Welcome Letter

SINCE THAT SUMMER NIGHT IN ’59 WHEN ROCKY COLAVITO KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK AGAIN AND AGAIN, THIS CLEVELAND SPORTS FAN HAS REMAINED ALL IN.

BY WALLY NAYMON, SHOPKEEPER

BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON EXAMINER PHOTO. BASEBALL CARDS: TOPPS

The game was televised here in Cleveland—and I was a 15 year-old kid, glued to the action on the black-and-white screen of the only set in our family’s Bedford home. The season wasn’t going well for outfielder Rocky Colavito; he’d racked up just three hits in his last 28 at-bats and he was rumored to be traded soon to Boston. (At the time, it didn’t seem like a big loss for the home team.) But on June 10th it all turned on a dime, as luck often does, and by the end of that electrifying game Rocky had hit four consecutive home runs over the wall of Memorial Stadium. I was an elated kid who had scored a sports memory to last a lifetime! We all know Cleveland sports has its share of heartbreak and disappointment, but it’s these singular moments of magic, and their memory, that always keep hope alive. Like you, I was devastated when the Cavs lost in the finals earlier this year. But we’ll never forget the season they gave us, with new memories like Dellavedova’s deft defense in game two and LeBron nailing the go-ahead three in OT of game three—and we fans look ahead as optimistically as ever to the coming season. It’s what being “all in” is all about.

As summer wanes, the Tribe has played 140 games, while Browns season is just underway with the Monsters close behind. We’re anticipating the most exciting season in Cavs franchise history, and along with it the most exciting fall fashion season in years. You’re favorite games will be playing on our color big screen all season long, and if we’re lucky we’ll score a few sports memories together. And if not, there’s always next year.

We’re Cleveland, and we’re ALL “all in.” Thanks for shopping, enjoy the magazine, and we’ll see you soon at Kilgore Trout.