The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
22 in a row is top story
Despite an early departure from the playoffs, the Indians took their fans on a magic ride at the end of the regular season.
It was a ride never taken in the history of the American League.
When Jay Bruce’s hit in the bottom of the 10th inning secured a 3-2 win over the Royals Sept. 14, it also marked the Indians’ 22nd straight victory.
There were big stories throughout the Cleveland pro sports landscape, including two that hit close to home in Lake County involving NFL rookies Kareem Hunt, a Willoughby South grad, and Mitchell Trubisky of Mentor.
Here’s the Top 10 Cleveland pro sports stories, as voted on by The News-Herald sports staff, with total points and first-place votes in parenthesis:
1. INDIANS WIN AL RECORD 22 STRAIGHT GAMES, 57 POINTS (3) » The streak began Aug. 24 in a 13-6 win against Boston, and ended Sept. 15 in a 4-3 loss to the Royals. In between, was one of the most memorable rides taken in baseball history. After the loss to the Royals, Manager Terry Francona and his players waved to those in attendance at Progressive Field. Said Francona: “The players wanted to show their appreciation. We don’t take it for granted.” 2. CAVALIERS TRADE KYRIE IRVING TO THE CELTICS, 55 POINTS (2) » Following the Cavaliers’ loss to the Warriors in the NBA Finals, rumors started July 24 Irving wasn’t happy in Cleveland, and wanted out. It came to a head Aug. 22 when the
team sent Irving to the Celtics for All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder,center Ante Zizic and the 2018 unprotected first-round draft pick of the Nets. 3. CAVALIERS LOSE IN NBA FINALS TO WARRIORS, 43 POINTS » A year after squandering a 3-1 Finals lead to the Cavs, Golden State closed the book and season on Cleveland with a 129-120 win in Game 5 to take the series, 4-1. Kevin Durant scored 39 points in Game 5, and won Finals MVP honors. LeBron James had 41 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in Game 5. 4. INDIANS OUSTED IN AL DIVISION SERIES BY YANKEES, 40 POINTS (2) » After winning 102 regular-season games, including 22 straight, the Indians appeared ready to make a long run in the playoffs. Those hopes were halted when the Yankees, trailing 2-0 in the five-game series, stunned the Tribe with three straight wins to
eliminate Cleveland. New York won Game 5 at Progressive Field, 5-2. “It actually stinks,” closer Cody Allen said in a subdued clubhouse. “They just flat-out played better than us the last three days.” 5. TRUBISKY DRAFTED NO. 2 OVERALL BY THE BEARS, 39 POINTS » It was a draft-day stunner as the Bears surprised everyone by trading up one spot to No. 2 overall — just behind the Browns — and drafted Mentor graduate Trubisky. “I couldn’t believe it. It was unreal,” he said. It was a fast rise by Trubisky, who started the 2016 season as a first-year starter at North Carolina as a redshirt junior, declared for the draft, and impressed the Bears enough to secure him as their future quarterback. 6. BROWNS EXECUTIVE SASHI BROWN FIRED, 30 POINTS » As the team’s executive vice president, Sashi Brown said the results (a 1-27 record) of
the Browns under his leadership didn’t cut. It’s surely the main reason why Brown was fired by owner Jimmy Haslam Dec. 7, and later replaced by John Dorsey. “Our win-loss record since I became executive vice president isn’t going to cut it,” said Brown in a statement. 7. HUNT’S SMASHING DEBUT, WINS NFL RUSHING TITLE, 28 POINTS » Hunt’s first carry as an NFL running back resulted in a fumble. His first game resulted in NFL history. Against the Patriots in the 2017 regular-season opener, Hunt recovered from that fumble to have the greatest NFL debut in history. The South graduate finished the 42-27 Chiefs win with 148 rushing yards on 17 carries, plus 98 receiving yards on five receptions with three touchdowns. Hunt’s 246 yards are the most in an NFL debut since the 1970 merger. Hunt also finished strong, and won the NFL rushing
title with 1,327 yards. 8. BROWNS FINISH 0-16, 21 POINTS » A dismal season reached hit rock-bottom on the last day of 2017 as the Browns lost to the Steelers, 28-24, to complete an winless season. They joined the 2008 Lions as the only NFL team to finish a season 0-16. 9. INDIANS STARTER COREY KLUBER WINS AL CY YOUNG AWARD, 14 POINTS » Kluber missed a month of the season with a back injury, but that didn’t prevent the Indians ace from winning the award a second time with a dominant finish. Down the stretch, he went 11-1. For the season, Kluber led the majors with a 2.25 ERA and tied for most wins with 18 and complete games with 5. He struck out 265 batters. 10. BROWNS’ JOE THOMAS INJURED, ENDS LONG PLAYING STREAK, 11 POINTS » On Oct. 22 against the Titans, the streak ended. Joe Thomas’ triceps injury forced the incredibly durable All-Pro left tackle to leave that game, and it ended a 10year streak that might not be matched again. The injury ended Thomas’ streak of 10,363 consecutive snaps played. “That one is really personal to me,” said Browns coach Hue Jackson. “(Thomas) is a huge part of what we do, a huge part of this organization. I told him I love him and I appreciate everything that he is. HONORABLE MENTION » UFC heavyweight champion and Eastlake North grad Stipe Miocic defends belt in May at Dallas; Free-agent signee Edwin Encarnacion pays off for Indians; Defensive end Myles Garrett of Texas A&M drafted No. 1 overall by Browns; Indians’ Jose Ramirez named AL AllStar starter; Fallout from David Griffin leaving Cavs, and Koby Altman named his replacement; Dwyane Wade joins Cavaliers; DeShone Kizer named Browns starter at QB, struggles.