Can we take a deep breath, smile and think about the Cavs & Guardians? – Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, Ohio – I’m writing this column before the Guardians’ home opener.

As I walked into Progressive Field, I glanced at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

That’s the home of the Cavaliers ... the Cavaliers who have home court in the playoffs with 51 victories next to their name.

Then there’s the Guardians ... the defending American League Central Division champion Guardians, who beat Tampa Bay in the first round of the 2022 playoffs.

Sometimes, a Cleveland sports fan needs to take deep breath and smile.

Just ... smile.

Smile about Cleveland having two good teams in two different sports playing at the same time and winning.

That’s right ... winning.

Those of us who grew up with Cleveland sports sometimes are almost afraid to say, “Things are pretty good right now.”

That’s because we are so used to something going wrong.

Sure, things can go wrong again. But that’s not happening now.

José Ramírez is a superstar who decided to stay in Cleveland. John Kuntz, cleveland.com

CAN WE BE REALISTIC?

I hear many fans moan, “Whenever Cleveland has a good player, you know he’s going to leave.”

Yes, that has happened.

But José Ramírez signed a seven-year contract last spring to remain in Cleveland. He demanded a no-trade clause to make sure he stays here. He is MLB’s Secret Superstar, one of the best ever to wear a Cleveland uniform.

“But the Dolans are cheap ... "

The Dolans run one of the best organizations in baseball, period. The front office led by Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff along with manager Terry Francona have delivered nine winning teams in the last 10 years. In that span, they have gone to the playoffs six times.

They were 92-70 as MLB’s youngest team in 2022. They are back with the game’s youngest roster again.

Usually young means pain. It means losing ... lots and lots of losing.

Except in Cleveland ... except with this franchise.

Think about that. If you’re a pure baseball fan, savor it. The Guardians play with joy, zest and head-first, dirt-eating slides into bases.

They are Cleveland’s smart, tough and accountable franchise.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro celebrates with teammates Cedi Osman and Donovan Mitchell. AP

GOTTA LOVE THE CAVS

Then there’s the Cavs, where president Koby Altman and GM Mike Gansey rebuilt the franchise from the rubble after LeBron James departed for the Lakers in the summer of 2018.

None of this is to diminish what James did from 2014-18. Four seasons. Four trips to the NBA Finals. Four of the best years of basketball in the history of the franchise.

And yes, the 2016 NBA title.

That championship season will live forever in the memory of those who followed James and the Cavs. That also was a superstar-driven franchise. It was All-LeBron, All The Time. The front office spent four years in a frenzy of trading draft picks and young players for veterans who could help them win right now.

In the end, it worked.

But when it was over, I had the fear the Cavs would spend five ...seven ... maybe 10 years wandering in the lottery wilderness of the NBA.

This time, the Cavs were not going to attract a superstar the caliber of James to come to town and rescue the franchise. They had to do it hard way -- trades and draft picks.

It took four years after James left for the Cavs to have a winning record (44-38 in 2021-22). It’s in Year 5 of the latest rebuild that the Cavs have made the playoffs.

I’m still amazed it’s happened.

A REMARKABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT

There are certain fans and media members who reside in the land of “championship or nothing.”

No title, season is a failure.

It’s a lousy place to live. Sports is a diversion from real life, not real life.

For the last decade, the Guardians have delivered far more good than bad when it comes to entertainment.

On the fun meter, last season was one of the most enjoyable, and 2023 could be more of the same.

Across the street, the Cavs are a defensive-minded team. You also can call them tough, smart and accountable. They have a special superstar in Donovan Mitchell. They have a future superstar in Evan Mobley. They have two other All-Stars in Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen.

The Guardians? They have four Gold Glove winners: Myles Straw, Steven Kwan, Andrés Giménez and Shane Bieber. Ramírez, Giménez and closer Emmanuel Clase were All-Stars in 2022. Giménez is the Guardians’ version of Evan Mobley.

Both franchises are drama-free. Both have strong leadership. Both make you want to watch them.

This is a special time.

- You can find more Terry Pluto columns here.