7/26/2019 Akron Beacon Journal

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/akron-beacon-journal 1/1

OAKLAND, CALIF.: I will cry for LeBron James, that “just a

kid from Akron” accepted the daunting challenge of ending

Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought and was able to

deliver.

I will cry for Earnest Byner and Carl Hairston, for Brian

Sipe and Bob Golic. For Omar Vizquel and Mike Hargrove and

Charles Nagy and, gulp, even Jose Mesa. For Craig Ehlo and Jim

Chones and Mark Price, even though none of them know me.

But most of all, I’ll cry for the fans in Northeast Ohio, whose blind

faith through decades of bad drafts and organizational ineptitude made

them cynical, but never too bitter to stop buying tickets.

After covering Cleveland’s professional teams since 1981,

I fear my Clinique waterproof mascara will fail me in the

catharsis that is sure to come.

For the sake of professionalism, I would prefer to reach

the sanctity of my own home before it hits, but there is no

guarantee of that.

Especially since it all seemed so perfect.

 A kron Beacon Journalwww.ohio.com$1MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 •

Informing. Engaging. Essential. Home Delivery 800-777-2442

Marla

Ridenour

WON FOR ALL!

Cavaliers deliver tears of joy, championship for Cleveland after rallying from 3-1 deficit in Finals

Please see Cavs, A6

Cavaliers forward LeBron James celebrates with teammates after winning Game 7 of the NBA Finalsagainst the Golden State Warriors on Sunday in Oakland, Calif. | MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/Associated Press