Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Reason #418 - Twins' New Stadium

The Twins' new roof-less ballpark opens next April. They can't wait to leave the Metrodome, which is horrible. But there will be lots of bad weather in the Upper Midwest - maybe worse than Cleveland's. What were they thinking? Let's show Cleveland they're not the only ones with no foresight? Indians play a night game there on April 20. It better be parka giveaway night.

Reason #417 - 2010 Schedule

The Indians 2010 schedule is out and they play the first six games on the road. Not good for a team that always seems to struggle in April. And, yet, the team's own Web site heralds this schedule as "a 2010 schedule that mercifully includes just seven home dates in the often cold and cruel month of April..." Brutal honesty, I guess, for some brutally cold and frustrated fans. Good luck selling tickets to those seven games.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Reason #416 - Sustainability

I admit I've been looking for some new reasons lately. This week, I've found one, at Cleveland's Sustainability Summit, which is charged with developing plans for revitalizing our economy and city by 2019. It's a fact that a retractable roof on Browns Stadium would make Cleveland a much better all-weather city, and that's sustainable. New jobs in adding the roof, new year-round jobs, new events, more downtown visitors and tourists, greater use of public transportation, more civic pride, an improved lakefront, etc.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Reason #415 - Slow Starts in April

The Indians finished 8-14 in April - another bad first month for the team. Same thing every year. Many want to blame the manager, Eric Wedge. I think the cool, rainy weather is a major factor - it's been with us every year just like the manager. So, I say, blame the lack of a retractable roof. Instead of firing the manager, how about hiring a retractable roof contractor?

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Reason #414 - Walk-Up Crowd

The Cleveland Indians need a big walk-up crowd many nights to make their budget for the year. Tonight would have been a perfect night - Red Sox in town, half-price tickets and dollar dogs. Only problem is it's 42 degrees and damp. A retractable roof is the only answer to our problems.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Reason #413 - Rain and Sleet in April

I can see the stands of Progressive Field from my office window. Seven minutes before game time tonight, there weren't more than about 1,000 people in the stands. At the risk of stating the obvious, I think the occasional downbursts of rain and sleet might be keeping the fans away.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Reason #412 - Today

Today is opening day, and, of course, we have rain and 44 degrees. According to the Plain Dealer, since 1968, the Indians are 3-4 in openers when the temperature is in the 30s and 5-7 when it's in the 40s. And those stats don't include the 2007 opener that had to be played indoors in Milwaukee due to a blizzard in Cleveland. I don't know what's worse - the Indians' opening day record in cold weather or the number of cold opening days we've had since 1968.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Reason #411 - Opening Day 2009

Friday's forecast is for 42 degrees and showers. Yes, it seems to rain, sleet or snow every year at this time. Definition of insanity - doing what you've always done and expecting a different result.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Reason #410 - Winter Storm in the Area

The only way the Cleveland Indians avoided another opening day snowout was by opening the season today in Texas. That's embarrassing - again.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Reason #409 - Final Four

Detroit's Ford Field is hosting the NCAA Men's Final Four - expect record crowds and record revenues. In Detroit. In early April. Because they have a roof on their stadium. Did I mention that even Detroit is able to host a Final Four? Cleveland, no roof, no chance.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Reason #408 - Rock Hall Induction Ceremonies

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies are in Cleveland this week because this is where they belong because this is where the Rock Hall is. Unfortunately, the ceremonies are in old Public Hall and they won't be back in town for several more years. A dome on Cleveland Stadium, which just happens to be next to the Rock Hall, would make that the ideal venue for the ceremonies every year.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Reason #407 - Longer NFL Season

The NFL is considering an 18-game regular season by 2010 - that means more regular-season games in summer or winter, or both. Better start working on the roof immediately.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Reason #406 - Sports Fans Like Roofs

I recently attended 12 basketball games in six days - and I never worried about the weather. Roofs are wonderful, and they work just fine for baseball and football, too.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Reason #405 - Great Sports Days

Yesterday was one of the best days in Cleveland sports history - Cleveland State qualified for the NCAA Tournament, the first-place Cavs made an amazing comeback on the road to win their 50th game, and Cleveland hosted the thrilling first round of the MAC Tournament. But we still don't have a roof on our stadiums - and that, and only that, can keep the good times rolling all year round.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Reason #404 - Blanket Giveaway

Indians single-game tickets are now on sale. Everything you need to know about the risk you're taking in buying tickets in advance in Cleveland is right here - the giveaway if you buy four or more tickets is a Grady Sizemore Fleece Blanket.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Reason #403 - Winslow Trade

The Browns paid Kellen Winslow tens of millions of dollars and have nothing to show for it - don't even know WHICH draft picks or WHEN. Proves my point again - spend your money on overpriced, enigmatic players and you get nothing. Spend your money on a roof, and you have comfort ... and value ... and a place that quality free agents will want to play. Admit it, it's all starting to make sense now.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Reason #402 - $500 Million to Spend

Today's Plain Dealer asks what the $500 million in additional sales tax could be used for if the medical mart-convention center plan falls apart. The answer is, and has been for the last two years, right here - add roofs to the Indians and Browns stadiums to turn them into year-round attractions and economic growth drivers. Total cost of about $200 million, which means $300 million left over for schools, wind farms, green technology, tax rebate, etc.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Reason #401 - Browns Season Tickets

Just got the notice that Browns season tickets are now on sale. I might be more interested if I would have a roof over my head as I watch overpaid athletes underperform. Otherwise, I pass. http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/tickets/seasontickets.php

Monday, February 2, 2009

Reason #400 - Super Bowl Hopes and Dreams

Cleveland is the only NFL city to neither play in, nor host, a Super Bowl. Ever. 43 years and counting. Given the state of the Browns, adding a roof so Cleveland could be considered a host city is more realistic than expecting the team to get there. Yes, it worked in lowly Detroit.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Reason #399 - New Convention Center

After years of delay, Cleveland is moving ahead with developing a new downtown convention center and medical mart. Shouldn't a roof-ed Browns Stadium be part of the solution?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Reason #398 - Staying Power

It's been two months since I've posted a reason. But I still know I'm right about this. After all, we have two relatively new open-air stadiums that haven't been used since mid-December. And you wouldn't want to be there - with no days above freezing since sometime last year.