It’s was a pretty crazy past week at FantasyTrophies.com. Monday saw the introduction of two new trophies for the 2010 football season in the Throwback Mini and the Armchair Quarterback Mini. Then I found myself rushing up to the Sirius XM offices near Rockefeller Center on Wednesday to hand deliver one of our Throwback trophies so that it could be part of their celebrity draft the next day. The Sirius XM celebrity fantasy football draft was at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square and I was given a pass to attend. It was incredible, to say the least, seeing my Throwback trophy front and center as the curtain finally went up and the draft was underway. I gotta say, it’s weeks like that when I think back to the days when I was sculpting the first trophy while attending art school at Kent State University and just shake my head. It’s one of those things that if someone would’ve told me back then that I’d be talking to Gary “Bababooey” Dell’Abate, from the Howard Stern Show, about my trophy and that a top NFL running back in Maurice Jones-Drew would be holding it- I no doubt would’ve said you were crazy. Let alone that I’d be living in Brooklyn and delivering it to them myself. Yes, it was a crazy week at FantasyTrophies.com- but I’d have it no other way. -DM

I’d like to just say thanks to all the people at SIRIUS XM Radio for putting on an incredible fantasy football draft at the Hard Rock Cafe and for playing for one of our Throwback trophies. It will no doubt be an exciting year.

Josh Cribbs should no doubt have this billboard in downtown Cleveland. The Cleveland Brown’s star return man and wide receiver tweeted to his followers a proposed replacement to the “we are all witnesses” billboard that has been outside of Quicken Loans Arena almost since the arrival of “the King”, Lebron James. Nothing like capitalizing on the situation and using social media. Bravo Josh Cribbs….bravo.

Cavs fan react to The Decision

As I stood watching in total shock and disbelief, wondering what had just happened, I couldn’t help but notice the faces of the other Cleveland fans. It was something I had never seen before on that scale. The pain was palpable and we all shared in it. I turned to my buddy Bill and just shook my head. It was all over and there was nothing that we could do.

It was January 11, 1987 and John Elway was going to his first Super Bowl.

I was a 17 year old usher at old Municipal Stadium that horrible day, stationed on the field at the end of the game. Elway just finished his 98 yard march and the Broncos kicked the winning FG in overtime. I was busy forming a circle with other ushers around the perimeter of the field incase a crazed fan decided to charge. Little did my boss know, but I was planning on being one of those crazed fans. The goalposts were only yards away and I knew this was an opportunity of a lifetime- a story I’d tell my grandkids. Bill was sure to follow. Unfortunately that chance never came. Instead I found myself staring up into the stands at so many people who must’ve looked just like I did. Our hopes and dreams of a championship gone in what seemed to be an instant. So many didn’t want to leave the stadium and had to eventually be told to go home. Was it all really over just like that? Cleveland was so close we could all taste it.

As the entire sports world awaits Lebron James’ announcement, I can’t help but think back to that cold January day. It is something that, as a Cavaliers fan, I wish Lebron had experienced himself. However, being that he was only 2 years old at the time I think it’s safe to say he doesn’t really remember it. That’s too bad. I believe that experience would possibly have a small affect on his decision to leave a city that has shown him so much love. A city that is dying for a championship. The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, Red Right 88, the Indians and game 7 and of course the Browns leaving town are all part of the pain and suffering of being a Cleveland fan. If Lebron decides to go it will be different though. He’s one of our own. A northeast Ohio guy who has to understand the pain and frustration. He lived through the Browns leaving town and knows how it ripped the heart and soul out of the city. He no doubt felt the agony of the average fan as Cleveland was left with nothing but an empty stadium and empty dreams. He’s heard the stories of fans who would give anything to experience a championship season just once in their lifetime. He has to know what it will do to Cleveland if he, like Art Modell, decides to pack it all up and leave for somewhere else. If there is such a thing as a “death blow” in sports, certainly Lebron would be delivering it to his hometown.

So as tonight approaches I, like so many other Cleveland fans, will tune in to watch as Lebron decides not only his future, but what seems like the future of Cleveland itself. He can help to wash away so much of the painful past Cleveland fans have experienced over the last 50 years, or can be forever associated with the likes of John Elway and Art Modell. It’s a decision I’m sure he hasn’t taken lightly. I just wish he could make the announcement from old Municipal Stadium while looking out at all those fans from that cold wintery day 23 years ago. After all, so many are still waiting to charge the field and take down those goalposts. Including myself and my buddy Bill.

Columnist Bud Shaw thinks so.

Starting Blocks TV for Tuesday, June 28, 2010

I gotta say, living in Brooklyn, NY during a World Cup is something special. The city truly comes alive and the streets and bars are filled with people wearing their country’s colors. You can’t help but get wrapped up in it. Even if, like myself, you’re a complete novice when it comes to the rules and strategy of the game. The auto body shop up the block from us is filled with mexican guys cheering for their country and grilling some mean steaks every time Mexico takes the field. The italian guy, who owns the pizza place around the corner, just gave me an ear full on the “bullshit” that was involved in the coach’s decisions that cost them a trip to the elimination round. Needless to say, he wasn’t happy. My german friends are throwing a party tomorrow to watch the Germany/England game with all the german food and beverage you can possibly handle. Yes, Brooklyn and New York City during the World Cup is a special place to be. This sport might even grow on me. Can they just do something about the guys constantly faking damn injuries?

I can’t stand that the modern day sports athlete continues to get his ass kissed on what seems to be a daily basis. It’s either to try and persuade them to remain “loyal” to a particular city, franchise or company or, on the other hand, to be persuaded to leave. The million dollar deals and endorsement opportunities aren’t enough these days. It seems so much more about who’s giving what and fans having to continually pucker up in order to lay a big fat wet one on their million dollar asses. Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of New York City, has even joined in the lovefest. His public courtship of Lebron James is just one more example of how out of whack everything has become. The last time I checked, New York City has much larger issues than if Lebron James will be playing for the Knicks. However, there is Bloomberg smearing on his favorite lip gloss every time he talks about Lebron. After all, I’m sure you want those lips to be nice and soft when you bend over to kiss the King’s ass. What happened to the days of kissing the king’s ring. Oh, that’s right, he doesn’t have one.-DM

The NBA season is over and now the most anticipated off season begins. Being that I’m a transplanted Clevelander now living in Brooklyn, it’s been brutal having to listen to all of the talk about how Lebron is coming to the metro area. It hasn’t just been from Knick fans but also from fans of the Nets. Yes, the Net fans are convinced Jay-Z can persuade The King to play in Jersey. One of the radio stations here even has a “countdown to Lebron” segment. It bombards me wherever I go. I have people actually ask me if I want to see Lebron join the Nets because they’ll soon be playing in Brooklyn. Sure, why not just move the Browns to Brooklyn too? Hey, maybe save on moving costs and get the Indians to join in the parade.
I wouldn’t want Lebron to play here even if I was given season tickets to the Knicks and I could sit courtside next to Spike Lee. (Actually sitting next to him would be more of a deterrent than a bonus) Lebron is pretty much the only thing Cleveland fans have right now to be truly excited about and the thought of him playing in New York makes me as ill as when Elway went 98 yards or when Byner coughed it up on the goalline. The Indians stink and the Browns are in their 10th year of rebuilding. (Rome took less time to build) Lebron is really the only reason to head downtown these days. Well, I take that back. If you have a heart attack you may want to go to the Cleveland Clinic. The sad thing is, I have a feeling if Lebron leaves Cleveland a lot of people might be doing just that.

Remember the feeling when you’d go to a party and you’d take that initial glance around the room? Instantly you knew if you’d be staying or going. It usually only took a split second, but you could tell in that moment if it was going to be just a good night or one to remember for the ages.
Tom Izzo just showed up at the party and has started his initial glance around the room. He’s doing his best to stay positive, but as of right now he doesn’t really see a reason to stay.

“Hey, I know that guy. He can get this party going,” he says to himself as he glances over at a large, familiar looking, 7 foot guy sitting at what seems to be a buffet table. As he moves closer though he realizes the guy is at least 60 pounds heavier than he remembered him to be and he suddenly has no interest in talking with him. Not to mention Tom soon learns that the guy really was only invited to the party this one time and probably is going to be asked to leave soon.
Suddenly a buzz goes around the room that an All-Star just pulled in the driveway. Tom becomes entangled in the mob of people making their way to the front door trying to catch a glimpse. “Is it him?,” one guy shouts only inches from Tom, nearly rupturing his eardrum. ” I’m not sure,” another guy cries out. Suddenly the figure exists his car. Tom can feel his heart racing. “This is it. Finally this party is going to pick up.” As the shadowy figure gets closer, Tom feels the energy leave the room. He realizes the guy only stands about 6′ 2″ and worse yet, came to the party empty handed. Not even a 6 pack of Pabst can be seen under his arm. When confronted on why he’d show up to a party empty handed his only excuse was that he was a major reason why the brazilian guy, the 7 foot bald guy, and the one with the gun in a guitar case were at the party in the first place. He then instantly went into the corner and was never seen or heard from again for the rest of the night.
Tom’s now getting anxious. He knows this party is going nowhere fast and he can’t rely on this cast of characters for a good night. He’s ready to sneak out the backdoor and head back to Michigan to call it a night when all of a sudden he turns and bumps into the guy who’s throwing the party. As Tom collects himself he can’t help but notice that the guy’s pockets are overflowing with cash. “I think this party just got more interesting,” he thinks to himself. “I think Michigan can wait.”
Tom finds himself in the awkward position of listening to another wealthy businessman talk about how willing he is to spend his money and how he can make Tom rich beyond his wildest dreams. It’s a position Tom has been in before. Only this time he realizes he’s listening a little longer, a little more intently.
Tom listens for what seems to be hours. He’s promised all the money he could possible imagine and even the use of a private jet if he just stays. The luxuries seem to be endless, but he knows that there seems to be something missing.
As Tom approaches the front door to go home he scans the room one last time to see who’s still at the party. He swears he smells the subtle hint of talcum powder in the air and feels an incredible urge to stay. His mind is now racing and is no clearer than when he had first arrived.
“Maybe I’ll give it a little more time,” he’s heard whispering to himself as he heads back in to take one last look around. “After all, I could’ve missed someone.”