Taking (yet another) a look at Cleveland sports

One would think that spending a lifetime following sports in the city of Cleveland would make one used to the surprising events which always impact our sports teams, wouldn’t one?

Well, if one does take that stance, one would be wrong.

Take the Guardians’ hiring of Stephen Vogt as the successor to former manager Terry Francona. Please.

I mean, the guy is only 39 years old. Not that you have to be older than dirt to be a successful manager, but he’s only been retired as a player for a year, so suffice to say his coaching experience is limited, and his managerial experience – at any level in the pros – is equal to mine.

I had to watch the interview with Chris Antonetti to see if I could get more info on the team’s thought (or lack of same) process in choosing Vogt, but I came away just as puzzled – if not more so – after watching the video.

For one thing, Antonetti kept referring to their selection process as a search for a “collaborative partner.” I kid you not, I immediately flashed back a generation to the hiring of Eric Wedge by then GM Mark Shapiro, because Shapiro used whatever the buzz-words and catch phrases of the time were in saying the same thing. (Most folks will agree that it’s always preferable to use descriptors the audience isn’t used to hearing, as it automatically implies you have oodles of more schooling than the rest of the common shmoes out there).

But “collaborative partner”? Mark, are you looking for a baseball manager or a pal for Gin Rummy?

Nevertheless, he continued on, gushing about the search for a “caring partner.” Seriously, are you looking for a baseball manager for the Guardians or a new nanny for the kids?

And while we’re at it here, let’s remind ourselves of this: Even if you hire the most caring guy in the world, but his team has a record of 30-51 halfway through the 2024 season, there will soon be a “Now Hiring” sign will be hanging from the Executive offices at Carnegie and East 9th. Remember what Leo Durocher said about where nice guys finish ...

Next, take Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and the $230 million dollar man, Deshaun Watson. Double please!

As most of my loyal reader(s) are aware, I’m not a Watson fan and likely never will be. Him being gone for the rest of the season makes it much easier to root for the Browns now, for should the Browns finally make it to the promised land, he will get very little credit. Sweet!

The Catch-22 here is that if the Browns finish their season and win the ultimate prize, their owner will get a lot of credit for the team’s success. As most of my loyal reader(s) (déjà vu) are also aware, the guy is without question the worst owner in football – if not all sports – and we will be reminded of that soon enough after the championship hangover wears off, as the lack of draft picks (all mortgaged in the Watson trade fiasco) ensure that the “same old Browns” lurk just over the horizon.

What's left? Let’s go Cavs!