One on one with Patrick…

We’re gonna try something new here at WFNY. Approximately whenever I feel like it, we’re going to introduce you to regular reader/commenter here at the site. (Makes you wish you didn’t use that bogus email when you signed up huh?)

You know today’s participant by the commenter name patrick eaton. My personal favorite comment of his was in response to Andy Varejao–

notice to andy..it’s ok to dunk the ball..doubt u’ll hurt the rim. i mean seriously, if i wanted lazy attempts at second chance points, i could play forward for a couple games..i could use the money

Without any more delay, here’s Patrick’s responses to our questionnaire-

1. Favorite sport to watch in person 
Without question, baseball.  It’s actually funny u ask this question, a friend and myself were just discussing how going to a baseball game is almost like the perfect sports excursion for friends.  You can go, have some beers with some friends and the home fans, and share some memories of past games and your history of the game.  Plus, I think the truly appreciate the talent of the players, you have to be at the ballpark.  The only thing my father told me before my first game at the muni was, wait till you see how far these guys throw the ball.  And he was right.  To truly appreciate how far the right fielder has to throw the ball to try and gun a guy down at the plate, you have to be there. 

2. Favorite sport to watch on tv
Football.  I love going to the games too, but I absolutely CANNOT DEAL WITH TV TIMEOUTS!!!  Plus, Cleveland Browns Stadium is now filled with uppity jerks that get upset when you cheer to loud.  What happened to the fans from “The Real Stadium”?  I’ve been to games at the old muni where i actually got harassed for sitting…now that’s a football game!

3. Sports or hobbies you play
I love to play softball, though I just recently moved to Columbus and I’m not quite sure where I’m gonna play this year.  I like to say that I golf, but in all fairness, I go out on the course, drive the cart, have some beers, and occasionally get out of the cart and swing some clubs.  I’m a 180 bowler, also bowled in a league up in Cleveland, not quite sure if I’m gonna find anywhere to do that down here.
 
4. Favorite Cleveland sports memory
Was at game 5 of the ’97 series on the Homerun Porch.  Still get goosebumps thinking about being there. 

5. Most heartbreaking loss
It’s a tie.  ’97 World Series and “the drive”.  Would love to separate and give a definitive answer, but honestly, there’s no separation between the two.  And one more thing on each game…the overtime field goal was no good…and Cleveland fans, please, PLEASE stop blaming  Jose Mesa for ’97.  I get it, it’s the easy thing to do, but let’s not forget that without a Tony Fernandez error, it may never get to the point it did.

6. Which team do you most want a title for (Browns, Tribe, Cavs)
And vote for the hardest question to answer goes toooo…..We’re a football town, so for the love of all of my fellow true Cleveland fans, the Browns.

7. Your dream piece of Cleveland sports memorabilia
I have a baseball signed by Bob Feller and Herb Score.  If you’re asking what I would LOVE to have…I’d have to say an authentic, autographed jersey from Bernie Kosar baby…gotta love Bernie.

8. Any superstitions
Tried to be superstitious for the ’95 Series, didn’t work, so never again.

9. Top of the ninth, Indians up one, and you get the call to come from the mound…what’s your entrance music– A little AC/DC

10. Why Cleveland teams?
Well why not?  I lived in Cleveland my entire life until this past November and it was just hand fed to me when I was younger.  But as you get older and live through the heartaches of the great Browns teams of the mid to late ’80’s, the absolute horror that was the Indians until the ’94 season, the heartbreak of the tragedy during spring training ’93, the devil (Art) taking our Brownies away only to have the Indians cover the slack for 4 or 5 years, etc…you start to realize that you love every emotion that comes with the losses and the wins.  You realize that even though the Indians couldn’t win a championship in the mid-’90’s, we got to see some possible hall of famers playing first hand, in our backyard, in “Man-Ram” Manny Ramirez & though it pains me to say it, Jim Thome.  You start to realize that as much as girlfriends and wives don’t want to hear it, being a Cleveland fan is a way of life. 

We live and die with every win and loss.  Our Monday’s attitude is completely determined by Sunday’s outcome, and I LOVE IT.  I wouldn’t want it any other way.  I love knowing that my roommate is a Bungles fan, and he can’t deal with the fact that the Browns have passed them as the team to beat in Ohio.  I love that it’s only Spring Training and I will watch every pitch to see the future of my Tribe in Trevor Crowe and Brad Snyder and Ben Francisco and so on.  And even though I haven’t mentioned the Cavs once in this entire e-mail to you, if they were the first team to win a Championship in my life, I would cheer till I lost my voice because it’s a championship for Cleveland which is all I really want.  So, why Cleveland teams?  My answer is because it’s who I am, and who I will be for the rest of my life.