Its only been about six months since the Cleveland Indians succumbed to the Chicago Cubs in what a lot of folks are billing as the greatest World Series ever played.
And who am I to argue?
For me though, what transpired in 2016 was just a tick less exciting than 1995. That was the first time in my life the Indians the only Cleveland team I actually cared about were still playing in October.
It was fresh. It was magical. And even though it ended with Tom Glavines brilliance and one swing of David Justices bat, I cant help but get excited thinking about it today.
But for those of us old enough, I want you to think about the year that followed.
It was 1996. Not much had changed for the Tribe, but chances are the biggest thing you remember about that year was how disappointing it was.
By now most have probably forgotten that the Indians had the best record in all of baseball that year. Or that Albert Belle crushed 48 home runs. And that Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez combined for another 61. Or that Charlie Nagy, Orel Hershiser and Jack McDowell won 45 games between them.
Contrary to what many believe, baseball in Cleveland the year after the Indians went to their first World Series in 41 years was really, really good.
But largely, when Tribe fans think about 1996, they remember frustration.
The team that made it to Game 6 of the World Series less than 12 months before had bowed out of the playoffs in the Divisional Series to the Baltimore Orioles. Unacceptable, right?
I suppose this can happen anywhere, but in Northeast Ohio were really good at taking things for granted, especially when it comes to our sports teams.
From the time the Indians were swept out of the World Series in 1954, longtime fans waited four decades just to get back to the playoffs, let alone the Fall Classic.
And the very next year? Nothing short of what theyd achieved previously would be good enough.
We see it playing out before our eyes right now with the Cavaliers. I read an editorial last week lamenting the fact that the Cavs were on pace to win only 53 games.
I recall sitting courtside many nights in 2002 as a sports writer witnessing a John Lucas-led Cavs team that only won 17 games.
Yet today the team that brought home the bacon last summer is being criticized despite having the best record in the East for much of the season.
People tend to forget just how difficult it is in sports to be in a position to play for a championship. There are so many little things that have to happen just right that, no matter how much talent there may be on a team, reaching the pinnacle is still an incredibly difficult task.
I write this today because one game into the Indians 2017 season I see armchair prognosticators everywhere already making room for postseason championship banners and setting themselves up for whats probably going to be a massive letdown come October.
I write this not to be a naysayer but as a voice of reason.
As a coach every season I must remind myself that the beauty of athletics is found in the day-to-day. Its the journey not the end result that truly matters.
Professional sports, at their core, are played for entertainment purposes. And in Cleveland weve got one of the best teams in baseball assembled playing for us just about every single night for the next seven months.
And no matter where this journey comes to an end this fall, I for one am going to sit back and enjoy the ride.
