Curse is foiled

It's over, folks.

Hanging on Grandpa's every word because he remembers watching the Indians win a World Series, something you've never done? It's over.

Reading old newsprint about a Cleveland past that included championship after championship because you can't find it in any current newspaper? It's over.

Hand-wringing about The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot -- heck, the entire city? It's over.

Tonight around 11:30 p.m. we'll be celebrating another shot at the World Series once the Tribe conquers Curt Schilling and the Boston Red Sox. And in a couple weeks we'll be watching a downtown parade as the Indians and Cleveland finally, finally, FINALLY come home with the brass ring.

FACT: the Indians are 3-0 in series when they have held a 3-2 lead (1948 World Series, 1995 and 1997 ALCS). FACT: The Red Sox are just 2-3 in series when they have trailed 3-2 (including the famous 2004 ALCS comeback from down 3-0 agains the Yankees. FACT: The Tribe's win pattern follows that of eight other best-of-sevens in all sports, and the team up 3-2 won the series seven times. FACT: Considering all sports, the Indians have a 78% chance of winning the series since they lead 3-2.

It's over, folks. Juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust because they're the CLEVELAND Indians we worry about the 3-1 ALCS lead evaporating. And juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust because they're the Boston Red Sox, the only team to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a baseball playoff series, we're gripping a little bit as we head back to Boston to finish the series. We're a fanbase with nothing but tough losses in our memory banks, just like a dog who was constantly beaten on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper as a puppy. So we moan and clutch and worry.

But there's nothing to worry about anymore. The Cavs made the NBA Finals just a few months ago, remember? Sure, they lost, but just to make it was a magical carpet ride, unexpected by anyone not wearing a Cavaliers jersey. And the Browns have jettisoned Charlie Frye and turned into a decent team as easily as Clark Kent throws off his glasses and becomes Superman.

Apparently God's a bit upset with Notre Dame right now, because things are going right with Cleveland sports. They've been going right for a little while now.

Now that our team is again on the brink of success it's become cliche to think they are instead on the brink of disaster. Get that World Series logo off our clothes, even though the World Series logo is on everyone's clothes. Josh Beckett's warming up for Game 7. Stephen King's ready to write a new one about this certain comeback.

Huh-uh. It's over, folks. The Indians have their best pitcher going tonight against a fallen hero of old, Curt Schilling. Only Beckett's been able to beat the Tribe so far, and he will be pinned to the bench tonight. And when the Tribe does beat the Red Sox, they'll be facing a far inferior team in the World Series.

That's right. The Indians will be prohibitive favorites in the World Series against the Colorado Rockies. But wait! Didn't the Indians already lose to an expansion team in the World Series?

It's ancient history. All Cleveland sports history is about to become ancient history. We're on the brink right now. The dam is ready to burst; get ready to be swept away in the tidal wave.