The Ever-Lasting Curse of Cleveland

Boston. Chicago. Philly. Cleveland.

All of these cities have had, at one point or another, a "curse" on one of their beloved sports teams. All of these cities have enjoyed a championship from at least one of the cities sports teams.

All except for Cleveland.

The Red Sox rid their fans of heartbreak in 2004 when they snapped an 86—year curse. I empathize with Red Sox fans but not for Boston fans. 

While the Red Sox were far from winning a World Series wing, Boston had other teams to look towards to take their minds off the constant disappointment.

The Celtics were a dominant NBA powerhouse under Red Auerbach and later on with the trio of Bird, McHale, and Parrish. They even had the New England Patriots give them an improbable win against the St. Louis Rams and then two more Super Bowl wins after that.

The Chicago Cubs have the longest drought by one team in sports history dating back to 1908.

Again I empathize with Cubs fans but not with the city of Chicago.

This city has both the Cubs and the White Sox, the latter winning the World Series in 2005.

And who could forget the 1985 Super Bowl Shuffle. It was almost 24 years ago, but still, Chicago has a Super Bowl.

Let's not forget, either, about his Air Greatness and the six NBA titles he brought to the city.

Like Boston, Chicago has had other teams to look towards for bringing success and championships to the city.

Philadelphia is another city that's had its fair share of woes.

The Eagles have been in four consecutive NFC Championship games since 2001, and they went to the Super Bowl in 2005. Some fans will say that it doesn't matter how many times they've been to the NFC Championship game because it never resulted in a Super Bowl win.

With the Eagles coming up short each year, the Phillies have kept this city's spirits high.

They go from having the most losses in MLB history, surpassing the 10,000 mark in 2007, to winning the World Series a year later. 

Philly, like Boston and Chicago, has had at least one of their sports teams win a title.

No Cleveland sports teams has brought a title to the city since 1964. For having a rich sports tradition, this city is still referred to as the Mistake by the Lake.

The trilogy of heartbreaks continued through the summer of 2009 when King James and his court could not get passed Dwight Howard and the rest of the Orlando Magic.

Once again Cleveland's hopes were running high at the thought of winning at least one championship even if it was in basketball.

But just like the Browns and the Indians, the Cavs are left with summer long wonderings of what if's. 

When time was ticking down and the Magic knew that they would facing Kobe and the Lakers in the Finals, TNT did something that put a dagger through the hearts of Cleveland fans throughout the nation—yes they aren't just in Ohio: they went through the many instances where Cleveland came up short in big situations:

• Red Right 88
• The Drive
• The Fumble
• The Catch
• The Shot
• Jose Mesa
• Spurs Sweep

Neither Boston, Chicago nor Philly has had a streak of nicknames that symbolize bad memories for Cleveland fans.

In Cleveland you move from one season to the next.

The Browns season is over with four games still to play, you move onto basketball. The Cavs get ousted by the Magic, you move onto baseball. The Indians are under .500, you can't wait until football season.

This is the cycle that Cleveland fans go through each and every year. But they never give up hope that one day their luck will change.

Any city or team argues that they have the best fans. But how many fans can sit through being 90 seconds away from a Super Bowl birth, feel the lowest of low, and still come back the next season with high optimism?

Browns fans can.

What kind of fans can watch the LeBron, the King, the Chosen One, get swept by the Spurs, be humiliated on home court, and still sell out The Q the next season?

Cavaliers fans can.

How many fans can have their team dominate baseball in the 90s only to have never won a World Series?

Indians fans can.

What Cleveland has that separates them from other cities is their optimism each and every season. It's opening day, the team has no losses on record, it's a good day in Cleveland.

They always believe that one day their time will come. What keeps them coming back is their belief that every dog has its day and Cleveland will eventually have theirs.

This city could use a celebratory parade.