It’s hot in Cleveland
Once derided as “The Mistake by the Lake,” Cleveland was riding high Tuesday as one its teams commemorated the winning of a championship while another began a title quest. The raising of the Cavaliers’ championship banner was an emotional moment for LeBron James, left, at Quicken Loans Arena. At nearby Progressive Field, the fans enjoyed the Indians taking a step toward what would be their first title in 68 years.
CLEVELAND — Blinking back tears, LeBron James extended his right ring finger, the one sparkling with 400 diamonds, and touched the championship banner.
As it rose from a golden, miniature Cleveland skyline toward the ceiling, Queen’s “We Are The Champions” filled Quicken Loans Arena and Cavaliers fans sang along with Freddie Mercury just as they did in June.
And, incredibly, this was just the warm-up act for a night this city won’t soon forget. Welcome to the center of the sports galaxy — Cleveland, Ohio.
On the same night the Cavs celebrated their historic comeback in the NBA Finals, winning a title that not only ended a 52-year drought in Cleveland but energized an entire region, the Indians hosted Game 1 of the World Series against the Chicago Cubs next door at Progressive Field.
A perfect sports storm on the shores of Lake Erie.
James, Cavs bejeweled
This type of thing never happened in Cleveland, where sports heartbreak was passed down from generation to generation like family heirlooms. But those days are over. This is a new Cleveland — city of champions.
The Cavs flipped that tired sports script, storming back from a 3-1 deficit to shock the 73-win Golden State Warriors and give Cleveland its first title since 1964, when the Browns won the NFL title.
James was the final player to be introduced Tuesday and handed his 6.5 karat ring by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. After slipping it on his hand, James, the kid from Akron who delivered on his promise to win a title for Cleveland, looked at the jewelry with admiration and perhaps some astonishment.
Yes, it really happened. Here.
“This is for you guys,” James told the crowd, repeating a message he screamed after the Cavs won Game 7 at Oracle Arena on June 19. “This is all for you.”
Win, celebrate, repeat
James made sure to wish luck to the Indians, who overcame adversity all season and won their first American League pennant since 1997. They’re trying to end a 68-year Series title drought against the Cubs, those lovable losers 108 years removed from their last championship.
Following a video that showed highlights from the epic Game 7 — James’ huge block, Kyrie Irving’s 3-pointer — Silver introduced Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, who has spared no expense in building a super team. Cleveland’s starting five this season will make $100 million in salary.
Gilbert has gotten greedy, and Cleveland fans don’t mind one bit. After all, most of them have waited a lifetime to see one title. Why not another? “When this is all over and that banner goes up there, there is really only one thing left to do — repeat,” Gilbert said. “And, go Tribe.”