Squandered good will

You know what's not helping my psyche these days? Watching a baseball postseason filled with mostly uninspiring teams and realizing that the entire country might have well been rooting for the Indians. I'm reasonably sure that with the exception of Boston, St. Louis, San Diego half of Chicago, half of New York and whatever percentage of the Los Angeles area cares about the Angels, the Indians would be everyone's favorite story.

Not that this matters all that much, but it sure would have been heartening to see. Of course, we'd have to hear how Jacobs Field "rejuvenated" downtown (it didn't) and how the city of Cleveland has turned the corner (it hasn't). We'd probably have to endure some clips of The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot and Game 7 of the 1997 Series.

But it'd be OK. It'd be worth it for everyone else to realize just what Cleveland fans are dealing with here. For far too long, we've had to listen to Boston fans complain about the Red Sox, while their basketball and hockey teams put together dynasties for the ages. The same goes for Chicago Cubs fans.

Generations of Cleveland kids have grown up without a winner, and I think it's damaged us in some way (your joke here).

Of course, we really don't care if the rest of the country gets behind a Cleveland team or not. In fact, for their own mental health, let's be honest _ it's probably for the best. And besides, if Cleveland became shorthand for sports futility to broadcasters and sportswriters, we'd be dealing with backlash. So maybe that's for the best. Then again, I thought the Indians could ride their hot streak pretty far, so maybe not. Regardless, I'd rather the Indians were playing ball right now, and I know I'm not alone.

Sigh.