The Land Before Time: Cavs Pregame Thoughts
April 8, 2025 vs Chicago
As a kid, I had this hokey cassette tape (amongst all the other hokey things I owned) by Terry Cashman that celebrated baseball and its history. It was called Passin’ it On, and it included absolute bangers about, amongst other things, third base coaches, rain delays, and some dude nicknamed “The Hondo Hurricane.” I sure loved that tape though…
The opening song on the tape was titled “Opening Day,” and included the line:
It’s Opening Day: I can be a kid once more.
Today is one of the beautiful days on the Cleveland sports calendar where we can all be honorary kids for the day. The Guardians have their home opener, and The Jake will be rocking. Immediately following that game, the Cavs will take the court in Rocket Arena and try to clinch the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Its days like these that make working a “real” job hard. Cleveland sports fans around the globe will daydream about what today might be the start of. We’ll imagine the epic calls that Tom Hamilton will make over the next 6 months. We’ll feel the warmth of that familiar voice welcoming us back to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario. The thrill of the game-ending “Ballgame!” Finally, we’ll anticipate the satisfaction of the declaration that “Cleveland! You WILL have an October to remember!”
The cherry on top for today’s home opener is that the daydreaming doesn’t have to end when Tom Hamilton exits the airwaves. Just across Gateway Plaza, the Cavaliers offer a chance to extend the excitement. In the confines of Rocket Arena, Cleveland fans can shift from daydreaming about the next six months to imagining the next two. If the Cavs can beat the Bulls tonight, they will clinch the number 1 seed in the East. What will that mean for the next two months as the NBA playoffs unfold? What jaw-dropping plays will we witness from Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley? What will induce the excitement we all know and love from Mr. Cavalier, Austin Carr? Will this incredibly fun season from the Cavs end on the mountain top?
So, savor today, Cleveland fans. Today, April 8, 2025, offers us a chance to dream in a way we don't often get…
My goal with this pregame article has been to provide insight for Cavs fans that help them be smarter observers of each game. I want this to be an enabler for each Cavs fan to enjoy our team. There is certainly a lot to talk about with the Cavs as they gear up for the playoffs. However, today, I am suspending that goal temporarily. Today, I urge each of you to take a moment to daydream and visualize the joy that Cleveland sports provide you. Maybe it’s a beautiful summer day spent with friends at The Corner in Progressive Field. Maybe it’s a backyard barbeque listening to Tom Hamilton call another Guardians victory. Or perhaps it’s Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy. Whatever it is, take a moment and enjoy it. You deserve it.
Today, we can all be kids once more.
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