sure they do, like the last time the Bengals made the playoffs. When the Redlegs are in contention, the hats come out and faces glow with pride. Notice a theme here?
The Nati faithful just ain’t so faithful when their teams can’t make the playoffs. The fair-weather fans of the 513 can’t be so happy with me right now. The great thing? I’m a senior, and once I leave OSU, Cinci will return to its rightful place as Mr.Irrelevant in my heart.
Reason being, this rivalry just flat out does not extend north on 71. We of the Land have our own bitter and historic rivals: the Steelers in football, the Pistons in basketball, and a trio in baseball that includes a white sock, some Tigers and a side of Yankee.
The difference between the CLE and the nasty is that at least a few of these fan bases actually hate us, too. Ok — the Yankees fans don’t care all that much about the Tribe, but do folks in New York know there are states west of the NYC? I interned there last summer; trust me, they don’t.
Newsflash: Who Dey screamers, the Steelers really aren’t your rivals. Like your whole city, to those dwellers of C-town, you just aren’t important enough to hate. See the Cincinnati Reds, the team without an actual rival. Do the Royals still play in the NBA?
In Detroit, folks remember the King’s 2007 Game 5 thriller; in Pittsburgh, fans still shriek over Turkey Jones’ slam of Terry Bradshaw, and in Chicago the South Siders can recall over a half-decade of Indian dominance.
Darn, the tribe just went down 7-1 in the eighth; I guess I should turn the game off. Wait — I’m not from the Queen city. I also remember that Mariners game in 2001, where the wigwams came back from 12 down in the final three plus innings.
Hope springs eternal for Clevelanders; 1990 signifies Cincinnati’s last title, 1964, Cleveland’s. In 2008 the former’s teams look destined for pre-playoff finales and the latter may or may not contend. Only one thing is certain — we will witness.
Tribe just lost again; let the pain set in. Good thing I relish pain, ‘cause I want to truly appreciate my first championship. So I continue to watch as my friends from down south laugh and head to Skyline Chili.
Originally Published: Issue 657 - July 2, 2008
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