Bobby

I was raised on sports. As is the case with most Clevelanders, that’s more of a burden you are born into than conscious choice for sake of fun and enjoyment. I have been fortunate enough to be a dedicated fan during the Browns’ move to Baltimore, the Indians’ numerous collapses (1995, 1997, 2005, 2007), and LeBron’s betrayal. So forgive me if my writing has a certain cynical and pessimistic flair; it comes with the territory. Despite all this, I keep coming back for more, and have actually grown to become a well-rounded (albeit fatalistic) sports junkie.  I guess some people are just addicted to pain and suffering.

Regardless, I am one of the few who enjoys and attempts to follow virtually every sport, but hockey, soccer, and basketball are my true loves. Hockey was my first, but the combination of my “scholarly” build and my mother’s anxieties prevented that dream from becoming a reality until I was 20 years old and took the Miami University Intramural Hockey League by storm with my penguin pajama pants and woefully underdeveloped skating skills.

I had a decent soccer “career,” armed with lightning fast speed, two cannons for legs, and by far the best lazy streak in all of Ohio High School Soccer. (Hey, if you were in a halfway decent high school rock band, would you sign up for foot skills training to improve your first touch?)
I’ve loved basketball since the night my brother stormed into my room, woke me from my peaceful slumber, and shouted with joy that the Cavaliers’ acquisition of Shawn Kemp would bring Cleveland its elusive title. It did not bring Cleveland said title, but did bring the city a surge in out-of-wedlock children and brought me a kickass Cavaliers jersey that I cannot believe some Goodwill child now dons with Reign Man-like intensity.

I could continue to regale you with thoroughly entertaining tales of my sports experiences, but someday I might need to weave those into a story that actually counts for something to the people who matter around here (i.e. the editors who are not particularly pleased with my Thompsonian knack for missing deadlines and generally ignoring my duties as a contributor to this journalistic enterprise). In any case, expect me to write about hockey, soccer, basketball, and pretty much anything else I damn well please around here.

And now, the only thing you really care about: my teams.

Michigan State Spartans, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, FC Barcelona, AC Fiorentina, SSC Napoli

Story Archive
Why You Should Be Watching Hockey Right Now - February 17, 2012
Re: Chris Paul is the Best Basketball Player in the NBA (No, Really) - Really? - February 8, 2012