Diamonds and...Gems? With Cliff G. (@CLG2282)

By @CLG2282

While baseball doesn't always display the gravitating pull on it's fans and heaven sent aura of The Artist formerly know as.., tonight's game 7 was nothing short of rhythmic lyrics set to a hypnotic track.

Watching what was probably the most entertaining MLB playoff series in the last decade,  the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals put on a story book performance that would likely earn a standing ovation from Prince himself. And what better way to end it than with a Game 7 played with near perfection (In a baseball sense anyway).

Both teams came out firing like an old Western cowboy film, sending the starting pitchers to the dugout for good before the start of the 4th inning, like a classic tumbleweed scene. But then the grit of defense reared it's rugged head.

Pulling out all the stops, both managers rotated pitchers. The fielders made play after game saving defensive play. And then, Bumgarner.

While offensively Pablo Sandavol swinging hot a bat, Madison Bumgarner came in and essentially closed the door. In the 5th INNING. Yes the 5th. On only two days rest Bumgarner, the clear highlight of the World Series, pitched lights out for 5 innings of RELIEF. Yes you read that correctly.

In what is the most dominate pitching performance in a playoff series that I've ever seen, "Mad Bum" ended with a total of 21 innings pitched while only allowing one, yes ONE, earned run. After giving up a single to the first batter he faced, Bumgarner gave up only one more hit and struck out four over the next FIVE innings.

Backed by tremendous defensive gems from his teammates,  Bumgarner made pitching in the biggest game on the biggest stage look as easy as warming up in the bullpen. I guess winning the World Series twice before you turn 25 will give you those kind of calm nerves.

After closing out their third MLB title in 5 years, the San Francisco Giants are now getting their name tossed into the dynasty hat. Winning it all every other year, with an anchor of an ace, will draw that kind of attention for your organization.  And kudos to the Kansas City Royals in their efforts and near perfection of "small ball".

Overall, this was a great series. And probably the greatest series that no one ever watched. With the NFL hitting it's stride and the looming NBA opening week, this amazing series will forever be under appreciated because of the marketing mammoths that are the NBA and NFL. Not to mention the very competitive NCAA football. With that said, LeBron is home and the NBA is back. I am very proud and excited (as always) to be a Clevelander today (and forever but especially today) with all the buzz swirling around our city.

Leadoff with Lee 10.22.14

By @cleeverizon

-The Giants are hunting "Blue October". Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants dominated the Kansas City Royals in their 7-1 route, giving San Francisco a 1-0 lead in the World Series. Bumgarner improved to a 5-0 postseason record while pitching 7 innings, giving up 3 hits and 1 earned run with 5 strikeouts. Hunter Pence was 2-3 with a home run, 2 RBI and scoring 2 runs. James Shield lasted 3 innings for the Royals giving up 5 runs and exploding his post season era to 5.74. Game 2 of the series is tonight with Yordano Ventura getting the start for the Royals, while Jake Peavy takes the mound for the Giants.

-It's a party in Cleveland October 30th for the Cavaliers season opener against the New York Knicks. TNT, with Kenny Smith and his knees, Shaq and Sir Charles Barkley, come to town for a concert featuring rapper Kendrick Lamar who will perform his latest single "I", which is the featured promo song for TNT and the NBA. Comedian Kevin Hart will be the host of the night, so expect to see him at the concert and during pregame, halftime and postgame festivities.

-Johnny vs Hoyer? I say give Brian Hoyer a full season to play. The quarterback position hasn't been stable in 15 years, no need to rush Manziel in at this point. Did you see Blake Bortles throw 3 interceptions on Sunday? W.W.J.D under that Jaguars D-Line and pressure? Thanks to a ESPN and FOX, the national media has Cleveland going as crazy as the Ebola story. Just wait and see what happens. If the Browns are a playoff team with Hoyer under center, let him be. If we are out of the picture, let Johnny play. I don't mind throwing in a Johnny package or two during games.

-Ray Rice has filed a grievence against the Baltimore Ravens for terminating his contract. Rice was cut after the TMZ video surfaced of him dragging his girlfriend, now wife, out of an elevator was made public. Soon afterward, the NFL suspended him indefinitely. Rice has since appealed his suspension with a hearing set for November 4-5. Rice could receive $3.5 million dollars if his grievence and appeal are approved.

-The Dallas Cowboys waived rookie linebacker Michael Sam yesterday from their practice squad. Sam was the Co-Defensive player of the year and First team All SEC selection in 2013. Sam made $6,300 per week as a practice squad player with the Cowboys. You'll remember that Sam is the NFL's first openly gay player.

-Peyton Manning has a NFL record 510 touchdowns. Do you think he discriminates on who he throws the ball to? Here is a breakdown of his touchdown passes thrown.(Add unproxx October 20 chart) or any other TD chart.

-South African paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to a 5 year prison term for the culpable homicide (U.S equivilent of manslaughter) of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. According to Pistorius, after he was frightened and awakened by what he thought was a intruder, he shot his gun at them, who ended up being his girlfriend. Pistorius could be released after 10 months to serve the remainder of his sentence on house arrest.

-Baseball America ranked the Cleveland Indians 2014 draft tops in Major League Baseball. Among the prospects, the Tribe walks away with the best defensive player Alex Pantoja who plays shortstop and best pure hitter Bradley Zimmer, first baseman (Arizona League MVP). Just to name a few.