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Browns Bites book of the month!

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(David Richard photo)

Surviving the Drought: Cleveland Sports Fans Since 1964

By: Gregory G. Deegan

Illustrated. 112 pp. $18.50

Cleveland Landmark Press Inc.

It is an absolute living hell to be a Cleveland sports fan. However, there is more to the discussion itself. Sure, any wise ass in a bar can shoot off the usual fan clichés such as “The Drive”, “The Fumble”, “Red Right 88″, or the “Jose Mesa” like they are Mensa members, but are they really educated on the nuances of our living hell in this sports town?

Well, now you really can be educated on the subject and then some thanks to Greg Deegan and his just released book titled Surviving the Drought: Cleveland Sports Fans Since 1964.

Deegan undergoes a thorough examination to find out just what makes us fans in this town keep getting back up for more. This in depth discussion chronicles the roller coaster ride since the city’s last championship by the Browns in ‘64 and features countless fan interviews in the process. It is a wise purchase for any Cleveland sports fan.

In fact, the fan interviews and quotes come off to me as the lifeblood of the book itself. One reoccurring question being asked of fans for this book is “The next time a Cleveland sports team wins a championship, I will…” with hysterical answers from fans such as “be six feet under” (Chris Stupica of Hudson) or “run naked down East Ninth Street” from Rob Shoens of Brunswick. If these quotes aren’t indications of the desperation and passion for a title for this city, then I don’t know what is.

Deegan also does a good job revisiting some of the more notorious moments in the city’s sports history. These include both of the good and of the not so good variety. My personal favorites include the story of “Nickel Beer Night” from the 70’s as well as any of the plethora of stories from the heyday of the real Dawg Pound from the old stadium. Sex with your girlfriend in the nosebleed seats at the Indians game? It’s been done. Trust me, this section alone make this book a must have.

Of course, this book’s objective is to be a form of printed therapy for the Cleveland fan. Sure, it lays legitimate claim to our town’s place in sports misery’s eternal lore, but at the same time this book also lays the groundwork for hope in the future. After all, with this town’s unmatched passion and hope, reality must soon be right around the corner…right?

This entry was posted on Monday, November 5th, 2007 at 10:50 pm and is filed under Columns, Blogroll, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.