Cubs flip script in 3-2 win over Indians in Game 5
October 31, 2016Cleveland Browns Week 8 Winners and Losers
October 31, 2016Bernie, Bernie. Oh, yeah! How you can throw! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah …
Bernie, Bernie. Oh, baby. Super Bowl!
Bernie Kosar, Michael Dean Perry, Clay Matthews, Earnest Byner, Frank Minnifield, and the rest of the players from the 1980s Cleveland Browns live in a permanent legendary status despite never having completed their championship mission. John Elway ending their seasons with The Drive and The Fumble are what the national consciousness remembers about those teams. However, locals to the Northcoast remember huddling around televisions, tailgating with the masses at the Muni lot, and the deafening cheers at Municipal Stadium that could help keep warm each person even against the most bitterly cold winds whipping off the Lake Erie shoreline.
The current collection of talent donning the new hue of orange and brown will not remind anyone of those fantastic though ultimately non-championship teams. There is another team in the city that elicits the same type of warm feelings and can bond fans together as they go player-by-player through the roster. A team that is currently up 3-2 in the World Series with two chances to clinch the championship in Cleveland.
90s Power Tribe was never a good comp
Albert Belle knocked down second basemen, crushed dingers, and pointed to his biceps. Kenny Lofton scaled outfield walls to make catches and was a terror on the basepaths. Jim Thome intimidated pitchers an ability to hit the ball off the scoreboard. Manny Ramirez’s intimidation was an innate natural ability that made up for all of his eccentricities. The 1995 team went 100-44 as they destroyed all competition in their path until they were met with a ridiculous strike zone, great starting pitching, and David Justice in the World Series.
Though Kenny Lofton and Carlos Baerga have thrown out first pitches in the 2016 World Series and the Indians organization trots out as many members of those outstanding 90s teams that bring back great memories of packed ballparks and dominance in the standings, the comparison between the current rendition of the Tribe and those free-swinging clubs has never been a natural fit. The 90s Indians were filled with nationally acclaimed star players. Fans of opposing clubs in big markets yearned for the stars of the Tribe sign with their team. Until the players could be swiped off the Tribe, only a New York Yankees dynasty would be able to prevent the Tribe from becoming the team of the 90s.
A much more natural comparison for the Tribe teams that fueled a 455 game sellout streak are LeBron’s second generation Cleveland Cavaliers. Since The Return, the Cavs have three true stars of the NBA in Kyrie Irving, Kevin love, and – duh – James. The Q is sold out on a nightly basis. And, the Eastern Conference, like the AL Central to the 90s Indians, lacks even one true worthy competitor. There is but a single team in the league, the Golden State Warriors, who are not only expected to give them trouble, but are favored against them (just like those Yankee teams).
Langhorne and Slaughter bridge the gap
Despite the offensive abilities and some great media personalities – such as Bob Golic – no Browns players tended to catch on as national stars. Kosar was never considered quite as highly as Joe Montana, John Elways, Dan Marino, or even Jim Kelly. Byner wasn’t perceived to be on the same level as John Riggins or Eric Dickerson. Michael Dean Perry wasn’t even as well-known as his brother, the Refrigerator. Only Frank Minnifield and Ozzie Newsome made the NFL’s All-Decade team, and they did so as second-team players.
The Flying Five was among the great memories of the Kosar led Browns teams. Seeing Reggie Langhorne and Webster Slaughter running full speed and leaping into the air to execute the manuever was the perfect depiction of happiness as it was the exclamation point on a touchdown. The Flying Five gave fans confidence that the Browns would be victorious. Even more than that, it was the imagery of a team who truly seemed to enjoy being together. They were professional colleagues and teammates, but they were also friends.
It is fitting that the 2016 Cleveland Indians have seen Rajai Davis and Francisco Lindor re-establish the Flying Five as a trademark celebration following victories. The national media is focused on what they consider an all-time great Chicago Cubs team. Just as they were focused on David Ortiz and his retirement tour in the ALDS and the surging Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS.
Meanwhile, the Tribe has seen their team forge a bond with each other throughout the season and postseason. Kipnis playfully chased Lindor back to the dugout after the younger player called off the second baseman on a routine pop fly in the ALCS. Davis respectfully chided Lindor in Game 5 for not being bold enough with his lead off first with Jon Lester on the mound. Teammates carried Kipnis through the dugout after his Game 4 three-run home run in a wedding chair celebration. Each player and each game situation has seen another indelible moment featuring the Indians demonstration of confidence and caring with each other.
One More Win
The LeBron James led Cavs finished off the championship run that the 90s Indians never completed despite their sustained dominance. The current collection of Indians look to do the same for those Kosar Browns teams. Despite losing Game 5,1 the Indians still have two more opportunities to clinch the World Series in Cleveland. Those Browns teams from the 80s gave many great memories, and seeing the Flying Five have a championship tint will be special.
- The Tribe lost the game 3-2 despite having their fifth starter face the Cubs ace. And, the Tribe had four opportunities to tie the game with RISP and one out before they fell short. Not to mention, the Tribe won two out of three games in Chicago. [↩]
27 Comments
The Surgeon General Recommends Against Experiencing Multiple Deep Playoff Series Runs In Any Given Twelve Month Period Due To Risk of Heart Failure, Excess Alcohol Consuption, and Poor Diet.
I found myself humming a song this morning without even realizing what it was. Suddenly, I heard the lyrics in my head. “Go Cubs, Go……Go Cubs, Go”. Ugh. I hate how catchy that stupid song is. GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD! I wish the old Talkin’ Tribe song was as catchy.
Kluber, Kluber. Oh, yeah! How you can throw! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah …
Kluber, Kluber. Oh, baby. Super Bowl!
(World Series pennant didn’t work – but, I like it that way)
Go ahead and mix those metaphors. Football broadcasters are always talking about teams “looking for that home run.”
This has been in my head for most of October. It’s been miserable. I had a nice reprieve for a bit when Clevenger tweeted about him (Hanson) singing the national anthem 20 years ago. Then I had “Mmmm Bop” stuck in my head for a week or two until you just reminded me of that god-awful Cubs jingle.
Thanks.
For the record, Langhorne/Slaughter > Lindor/Davis
And my wife insists every time we’re at a baseball game that “CHARGE!!!” makes more sense for football as a sport than baseball…
Cannot argue that statement yet, but I expect by the end of his time in Cleveland that Lindor’s excellence will render any such comparisons laughable.
Show her this play the next time she says such:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV3fNK31HD4
I’m speaking strictly in terms of form and execution of the Flying 5.
Bode, why would he want to show her how Eddie Murray hustled to beat out that double play? I don’t get it.
Hey guys! GUYS! This is my 9,999th comment. My next one will be my 10,000th! That’s a huge milestone!
It had better be good!
Oh, damn.
Did you just parallel the team currently that is one win away from a championship to the team that is famous for s*itting the bed at the very last possible moment? Um… yay?
‘Scuse me while I go over there and start drinking bleach.
Not to mention how great those classic brown jerseys are!
That ’86 season was so fun.
Until it wasn’t.
You had ONE job Webster…
The Surgeon General also recommends against experiencing multiple consecutive wasted seasons of football due to risk of heart failure, excess alcohol consumption, and poor diet.
If I’m going to die anyway, I’d rather die happy. Bring on the Cody-Allen-induced heart attack; chugging Miller High Lifes after each Andrew Miller strikeout; and hot dogs garnished with french fries, mozzarella sticks, and cheese whiz.
well, that will not be matched
He charged to first base!
Haha. I noted how the Cavs championship was to finish the job for the 90s Indians teams that never could close the deal.
This Indians team is here for us to finish the job that those 80s Browns teams that never could close the deal.
https://media.giphy.com/media/R3FSRO8Z9D0lO/giphy.gif
Speaking of strike zones..
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