Post-2000 Top 10 Cleveland Sports Moments

There have certainly been plenty of ups and downs! Here is number 10 of the Top-10 Cleveland sports moments of my lifetime:

10. Bill Selby’s Walkoff on Legendary Closer Mariano Rivera

July 4th, 2002

This was such a memorable moment for me. I was at my grandparents’ house watching the game and when Selby hit the grand slam homer, I started to run around and slipped on the floor. I banged my chin and was crying (tears of joy). The Indians won the game by a score of 10-7 and that home run came off a legend. We went to Bob Evans to celebrate!

9. Damon Jones’ Series Winner Over the Wizards in OT

May 5th, 2006

It was the first action Damon Jones had seen all game. His shot from the corner as the clock wound down in OT gave the Cavs the lead at 114-113 and the win. It was the first playoff series win that the team had had since 1993 (13 years) and it was an exciting time for all involved.

8. LeBron’s Shot Against The Magic in Game 2

May 22, 2009

All hope was gone for the Cavs in this series with a loss in the first game and then being behind in the second one. However, LeBron saved the day by hitting the game-winning three with one second on the clock to give the Cavs the victory as the horn sounded. Unfortunately, the Cavs would lose the series in six games.

# 7 Former Browns star return man Josh Cribbs had an amazing gallop against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

November 11th, 2007 – He had to take a kickoff that bounced past him but didn’t go into the end zone. Cribbs ended up taking it all the way for a touchdown. “Joshua Cribbs turns disaster into a score!” 

Then, on October 18, 2009,  Cribbs returned a Pittsburgh kickoff for a touchdown, breaking the team record for returns for a touchdown!

6. Jason Giambi Walkoff Homer in September

September 24, 2013

This home run, put in with Tom Hamilton’s call, is quite thrilling. Giambi was 42 at the time. The Indians would go on to win this crucial September game, 5-4, after that two-run pinch-hit blast.

5. Rajai Davis’ World Series Home Run to Tie the Game

November 2nd, 2016

This would be a lot higher on the list if the Indians actually won that Game 7 over the Chicago Cubs and subsequently the World Series. However, the thrill of tying the game with much of the hope lost was amazing. Davis belted the game-tying two-run blast off elite closer Aroldis Chapman. It’s that damn rain delay that screwed us!

#4 Tyler Naquin hit a walk-off inside-the-park homer to win the game for the Indians

He had quite a celebration at home plate, too.

#3 This was something that hadn’t ever happened. To actually beat the Steelers in the playoffs!

Moreover, not just beat them, but destroy them! It was such a great experience as a Browns fan who has dealt with losing my entire life. 48-37 was the final score, but the Browns blew them out the entire game, and that final is a bit deceiving. It was on the road, too!

#2 LeBron Announcing His Return to Cleveland

LeBron leaving Cleveland was one of my worst memories as a fan of his for practically my entire life. However, his announcement of returning home was such a thrilling moment for this city and our fans. King James had a job to do and it was to come back and win that coveted title for the Cavs and Cleveland. That, he would do!

#1 —— 3-1

Of course, coming back from down 3-1 in the NBA Finals against one of the best teams in the history of the league will always be a historic memory. Once the Cavs fell down 3-1, no one gave them any type of chance to make a comeback. It was certain that the Warriors were going to take care of business and win the 2016 Finals over the Cavs with ease. However, as we all joyously know, that was not the case. LeBron’s block and Kyrie’s shot sealed the deal for the Wine and Gold!