OPINION —
NEW QUARTERBACK, new running back and now a new owner. Who are these Cleveland Browns?
Is this finally a championship grouping?
The last time Cleveland won an NFL Championship was 1964 when Art Modell was the owner, Jim Brown the running back and Frank Ryan was under center. Many younger people have no idea of what a Cleveland championship really is.
Even those my age have a hard time remembering. But things are looking up.
In the draft the Browns picked up what could be franchise players Brandon Weeden at quarterback and Trent Richardson as the ballcarrier. And just this week the deal was completed for Jimmy Haslam III to buy the Browns for about $1 billion.
Yikes! $1 billion? Doesn’t this guy know what happens to Cleveland teams? If Weeden and Richardson make it through training camp without a season-ending injury it would be a miracle.
But hey, maybe the Browns luck has changed. How about the fact that Haslam was a part-owner of the Steelers, yet bought into the Browns and will give up the Steelers stock. In your face Black & Gold! Maybe he knows something we don’t.
Haslam has promised to build a winner. That would certainly be a welcome change for long-suffering Cleveland fans.
ä Speaking of long-suffering, how about the Indians who last won a World Series in 1948 when I was about 10 months old.
While this season had some early promise, the Tribe has become one of the most embarrassing teams in the major leagues. It’s nice to have the Olympics here so we have a sport to watch on TV instead of the Indians.
Then again, the Pirates are a fun team to watch. They are having a strong season, but I don’t think they have enough to stay in the pennant race to the end. Sure would be nice, though.
While some fans may not be happy with it, just to finish over the .500 mark after 19 losing seasons would be a great accomplishment.
ä Speaking of the Olympics, a great deal is made about how many medals Michael Phelps has won. And people question if he is the greatest Olympic athlete ever.
Come on. The guy has so many medals because swimmers can compete in a lot of different events.
It’s really the only sport you can win that many medals, although in track you can usually compete in 3 or 4 events if you are a great athlete.
To me the greatest athlete would be a decathlete or maybe a Carl Lewis who can do so much well. And you certainly have to include people like a LeBron James who is phenomenal and probably could compete in various sports.
The “greatest” in any sport is always up for conjecture. I’m just looking forward to when Trent Richardson surpasses Jim Brown as the greatest running back in NFL history.
Sports
SPORTVIEW: Will new owner make Browns a 'Super' team?
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Hickory boys edge WM for D-10 Class AA Track team title
HARBORCREEK — Hickory High co-head coach Mark Slezak referenced the term “exponential” in explaining the four-fold heart-felt feeling of having a relay team qualify for the PIAA Championships.
That sentiment seemed to summarize Mercer County’s performance during Saturday’s annual District 10 Class AA Track & Field Championships. -
5 area teams qualify for D-10 baseball playoffs
Five area baseball teams have qualified for the District 10 playoffs — Grove City, Kennedy Catholic, Sharpsville, West Middlesex and Wilmington.
In the Class A semifinals, Kennedy Catholic faces Cochranton at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Northwestern High School. Rocky Grove faces Eisenhower in the other semifinal game. -
Hickory, WM boys to collide at D-10 AA Track & Field Championships
For the 2nd time this week, a District 10 track & field team title could be decided by a pair of Mercer County contingents.
Just as Hickory and Grove City girls contested the Class AAA crown Wednesday night, so, too, are the Hickory and West Middlesex boys anticipating vying for Saturday’s AA title. -
Roundup: Reynolds baseball tops GC; Sharpsville, Wilmington softball teams win
ä Reynolds 4, Grove City 1 — At Transfer, Neal Engstrom fired a complete-game 3-hitter with 8 strikeouts and 3 walks in lifting the Raiders (9-8) past the Eagles (14-6).
Ryan Grace was tagged with the loss for Grove City. He struck out 6 batters, issued no walks and gave up 7 hits in going the distance. -
GC girls 3-peat at District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
HARBORCREEK— Some athletes seeded 1st in four events would feel pressure. For Grove City High senior Daniel Jaskowak, it’s an opportunity for name recognition.
“I kind’ve like it. It’s cool, because people know who you are,” related Jaskowak, who won 3 events during Wednesday’s District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships. -
Hickory, GC girls collide at D-10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Cliché though that is, it will be borne out today at the annual District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships.
Hickory High girls — the defending PIAA Class AA titlists — will test the best from the biggest. And the Lady Hornets hope to give as good as they get from the 6-county competition. -
Local tune up for districts at Mercer County Invite
There’s a difference between a warm-up and a warning.
If Saturday’s annual track & field invitational is any indication, Mercer County’s contingent issued a warning for the remainder of District 10: This could be a big year in area annals. -
Roundup: Grace, GC beat Sharon, 4-0, in 5 innings
With an impending storm blowing in above Johnny Pepe Field time was limited, so Ryan Grace greedily gobbled up putouts.
Grove City High’s Grace gave up only 3 base hits, and the visiting Eagles eased to an abbreviated 4-0, 5-inning win over Sharon Friday afternoon. -
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP: County track meet set Saturday at Hickory
The annual Mercer County Track & Field Invitational will be held at Hickory High’s Hornet Stadium Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.
Competing are all Mercer County teams, Class AAA and AA, as well as Slippery Rock. The meet serves as a warm-up to the District 10 championships set next week at Harbor Creek High. -
Roundup: Sharon baseball squad edges Sharpsville, 5-4
It was a tense Tuesday in Tiger-town.
Twenty-four hours removed from a 1-run Region 2-AA loss at New Wilmington, Sharon High’s baseball team could not afford another setback, otherwise its postseason aspirations were alleviated.
Conversely, region pacesetting Sharpsville could have secured the crown with a win, and the Blue Devils dashed to an early 3-0 lead. - More Sports Headlines
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