While We’re Waiting: 2025 Cleveland Sports Anniversaries

A new year brings both new opportunities and new anniversaries of glories (and tragedies) past. With 2025 upon us let’s look back and see which sporting anniversaries Cleveland fans will be observing this year. 

105-year anniversary of the Ind-/Guardians’ 1920 World Series Championship

Even your grandparents won’t remember this one. Cleveland’s fist major pro championship featured a best-of-nine format, the Series’ first grand slam, and its only unassisted triple play when Cleveland second baseman Bill Wambsganss recorded three outs by himself during Game 5. Hall of Famers Stan Coveleski, Joe Sewell, and Tris Speaker carried the pride of Cleveland to a 5-2 series victory including a clinching victory at a joyous League Park. 

80-year anniversary of the Cleveland Rams’ lone NFL Championship (1945)

Bet you didn’t see this one coming. Cleveland’s relationship with the NFL extends earlier than the Browns’ founding in 1946. The Cleveland Rams began playing in 1936, but their best season came in 1945. Cleveland went 9-1, winning the Western Division by two games. They hosted the Washington Future-Commanders at Cleveland Stadium for a frigid championship game. A game-time temperature of negative eight degrees foretold a low scoring contest of 15-14. The winning margin came from the very 1940’s action of a Washington pass hitting the uprights which were at the time on the goal line which resulted in a safety. Despite the title, team owner Dan Reeves had too much financial trouble and decided to move the team to sunny Los Angeles. While that banner might hang in SoFi Stadium, the glory occurred on the shores of Lake Erie. 

75-year anniversary of the Browns’ first NFL Championship (1950)

The Browns dominated the AAFC, winning all four championships during the league’s existence. Plenty of pundits were skeptical that Cleveland would continue the same success in the more established National Football League. The Browns greeted their new league-mates by pummeling the defending champion Eagles in Philadelphia 35-10. Cleveland finished the regular season 10-2. They defeated the New York Giants in the Divisional Round by the bizarre score of 8-3. In the 1950 NFL Championship the Browns hosted the LA Rams and triumphed 30-28 thanks to a last-minute game-sealing interception by DB Warren Lahr. The Browns proved they could hang with the big boys and would go on to appear in the next five NFL Championship Games, winning two more. 

70-year anniversary of the Browns’ third NFL Championship (1955)

Remember when the Browns were consistently good? In case you don’t, cast your imagination back to the 1950’s. All the ladies in poodle skirts, all the fellas in white undershirts and leather jackets, everyone singing rock n’ roll…wait that’s just “Grease.” Anyway, this was a primo Browns team; they won the Eastern Conference with a 9-2-1 record and met the LA Rams in the Championship Game. Nearly 88,000 fans filled Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to see the Browns triumph 38-14. Hall of Famer Otto Graham threw for 209 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions, and ran for two scores. Rams QB Norm Van Brocklin threw for, I kid you not, six interceptions and backup Billy Wade joined the party with a pick of his own. Hall of Fame kicker Lou Groze nailed five extra points and a field goal as Cleveland coasted to a victory. 

55-year anniversary of Cleveland Cavaliers joining the NBA (1970)

The Cavaliers played their first ever game on October 14, 1970. They lost 107-92. That was the first snowball of a 0-15 avalanche to start their inaugural campaign. Their longest win streak all season was two. They had multiple nine-plus game losing streaks on their way to a dismal 15-67 season. Still! Basketball is fun! These lows would be necessary to fully appreciate the Miracle at Richfield a few short years later. 

45-year anniversary of the Kardiac Kids (1980)

Believe it or not the Browns have had some seasons which were (mostly) memorable for the right reasons. Despite starting 0-2 the Brown & Orange started securing close, nail-biting victories. Of their 11 W’s, 9 were by seven points or fewer. Head coach Sam Rutigliano successfully steered the team to a Central Division title largely thanks to league MVP Brian Sipe at quarterback. Of course, no good thing can last forever. The Browns hosted the Oakland Raiders in the playoffs, but that game technically took place in 1981 so we will not be covering it right now. 

30-year anniversary of the Ind-/Guardians’ fourth AL Pennant (1995)

There is something about the 1995 Boys of Summer who made an indelible impression in the hearts of Clevelanders. Despite a strike shortened season the pre-Guards won 100 games and their first ever division championship. They swept the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS and bested the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS. Kenny Lofton scored from second on a passed ball in Game 6 to help secure the club’s first World Series trip in 41 seasons. It didn’t quite work out in the Fall Classic but this season and the players who made it special will always be loved in the Forest City. 

20-year anniversary of The Collapse (2005)

They can’t all be positive, folks. In 2005 the Ind-/Guardians surprised pundit everywhere by emerging as American League contenders. Travis Hafner clubbed 33 homers, Grady Sizemore stole 22 bases, and journeyman Kevin Millwood led the AL with a 2.86 ERA. With seven games to go the club was 92-63 and 1.5 games back in the division race with the wild card all but assured if necessary. Then Sizemore lost a ball in the sun in Kansas City which snowballed into a 1-6 finish. They went 1-5 at home, losing two of three to the spoiling Tampa Bay Devil Rays and being swept by the division clinched-White Sox. Meanwhile the Red Sox went 4-3 down the stretch to pick up the league’s lone wild card spot. Ugh.

15-year anniversary of The Decision (2010)

He wouldn’t break up with us live on national television, would he? You bet he would. In his first foray into free agency, plenty of prognosticators expected Lebron James to go to New York. Some thought Chicago was calling. A few even wondered if he would stay home. They were all wrong as Lebron announced on ESPN that he “will be taking [his] talents to South Beach.” A city that professed undying love for him for the better part of a decade was suddenly on camera burning his jersey. Hell hath no fury like a lover scorned and Cavs fans felt pretty scorned. Until…

10-year anniversary of the Cavaliers’ second Eastern Conference Championship (2015)

All is forgiven! In a turn that felt almost as shocking as LeBron’s departure he returned to Cleveland in 2014 along with Kevin Love. The first season appeared rocky at times, but the Cavaliers hit their stride in the playoffs, defeating the Celtics, Bulls, and Hawks on their way through the Eastern Conference playoffs including an iconic walk off shot from James in Game 4 in Chicago. They could not overcome the Warriors in the NBA Finals despite holding a 2-1 series lead. Still, it all appeared to be a preamble for the unforgettable 2016 Championship, but more on that next year.

5-year anniversary of… something (2020)

Couldn’t tell you. Sorry folks. I’m sure stuff happened this year, but I cannot remember and any time I look up anything from that year my nose starts bleeding and I pass out. Research it on your own time

These anniversaries are fun reminders of not only what happened on the field/court/diamond, but bring back memories of the people with whom we shared the moments and the places we love. Let’s hope there are enough positive moments in 2025 that are worth remembering in the future. 

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